Subway has dropped its sponsorship of Daniel Suarez and Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 Toyota with one race left on a four-race deal, according to ESPN.
In a statement to ESPN, Subway said it had to terminate its contract with JGR due to “circumstances beyond our control.” JGR told ESPN the contract was not terminated due to a violation of any morality clauses by Suarez.
JGR did not respond to a NBC Sports request for comment.
Suarez told ESPN and Jeff Gluck that he found out about Subway’s decision on Friday, saying he wasn’t aware of the reasons behind it.
“That’s part of racing,” Suarez said. “Sponsorship comes and sponsorship leaves. There’s nothing we can do about it. I don’t really know the reasons, so there’s not a lot I can add to it.”
Subway sponsored the rookie driver at Auto Club Speedway, the Coke 600 and the Coke Zero 400. Suarez is currently 17th in the points standings.
The restaurant chain had continued its sponsorship of the No. 19 after Carl Edwards stepped away from racing in the Cup Series in January.
Subway had sponsored Edwards since 2009 when he drove for Roush Fenway Racing. It had been on the No. 19 for four races in 2015 and five in 2016.