Box Score Info:
RACE: Lucas Oil 150
TRACK: Phoenix International Raceway
DRIVER: Daniel Suárez
START: 2nd
FINISH: 1st
LAPS: 150/150
Post-Race Highlights:
- Making his second-career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) on Friday night, Daniel Suárez secured the second starting spot in his No. 51 ARRIS Toyota Tundra for the Lucas Oil 150. After running inside the top five for the duration of the 150-lap event, Suárez took the lead with 11 laps remaining and held off Johnny Sauter during the closing laps to secure his first-career NCWTS win.
- Suárez was followed to the checkered flag by Johnny Sauter, Matt Crafton, Cameron Hayley and Timothy Peters.
- With the win, Toyota clinched the 2016 NCWTS manufacturer’s championship – their ninth title in 13 season competing in the series.
- With the win, Suárez earned his first victory in the NCWTS and earned his fifth top-ten finish of the 2016 season.
- Suárez and the No. 51 ARRIS team will wrap up the 2016 season next weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The NCWTS race can be seen live on Friday, November 18th at 8:00 PM ET on Fox Sports 1.
Daniel Suárez Post-Race Thoughts
How does it feel to win your first NCWTS championship and clinch the series manufacturer’s championship for Toyota?
“I guess it was about time to get a little bit of luck. We had a lot of second-place finishes and this team, KBM (Kyle Busch Motorsports) works very hard. What a better way to clinch the Toyota manufacturer’s championship with this victory. I’m very proud of my team, proud of Toyota and proud to be a part of this family. Very proud to be talking to you right now.”
How were you able to win the race?
“The first victory is always the most difficult to get and it seems like we keep getting them more and more and that’s what is happening. I’m proud of this team for the great effort. They’ve built very fast trucks and William Byron has had a lot of wins and things like this are unfortunate. I’m very happy that we were able to get the win and clinch the manufacturer’s championship for Toyota.”
Were you concerned about your tire strategy as the race came to a close?
“I feel like my truck was really good in the middle of the run, like after three laps it was really good and then in the very long run it was good, but not great. The 21 (Johnny Sauter) was better. I knew that if we’re going to have a restart that it would be on the point.”
