NASCAR HAS GONE INTERNATIONAL
In capturing the NASCAR XFINITY Series
championship, Daniel Suarez became the first
Latin American, as well as the first graduate of the
NASCAR Drive for Diversity program operated by
Rev Racing, to win a NASCAR national series title.
Suarez, a Joe Gibbs Racing driver in just his
second XFINITY Series season, became the first
Mexican driver to win a NASCAR national series
race when he went to Victory Lane in June at
Michigan, and in so doing punched his ticket into
the first XFINITY Series Chase.
The native of Monterrey, Mexico, dazzled from
the outset of the season, racking up four top-five
results and nine top- 10 finishes in his first 10
contests. Suarez led the standings following
14 separate races in the regular season. Now,
thanks to his victory in the winner-take-all season
finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, NASCAR
has its first national series champ from outside
the United States – a major stepping stone for
a sport trying to broaden its fan base at least in
part by reaching a more international audience.
