Suárez In Front Early #NASCAR #KNEAST

Racing is a momentum sport and no one has more of that right now than Daniel Suárez. 

Daniel Suárez opened the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season
with a pair of victories. (Getty Images for NASCAR)

The Drive for Diversity product out of Monterrey, Mexico, opened the 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season just as he ended the 2013 edition – at the front of the field.

Over the final eight K&N East events of last season, the NASCAR Next driver scored six top-three finishes including his first series victory on July 13 at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway. His average finish over the span was 4.5. Take away an 18th-place showing at Virginia International Raceway, where he succumbed to engine problems while leading the race, and the number drops to 2.57. Factor in the two wins to start this season and the number moves to an average finish of 3.8 over his last 10 series starts. The average result for his 10 outings prior to that was 13.7.

“It comes down to communication,” said Suárez. “With English being my second language, I’m sure that’s part of it, but I think it’s more than that. My crew chief Skip Eyler and I are really on the same page. The crew has worked really hard to get the car just right. I’m just really happy to be in this position right now and will work hard to make it continue.”

The K&N East streak is just part of the story for Suárez, who has a string of four consecutive NASCAR touring series triumphs with wins in his last two NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series races dating back to last year’s season finale.

“Both series are important to me,” Suárez said. “Winning at home is always special and winning in the K&N East is great because it is so hard to do. There are probably 16 or so cars that can win at every race (in the K&N Pro Series East).”

In two starts, Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway – the site of the PittLite 125 on Saturday, March 15 – hasn’t been very kind to the 22-year-old. He finished 15th in his track debut in 2012 and 26th last season.

“It’s not a place where I’ve done very well, but I definitely love racing there,” he said. “We’re definitely looking forward to it and hope to change our luck there.”

With an early 18-point advantage over Lee Pulliam in the championship standings, Suárez is attempting to bring Rev Racing its second series crown in three seasons. Current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regular Kyle Larson drove to the K&N East title in 2012.