Daniel Suárez to start at rear in Las Vegas after discovering issue with engine component

Bad news for Daniel Suárez and his Trackhouse Racing team. An issue with the engine will have the 99 car starting in the rear tomorrow. Suárez was P23 in NASCAR Cup Series qualifying before having the issue.

Daniel Suárez and the 99 team were eliminated from the NASCAR Playoffs last week at the Roval. However, he is still looking to add a win or two to his record this season.

Things are going to be more difficult for Suárez than it already was going to be. He is headed to the rear of the field after his team fixed the engine issue.

“Excited to have [Tooties] on board with us again this weekend! Unfortunately, our team found an issue with a component of our engine that will send us to the rear for tomorrow’s race,” Suárez posted. “With that being said I got a good feeling in practice so we’ll be ready to pass some cars and make our way up front.”

Excited to have @tootsiesnet on board with us again this weekend! Unfortunately our team found an issue with a component of our engine that will send us to the rear for tomorrow’s race. With that being said I got a good feeling in practice so we’ll be ready to pass some cars and… pic.twitter.com/7V7isjJzSe

— Daniel Suárez (@Daniel_SuarezG) October 20, 2024

While he did his best, Daniel Suárez was not able to advance to this round of the playoffs. He is going to have a tough time coming away with a good finish on Sunday as well. Now, his poor qualifying effort may have been a result of his engine issue so we won’t judge too harshly there.

Daniel Suárez has issues, Ross Chastain advances in qualifying

For Daniel Suárez there is a silver lining – his teammate did great in qualifying. Ross Chastain had a fast Chevy Camaro in practice and qualifying. He came away P7 in the final round amid a field of playoff drivers.

Chastain won at Kansas, acting as the spoiler. Back at an intermediate track once again, will he have the speed to do the same thing again in Las Vegas? Suárez might be looking at the No. 1 team and feeling confident that his car will have the speed to move up through the field.

Trackhouse Racing is growing next year. So, it’s important for Suárez to perform. With a young and talented driver like Connor Zilisch rising through the ranks, each driver in that organization has to prove their worth.

Daniel Suárez will have his work cut out for him. Starting in the rear with Ryan Blaney, a playoff driver in a backup car, will be interesting. Will these two work together to move up through the field or find themselves amongst the squirrels when things get hairy?