During a significant race in Mexico, Daniel Suarez, representing his home country, came close to claiming victory, which led fans to hope for a Daniel Suarez fairytale NASCAR win in Mexico. While he had celebrated success on Saturday in the Xfinity race, the Sunday competition saw Shane van Gisbergen, his Trackhouse teammate, secure the win instead, leaving Suarez in 19th position after a dramatic moment when he took the lead and drew enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
Suarez’s fleeting lead was met with overwhelming fan support throughout the racetrack, highlighting his immense popularity. The atmosphere in Mexico City was electrified as local fans rallied behind Suarez, especially given his recent Saturday triumph and the hope for a rare double-win on home ground. The sight of the stadium roaring in unison for a local sports hero underscored his unique connection with the home audience at the racetrack.
Ben Kennedy Responds to Speculation on NASCAR’s Preferences
NASCAR executive Ben Kennedy addressed whether the organization had secretly hoped for Suarez to capture a double-win. Reacting to a question on “The Teardown” podcast about possible internal wishes for Suarez to achieve a storybook victory, Kennedy clarified NASCAR’s official stance regarding impartiality during competitions.
“We don’t cheer for anyone at all, but I will say it was incredible watching people’s reaction to Daniel Suarez winning that race. I mean, they were jubilant coming into it, and as soon as he took the lead, the place just erupted.”
—Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive
Kennedy highlighted the extraordinary fan reaction whenever Suarez was in focus, describing how every glimpse of Suarez inspired explosive excitement within the stands. These moments stood out to him as special, reflecting the passionate support the driver enjoys in his home country.
“And then obviously when he won the race, he got out afterwards, and anytime, like even during caution, before he won the race, they would show his onboard for like five seconds in front of the stadium section, people would go nuts. I thought that was so cool,”
Kennedy said. —Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive
NASCAR’s Stamp of Pride With Local Heroes in Mexico
Reflecting on NASCAR’s broader presence in Mexico, Kennedy drew parallels to past eras of legendary rivalries and famous drivers that gave fans strong personalities to support. He underscored how having home-grown talent like Suarez contributes to the sport’s appeal abroad and deepens fans’ emotional investment in the races.
“I think back to Jeff Gordon-Dale Earnhardt. It’s the best example that we had. But people associated themselves with either Jeff Gordon or Dale Earnhardt, and you were a rival of the two.”
—Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive
Kennedy added that it was particularly meaningful for NASCAR to compete in Mexico City, where fans now have a local champion to rally behind. He emphasized that this connection brings a sense of belonging to motorsport fans, akin to iconic rivalries of previous decades, and enhances the sport’s cultural imprint in the region.
“And I think it’s beautiful that we can come to a place like this in Mexico City where we’ve had a driver that was born and raised in this country, came up through our National Series, has had success in the National Cup Series and now they have someone they can associate themselves with,”
Kennedy described. —Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive
He also mentioned other stars like Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney, noting that while they have garnered significant followings, Suarez now commands an “incredible following” in his homeland, a fact that gives NASCAR reason to celebrate the deep connection between local athletes and their supporters.
The Lasting Legacy of Suarez’s Race in Mexico
While Daniel Suarez did not complete the double-win in Mexico, his performance and the crowd’s response underscored the significance of local representation in global motorsports. NASCAR’s experience in Mexico City demonstrated the sport’s ability to unite diverse audiences, strengthen its international presence, and create memorable moments steeped in emotion and pride.
