USA Today via Reuters
Jun 12, 2022; Sonoma, California, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez (99) and his team pose for photos after winning the NASCAR Toyota – Save Mart 350 race event at Sonoma Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jun 12, 2022; Sonoma, California, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez (99) and his team pose for photos after winning the NASCAR Toyota – Save Mart 350 race event at Sonoma Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
On Sunday, Daniel Suarez took an unlikely victory at the Sonoma Raceway. However, it seemed that he had a guardian angel with him throughout the race. For the Toyota/Save Mart 350, Suarez drove with a new name on his car.
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That name belonged to six-year-old Kinsley Wilkerson, who attended the race.
6 year old Kinsley Wilkerson is battling a rare brain & spinal cord cancer. Her name rode with @Daniel_SuarezG on his way to victory today. Safe to say she was our lucky charm 🍀
Tomorrow she undergoes surgery. Please help cheer on Kinsley & send thoughts & positivity her way! pic.twitter.com/E7K3KtNQHj
— Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) June 13, 2022
As it happened, Wilkerson is battling a rare brain and spinal cord cancer. A day after the race, she is expected to undergo surgery, and the Trackhouse Racing team made her dream come true.
Suarez even called the girl his ‘lucky charm’ and said, “Now you have to come with me every race. Are you okay with that?”.
How did Daniel Suarez perform in the race?
The Mexican driver was undoubtedly happy to finally reach Victory Lane. He also became the fifth non-American Cup Series winner after Marcos Ambrose, Mario Andretti, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Earl Ross.
This win is also a triumph for NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, which Suarez graduated from. Of course, he confessed that the journey was not easy, especially since he barely knew how to speak English.
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USA Today via Reuters
Jun 12, 2022; Sonoma, California, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez (99) celebrates the win by splashing wine at the NASCAR Toyota – Save Mart 350 event at Sonoma Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
His win at the Sonoma Raceway also ensures that he is a new contender for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series championship. In other words, he is the 12th driver to qualify, leaving just four spots up for grabs.
With 10 races in the Regular Season remaining, it will be interesting to see how things play out. Of course, Daniel Suarez will know that his place is not guaranteed if more drivers bag their first win of the season.
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So, the pressure will be on him to try and grab at least a second win to keep himself safe. For now, though, the Mexican driver will be content with just enjoying his maiden Cup win with his ‘lucky charm’. Hopefully, Kinsley Wilkerson’s surgery goes off without a hitch and she successfully defeats the cancer.
