Races February 24, 2026February 24, 2026 Suárez Wins Stage Points in 68th Daytona 500 Date: Feb. 15th, 2026 Event: Daytona 500 Series: NASCAR Cup Series Location: Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile oval) Format: 200 laps, broken into three stages (65 laps/65 laps/70 laps) Start/Finish: 15th / 12th (Running, completed 200 of 200 laps) Point Standing: 12th with 35 points Notes: Daniel Suárez, driver of the No. 7 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Spire Motorsports, qualified 15th for the 68th Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. After his primary car was heavily damaged in Thursday’s America 250 Florida Duel 1, the team switched to a backup car and Suárez was required to start at the tail of the field per the NASCAR Rulebook. An early caution on Lap 6 allowed the 34-year-old driver to bring his Chevy to pit road to top off on Sunoco fuel and he rejoined the field in 18th. Suárez reported a lack of front grip while battling a strong headwind as the field approached the end of Stage 1 and took the green-and-white checkered flag in the fifth position to earn six bonus points. Suárez began Stage 2 inside the top 20 and began saving fuel to minimize time that would later need to be spent on pit road. A multi-car pileup occurred with five laps remaining in Stage 2, as drivers were midway through green-flag stops for fuel. The Monterrey, Mexico native was able to keep his Freeway Chevy unscathed as he maneuvered through the chaos and was scored 10th when the yellow flag was shown. Stage 2 ended under caution and Suárez was credited with an additional bonus point for finishing in 10th. When pit road opened, Suárez made a stop for fresh Goodyear tires and fuel, and made an adjustment to free up the balance of the No. 7. As the Final Stage began, Crew Chief Ryan Sparks called Suárez to pit road to top off on fuel ahead of the final the 70-lap run. Sparks advised his driver to conserve fuel for as long as possible, to give the team a chance to make it to the end of the race without stopping. However, while running in the top 10, Suárez radioed that his Chevy was handling tight prompting a late splash of fuel with 12 laps to go. Following a yellow-flag period for incident, Suárez restarted 23rd with just four laps left and safely cross the finish line in 13th while avoiding a last-lap wreck. Daniel Suárez, driver of the No. 7 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet Camaro for Spire Motorsports: “Our Freeway Insurance Chevrolet had a solid day. A couple things could’ve been sharper, but overall it was a strong way to finish and a good foundation to build on for Atlanta next week.”
