DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Subway and Joe Gibbs Racing announced Thursday that they will continue their partnership during the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, alongside Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Daniel Suarez.
Suarez, who was selected to drive the No. 19 Toyota when long-time Subway driver Carl Edwards announced last month that he would be stepping away from NASCAR, will carry the colors of the Subway brand in four races this season, starting at Auto Club Speedway on March 26.
In addition, the No. 19 Subway Toyota Camry will also hit the track during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 28; at Daytona Int’l Speedway on July 1; and at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 15, during the second round of the NASCAR playoffs.
“I’m extremely grateful to Subway for their continuing sponsorship of our Joe Gibbs Racing team this year,” Suarez said. “I enjoy eating healthy, and Subway has always been my go-to choice to refuel my body when I’m on the road or at home. I’m looking forward to a great 2017 season in the Subway Toyota Camry.”
“We thank Carl Edwards for many years of success, and in particular for his caring and always enthusiastic support for the brand and causes we championed,” added Chris Carroll, Chief Advertising Officer for Subway Restaurants. “We are excited about the future with Daniel Suarez!”
Suarez, who will also appear in several upcoming TV commercials promoting the Subway brand, said on Thursday that his favorite Subway sandwich is the Footlong Subway Club.
The 25-year-old native of Monterrey, Mexico and Drive for Diversity program graduate is embarking on his first full-time season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series this season, after a successful two-year stint in the NASCAR XFINITY Series that resulted in Suarez claiming the championship last year at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November.
Suarez scored three wins, three poles, 19 top-fives and 27 top-10s in 33 races en route to the 2016 championship, his first NASCAR title and the first scored by a foreign-born driver in any NASCAR national series.
Subway’s most recent NASCAR win came two years ago, when Edwards used a late-race fuel gamble to win the 2015 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He lead 25 laps overall that night, including the final 21 circuits.
Both Subway and Joe Gibbs Racing contributed to this report.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 23-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
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