Daniel Suarez
Photo – Getty Images
While a familiar partner for his Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) team, current NASCAR XFINITY Series point’s leader Daniel Suarez will represent a new sponsor in Saturday’s XFINITY 300 at Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway.
Interstate Batteries, who first established its sponsorship with JGR prior to the 1992 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season will back the Monterrey, Mexico driver in the first of two XFINITY Series races this season, CATCHFENCE.com has confirmed.
The Dallas-based company also sponsors reigning Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch in select Cup races. They also backed Suarez’s XFINITY teammate Erik Jones two weeks ago at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway. Other accolades during their 25-year partnership include the 1993 Daytona 500 victory by Dale Jarrett, the 2000 Sprint Cup championship with driver Bobby Labonte and multiple wins by Busch.
On the heels of his second consecutive top-five finish of the season this past weekend at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway, the 24-year-old Suarez is looking forward to representing such an established brand like Interstate Batteries this weekend.
“It’s really good,” said Suarez of the pairing. “Honestly I’m a big fan of Interstate Batteries, just like Joe Gibbs Racing. Actually, it’s one of the first sponsors ever that Joe Gibbs Racing had at the beginning – when Joe Gibbs Racing was starting in racing.
“I’m very excited to be a part of this and (apart) of the Interstate Batteries family now and having them onboard for California.”
One of two XFINTIY Series regulars who have earned a top-10 finish in all four races thus far in 2016, Suarez is on the cusp of his first series triumph, and while it’s possible that it could come this weekend, the former NASCAR diversity driver is focused on keeping his season pointed in the right direction – especially with a partner of Interstate’s caliber.
“California has been a really good race for us,” added Suarez. I’m really looking forward to being strong and trying to put ourselves in a good position to finish in Victory Lane.”
Still looking to steer the first XFINITY Series regular to the winner’s circle this season, Suarez is a good candidate to end a three-race dominate streak from JGR teammate Busch.
Suarez remains on a hot streak having finished inside the top-10 in every XFINITY race since Dover (Del.) International Speedway last October. Standing at 10 races strong, the phenom is ready to win and is optimistic it could come this weekend.
“We know it’s early in the season, but it’s always important to try and win races and to try and be consistent.”
So far, consistent is something that Suarez has mastered – and should he answer the call of scoring his first NASCAR National Series win Saturday, you better charge your batteries.
There’s no doubt, the celebration will be bigger than any Hollywood blockbuster known to man.
Catchfence