Challenging Day for the 7 Team as Suárez Faces Early Balance Issues

Date: August 23^rd, 2026

Event: Dollar Tree 301 (Round 26 of 36)

Series: NASCAR Cup Series

Location: New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1.058­-mile oval)

Format: 301 laps, broken into three stages (70 laps/115 laps/116 laps)

Start/Finish: 35th / 17th (Running, completed 301 of 301 laps)

Point Standing: 13^th with 638 points

Notes:

• For the first time since the organization’s inception in 2018, Spire Motorsports’ NASCAR Cup Series team will compete in the sport’s 10-race championship playoff format, The Chase. Daniel Suárez clinched his spot in the 16-driver field to race for a Cup Series championship following Sunday’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Thirteen drivers have secured their place in The Chase with one race remaining in the regular season.
• Suárez was scored 17th when the checkered flag waved in the Dollar General 301 following a delayed race start due to inclement weather. Suárez lined up 35th in the No. 7 Cal Ripken, Sr., Foundation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the start of Sunday’s race. After battling a loose balance and tire chatter through the opening two stages, Suárez entered the Final Stage one lap down in 30th. A series of late-race cautions allowed the team to make adjustments and earn the free pass, putting Suárez back on the lead lap. Suárez rallied to a 17th-place finish in the closing laps.
• The NASCAR Cup Series regular season concludes next Saturday, Aug. 29 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. The Coke Zero Sugar 400 will be broadcast live on NBC beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 26th of 36 points-paying races on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Daniel Suárez, driver of the No. 7 Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation Chevrolet Camaro for Spire Motorsports:

“We had a challenging day with the balance of the car, especially early on, but the team never gave up and kept making adjustments to get us going in the right direction. We were able to get back on the lead lap with the free pass and make some progress to finish 17th. Most importantly, we clinched a spot in The Chase, so we’ll take that and keep working to get better for next week.”