Julia Piquet, wife of NASCAR driver Daniel Suarez, publicly criticized NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi after he misquoted a radio message during the 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. The dispute arose from a heated exchange Suarez had with his former teammate Shane van Gisbergen, highlighting tension between the two drivers.
Suarez, who races for Spire Motorsports in the #7 car, recently competed against van Gisbergen, now driving the #97 Chevy Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing. The two, once teammates at Trackhouse Racing, have since become rivals. Piquet took issue with Bianchi’s inaccurate portrayal of Suarez’s radio communication following an on-track incident during the event.
Background on Suarez and van Gisbergen’s Rivalry
Daniel Suarez and Shane van Gisbergen shared the Trackhouse Racing garage for several seasons before Suarez left the team after the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season ended. Suarez, a Mexican driver, had been piloting the #99 Chevy for Trackhouse, while van Gisbergen, known as SVG, continued in a different car number following the team’s acquisition of a new charter. Suarez is now driving full-time for Spire Motorsports, and the competitive friction between him and van Gisbergen has intensified as their paths crossed at Bowman Gray Stadium.
During the Cook Out Clash, van Gisbergen was heard questioning Suarez’s confrontational attitude, asking,
“Is the 7 (Daniel Suarez) beefing with everyone?”
Shortly after, Suarez issued a stern warning aimed at his former teammate over radio communications.
Clarifying the Misquoted Radio Message
Jordan Bianchi posted an X message claiming Suarez said,
“I’m going to kick his f***ing ass. Tell (SVG) I’m coming for him.”
Julia Piquet challenged this representation, asserting that Bianchi’s version distorted the driver’s actual words and intentions. She shared the correct radio message to clarify the context and tone.
“If you’re going to quote drivers at least be accurate. First part was referring to the sh*t BW was pulling after the caution came out. He actually said ‘tell the 23 spotter if he pulls that sh*t one more time I’m going to kick his a**.’ And then he said ‘I’m coming for the 97.’”
— Julia Piquet, Daniel Suarez’s wife
Piquet’s statement highlights that the initial frustration Suarez expressed was directed at a separate incident involving another driver’s spotter, not van Gisbergen directly, as implied by Bianchi’s post. She emphasized the need for precise reporting on driver communications, especially during such heated professional moments.
Daniel Suarez’s Career and Transition from Trackhouse Racing
Daniel Suarez joined Trackhouse Racing in 2021, driving the #99 Chevrolet for five seasons. Over 180 starts with Trackhouse, Suarez earned two wins, 16 top-five finishes, 43 top-ten finishes, and secured one pole position. At the close of the 2025 Cup Series season, he parted ways with the team, and NASCAR rising star Connor Zilisch took over his former seat.
In a July 2025 interview with SiriusXM, Suarez addressed his departure from Trackhouse Racing candidly. He explained that although leaving was a significant change, it was not a moment of sadness but rather a new chapter in his career.
“I want to make sure that you guys and all the people listening (know) I’m not sad for this. This is just a new chapter. That’s all it is. This is not a sad moment, it’s just a change.”
— Daniel Suarez, NASCAR driver
In the 2025 season, Suarez concluded 29th in the Cup Series standings, securing two top-five finishes at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway races. Additionally, he recorded seven top-ten finishes across 36 starts that year.
The Growing Tension Between Former Teammates
The rivalry between Suarez and van Gisbergen is notable since both have strong histories with Trackhouse Racing. As Suarez begins his tenure with Spire Motorsports, including his recent debut marked by on-track confrontations, the competitive landscape has become more charged. Their interactions at events like the Cook Out Clash draw attention not only for racing performance but also for the intense personal dynamics playing out on and off the track.
Accurate coverage of these interactions is critical, as misquotes risk inflaming tensions unnecessarily. Julia Piquet’s correction underscores the importance of faithful reporting in preserving professional respect among drivers, especially in a high-stakes, emotionally charged environment like NASCAR.
If you’re going to quote drivers at least be accurate. First part was referring to the sh*t BW was pulling after the caution came out. He actually said “tell the 23 spotter if he pulls that sh*t one more time I’m going to kick his ass.” And then he said “I’m coming for the 97.” https://t.co/e4Dw9hTr4i
— Julia Yasmeen Piquet (@JuliaPiquet) February 5, 2026
