Races May 27, 2026 Suárez Wins First Career Crown Jewel Race Date: May 24th, 2026 Event: Coca-Cola 600 (Round 13 of 36) Series: NASCAR Cup Series Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway (1.5-mile oval) Format: 400 laps, broken into four stages (100 laps/100 laps/100 laps/ 100 laps) Start/Finish: 14th / 1st (running, completed 400 of 400 laps) Point Standing: 10th with 350 points Notes: Daniel Suárez, driver of the No. 7 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Spire Motorsports, earned his third-career NASCAR Cup Series victory, and first since joining Spire Motorsports, in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. NASCAR officials called the race after 373 of 400 laps due to weather. The team also elevated to 10th in the series’ championship point standings. Suárez started 14th after inclement weather canceled Saturday’s qualifying session, forcing the starting lineup to be set by the NASCAR Cup Series rulebook. A caution flag waved on Lap 35 when a competitor spun in Turn 2, and the Monterrey, Mexico, native radioed to the team that his Freeway Insurance Chevrolet needed more grip to improve the handling. Suárez restarted 13th with 60 laps remaining in Stage 1 before making an unscheduled stop on Lap 48 after suspecting a flat tire. The issue was ultimately determined to be a loose wheel, dropping the No. 7 Chevrolet one lap behind the leaders. Just five laps later, the second caution of the evening gave Suárez the free pass, putting him back on the lead lap. He returned to pit road for four tires and fuel, with the crew electing to stay in the pit box slightly longer to inspect the left-rear wheel threads. Suárez restarted 35th with 41 laps remaining in the opening stage. By Lap 77, Suárez had charged through the field, clocking the fastest lap time in the field multiple laps in a row while picking off several competitors. He gained 15 positions to finished Stage 1 in 12th. Suárez started Stage 2 in 17th, and a caution flag quickly waved just five laps into the run. Suárez radioed to crew chief Ryan Sparks that the Freeway Insurance Chevrolet was building tighter on entry, but becoming too free on the long run as he tried to maintain rear grip. Looking to capitalize on track position, Sparks elected to keep the No. 7 Chevrolet on track, moving Suárez up to 11th for the restart. On Lap 142, Suárez felt a tire going down and went a lap down to the leaders in the 22nd position after coming in for four tires. After the pit cycle, Suárez filtered out to the 15th position. On Lap 163, the No. 7 team made another unscheduled pit stop for a vibration, taking four tires and fuel, resulting in going a lap down in the 34th position. He finished the second stage in 33rd, one lap down. The 34-year-old driver radioed to his team that the ride quality in his Chevrolet had become noticeably rougher, with something appearing to be loose and making noise in the rear of the car. Suárez also reported difficulty hearing Sparks and his spotter as the field came down pit road during a moment of silence. The No. 7 returned to pit road so the team could inspect the rear of the car. While no visible issues were found, the team believed to possibly be related to the transaxle. Suárez returned to the track in 30th, one lap down. Five laps later, another caution flag waved for a disconnected wheel on the racetrack. Racing resumed on Lap 215 with Suárez scored 26th, still one lap behind the leaders. On Lap 251, Suárez came to his pit stall for four tires and fuel with 49 laps remaining in the third stage and finished 21st, one lap down. Suárez came to pit road for a scheduled stop, where the No. 7 crew bolted on four tires and Sunoco fuel with no adjustments. The final stage restarted with Suárez 22nd, one lap down, with 78 laps remaining. A caution flag waved on Lap 318, but Suárez was unable to receive the free pass. Sparks called for four tires, fuel and a small adjustment to free up the car, allowing Suárez to restart 21st, one lap down. Two laps later, a multi-car incident brought out another caution. The No. 7 team pitted for three new tires, one scuff tire, fuel and air pressure adjustments. Suárez restarted 17th and returned to the lead lap with 62 laps remaining in the event. With 48 laps remaining, a caution flag waved for lightning and the No. 7 team elected to pit for right-side tires only, allowing Suárez to restart with the lead. Another caution flag flew with 39 laps remaining before NASCAR displayed the red flag on Lap 367 due to rain, resulting in a 7-minute, 55-second delay. The field returned to green on Lap 372, but rain intensified one lap later, forcing the field back down pit road. NASCAR ultimately called the race official, rewarding Suárez with his third career NASCAR Cup Series victory. Daniel Suárez, driver of the No. 7 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet Camaro for Spire Motorsports: “It really means a lot to win this race. I’ve always said the Coca-Cola 600 is my favorite race of the year because my family gets to be here with me. It’s been a very tough week. Kyle Busch was special, and to win the Coca-Cola 600 for him, Samantha, Brexton, Lennix and the entire family is unbelievable. If it wasn’t for Kyle, I wouldn’t have become an Xfinity Series champion or had my opportunity in the Cup Series. Every win is special, but this one means even more. Winning the Coca-Cola 600 with Spire Motorsports and Freeway Insurance is unbelievable. We battled through a lot all day, but the team kept fighting and put us in position when it mattered most. I’m thankful for Chevrolet, the Hendrick Engine Shop and everyone who makes this program possible.”
