MIAMI – Daniel Suarez confirmed Thursday evening that he won’t return to Stewart-Haas Racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series next year.

Suarez, who has been in contract extension talks with Stewart-Haas Racing for weeks, released a video on his personal Twitter account confirming he would not return as driver of the No. 41 Ford Mustang next season.

“I’m here to confirm the bad news that some of you guys already know and some of you guys are trying to figure out, that I won’t be back next year in the 41 car,” Suarez said. “I was as shocked as you guys are late last night. I can promise you I worked my heart out to make this happen and to try to put everything together. The team did as well.

“We just were not able to put all the funding and sponsors together right on time. We’re extremely close, pretty much there, but it just wasn’t quite enough. We just ran out of time.”

A message for my fans ?? pic.twitter.com/GrnRGAmpFa

— Daniel Suárez (@Daniel_SuarezG) November 14, 2019

Suarez is in his first season with Stewart-Haas Racing. The native of Monterey, Mexico, has earned four top-five and 11 top-10 finishes this year behind the wheel of the No. 41 Ford Mustang.

Stewart-Haas Racing officials released a statement thanks Suarez for his time with the organization.

We’ll always be a fan of yours, @Daniel_SuarezG. You’re a class act. https://t.co/hIHqTAuab4 pic.twitter.com/c6vtOocsLa

— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) November 15, 2019

‘The news of Suarez’s departure comes on the heels of multiple media outlets reporting that NASCAR Xfinity Series championship contender Cole Custer has been tabbed as the driver of the No. 41 Ford beginning next season.