With just over 22 minutes left in qualifying, Daniel Suarez crashed his No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in Turn 11, ending his chance to complete a flying lap. The car sustained heavy damage, forcing him to switch to a backup car and start from the rear of the field.
Suarez reported that he “locked the fronts” at corner entry, leading to the incident. Despite the setback, he remains optimistic about the backup car’s performance, expressing confidence that it will be competitive in the race.
After being checked and released from the care center, Suarez took responsibility for the crash, acknowledging that he may have pushed the car beyond its limits due to brake issues. He apologized to his team and expressed hope for a strong recovery.
The crash occurred at a significant moment for Suarez, who was enjoying a successful week at his home race with a strong fan and media presence. Despite the challenges, he is determined to bounce back and deliver a strong performance in the upcoming Xfinity race.
Suarez, a former Xfinity Series champion with multiple wins, will rely on his experience to navigate the adversity and make the most of the situation. His teammate Connor Zilisch secured pole position for the race, demonstrating the competitive potential of JR Motorsports in the event.
