Daniel Suarez achieved a remarkable feat on Saturday, claiming victory in the NASCAR Xfinity Series during its highly anticipated return to Mexico City, after starting the race in 39th position and driving a backup car. The Daniel Suarez dramatic last to first NASCAR Xfinity Mexico win unfolded in front of a passionate home crowd, highlighting Suarez’s determination and racing skills.
Suarez’s Unforgettable Performance Thrills Hometown Fans
Suarez made history by surging from last to first, overcoming difficult odds after being forced into a backup vehicle. The race, which marked the Xfinity Series’ return to Mexico for the first time in years, was already special for fans and competitors alike. For Suarez, the achievement was deeply personal, given his roots in NASCAR Mexico and the support he’s received from the local community throughout his career.
“This is very, very special to be here in front of my people. All these people have supported me for many, many years. They have loved me since my NASCAR Mexico days. And now we’re fighting with the big boys, so it feels good.”
—Daniel Suarez, Driver
Key Incident: Three-Wide Move Sets Suarez Apart
The decisive moment in the race arrived during the final stage. With 19 laps remaining, a restart placed Suarez in fourth, but he executed a bold three-wide move on the outside into Turn 1. This maneuver propelled him into the lead as confusion erupted behind him. Both Ty Gibbs and Connor Zilisch, who had displayed consistent speed throughout the day, suffered heavy damage after crashing, with several other drivers getting involved in the chaos that followed. Remarkably, Suarez maintained control and avoided the melée on track.
The subsequent restart ran more smoothly, allowing Suarez to keep his lead while Zilisch, despite car damage, fought his way back through the field and recorded the fastest lap of any competitor. Suarez appeared to have firm control of the race until a late caution brought about by an incident with Jesse Love introduced further unpredictability with just seven laps to go, setting the stage for a high-pressure sprint to the checkered flag.
Intense Finish and Top Ten Racers
In the closing laps, Suarez managed to navigate through yet another frenzied restart. Gray challenged Suarez aggressively, drawing even and making contact through Turns 1 and 2, which pushed Suarez into the grass. Still, Suarez showed resilience by keeping the lead and enduring persistent pressure from Gray in the final stretch. On the last lap, Gray attempted an ambitious move in the concluding corner, but Suarez held his line for an unblemished win.
Gray secured second place, with Austin Hill taking third. Christian Eckes finished fourth, while Zilisch rounded out the top five. Sixth through tenth positions were filled by William Sawalich, Austin Green, Jeb Burton, Harrison Burton, and Sammy Smith respectively. This outcome proved especially notable for names such as Hill, who had earlier suffered a cut tire, and Zilisch, who demonstrated grit after being involved in multiple on-track incidents.
Early Stages Set the Scene for High Drama
The opening lap featured Connor Zilisch on pole, with Daniel Suarez beginning his charge from the back, advancing to 25th by Lap 3 after Sam Mayer spun into the barriers and triggered the first caution. Zilisch briefly lost the lead after contact but quickly staged a comeback, engaging in a heated battle with Ty Gibbs. Several frontrunners, including Zilisch and Gibbs, opted for strategic pit stops to secure better track position at the expense of stage points, a move that temporarily benefited Carson Kvapil, who clinched the Stage 1 win.
Mechanical gremlins impacted drivers like Justin Allgaier, Jeremy Clements, and former NASCAR Mexico champion Ruben Rovelo in the early going. At the start of Stage 2, Suarez wasted no time advancing to third with a courageous drive into Turn 1, but Zilisch still set the pace. This stage was punctuated by individual spins but no cautions, keeping the race flow uninterrupted. Austin Hill was set back after suffering a tire issue, dropping him to the end of the lead lap. As soon as teams again chose to short-pit, Christopher Bell suffered engine failure, pulling out and leaving the field to finish under green conditions.
Pit Strategies and Late Race Chaos
Stage 2 concluded with Sammy Smith collecting the win, as the contest between Zilisch and Gibbs remained fierce even on pit road, with both emerging side-by-side before Zilisch edged ahead. However, entering the final stage, earlier hopes for victory by Zilisch and Gibbs evaporated in the wake of heavy on-track incidents, which played a pivotal role in reshaping the front of the grid.
After Suarez’s daring three-wide maneuver to seize the lead with 19 laps left, he did not relinquish his position at the front for the remainder of the contest. This dramatic win marked Suarez’s first triumph in the Xfinity Series since the 2016 finale at Homestead—a race that netted him the championship. The day brought his tally to four career wins in the series, a notable achievement for both the driver and his JR Motorsports Chevrolet team.
Why This Result Matters for Suarez and NASCAR
Daniel Suarez’s spectacular comeback exemplifies perseverance and tactical racing at the highest level, with his performance resonating strongly with fans and aspiring drivers across Mexico and beyond. The event welcomed back NASCAR Xfinity to Mexico City, energizing local support and renewing interest in the sport’s growth in the region. Names like Ty Gibbs, Gray, William Sawalich, and others contributed to ferocious competition, but it was Suarez who capitalized on the most critical moments.
This win could fuel further opportunities for Suarez with JR Motorsports and potentially inspire increased connections and talent pipelines between NASCAR Mexico and the Xfinity Series. The rousing reception from the crowd and the drama throughout the race have set the stage for more thrilling rounds and could impact strategies and expectations in upcoming events.
