NASCAR Cup Series: Daniel Suarez to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2019?

By Asher Fair | Sep 25, 2018

RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 22: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 Comcast Toyota (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

With Daniel Suarez likely leaving Joe Gibbs Racing at the end of the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season, could he end up replacing Kurt Busch at Stewart-Haas Racing for 2019?

Furniture Row Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. has been tipped to sign with Joe Gibbs Racing as the replacement for Daniel Suarez behind the wheel of the #19 Toyota for the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season, as Furniture Row Racing have had a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing since the 2016 season but are set to shut down after the 2018 season reaches its conclusion.

Although this move was revealed several weeks ago and it has still not been confirmed, there is no reason, at this point, to believe that it will not happen and that Suarez will return for a third season driving the #19 Toyota.

What does this mean for the future of the 26-year-old Mexican?

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It has been speculated that Leavine Family Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing would form a technical alliance much like the one that Furniture Row Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing have had. As a result, it has also been speculated that Suarez could end up driving what would become the #95 Toyota.

This car is currently the #95 Chevrolet. Kasey Kahne, the full-time driver of the car before he was sidelined with health issues, is set to retire at the end of the season.

But Stewart-Haas Racing have reportedly shown interest in signing Suarez as the replacement for Kurt Busch behind the wheel of the #41 Ford. Last month, Busch was tipped to replace Jamie McMurray at Chip Ganassi Racing as the driver of the #1 Chevrolet. This was the case even before it was confirmed that McMurray would be leaving the team at the end of the season.

Like the case is with Truex Jr.’s potential move to Joe Gibbs Racing, Busch’s potential move to Chip Ganassi Racing, or, at the very least, his move away from Stewart-Haas Racing, has not been confirmed, but it looks more and more likely each day.

Could Suarez actually sign with Stewart-Haas Racing assuming Busch leaves? The move would be shocking given the fact that he failed to make the playoffs in each of his first two seasons driving for arguably the best team in the sport as well as the fact that he has not yet earned a victory and has just four top five finishes to his name in 64 career Cup Series starts driving in top-tier equipment.

It would be even more shocking given the fact that it would mean that Stewart-Haas Racing would have to forego the opportunity to promote Cole Custer, their rising Xfinity Series star who has driven full-time for the team since last season and made his first three career Cup Series starts this year.

Had Custer qualified for the Championship 4 in his rookie Xfinity Series season last year, he would have won the championship since he won the season finale. He ended up finishing in fifth place in the championship standings. He is very much a championship contender again this year.

However, Suarez signing with Stewart-Haas Racing would really not be all that shocking given the fact that ARRIS will likely continue to sponsor the 2016 Xfinity Series champion even if he leaves Joe Gibbs Racing after this season.

This move certainly has not been confirmed, but don’t be surprised if it happens and Suarez becomes a teammate to Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer and Aric Almirola next season.

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Will Daniel Suarez sign with Stewart-Haas Racing to replace Kurt Busch behind the wheel of the #41 Ford for the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series? If not, for which team will he end up driving and which driver will Stewart-Haas Racing end up signing?

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