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

Daniel Suarez is set to drive for Stewart-Haas Racing as Kurt Busch’s replacement behind the wheel of the #41 Ford in the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season.

After spending two seasons driving the #19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the NASCAR Cup Series season following his championship-winning 2016 Xfinity Series season, Daniel Suarez is set to be replaced by former Furniture Row Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. behind the wheel of the #19 Toyota in the 2019 Cup Series season.

However, the 27-year-old Mexican is still set to compete in the Cup Series in the upcoming season, as he has signed with Stewart-Haas Racing to drive the #41 Ford. Billy Scott is set to be his crew chief, and sponsorship of the #41 Ford is set to be shared by Haas Automation and ARRIS.

Here is what Suarez had to say about the opportunity to drive for Stewart-Haas Racing in the 2019 season, according to NASCAR.

"“It’s been a really exciting time for me. It’s been a little bit hard as well. A lot of people ask me those questions and I’ve been trying to avoid those answers, but I’m very excited that finally the word is going to be out and I’m going to be able to be more relaxed and more comfortable without feeling like I’m hiding something. I’m just really excited to be a part of Stewart-Haas Racing, a great organization. So far, everybody here has been making me feel at home.“It is different, for sure. If you look at it, I had a long career with Toyota, pretty much my entire career in NASCAR — not just in the U.S., but in Mexico. They were nothing but great to me. Great people, great company and I have nothing bad to say about them. They were nothing but great to me all the time, 100 percent. But you know, sometimes you have to make a change and things work out differently…I made great friends over there, and we’re still friends. Now, I’m extremely excited to be part of the Ford family.“There is pressure for sure, but I like that. That’s where I live. If I wasn’t good under pressure, I don’t feel like I would be a race car driver. I just love that and I know that I’m going (with) if not the best, one of the best teams right now and I’m really looking forward to that challenge. I feel like the 41 group is extremely good. Billy and the rest of the guys, they’ve been nothing but great to me so far. They have made me feel at home in just these weeks of working together, so really looking forward to working with these guys, to learn from them and to put the 41 Ford Mustang racing up front.“I’m never shy to ask anything and I’m not a quiet guy, either, and I feel like he’s the same. The communication is going to be good back and forth. He’s a very good crew chief. He has shown that in the last couple of years. I’m really looking forward to learning from him and the rest of the group and to work hard to put the 41 car up front and hopefully put the car contending for victories, playoffs and who know what else. I feel like we’re going to start setting our goals as we go, but for sure, the expectations at least on my side, they’re high.“I’m a car guy, so I’m extremely excited to drive a Ford Mustang. My dad’s first car actually was a Ford Mustang and I feel like it’s now a good excuse for myself to build one.”"

Kurt Busch drove the #41 Ford from the 2014 season through the 2018 season, although from the 2014 season through the 2016 season, it was the #41 Chevrolet. He is set to replace Jamie McMurray behind the wheel of the #1 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet and become a teammate to Kyle Larson in the 2019 season.

Meanwhile, Suarez is set to become a teammate to Kevin Harvick, who drives the #4 Ford, Aric Almirola, who drives the #10 Ford, and Clint Bowyer, who drives the #14 Ford.