After having a near flawless weekend, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Daniel Suarez dominated the Ford Ecoboost 300 as well as the 2016 Xfinity Series championship. The Monterrey, Mexico native made history by becoming the first Latin American born and first NASCAR champion who was born outside the United States in the 68 year history of the sport.
Along with teammate Erik Jones, Justin Allgaier and Elliott Sadler, the four drivers were able to advance through each round of the Chase for the Xfinity Series postseason tournament and while the other three mounted a challenge, Suarez was in a class of his own. Suarez won the pole, led the most laps, stayed out of trouble all race long even though the others had tire problems and were making contact with the wall.
On the final restart, Sadler took two tires to get to the front. And when leader Cole Whitt spun his tires and held up Jones and Allgaier, it left Sadler alone in front with Suarez behind him fighting for the win. Suarez on four fresh tires compared to Sadler’s two fresh tires meant Suarez made quick work of Sadler and cruise to the championship.
Suarez was interviewed and was clearly in shock about the accomplishment.
Suarez, who learned to speak English by watching cartoons, explains what this win means to him and his family. https://t.co/DBJhgkO5kA
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 19, 2016
After being a young prodigy in the NASCAR Mexico Series, the 20-year-old Suarez came to the United States to see how he could handle racing the best of NASCAR. Starting in the regional K&N Pro Series East, Suarez was accepted in NASCAR’s “Drive for Diversity” program meant to help young drivers of different races and ethnicities as well as females to gain opportunities and compete in NASCAR. Suarez was then discovered by Joe Gibbs Racing and that lit the firecracker that sent Suarez to stardom.
Running part-time in the Camping World Truck Series, Suarez raced full-time in the Xfinity Series in 2015 trying to gain experience in hopes to eventually graduate to the pinnacle of the Sprint Cup Series. With no wins and a 5th place points finish, Suarez became Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year in 2015. In 2016, Suarez took what he learned and turned it into three wins and a championship.
Suarez’s 2017 plans are up in the air but it appears he will remain in the Xfinity Series. Joe Gibbs has a great problem in that he has a rising star on his team, but Daniel Suarez looks like he’s ready for the big time. Another year in the Xfinity Series along with some selected Camping World Truck Series races, we may see a future Sprint Cup champion in the making.
