Daniel Suarez wins NASCAR Xfinity Series Mexico City race after an extraordinary last-to-first charge at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Saturday, finishing in front of thrilled home fans. Starting from the very back of the grid due to a qualifying crash, Suarez overcame setbacks and delivered a dramatic victory that energized the atmosphere in Mexico City.
The Monterrey native was forced to take the green flag from 39th position, piloting a backup No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet just hours after wrecking in qualifying. Despite the odds, Suarez quickly made progress, displaying aggressive moves and sharp racecraft to climb through the field and challenge the frontrunners during each stage, capturing the attention of fellow drivers, teams, and spectators alike.
Key Moments During the Race
Suarez’s performance in the first two stages set the foundation for his sensational win. A rapid start in Stage 2 saw him leap into third in a single lap, though front-runners Connor Zilisch and Ty Gibbs managed a gap before the next caution period. Shortly after, Suarez executed a daring maneuver on the home straight, taking the inside line to force a three-wide battle into turn three. Zilisch went off track onto the grass, sparking a collision that significantly impacted both his car and several other leading drivers, including Gibbs.
Following the series of incidents at the front, Suarez managed to seize and then protect the race lead. Despite two more restarts under caution in the closing laps, he maintained composure and did not surrender his advantage, eventually crossing the finish line first and providing his supporters with a memorable, historic triumph in the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Mexico City edition.
Connor Zilisch, whose car suffered substantial damage, managed an impressive resurgence in the final stage, overtaking around 20 competitors to secure a respectable fifth-place finish, gathering important points for his efforts despite early setbacks.
Final Race Results at Mexico City
Daniel Suarez’s victory at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez was followed by Taylor Gray of Joe Gibbs Racing in second place and Austin Hill of Richard Childress Racing in third. The top ten finishers were rounded out by Christian Eckes, Connor Zilisch, William Sawalich, Austin Green, Jeb Burton, Harrison Burton, and Sammy Smith, all delivering strong drives for their teams. Each competitor faced unique challenges on Mexico City’s circuit, resulting in a dramatic and widely discussed contest throughout the motorsport community.
The full race results highlight the depth of competition and the intense battles witnessed during the event:
1. Daniel Suarez (No. 9, JR Motorsports Chevrolet) – Running
2. Taylor Gray (No. 54, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) – Running
3. Austin Hill (No. 21, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet) – Running
4. Christian Eckes (No. 16, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet) – Running
5. Connor Zilisch (No. 88, JR Motorsports Chevrolet) – Running
6. William Sawalich (No. 18, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) – Running
7. Austin Green (No. 32, Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet) – Running
8. Jeb Burton (No. 27, Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet) – Running
9. Harrison Burton (No. 25, AM Racing Ford) – Running
10. Sammy Smith (No. 8, JR Motorsports Chevrolet) – Running
Several notable names like Ty Gibbs and Carson Kvapil, as well as Trackhouse’s Ross Chastain, featured prominently during the race’s high-stakes moments, with intense competition among top teams such as Richard Childress Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Kaulig Racing, and JR Motorsports.
Highlights from Stage Results
Stage 1 saw Carson Kvapil of JR Motorsports take the opening segment, narrowly outpacing Taylor Gray, Jesse Love, Austin Hill, and Nick Sanchez. Stage 2 victory went to Sammy Smith, followed by Gray and Sheldon Creed, while Daniel Suarez’s steady progress throughout these stages set him up for the decisive charge in the final laps.
Throughout the event, caution periods and incidents, including a dramatic multi-car wreck involving frontrunners, reshaped the leaderboard and emphasized the unpredictable nature of NASCAR’s road-course racing at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
What the Victory Means for Suarez and NASCAR
Daniel Suarez’s win in front of his home crowd at Mexico City underscores his talent and resilience, as well as the passion of his fans in Monterrey and beyond. The thrilling last-to-first effort is likely to be remembered as one of the standout moments of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season, further raising the profile of the sport internationally and in Mexico.
While competitors like Connor Zilisch and Ty Gibbs faced challenging circumstances, Daniel Suarez’s performance delivered a message of determination and skill, inspiring not only supporters but also fellow drivers across NASCAR’s competitive ranks. The result adds to the vibrant narrative of the series as it continues to attract diverse talents and enthusiastic audiences worldwide.
