{"id":39475,"date":"2022-06-12T19:10:18","date_gmt":"2022-06-13T00:10:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=39475"},"modified":"2022-06-14T14:21:00","modified_gmt":"2022-06-14T19:21:00","slug":"mexican-daniel-suarez-wins-first-career-nascar-cup-series-race-at-sonoma-raceway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2022\/06\/12\/mexican-daniel-suarez-wins-first-career-nascar-cup-series-race-at-sonoma-raceway\/","title":{"rendered":"Mexican Daniel Su\u00e1rez wins first career NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Daniel Suarez, driver of the #99 Onx Homes\/Renu Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 12, 2022 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

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By Holly Cain<\/em><\/p>\n

NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWin Numero Uno.\u201d Those were the words on the flag Mexican driver Daniel Su\u00e1rez held out the window of his No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet as he turned celebratory \u201cdonuts\u201d on the frontstretch of Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway Sunday afternoon in the ecstatic first moments of his first ever NASCAR Cup Series victory.<\/p>\n

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Daniel Suarez, driver of the #99 Onx Homes\/Renu Chevrolet, crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 12, 2022 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Su\u00e1rez\u2019s No. 99 Chevrolet pulled away from runner-up Chris Buescher\u2019s RFK Racing Ford in the closing laps to take an impressive 3.849-second maiden NASCAR Cup Series win on the 1.99-mile Northern Californian road course \u2013 the third victory of the season for the second-year Trackhouse Racing team whose members rushed over the pit road wall to embrace their driver and celebrate the historic achievement.<\/p>\n

With the win, in his 195th NASCAR Cup Series start, Su\u00e1rez becomes the fifth different driver not born in the United States to win in the NASCAR Cup Series; joining Marcos Ambrose (Australia), Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia), Earl Ross (Canada) and Mario Andretti (Italy). And he did so convincingly. He led a race best 47 of the 110 laps and ultimately took one of the largest margins of victory on the season.<\/p>\n

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Daniel Suarez, driver of the #99 Onx Homes\/Renu Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 12, 2022 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Su\u00e1rez, the 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, screamed in joy on his team radio on the cool-down lap and after exiting his car, smashed a pinata.<\/p>\n

Congratulations soon came in from across the racing world on social media \u2013 including former seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson \u2013 all before Su\u00e1rez had even hoisted his trophy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have so many thoughts in my head right now,” an emotional Su\u00e1rez said, thanking his team owner Justin Marks, his family, and \u201call the people who helped me get to this point.”<\/p>\n

\u201cSo very happy we were able to make it work,” Su\u00e1rez added, saying of his team, \u201cThey believed in me from day one.”<\/p>\n

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Daniel Suarez, driver of the #99 Onx Homes\/Renu Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 12, 2022 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

He then offered a message of thanks in Spanish to the large crowd of his \u201cAmigos\u201d – the name of his fan club cheering trackside \u2013 and ended it in English by promising, \u201cthis is one of many.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 30-year-old Su\u00e1rez, from Monterrey, Mexico, is now the 12th different winner of the 2022 season \u2013 and fourth first-time winner.<\/p>\n

The top-four finishing drivers Sunday were all looking for their first win of the season. Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell finished third, followed by Stewart-Haas Racing\u2019s Kevin Harvick in fourth.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Daytona 500 winner, Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Austin Cindric was fifth, followed by his Team Penske Racing teammate Ryan Blaney. Su\u00e1rez\u2019s Trackhouse Racing teammate Ross Chastain was seventh, followed by Hendrick Motorsports drivers Chase Elliott and William Byron.<\/p>\n

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Daniel Suarez, driver of the #99 Onx Homes\/Renu Chevrolet, celebrates by drinking wine in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 12, 2022 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Buescher\u2019s RFK Racing teammate and team co-owner Brad Keselowski was 10th \u2013 his best finish since a ninth-place showing in the season-opening Daytona 500.<\/p>\n

For much of the early-going, it looked like Elliott and his Hendrick teammate \u2013 defending race winner Kyle Larson \u2013 may well decide the win. But both had to overcome uncharacteristic pit stop miscues that allowed Su\u00e1rez to essentially dominate the closing laps.<\/p>\n

Elliot, who led 26 laps, pitted outside his box and had to serve a penalty that put him 34th – last in the field among those still running. His rally to an eighth-place finish was impressive considering the adventurous day.<\/p>\n

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Daniel Suarez, driver of the #99 Onx Homes\/Renu Chevrolet, celebrates with Daniel’s Amigos after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota\/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 12, 2022 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Larson, the polesitter who also led 26 laps and won Stage 1, had a right front wheel come off his Chevrolet heading into Turn 2 right after a pit stop. His team now faces a mandatory penalty for that infraction that includes a four-race suspension for the team\u2019s crew chief (Cliff Daniels) and both the tire changer and jackman. The defending series champion finished 15th.<\/p>\n

On an upside, however, the combined 52 laps led by Elliott and Larson topped the 100,000 all-time miles led mark for Hendrick Motorsports \u2013 most in NASCAR history.<\/p>\n

With his eighth-place finish, Elliott still holds a 16-point advantage on Chastain in the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings.<\/p>\n

The NASCAR Cup Series has its only \u201coff week\u201d of the season next week but will return to competition on June 26 in the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway (5 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Larson won the inaugural race there in 2021.<\/p>\n

Interviews:<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NASCAR Cup Series Race Winner Daniel Suarez (No. 99 Team Trackhouse Chevrolet) – <\/p>\n

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Team Owner Justin Marks and Crew Chief Travis Mack (No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/MarksandMack.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

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NASCAR Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation Ben Kennedy on the Busch Light Clash returning to the Los Angeles Coliseum in 2023 – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Kennedy6.12.22.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

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NASCAR Cup Series Race – 33rd Annual Toyota\/Save Mart 350<\/b><\/p>\n

Sonoma Raceway<\/b><\/p>\n

Sonoma, California<\/b><\/p>\n

Sunday, June 12, 2022<\/b><\/p>\n

               1. (8)  Daniel Su\u00e1rez, Chevrolet, 110.<\/p>\n

               2. (3)  Chris Buescher, Ford, 110.<\/p>\n

               3. (4)  Michael McDowell, Ford, 110.<\/p>\n

               4. (23)  Kevin Harvick, Ford, 110.<\/p>\n

               5. (25)  Austin Cindric #, Ford, 110.<\/p>\n

               6. (14)  Ryan Blaney, Ford, 110.<\/p>\n

               7. (7)  Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 110.<\/p>\n

               8. (2)  Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 110.<\/p>\n

               9. (20)  William Byron, Chevrolet, 110.<\/p>\n

               10. (22)  Brad Keselowski, Ford, 110.<\/p>\n

               11. (13)  Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 110.<\/p>\n

               12. (18)  Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 110.<\/p>\n

               13. (15)  Chase Briscoe, Ford, 110.<\/p>\n

               14. (21)  Aric Almirola, Ford, 110.<\/p>\n

               15. (1)  Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 110.<\/p>\n

               16. (19)  Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 110.<\/p>\n

               17. (9)  Joey Logano, Ford, 110.<\/p>\n

               18. (11)  Kurt Busch, Toyota, 110.<\/p>\n

               19. (16)  AJ Allmendinger(i), Chevrolet, 110.<\/p>\n

               20. (17)  Joey Hand, Ford, 110.<\/p>\n

               21. (6)  Cole Custer, Ford, 110.<\/p>\n

               22. (33)  Erik Jones, Chevrolet, 110.<\/p>\n

               23. (34)  Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 110.<\/p>\n

               24. (24)  Todd Gilliland #, Ford, 110.<\/p>\n

               25. (32)  Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet, 110.<\/p>\n

               26. (28)  Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 110.<\/p>\n

               27. (31)  Christopher Bell, Toyota, 110.<\/p>\n

               28. (26)  Harrison Burton #, Ford, 110.<\/p>\n

               29. (29)  Josh Bilicki(i), Chevrolet, 110.<\/p>\n

               30. (12)  Kyle Busch, Toyota, 110.<\/p>\n

               31. (10)  Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 110.<\/p>\n

               32. (36)  Cody Ware, Ford, 109.<\/p>\n

               33. (35)  Scott Heckert, Ford, 109.<\/p>\n

               34. (30)  Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, 101.<\/p>\n

               35. (5)  Tyler Reddick, Chevrolet, 97.<\/p>\n

               36. (27)  Bubba Wallace, Toyota, Engine, 9.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  78.008 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  2 Hrs, 48 Mins, 22 Secs. Margin of Victory:  3.849 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  4 for 14 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  6 among 6 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   K. Larson 1-26;C. Elliott 27-52;J. Logano 53-56;C. Buescher 57-60;D. Su\u00e1rez 61-81;B. Keselowski 82-84;D. Su\u00e1rez 85-110.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Daniel Su\u00e1rez 2 times for 47 laps; Chase Elliott 1 time for 26 laps; Kyle Larson 1 time for 26 laps; Chris Buescher 1 time for 4 laps; Joey Logano 1 time for 4 laps; Brad Keselowski 1 time for 3 laps.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 5,22,18,31,10,21,77,45,47,51<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 22,10,17,99,4,38,21,34,47,12<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Holly Cain NASCAR Wire Service \u201cWin Numero Uno.\u201d Those were the words on the flag Mexican driver Daniel Su\u00e1rez held out the window of his No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet as he turned celebratory \u201cdonuts\u201d on the frontstretch of Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway Sunday afternoon in the ecstatic first moments of his first ever […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":39503,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[259,16,455],"class_list":["post-39475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-daniel-suarez","tag-nascar","tag-sonoma-raceway"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/GettyImages-1402543806-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1813","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-agH","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39475","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39475"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39475\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39508,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39475\/revisions\/39508"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39503"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}