The Zane Smith connection to NASCAR Mexico race weekend gained attention as McCall Kelli, wife of Front Row Motorsports driver Zane Smith, celebrated Daniel Suarez and his wife Julia Piquet for hosting a memorable party after the Viva Mexico 250 event. Occurring this past weekend in Mexico, the festivities followed a dramatic race weekend that brought together top talent and enthusiastic fans.
Daniel Suarez, the only Mexican driver competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, became the center of the celebration after racing to a 19th-place finish in the Viva Mexico 250, and capturing a win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series on Saturday. Cheered on by a spirited crowd eager to support their local hero, Suarez and Julia Piquet planned a special event to make the weekend unforgettable for all involved.
McCall Kelli showcased her excitement on Instagram, commending Daniel Suarez and Julia Piquet for the way they ended the weekend with a lively gathering. Julia Piquet also gave fans a look behind the scenes by sharing moments from the party on her own social media story, adding to the sense of camaraderie among the racing community.
A Thrilling Race Marked by Fierce Competition and Unexpected Turns
Shane Van Gisbergen emerged as the standout of the Viva Mexico 250, dominating the field and winning the race with a remarkable margin of over 16 seconds. The event was made even more challenging by rainy weather, which put drivers‘ skills to the test and created a level playing field on the slick circuit.
For Zane Smith, the weekend came to an early end after a multi-car collision on Lap 7 resulted in a DNF (Did Not Finish). Despite the setback, Smith—currently 25th in the NASCAR Cup Series rankings—remains optimistic about future races, including his next appearance at Pocono Raceway.
Suarez Discusses the Growth of NASCAR and the Importance of Fans
As the weekend’s most prominent local competitor, Daniel Suarez drew widespread support thanks to his unique status on the NASCAR grid. His enthusiastic fanbase celebrated his Xfinity Series victory, and Suarez contributed to ongoing conversations about how to grow the sport’s appeal across borders.
With NASCAR hosting international events and exploring new broadcasting opportunities with platforms like Amazon Prime, Suarez weighed in on strategies to expand fan engagement. Speaking candidly during a popular interview series, Suarez remarked:
“The first thing is that we have to continue to get to know the drivers in a personal way. The Netflix show ‘Full Speed’ is a great way to get to know drivers on a personal level. I personally have learned a lot about all the drivers just from watching this show. A lot of fans know who I am as a driver, but they don’t know who I am as a person.” Suarez said via Jeff Gluck during the 12 Questions series.
Suarez also emphasized the importance of letting drivers express their personalities without fear of repercussions, underlining how authenticity can foster deeper connections with the audience. He currently stands at No. 28 in the Cup Series rankings this season.
The success of the Viva Mexico 250 and the celebration that followed, highlighted by nods from figures like McCall Kelli, showcases not only the strong Zane Smith connection to NASCAR Mexico race weekend but also the power of community, both on and off the track. As NASCAR continues breaking new ground globally, the enthusiasm from fans, drivers, and their families promises an exciting path ahead for the sport’s future events and cultural ties.
