Daniel Suárez Pursues Mexico Xfinity Shot After NASCAR Nixes Cup Driver Ban Request

DARLINGTON, S.C. — With NASCAR’s highly anticipated return to Mexico just over two months away, Daniel Suárez is exploring the opportunity to race on home soil by hoping to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

However, Suárez’s intention to pull double duty wasn’t his first plan.

Initially, he had hoped a recent discussion with then-NASCAR president Steve Phelps — now promoted to NASCAR Commissioner — would result in a decision to keep Cup Series drivers out of the June 14th Xfinity race.

“To be very honest with you, I hate the idea that Cup drivers are allowed to run in the Xfinity Series in Mexico,” Suárez said Saturday at Darlington Raceway.

“In my opinion, Cup Series drivers shouldn’t be allowed, and the reason of that is because most of the Cup drivers are going to be taking the seats that other drivers from Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, they could have got, you know, and I had this conversation with Steve Phelps.

“I (also) had this conversation with Ben Kennedy (NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer) and with several people. Unfortunately, it (discussion) just maybe was a little bit too far down the road already.”

Suárez believes there’s no shortage of talented drivers across the border — many of whom have the skill or financial backing to compete in the 65-lap race. But he worries they won’t get the opportunity during NASCAR’s return to Mexico, as teams may opt for experienced Cup drivers over relatively unknown rookies.

“I mean, if there are a few kids in Mexico that they’re very talented, or they have the sponsor that they want to do the race, there is a high chance that they won’t be able to find a ride because they’re already taken,” Suárez added.

“The Xfinity teams are going to trust more a Daniel Suarez or Alex Bowman, rather than one of these  Mexican kids, or kids from Brazil, or a kid from Argentina.”

Although his plea didn’t lead to any changes, Suárez said NASCAR acknowledged it may have erred by not reconsidering the eligibility rule they utilized in 2023 — one that prohibited Cup Series drivers from entering the inaugural Xfinity Series race on the streets of Chicago.

Even so, he remains confident the weekend will be a success, Cup driver involvement or not, as the series heads into its second road course race of the season.

“They made a mistake,” Suarez said NASCAR told him. “I mean, it’s what it is now, but, and I think it’s gonna be an amazing event regardless. But, I just think that we have to think ahead, you know, like we are thinking on right now.

“We have to think ahead. I understand that situation because I came from there. At one point, I was that kid in Mexico, you know, just looking for those opportunities. You cannot expect a kid from Mexico or from, Argentina or from Brazil or from Colombia to battle for a seat with a Cup driver.

“It’s not going to happen. You know, we (Cup drivers) can have no sponsor, and the team owners may pick us just because we have more experience and we have higher chances of winning.

“But for these guys, they that’s their time to shine, you know. And unfortunately, you know, in my opinion, there is going to be very, very few that are going to be able to find a seat.”

Suárez isn’t sure whether NASCAR will revisit the eligibility rules for next season if Mexico returns to the schedule, but the two-time Cup Series winner remains hopeful.

He wants to see opportunities open up for his fellow international drivers to showcase their talent — and potentially pave the way for future careers in the sport.

“I just hope that these international kids get opportunities because these are what these races are all about, you know, for these kids also to showcase their talents.”

Follow Chris Knight on X (Twitter) @Knighter01 or email at [email protected].