When Daniel Suarez crashed into the wall in NASCAR Xfinity qualifying, his shot at winning Saturday's race suddenly became extremely difficult. But driving a blank backup car with Quaker State decals hastily added to it, the Mexican driver methodically cut through the field of 39 cars.
Once he took the lead with 19 laps to go, he never gave it back.
It was a sensational drive and a career-defining victory in front of his home crowd in Mexico. The stands were electric and the non-stop cheers could be heard over the thundering race cars. Suarez even said the win is "in the same category as winning the championship in the Xfinity Series," showing just how much it meant to him.
"In more than 20 years of my career, I have never experienced what I experienced today (Saturday)," said Suarez in the winner's press conference. "When I took the lead, I was able to hear the people like they were right next to me, right here. And not just in the stadium, but also in corner number one, two and three. It was unbelievable. I got goosebumps. I felt so blessed and I was like -- I had never had that feeling in my life. It was unbelievable. And then I had to really talk to myself and say, 'Hey Daniel, focus. Don't get distracted.' It's so many people and Mexican flags everywhere, Daniel's Amigos everywhere, people with signs that said 'Vamos Suarez.' It was unbelievable. I really had to work with myself to not get distracted. This race was very special. I know it's Xfinity, but it's a very special race for me."
Regaining confidence after crash
But the job is only half-done. The big show is on Sunday and Suarez will roll off tenth on the grid for the Cup race. It's a solid starting position, but his teammates Shane van Gisbergen and Ross Chastain will start first and third, respectively. Suarez pointed out the Xfinity qualifying wreck, which came just before Cup qualifying, had a real impact on him as he tried to jump into the Cup car. But now, he's as confident as he could possibly be in potentially pulling off the sweep this weekend.
"I feel like this (win) gave me a lot of confidence," said Suarez. "When I crashed in Xfinity qualifying, I went into Cup qualifying a little bit down. I was good, but I was not 100% because you just crashed. It's normal. Everyone has those situations, but the feeling I had in my car in (Cup) qualifying -- I was very happy with it. I think my car was capable of being in the pole position. This win just gave me the confidence I needed to go out there tomorrow and have fun (and) enjoy it, just like I did today (Saturday).
He kept using the word 'unbelievable' as he described this victory, like he was still processing what had happened. And Sunday will mark 50 races since the last time Suarez visited Victory Lane in the Cup Series, and he currently sits 28th in the standings. But Suarez is used to the odds being against him, and it's never stopped him before.
"I'm living the dream," continued Suarez. "Just over ten years ago, I left this country just trying to find opportunities in the United States with nothing -- no English, nothing. And here I am right now next to so many great people supporting me and loving me and I just feel very blessed. Very, very happy for everything we were able to accomplish."
The first-ever NASCAR Cup race in Mexico will go green just after 3pm EST. with SVG leading the field to the green flag. Suarez will be on the outside of Row 5, but no one expects him to stay there for long.
