Daniel Suarez, driving the #9 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, achieved a remarkable and emotional victory at the Chilango 150 held at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City on June 14, 2025. This win marked his first-ever home victory in NASCAR, a feat that NASCAR legend and JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. praised highly. Suarez’s path to victory was challenging: after a disappointing qualifying session, he crashed into the outside barriers at Turn 11 during his first flying lap, forcing him to start the race from the back in a backup car. Despite these setbacks, Suarez fought through the field and took the lead with 19 laps remaining, capitalizing on a 13-car pile-up caused by Connor Zilisch and Ty Gibbs. He ultimately won the 65-lap race by 0.598 seconds over Taylor Gray, with teammate Connor Zilisch finishing fifth.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed deep admiration for Suarez’s performance, describing it as “unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.” He highlighted Suarez’s strong connection with his home fans and the national pride he carries, acknowledging the immense pressure Suarez faced to perform in front of his supporters. Earnhardt Jr. was grateful that Suarez could savor this triumphant moment. Additionally, Earnhardt Jr. revealed that Suarez was initially not slated to drive the #9 car in Mexico City; the plan was for Shane van Gisbergen to race, but when that changed, Earnhardt Jr. entrusted Suarez with the opportunity, which proved to be a perfect decision.
Beyond Suarez’s victory, Earnhardt Jr. himself encountered significant travel difficulties en route to the race. A maintenance issue caused a flight delay in Singapore, forcing him to find last-minute alternative travel arrangements to reach Mexico City. Despite these hurdles, Earnhardt Jr. served as the color commentator for Amazon Prime Video’s broadcast of the Cup Series event and expressed optimism about the new broadcasting era with Amazon’s technology for the 2025 NASCAR season.
The win was a historic and emotional moment for Suarez, who was born in Monterrey, Mexico. The enthusiastic reaction from fans and NASCAR insiders captured the energy and significance of the event, with many sharing videos of the crowd’s joyous celebration as Suarez crossed the finish line. This victory also provided Suarez with crucial momentum heading into the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race, where he aims to improve his standings and keep his playoff hopes alive.
In summary, Daniel Suarez’s comeback win in Mexico City was a dramatic and heartfelt achievement, celebrated by fans, NASCAR insiders, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., who recognized the national pride and pressure Suarez overcame to secure this memorable victory.
