NASCAR:

By Roy J. Akers- www.skyviewsports.net

Plainwell, Mich. — With NASCAR visiting Mexico City, all international and domestic eyes are on a sport that has not raced its top series in over 65 years. The teams are in Mexico and they are ready to duel on this road course that was an F1 track to start.

Zoomcasts and then the quotes

Suarez on being the face of the race in Mexico City

With all the stuff going on this week, how hard has it been to focus in for practice and qualifying this weekend, and how are you feeling for Sunday’s race? 

DANIEL SUAREZ: “Honestly, a lot of people has been worried about that, but I haven’t. I have had a plan in my mind of what I was going to do, and I’ve been following that plan since Tuesday.

You know, you have no idea how many people has been telling me, Daniel, you’re going to be burned out. Daniel, slow down a little bit. I know, I have a plan in my mind, and I already know what I need to do, how much to push. I’m just enjoying it.

I’m like a kid on Christmas. That’s why you guys see me with a smile pretty much everywhere I go. It’s been a blast so far. Like I said, this is just getting started. This is only the first day of the weekend.”

Chase Elliott’s trackwalk

But, you know, there are some areas that I think you’ll take advantage of off the racetrack. I think the tire barriers have, especially through (turns) eight and nine or whatever numbers… I don’t know which track map you’re looking at, right, the numbers change. But the last two, that’s before you get to the stadium section, for clarity, the tire packs, where they’re located through that section, I think will significantly change how at least I was approaching that section in the sim. But I do think –- you know, look, we have some practice to get some time on the track. I think everyone’s going to be super aggressive with taking every advantage that you can take and probably stepping over that line. And if you get caught, you’ll get caught, and you’ll learn what you can and can’t do. So my intention is to go and push the limits as far as I can push them. I’ll probably step over them, you know, at different points in time. And I want to know for sure what’s going to be called and what wasn’t.

Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez on getting your child into racing

I only wanted to ask you something simple. It’s about drivers. What would you say to a young child, especially now that we are in Mexico, that wants to be part of the motorsports world, whether it’s by being a driver, an engineer, a PR person, or social media specialist? 

ROSS CHASTAIN: “I think right here in Mexico City you better be going to the go-kart track in the mall. What’s it called?”

DANIEL SUAREZ: “Go Kart Mania.”

ROSS CHASTAIN: “Go Kart Mania. We were there last night. That place is awesome. I would be ripping laps there. I would have my kids there.

Then as a driver you just have to start racing, whatever level you can afford. Everybody has a different path. There’s no right or wrong way to do this. 

There’s multi-generation families that are racing that Daniel and I are racing against. There’s guys like Daniel and I that our dads liked racing and helped us get going and worked to make money so they could spend on go-karts for Daniel, Pro Trucks for me, late models, asphalt late models in the States. 

Whatever you can race, keep moving up. If you are successful, if you can win, keep moving up. Be around older racers.

Then on the other fronts as far as PR or engineering, yeah, there’s definitely going to be scholarship — or you’re going to need to have some sort of degree, so finding scholarships to go get those degrees and go to school to know what to do when you get to the team.

And mechanics, some have degrees, and some just know how to turn wrenches, and they are really good at it. You got to be willing to be really good at it to be on our teams. We put them through a lot.” 

RYAN TRUEX, No. 11 Yahoo Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing

Can you talk about your preparation for this opportunity?

“It’s been a crazy few weeks – especially since Charlotte, I’ve been on standby. I’m glad it is at a track where I can practice and have time and know what to do to. I found out on Wednesday night, so it has been kind of chaotic getting here and putting all of that together, but I’m just grateful for the experience and grateful to be here. Really just want to enjoy it. I don’t really have any set goals or expectations – I just want to enjoy the weekend. I’m driving a Cup car for Joe Gibbs at an international race – this is not something I ever dreamed of doing, just want to take it all in and have a good time.”