Mar 14, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Spire Motorsports driver Daniel Suarez (7) during qualifying at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Mar 14, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Spire Motorsports driver Daniel Suarez (7) during qualifying at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
May 18, 2026, 5:28 AM CUT
Daniel Suarez Finds One Bright Spot in Tough NASCAR All-Star Night
The All-Star Race was starting to look like an event to forget for Daniel Suarez. However, the fan votes turned it around.
Prior to starting the 200-lap segment of the All-Star race at Dover Motor Speedway, the #7 Spire Motorsports driver was involved in a lap-two crash with Ryan Preece. This left Suarez’s car with a huge amount of damage. His mechanics managed to get the car taped up and keep it going.
However, a silver lining to all of this was the fan vote segment. The fan votes help the drivers get a chance to qualify for the main 200-lap event. This year, Daniel Suarez won the fan votes over Noah Gragson.
The Mexican driver spoke to Frontstretch about his race. He pointed out that the fan votes were the highlight of his weekend.
“I would say that was the highlight of the weekend. The fans' and the loved ones' support that was all very, very good. Very thankful for them.”
MARTINSVILLE, VA - MARCH 28: Daniel Suarez 7 Spire Motorsports Group 1001 Chevrolet watches qualifying during qualifying for the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Cook Out 400 on March 28, 2026, at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, VA. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 28 NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2603281048
MARTINSVILLE, VA - MARCH 28: Daniel Suarez 7 Spire Motorsports Group 1001 Chevrolet watches qualifying during qualifying for the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Cook Out 400 on March 28, 2026, at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, VA. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 28 NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2603281048
The fan vote proves the amount of support Suarez has. And not just from Mexico but from all across the NASCAR fan base.
As for his race, after starting the 200-lap event in 26th place, he managed to finish the race in 21st with a damaged car.
Suarez Praises Crew After Tough Start to All-Star Race
The #7 Spire Motorsports driver got collected in the multi-car pileup on the second lap. The crash was triggered after Ryan Preece, Kyle Larson, and Todd Gilliland made contact. The crash involved 10 drivers, including Suarez.
Despite the car being damaged, the #7 pit crew managed to get it repaired in time for the 200-lap main event. They taped up the car to keep Suarez in the race.
While talking to Frontstretch in the aforementioned interview, the Mexican driver praised his crew for putting the car together.
“And the guys—they did an amazing job. With the first car, but you know, every time that you have to bring the backup and go straight into the race without knowing exactly what you're going to have is tough. We got a few situations with the car and then a big crash in lap 1 and a half, so what are you going to do?”
The #7 driver and his crew will be looking to regroup ahead of the Coca-Cola 600 coming up on May 24th at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
What are your thoughts on Suarez winning the fan votes?
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Written by
Chionia Libania Colaco
Edited by
Zaid Quraishi