The Round of 12 has already proven it’s not for the faint of heart. New Hampshire brought the fireworks. Ryan Blaney locked himself into the Round of 8 with a clutch win, Josh Berry bounced back from an early spin to nearly steal it, and William Byron and Denny Hamlin kept things spicy with some elbows-out racing inside the top ten. And of course, no playoff race would be complete without controversy.

This time, courtesy of Ty Gibbs and Hamlin trading paint, fans are buzzing over the feud. With Kansas up next, the pressure only ramps higher, especially for teams hanging by a thread after Loudon. But even beyond Kansas, the real chaos might be lurking just a little further down the road at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Daniel Suárez sounds an alarm about “different agendas” at the Roval

Daniel Suárez labeled the Charlotte Roval as “the most difficult road course in the Cup schedule” due to its distinct features. “It’s very bumpy. There is a lot of elevation changes. You have an area that is part of the oval. So, you have a big banking.” The Roval’s unique layout, blending the fast NASCAR oval with tight, technical road course turns, with 24 degrees of banking, presents an ever-changing, high-risk challenge that pushes drivers and cars to their limits.

Suárez also addressed the chaotic playoff dynamics leading into the Roval: “Everyone is either going for the win or going for points, and everyone is in different agenda.” With the Charlotte Roval serving as the critical Round of 12 cutoff, playoff pressure is at its peak. Some teams outside the transfer position need nothing short of a victory to advance, especially the bottom four drivers – Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, Austin Cindric, and Ross Chastain.

On the other hand, others like Chase Elliott, Chase Briscoe, Joey Logano, and Denny Hamlin are laser-focused on points, aiming to protect narrow margins above the cut line. All playoff drivers except Ryan Blaney, who secured his next round position with a win at NHMS, will be forced into desperate, high-risk strategies that can dramatically affect the outcome for everyone on track. Moreover, drivers who are eliminated from the playoffs will be looking to help their contending teammates in every possible way, adding to the madness and action.

Despite the chaos, Daniel Suárez approaches the Roval with optimism. “I feel like I’ve been very strong there in the past and looking forward to it again.” In recent years, Suárez has shown consistent speed at the Roval (despite the final result). He has qualified third on two occasions and managed a best finish of thirteenth at the October 2021 race.

As the field turns its attention to Charlotte, Suárez’s warnings underscore the unpredictability and intensity awaiting both playoff hunters and underdogs. The result will hinge on nerves, adaptability, and seizing opportunity in NASCAR’s ultimate split-agenda madhouse.

Daniel Suárez is positive about 2026

With just six races remaining in his time at Trackhouse Racing, Daniel Suárez is facing the uncertainty of free agency but remains upbeat about his future. “Things are looking good, that’s all I can say,” Suárez explained confidently to Atlanta’s 11Alive. He further teased, “Hopefully, we can announce what we’re going to do next month, I think. It should be public.”

This optimism comes after a challenging 2025 Cup Series campaign (his second-worst to date), where he’s battled through 30 starts without a win and with only 2 top-five and 6 top-ten results. As rumors swirl, Suárez’s name has been linked to teams like Spire Motorsports, Hyak Motorsports, Rick Ware Racing, Kaulig Racing, and even the Haas Factory Team. There’s also been speculation about a step down to the Xfinity Series.

There are rumors of even a return to the NASCAR Mexico Series competition. Despite the noise, Suárez’s focus is on closing out the 2025 season on a high note and staying competitive at the Cup level if possible, emphasizing, “I’m happy where I am, that’s all I can say. I’m very, very blessed. I have so many great people in my corner, so many great sponsors as well.”

He acknowledged that certain final contract details are still being hashed out: “If it was a done deal, you guys would know already.” However, the tone is set for an encouraging announcement soon. NASCAR fans, teammates, and sponsors anxiously await to see if the sport’s only full-time Hispanic Cup driver will return to the top tier or take his talents elsewhere within the NASCAR ranks.

Ultimately, Suárez’s positivity and persistence in the face of uncertainty have made him a respected figure in the garage and a cherished ambassador for motorsports diversity. His upcoming decision will not only steer his own trajectory but could also influence key storylines heading into the 2026 NASCAR season.