NASCAR’s Daniel Suarez empathizes with immigrants

CHICAGO – Daniel Suarez, the only Latino driver in NASCAR, aches for immigrants who are dealing with ICE raids during this tumultuous time in the United States for his paisanos.  

Suarez, a Monterrey native who drives the No. 99 car in NASCAR’s Cup Series, recognizes the responsibility he has as the lone Latino driver in his circuit.

“Yes, it does hurt very much to see my people suffer,” Suarez said of the historic immigration raids that have shaken the Latino community recently.

Immigration enforcement is a focal point of President Donald Trump’s administration. Suarez is the latest Latino sports star to express his solidarity with the immigrants in the United States.

Fresh off a successful trip to Mexico City in which he won “The Chilango 150,” Suarez was in Chicago last weekend for his favorite race in the NASCAR circuit, the Chicago Street Race that winds around Grant Park.

Important Mexican voice

Suarez won big last month in Mexico City in front of his countrymen. The trip to the Mexican capital was an overwhelming success for Suarez and NASCAR. Perhaps the love Suarez felt in Mexico City prompted him to open up and discuss the troubling times the Mexican and Latino community has experienced in the U.S. over the last month.

He has seen images and videos of Latinos being taken away by masked gunmen. Those raids and arrests have shaken the Latino community to its core. Suarez says successful partnerships like having NASCAR compete at its highest level in Mexico is proof that there are ways to work together through sport.

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“I think what happened a couple of weeks ago, bringing what is probably the most American sport to Mexico for the first time, I think that speaks to how important it is to work together in harmony, with communication, and most importantly with respect,” he said. ”And I think if we do that together, we’ll get to where we need to be together,” said Suarez. 

But there is no doubt it’s been difficult for him to openly express his thoughts to some of the Mexican media who traveled to Chicago to cover NASCAR’s Street course. 

Daniel Suarez: ‘Orgullo Mexicano’

“It’s sad, very sad,” Suarez said. “I think the United States is one of the best countries in the world. A lot of that is due to immigrants. And I think it’s very important that whatever happens moving forward it’s with respect harmony and communication.”

Suarez’s Mexican pride and symbolic representation make his a voice for many. Some could say he is a voice for the voiceless. He embraces the opportunity to represent his roots in American racing’s biggest stage. 

“I’m proud to be the only Mexican and Latino driver in NASCAR and to be able to represent you all and all the Mexican fans,” he says. “It really does make me very proud.”

Suarez and the team didn’t have their best day on the streets of Chicago at The Grant Park 165. He finished 29th. A crash in lap 3 ended his racing day early. The season is long, however. Suarez’s representation, awareness and speaking out could be the biggest win beyond winning at the checkered flag.