Photo Credit: Steven Muncie/OnPitRoad.com
An announcement months in the making, and on his birthday to sweeten the deal, Daniel Suarez was officially confirmed as driver of the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford on Monday. Suarez will replace Kurt Busch, who moves to Chip Ganassi Racing for the 2019 season.
“This is the best birthday present I could ask for,” the Mexican-born now 27-year-old said. “We’ve all seen how competitive Stewart-Haas Racing is – all of their drivers won last year and all of them advanced deep into the playoffs. This is the opportunity every driver wants, and now I have it. I want to deliver for this team, our partners in Haas Automation, ARRIS and Ford and, ultimately, for me. We have everything we need to be successful.”
Suarez, the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion, has spent the last two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series seasons in the Joe Gibbs Racing camp. Prior to that, Suarez spent two seasons in the XFINITY Series, including his championship year, with Gibbs. Martin Truex, Jr. takes over his No. 19 seat at JGR.
In addition to moving to Stewart-Haas Racing, Suarez retains a firm supporter in Arris. Haas Automation will also serve as a primary sponsor throughout the 2019 season.
In 72 starts in the Cup Series, Suarez has 21 top-10s, four top-fives and a best finish of second coming at Pocono Racing in July 2018.
