For the first time in a decade, Daniel Suárez will race on home soil, competing in both the Xfinity and Cup Series at Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez this weekend. The event marks NASCAR’s first-ever points-paying Cup Series race held outside the U.S.—a significant move for the sport’s global ambitions.
Suárez last raced in Mexico while juggling starts in NASCAR’s local series and driving in what is currently the ARCA Menards Series East. Now 33 and piloting the No. 99 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, he’s evolved into a symbol of possibility for international drivers.
“It’s very special,” Suárez said in an interview with ESPN. “Honestly, it’s very difficult to put into perspective for people. Only those who really know me very well understand how important and special this is for me.
“After a lot of work and sacrifices, I was able to make it in NASCAR Mexico, and at one point in my life, that was my goal — that was my ultimate goal. I was able to get there at an early age, which gave me hope to be able to do something in the United States.”
Suárez’s path to NASCAR stardom is steeped in determination. His family lacked racing ties or financial backing, but they did everything they could to nurture his dream. At 17, with his racing budget gone, he was close to giving up when a sponsor stepped in. That support allowed him to move to the U.S., where he faced the added challenge of not speaking English.
His early stay in the States included sleeping on a friend’s couch in Buffalo, New York, while still racing in Mexico. He later settled in Charlotte, North Carolina, the heart of NASCAR. Joe Gibbs Racing noticed his talent and signed him to the Xfinity Series in 2014. Two years later, Suárez was the series champion. Now with two Cup Series victories, he’s a familiar face in the garage and an even bigger name back home.
To break the language barrier, Suárez taught himself English using something unexpected: cartoons. The simple stories and clear sentence structure helped him build up his vocabulary off the track.
“And now coming back to my home country as a NASCAR Cup Series winner and an Xfinity Series champion, all these different things, it’s very special,” Suárez said. “Not just for me, but a lot of people who have been in my corner for many, many years, for the fans, the media, for Mexico. They have known me for many years. So, it’s very special.”
Suárez never thought he’d see NASCAR’s Cup Series touch down in Mexico. It had always felt like a long shot. Now he’s the face of this landmark moment. Other drivers have even sought his local know-how ahead of the weekend.
“I just feel very fortunate to be in this position and be able to represent my country, my community, my people, and to bring the entire NASCAR industry into my home,” he said. “I don’t want to say I’m going to be the superstar down there, but I’m going to be local, and that will be special. And like I said, there are a lot of people down there who have followed me for 15 years.
“Actually, a few weeks ago I was in Mexico City doing some events, and I saw a kid on the street waiting for a taxi, and he had one of my hats. He said, ‘Daniel, I’m going to be at the race. I’ve been supporting you since the NASCAR Mexico days.’ There are going to be thousands of people like that.”
Sunday’s event brings three NASCAR series together: the Cup Series, the Xfinity Series, and the NASCAR Mexico Series. The Xfinity Series raced in Mexico between 2005 and 2008, and past Truck Series events were held in Canada. Still, it’s been more than six decades since the Cup Series staged an official race beyond U.S. borders—1958 was the last.
By stepping into new markets like Mexico, NASCAR is following the lead of other American leagues that have expanded overseas. Suárez sees this international step not as a one-off, but a sign of where the sport can grow.
“The reason I have zero doubt is because maybe I have a different perspective than most people and maybe most drivers here in the United States,” Suárez said. “Obviously, I’m Mexican. I have a wife who is Brazilian. We have a lot of relationships in Brazil and South America, Mexico, and I know some people in Argentina and Colombia. I know for a fact how popular this sport is, and I know that people will get crazy in Mexico. And I know if one day we race in Brazil and Argentina, it would be a huge success.
“There are a lot of people who love motorsports in Mexico and South America. So, the way I see it, the sky’s the limit. I think that NASCAR has done a tremendous job for over 75 years in the United States, and they have done a few things here and there internationally, but I think it’s a great time to explore new boundaries.
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