As Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 approaches at Daytona International Speedway, Daniel Suarez isn't just looking for time on the track.
He's looking for consistency.
Suarez, 26, barely missed a top-10 finish in last weekend's Monster Energy Cup Series race at Chicagoland. He knows the playoffs are on the line, and that there's only one thing that will help him get there.
"We have to stay consistent," Suarez said. "Hopefully at the same time we can take advantage of opportunities and do things better."
Before he looks at his opponents, he knows he needs to look at himself, and his team, first.
Suarez's biggest challenge this year hasn't been any one track or a single, identifiable opponent, but rather himself. As he sets about putting an end to the inconsistency he's endured, he thinks Daytona could be the start.
"I feel like we have to keep working with our speed and our program ... We need to work on ourselves first before we look around," Suarez said. "I just think our inconstancy and speed has been the biggest challenge. We've also been struggling in our luck, but I'm not fully a believer in luck itself."
With just nine races left until the Chase begins, such inward reflection is becoming increasingly important for the native of Monterrey, Mexico.
Although he hasn't had the smoothest year, Suarez looks forward to getting back on the track Saturday.
"The season is going great ... we just need to work on our consistency," Suarez said. "I love how things have happened so far ... I'm looking forward to getting back in the car and out on the track."
