Daniel Suárez Wins NASCAR Xfinity Series Race in Mexico City After Starting Last

Mexico native Daniel Suárez delivered a storybook victory on Saturday, winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series race in Mexico City — the first held at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez since 2008. Suárez’s win marks the first time a Mexican driver has won a NASCAR race in their home country since the series last raced there 17 years ago.

Driving the No. 9 Quaker State Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, Suárez charged from last to first over the course of the 65-lap event after being forced to start at the rear of the field. He crashed during qualifying, locking up the brakes and hitting the wall in Turn 11. The team had to bring out a backup car — one that wasn’t even fully painted — which, per NASCAR rules, sent him to the back of the grid.

Despite the setback, Suárez steadily climbed through the field and capitalized on chaos during a final-stage restart. Battling three-wide for the lead with Connor Zilisch and Ty Gibbs, Suárez found himself in front after Zilisch spun exiting Turn 1 and Gibbs collided with Carson Kvapil in the next corners. The incident brought out a caution, and Suárez emerged with the lead.

In the closing laps, Taylor Gray and Austin Hill chased Suárez closely. A tense moment came with under five laps to go when Gray and Suárez made contact entering Turns 2 and 3. Suárez was forced into the grass and cut the corner to stay ahead. NASCAR reviewed the incident and ruled that Suárez had been forced off track and did not issue a penalty — allowing him to keep the lead and eventually take the checkered flag.

The win adds another milestone to the 33-year-old’s career. Suárez made history in 2016 when he became the first Mexican driver to win a NASCAR national series championship, claiming the Xfinity Series title. That same year, he was promoted to the Cup Series after Carl Edwards’ surprise retirement opened up the No. 19 car at Joe Gibbs Racing.

Suárez’s Cup Series journey has been a rollercoaster. He struggled in his early years with JGR and later Stewart-Haas Racing, and endured a difficult 2020 season with Gaunt Brothers Racing. But his move to Trackhouse Racing in 2021 revived his career. He’s since collected two Cup wins: at Sonoma in 2022 and in a thrilling three-wide finish at Atlanta in 2024.

Still, 2025 has been a challenging year. Suárez enters Sunday’s historic first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City sitting 28th in the points standings and facing speculation about his future. He’s in a contract year, and rising star Connor Zilisch is waiting in the wings at Trackhouse.

Whether Saturday’s Xfinity Series win will influence Suárez’s future remains to be seen. But for now, it’s a feel-good victory for a hometown hero — and a major boost for NASCAR as it makes history in Mexico.

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez Xfinity Series Results

June 14, 2025