Eyes on the Road
Daniel Suarez’s Winding Path to Success in Nascar
By: Jacob Rivard
Daniel Suarez, professional NASCAR driver
Like the powerhouses they pilot, NASCAR drivers utilize a vast arsenal of internal components and skills to separate themselves from their average counterpart. The most important pieces, according to Daniel Suarez, are unrelenting willpower and an urge of consistency -- keeping your eyes on the road, so to speak. From the first time he piloted a kart as a child, Suarez felt a passion brewing in his heart -- a ceaseless urge to become the best he can be. He attributes his successes to his focus, his optimistic attitude, and his family -- three key components to his life that have brought him to where he is now.
“Discipline and positive mindsets are the key to success,” Suarez begins, a smile manifesting on his face. At an early age, Suarez was surrounded by cars. His father, a mechanic in his hometown of Monterrey, Mexico, sparked his early passion for vehicles. Shortly after, Suarez began racing at age 11, finding a berth of success in the Mexican karting circuit. His skill immediately set him apart from the average kart racer -- a skill that few in the under-18 brackets possessed. As he grew older, he began to develop improved reflexes, a better eye for detail, and the focus he needed to stay on track to become a successful driver.
“I remember the day I was told I could make it. My dad pulled me aside and told me ‘if you’re up for it, you know, you can turn this into a career’. I couldn’t believe what he was saying. All I could respond with was, ‘you mean I can get paid to drive racecars?’” It was like a dream come true for Suarez, who had never imagined that he would be living the dream of countless kart racers. With the motivating words of his father in mind, an unbridled passion for racing, and his hands on the steering wheel of his fate, he drove off to a bright and promising future with NASCAR.
In 2008, Suarez became the youngest person in history to win the NASCAR Mexico Mini-Stock races. Shortly after, he moved on to the NASCAR Mexico Series, winning Rookie of the Year honors. He became the fastest Mexican driver in NASCAR history in 2011 at the Toyota All-Star Showdown, placing 11th overall in the race. The skill he showcased at that tournament earned him a shot at the big leagues, starting Suarez on a journey of a lifetime to full-time NASCAR racing. Suarez won his first-ever cup series in 2018, where he placed second in the 2018 Gander Outdoors 400. At just 28 years old, he’s shown a remarkable amount of maturity with his play style and his attitude off the track.
Before big races, Suarez eats healthy and clears his mind of worries to set himself apart from the competition. “Like a car, you need fuel to run properly. But, in order to make yourself a great racer, you need to put all your worries aside. You’re doing what you love, and it’s important to remember that when you get behind the wheel.” Suarez references a lot of his success to his father, who has served as his guide and role model for the majority of his life. “Whenever I feel lost or outmatched, I reach out to my dad and ask for help. He always tells me ‘just give it a shot, you never know what could happen’. I definitely wouldn’t be where I’m at today without his guidance.”
“It took a lot to get to where I’m at,” he continues. “A lot of people sacrificed their time to help me get to where I am. I’m so fortunate to have people like my family and friends in my life.” With the support of his family and friends, Suarez’s journey to a successful NASCAR career helped buoy his confidence during the tough times. Through thick and thin, his discipline and bonds allowed him a berth of success in the face of competition.
Finding success in a highly competitive industry, however, wasn’t without its fair share of road bumps. Moving to the United States brought with it a language barrier and a battle of willpower -- two large hurdles that needed an upbeat attitude and a relentless urge to stay consistent. “When you’re 18-24, the hardest thing to do is stay consistent. You want to go out and have fun, but you also have to set the blueprint for your future. I had to sacrifice a lot to get to where I am today.” Despite the setbacks and struggles, Suarez pushed through the toughest parts of his career to unprecedented success.
“The road to success is paved with a lot of sacrifice.””
Suarez references his family and friends as his biggest motivators, again calling his father to attention for helping him to finance his first half-season of travel for NASCAR. With his father’s financial support and the bonds he forged with friends and family, Suarez was able to secure a full-time sponsorship, becoming a mainstay in NASCAR for years to come. “The biggest thing I learned in my journey is that the road to success is paved with a lot of sacrifice. More than anything, it’s important to keep your eyes on the road.”
Name: Daniel Alejandro Suarez Garcia
Occupation: NASCAR Driver
Age: 27
Background: Born in the town of Monterrey, Mexico, Suarez’s journey to NASCAR success started at a very young age. His father, a mechanic at a car restoration shop, introduced him to the ins and outs of vehicles, sparking his passion at just four years old. In 2002, Suarez began his karting career, winning his first class championship in 2007. Since then, he’s gone on to win Rookie of the Year honors, placing high in a variety of races and winning championships across multiple categories