Daniel Suarez wins NASCAR Xfinity Series Mexico City event, taking an emotional victory at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in the series’ highly anticipated international points race on Saturday. Racing for JR Motorsports and piloting the No. 9 Chevrolet, Suarez delivered a crowd-pleasing performance in front of his home country fans, despite starting from the rear after a qualifying crash.
Suarez Returns to Mexico for Landmark NASCAR Event
The NASCAR Xfinity Series made its return to Mexico City, staging the first international points race of its kind at the city’s renowned Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. This special event saw local fans treated to a memorable show, with Daniel Suarez at its center, generating excitement as Mexico’s prominent competitor. Although hailing from Monterrey, Suarez embraced his local roots, contributing to the energetic atmosphere and attracting additional spectators to the venue.
The decision for Suarez to join the race with JR Motorsports provided him valuable on-track time ahead of his Cup Series commitment, as many drivers in the starting lineup had limited experience with this challenging circuit. The unique opportunity positioned Suarez and fellow Cup Series regulars among mostly Xfinity drivers, all aiming to navigate the demanding course.
Race Recap: Suarez Battles from the Back to the Front
Connor Zilisch secured the pole, while Suarez faced the setback of starting last in the field after a crash in the qualifying session. Demonstrating his strength as a skilled road course driver—highlighted by his Cup Series win at Sonoma—Suarez methodically climbed through the pack. His charge to the front served as a lesson to other Cup Series competitors on the possibilities of gaining track position on tricky circuits like this one.
As the race neared its conclusion, Jesse Love spun, triggering a late caution and setting up an intense final restart. Suarez, piloting a backup car after qualifying misfortune, was tasked with maintaining his lead through the pressure-packed finish—and he succeeded, crossing the line for a dramatic win.
Scenes of Triumph and Home Crowd Celebration
The sight of stock cars powering through the historic Peraltada corner to the checkered flag created a memorable image for both fans and drivers. Suarez’s victory celebration featured burnouts within the stadium section, known as Foro Sol, electrifying the home crowd and setting the tone for the weekend’s racing festivities.
With the Mexican driver surviving adversity and claiming victory in front of an enthusiastic audience, the buzz around Suarez’s weekend performance soared.
Looking Ahead After an Inspiring Victory
As the Xfinity Series prepares for its next event at Pocono, attention now pivots to Sunday’s Cup Series race in Mexico City. Daniel Suarez will return to his usual car, looking to capitalize on the momentum from his Xfinity win. Starting from tenth on the grid, Suarez will share the lineup with teammate Shane Van Gisbergen, who has earned the pole and is recognized for his talent on street and road courses.
Fans and NASCAR insiders alike will be watching to see if Suarez’s home-soil success in Xfinity can translate to another strong run in the Cup event, adding an extra layer of excitement to the historic race weekend in Mexico City.
