Daniel Suarez crashed his No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet during Xfinity Series qualifying in Mexico, forcing him to start last and rely on a backup car for his highly anticipated home race. This Daniel Suarez crashes in Xfinity qualifying Mexico event comes as a significant setback, just hours before the main race is set to begin.
Early Qualifying Effort Ends in Crash
With more than 22 minutes remaining in the session, Suarez started his first timed lap but lost control entering Turn 11, hitting the barrier head-on. The collision destroyed the front of his car, but Suarez managed to maneuver it back to the pits. He communicated over the radio to his team that he had locked the brakes as he went into the corner, suggesting a technical issue contributed to the incident.
Immediate Recovery Efforts and Team Response
Following the crash, Suarez was checked and released by medical staff at the infield care center. Facing a tight schedule, JR Motorsports now has to prepare a backup car rapidly to have it ready for the start of the Xfinity race, which is set to start in just a few hours. This delay puts additional strain on the team, with little room for mechanical errors or further setbacks.
Driver’s Reaction to the Setback
After returning from the care center, Suarez addressed the circumstances of the crash:
“I don’t want to blame anyone,”
—Daniel Suarez, Driver, JR Motorsports Chevrolet
“I probably just trusted the car a little bit too much. In practice, I was having a long pedal. The brakes — we weren’t really sure if we were going try and fix it, start in the back or just try to go qualifying. I tried to brake like normal but the pedal just kept going down. Just very sorry for everyone at JR Motorsports. I probably just trusted it a little bit too much. The brakes were, for some reason, not 100%, but my bad. Hopefully, we can build another fast car. I think the car was pretty good.”
—Daniel Suarez, Driver, JR Motorsports Chevrolet
Looking Ahead: Backup Car Optimism
Suarez remains optimistic about his chances, stating his confidence that the backup car will perform as well as the original. Despite this optimistic outlook, the crash is a big blow during what should have been a celebratory week, as Suarez enjoys the rare opportunity to race in front of his fans and intense media attention at home in Mexico.
Season Overview and Team Performance
This was Suarez’s first Xfinity race of the season, but he brings experience from his 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship and three career Xfinity victories. His teammate, Connor Zilisch, set the fastest time in qualifying and will start from pole position, adding a bright spot for JR Motorsports despite the setback to their driver. The team faces a tight turnaround as they prepare to field a ready and competitive car for Suarez’s home crowd.
The accident underscores the unpredictable nature of motorsports and the pressure teams face at major events. With support from his team and fans, Daniel Suarez will aim for a strong comeback when the green flag drops later today in Mexico.
