A fortuitous NASCAR Cup Series break coinciding with the Olympics presented Mexican American driver Daniel Suarez with a unique opportunity: marriage to long-time partner Julia Piquet and a debut at the iconic Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace.
While his nuptials to the daughter of F1 legend Nelson Piquet marked a personal milestone, the following days were dedicated to a professional challenge.
Suarez, adjusting to a less powerful NASCAR Brazil car, showcased impressive speed in practice, securing top spots in both sessions.
Qualifying positioned him fourth, setting the stage for a thrilling race weekend. A rollercoaster weekend unfolded for Daniel Suarez at Interlagos. A penalty in Race #1 snatched a potential win, leaving him in sixth place.
But the tables turned in the dramatic sunset of Race #2. Despite a wild race filled with close calls, Suarez emerged victorious after a post-race penalty disqualified the initial leader, Lucas Mendes.
This victory cemented Suarez’s place in history as the first driver to win three international NASCAR championships within a single year, adding to his triumphs at the Atlanta Cup race and the NASCAR Mexico exhibition.
