BROOKLYN, Mich. — Daniel Suarez became the first Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR national race, passing Kyle Busch and holding off one of the sport’s big stars at the Xfinity Series race at Michigan.
“To be able to be an example to bring more people is great,” said Suarez, who moved to the US five years ago.
Busch led 88 of the 125 laps in the Menards 250 race Saturday, but couldn’t stay ahead of Suarez for the final two laps.
“I didn’t know Suarez was coming like that,” Busch said. “He had some speed.”
The 24-year-old Suarez is the first non-American to lead any of NASCAR’s three national series in points. He became the first Mexican to win the Xfinity Series rookie of the year award last year.
Winning, for the first time, adds quite a feat to his list of accomplishments.
“This is monumental,” said David Wilson, president of Toyota Racing Development
Busch, Paul Menard, Erik Jones and Elliott Sadler finished in the top five.
“It couldn’t have been scripted better because he had to beat some heavy hitters,” Wilson said. “He didn’t do it at a stand-alone event.”
Jones raced with “Dave,” instead of his name painted above the driver side window. His father, Dave Jones, died this week at 53 after a short bout with cancer.
“Erik made a point to be in that race car,” Wilson said. “He did it to honor his father.”
Gordie Howe was mentioned during the invocation before the race about 70 miles west of Detroit, where he played much of his career for the Red Wings. Howe died Friday at 88.
Suarez won for the first time in 48 starts in NASCAR’s national series, getting rewarded for a climb through the sport’s development programs. He became a part of NASCAR in 2011 and was involved in its Drive for Diversity and Next programs.
“Without all the support, maybe I wouldn’t be here right now,” he acknowledged.
Suarez also credited Busch, whom he drives for in the Truck Series.
“Kyle has been super helpful,” he said. “He has supported me a lot and given me advice. He’s been a good friend.”
IndyCar race postponed
The IndyCar Series race at Texas was postponed late Saturday night after unsuccessful attempts to dry the 1 1/2-mile track soaked by several periods of afternoon rain.
IndyCar officials announced the postponement about 11:30 p.m. EDT, more than 2 1/2 hours after the race had originally been scheduled to begin. The Firestone 600 was rescheduled for 2:15 p.m. EDT Sunday, when the forecast included a chance for scattered and isolated thunderstorms.
When the race was called, there were still several obviously damp spots along the frontstretch even after hours of attempted drying in humid conditions. There was also the threat of more rain later in the evening.
About 30 minutes before that Josef Newgarden, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Simon Pagenaud and James Hinchcliffe were among drivers who went into the stands near the flag stand. They signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans.
The delay at Texas also pushed back the departure to France for three IndyCar Series drivers and a TV commentator who are entered to run in the 24 hours of Le Mans race. — Agencies
