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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Earlier this month, Daniel Suarez quite possibly boosted NASCAR’s popularity in Mexico. This was after he won the NASCAR Cup race at the Sonoma Raceway. In light of this, his father Alejandro appeared in an interview where he spoke about his son’s journey to the NASCAR arena. Now, whatever happens, the worst that he can finish in the championship is 16th. However, given that Trackhouse Racing has been a dark horse, the driver could be on the hunt alongside teammate Ross Chastain.

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Alejandro said, “Daniel’s road has been very long, even though he is still young. The whole NASCAR Cup journey has been one of the most complicated things we’ve ever had in our lives. Two years ago, we didn’t have a team. We didn’t have a ride. It was very difficult because Daniel’s morale was falling and he no longer believed in himself. So as a family we had to push, push, push him until he came up for air again. The Trackhouse team was built by Danny and Justin Marks and I think they did a great, great job.”

READ MORE: Dale Earnhardt Jr Compares Daniel Suarez’s Rags to Riches Story to a Hollywood Movie

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What else did he say about Daniel Suarez and Trackhouse Racing?

According to him, the organization allowed Suarez to be himself and build a team around him. He also said that one of the biggest factors was the level of mutual trust between the driver and the team. Alejandro also confessed that at Sonoma, when he passed the #17 car of Chris Buescher at the restart, the thought a win was on the cards. He acknowledged the importance of tires during a NASCAR race, especially on a road course.

USA Today via Reuters

Suffice to say, the #99 driver knew how to manage tire wear efficiently. Apparently, this was cultivated from his karting days when he and his father scouted for old and worn-out tires. Then they would save the best ones for the upcoming race. As a result of this practice, he got used to racing on older tires and he really reaped the rewards at Sonoma.

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WATCH STORY: Daniel Suarez’s NASCAR Win Completes the Class of 2012 – Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace & Ryan Blaney