Mexican driver Daniel Suarez looking for boost in Boyd Gaming 300
Going into a new work environment as a foreigner, not knowing English, can be intimidating.
That’s what Daniel Suarez faced when he left his home in Monterrey, Mexico, to chase his NASCAR dreams in the United States six years ago.
In a sport not known for diversity, Suarez was expecting to be treated like an outcast. Turned out he was wrong, and being different had its perks.
“Everyone has been good to me,” said Suarez, a first-year Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver for Joe Gibbs Racing. “Everywhere I go someone is always willing to help. It’s actually a benefit to be different because of all the support and attention.”
Suarez has been the most talked about rookie since the season started two races ago, but the 2016 Xfinity Series champion hasn’t had the results he wanted. Suarez, who drives the No. 19 Toyota Camry, placed 21st in Atlanta last week and didn’t get to finish his Daytona 500 debut because of a wreck.
Suarez, 25, is hoping an extra race will help him get back on track. He is one of eight drivers on double duty this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
He’ll drive the No. 20 Toyota on Saturday for the Boyd Gaming 300, which is part of the Xfinity Series, and return Sunday for the Kobalt 400.
“We decided that racing on Saturday would be a good thing for our team,” said Suarez, who spoke Spanish during his interview but now also can conduct such sessions in English. “We need the extra practice to get better. We have to learn to communicate, and you can only get better with that the more times you race. I feel good about our upcoming weekend in Las Vegas.”
The last time Suarez competed in a second-tier race he made history by becoming the first foreign driver to win a NASCAR national series title. He finished first at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November to win the Xfinity Series crown in thrilling fashion.
“It was an amazing feeling to win that championship,” Suarez said. “I never thought it would lead to me racing in the Cup Series. It was always my goal to get there, but I never imagined that it would happen this fast.”
Suarez got promoted by JGR when Carl Edwards surprisingly announced his retirement in January.
The rookie hotshot went from driving go-karts with his buddies as a teenager in Mexico to teaming with Las Vegan Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth in the world’s biggest stock car races.
Suarez said Busch and Edwards have constantly offered their assistance during his transition into the Cup Series.
“Kyle has helped me a lot to get to this point,” Suarez said. “I’m expecting a big year with him, but I need to do my part. It’s been a learning process so far, and there are a few areas where my team and I need to improve on.”
Busch also will participate in both races, one of three Las Vegans to compete in the Boyd Gaming 300. Spencer Gallagher and Brendan Gaughan will be in Chevrolets on Saturday.
Suarez’s replacement as JGR’s top Xfinity Series driver, Matt Tifft, will be part of the Boyd Gaming 300 field. Tifft, 20, missed most of last season after having brain surgery to remove a tumor.
Busch is the defending Boyd Gaming 300 champion.
Follow all of our NASCAR coverage online at reviewjournal.com/NASCAR.
Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0492. Follow @gmanzano24 on Twitter.