Daniel Suarez supports NASCAR decision to use a podium for Mexico City race

NASCAR is one of the few forms of motorsport that do not celebrate the podium finishers after each race. In fact, it has never really happened in a points-paying event. NASCAR did utilize a small podium for the exhibition race held at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum for three years, but that’s about it.

But when the sport takes its top division to Mexico for the first time, they plan to utilize the podium at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez to celebrate the top three finishers. The NASCAR Xfinity Series, which did race here between 2005 and 2008, will also hold podium celebrations. It’s something NASCAR-only fans will find strange, but it’s completely normal for most of the racing world. 

“We are going to feel a little bit different”

Daniel Suarez, who was raised in Monterrey, Mexico, and is the only foreign-born driver to win a NASCAR title in one of the three national divisions, is in favor of the decision. 

“Honestly, when they told me about it a while back, like six months ago at the time they were already considering it, they were not doing it,” said Suarez. “I thought — man, it could be a good idea. If you think about it, we are pretty much the only sport that does it like this. The Olympics — everything has a podium. Sometimes the culture can be extremely different and I don’t hate it. I just don’t hate it because people are used to doing things a certain way. The promoters, they know what they’re doing. They know what their audience likes. So I don’t hate it, especially because the way that it’s going to be in the middle of the stadium.

“I think that area is super beautiful. There’s going to be 30,000 people watching the podium — 15,000 on each side. I think that’s going to be huge. Definitely something different for us. We are going to feel a little bit different. But at the same time, it’s not the first time we’ve done it. Actually, we did it in L.A., at the Coliseum. Just something different. I don’t see it as a negative. I see it as something that we have to adapt to a culture that is different to ours.”

Just enjoying the experience

Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Chevrolet

Photo by: David Jensen / Getty Images

Suarez will be the home hero when NASCAR travels to Mexico, and so, it should be no surprise that he is “super excited” for the event. It’s also a potential opportunity for him to win his way into the NASCAR Cup playoffs as he remains winless through the first 14 rounds of the 2025 season, but no matter what, it will be a special weekend for him.

“Regardless of what happens on Sunday, I’m super excited for the event,” said Suarez. “I’m super excited to live the moment because the first time is going to only happen once. I’m really trying to be as present as possible; enjoy the moment and try to execute the best possible weekend that we can. We know that we are capable of winning the race, but that’s not the goal. The goal is the execution of the entire weekend, and hopefully the win is the result of the execution part.”

Suarez will be running double duty in Mexico City, driving the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Team Chevrolet in Sunday’s Cup race, but also the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race.