Races May 11, 2026 Suárez Earns Top 15 Finish in Tricky Race at The Glen Date: May 10th, 2026 Event: Go Bowling at The Glen (Round 12 of 36) Series: NASCAR Cup Series Location: Watkins Glen (2.45-mile road course) Format: 100 laps, broken into three stages (20 laps/30 laps/50 laps) Start/Finish: 16th / 13th (completed 100 of 100 laps) Playoff Standing: 14th with 295 points Notes: Daniel Suárez, driver of the No. 7 Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Spire Motorsports, battled handling issues throughout the day, but rebounded to finish 13th for his tenth top 20 of the season in the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. Suárez qualified 16th for Sunday’s 100-lap event, which was 10 laps longer than past NASCAR Cup Series events at The Glen. The driver of the No. 7 Chevrolet pitted with three laps remaining in Stage 1 for four Goodyear tires and Sunoco fuel, with no adjustments made. Crew Chief Ryan Sparks instructed Suárez to manage his tires through the remainder of the stage after returning to the field in 21st. He finished Stage 1 in 20th and reported the rear of the car was losing grip while the handling was tight in several sections of the road course. Suárez also noted his steering felt “funky” and continued to monitor it throughout the race. The Monterrey, Mexico native restarted seventh to begin Stage 2 after several cars pitted during the break. A caution flag slowed the field on Lap 39 with Suárez reporting the rear of his Chevrolet was giving up earlier than it had in Stage 1, causing him to carefully manage his pace. Sparks elected to keep his driver on track with seven laps remaining in Stage 2, allowing Suárez to restart from the second position. The handling of the rear and tire wear, and the challenge of competitors on newer tires, caused the No. 7 Chevrolet to fall to 28th ahead of the end of Stage 2. After coming to pit road for air pressure adjustments, four tires and fuel, Suárez restarted 30th for the final segment. When a caution flag waved on Lap 60 for debris on the track, several teams elected to pit but the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation machine remained on track allowing Suárez to restart ninth with 49 laps remaining in the race. On Lap 77, the No. 7 team made their pit stop of the day for tires and fuel. Suárez rejoined the field in the 28th position and was able to climb back to 13th for his 10th top 20 on the season. Daniel Suárez, driver of the No. 7 Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Chevrolet Camaro for Spire Motorsports: “Our Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Chevy was decent at times today. We tried to gain track position all race long, and the No. 7 team fought hard to work our way back toward the front and come away with a decent finish. I felt like it was a step in the right direction for our road-course package. Our car was better in the race than it was in practice and qualifying. Stage 2 didn’t feel the best, but the rear handling improved some for the final stage. I’m looking forward to heading to Dover next weekend for the All-Star Race.”
