Daniel Suarez returns to Mexico for historic NASCAR Cup Series race, capturing national attention as NASCAR prepares to host its very first points-based Cup Series race in Mexico City at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Suarez, celebrated as the only Mexican-born driver to claim a NASCAR national series championship, is preparing for one of the most significant moments in his racing career, set against the backdrop of ongoing contract negotiations and the anticipation of competing in front of a home crowd.
Suarez has built a reputation in Mexican motorsports, achieving ten victories in the NASCAR Mexico Series before moving to race in the United States. Now, ahead of NASCAR’s debut points race in Mexico City, Suarez is taking on extra preparation by committing to both the Cup Series and Xfinity Series events. By driving the #99 car for Trackhouse Racing and the #9 entry for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series, Suarez aims to maximize his familiarity with the track and boost his performance as he returns to his homeland.
Rising to the Challenge at High Altitude in Mexico City
Suarez recognizes the unique physical and strategic challenges that racing in Mexico City presents. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is situated at a higher elevation than most NASCAR venues, which introduces new variables for all competitors—including Suarez himself, despite his years of racing experience on other configurations at the same facility. The road course layout of the upcoming race differs from the oval tracks Suarez previously competed on, making it a new environment for even the most seasoned drivers.
“The elevation is going to be a big deal. A lot of people think that I know the racetrack, and I actually don’t. I’ve never been in that configuration. I have raced there several times in the oval configuration, but never in the road course configuration, the way that we’re going to race it. So, it’s going to be something new for everyone. The elevation, definitely, that’s going to be a challenge. I hope that people don’t underestimate that because it’s a little bit tricky.”
—Daniel Suarez, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Suarez is taking extra steps to prepare for these conditions, working closely with his team to adjust his physical training and strategies for the upcoming races. Few drivers in the NASCAR Cup garage, he notes, have much experience at such altitude—making it a genuine test of adaptability.
“I have had a lot of conversations with my team about it. I’m personally training different to prepare for that, because it’s going to be different. I don’t think many people here in NASCAR, driver-wise, have experience competing in that altitude, in elevation. So, it’s going to be different, for sure,”
he added. —Daniel Suarez, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Heading into the Mexico City event, Suarez is ranked 27th in Cup Series points, with 254 points across 16 races so far in the 2025 season. His campaign has included one top-five and three top-ten finishes, with a season-best second place in Las Vegas, where he led for 12 laps. His results this year highlight both the competitive challenge and the potential impact of a strong finish in front of a home audience.
Contract Negotiations Add Pressure as Suarez Races for the Future
As excitement builds for NASCAR’s first points race in Mexico since 1958, Suarez faces mounting distractions away from the track. Ongoing contract negotiations with Trackhouse Racing have created uncertainty about his future, adding another layer of complexity as he choses to focus on delivering the best result possible during one of the most important weekends of his career. With no deal secured beyond the current season, Suarez admits that balancing business matters with competition is especially challenging at this important time for both himself and Mexican motorsports fans.
“I’m trying to be as smart as possible and to put all this stuff on the side and to just do my thing on the track. And already the Mexico race is something that I’ve been hoping and waiting on for many, many years, and I’m not going to let anything else from outside take that week and that moment from myself,”
he said. —Daniel Suarez, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Suarez notes that contract talks in the midst of the season are not new for him, but the historic nature of the Mexico City event elevates the personal and professional stakes this time around.
Team Developments and New Sponsorship to Support the Race Weekend
Beyond on-track matters, Suarez’s Trackhouse Racing team has secured a new sponsorship with Very Good Ventures ahead of the Pocono Raceway event. This partnership is designed to strengthen digital strategy and improve engagement with fans at the racetrack, as Very Good Ventures will be providing technological enhancements for the pit box and the overall race day experience.
This collaboration marks an effort to harness new technology as the team prepares for significant upcoming events—reflecting the ongoing evolution of relationships between NASCAR drivers, sponsors, and the expanding fan base.
The return of Daniel Suarez to his native Mexico for the first NASCAR Cup Series points race in the country’s history represents a moment of national pride for Mexican racing and a career milestone for Suarez. As he battles altitude challenges, pressure from his home supporters, and the distractions of contract negotiations, Suarez’s pursuit of a landmark triumph promises to have lasting significance for both himself and the local sports community, setting the stage for a memorable chapter in NASCAR and Mexican motorsports history.
