Ryan Blaney‘s rule for racing Daniel Suarez in Mexico City is simple: avoid wrecking the hometown guy. As the NASCAR Cup Series heads to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Viva Mexico 250—marking the first Cup Series outing outside the U.S. since 1958—the stakes are high for the local favorite, Daniel Suarez, and his competitors.
Following a disappointing finish at Michigan International Speedway, Blaney is determined to regain momentum after his win in Nashville. Driving for Team Penske, he enters the Mexico City road course ranked seventh in the Driver’s standings with 427 points, hoping for a fresh start on the challenging circuit. Daniel Suarez, representing Trackhouse Racing, carries added pressure as the hometown hero, especially since he is currently placed 28th with 254 points after facing four DNFs this season. Although Suarez has enjoyed previous road course success—particularly with his breakthrough Cup Series win at Sonoma Raceway—he has yet to secure a victory this season. His teammate, Ross Chastain, recently notched a win at Charlotte, intensifying expectations for Suarez this weekend.
Blaney’s Approach to Racing Suarez in His Hometown
Blaney has made it clear he intends to avoid any incidents involving Suarez on his home circuit. Reflecting on the atmosphere and fan expectations in Mexico City, Blaney openly spoke in a SiriusXM NASCAR radio interview about his mindset for the race:
“Do not by any circumstances, wreck Daniels Suarez this weekend. That is the only rule that I have because I would get just booed out of the stadium. You couldn’t get to the bus fast enough. Do not wreck the hometown guy, the national driver,”
he said. —Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
Blaney emphasized the unique pressure that comes with racing against Suarez in Mexico, noting the consequences of upsetting local fans:
“So Daniel, I’m gonna be an easy pass if you’re around me if you’re listening and you don’t have to worry about me dive bombing you and taking a chance because I don’t want that heat on me of being hated by a whole country if I spin you out,”
he added. —Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
Road to Mexico City: Recent Performances and Standings
Daniel Suarez heads into the Viva Mexico 250 with high hopes but uncertain results, driving the No.99 Ford for Trackhouse Racing. Having already proven himself on road courses with his first Cup Series win at Sonoma, Suarez seeks to capitalize on the support of his fans in Mexico City. However, multiple DNFs and lackluster performances this season have kept him near the bottom of the standings.
Meanwhile, Blaney’s season has combined dramatic lows with moments of triumph. After a challenging start to 2025, including several DNFs due to crashes and mechanical woes, the Team Penske driver prevailed at the Cracker Barrel 400 in Nashville, holding off Carson Hocevar with a dominant performance—leading 139 of 300 laps for his first win of the year. This victory secured Blaney a playoff berth, joining his teammates Joey Logano and Austin Cindric, who both won at other key tracks earlier in the season.
Reflections on Winning Mindset and Season Prep
The Nashville win was a turning point for Ryan Blaney, but he remains steady in his race-day preparation. When asked about whether victory changes his approach to upcoming races, Blaney clarified:
“Is there a mindset change when you win and you get locked in? I’ve never really believed that. I’ve always, to me at least and our group, it’s just we prepare every week like you’re trying to win the race, whether you’ve won one, zero or five it’s the same thing.”
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
The upcoming Viva Mexico 250 places Daniel Suarez at center stage as the homegrown favorite, with local fans eager to see him overcome his struggles this season. Blaney’s commitment to respecting Suarez’s position and avoiding controversy with Mexican fans adds emotional intensity to the event. As the race unfolds, all eyes will be on whether Suarez can rally on home ground and if Blaney’s rule ensures both drivers cross the line without incident.
