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In 2022, Daniel Suarez stood atop his car at Sonoma Raceway, grinning from ear to ear as his Trackhouse Racing crew erupted in celebration. After 195 Cup Series starts, he finally broke through, becoming the first Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race. It wasn’t just a personal victory—it was a moment of cultural pride. “It’s crazy. My family never gave up on me,” Suarez said through a stream of happy tears.

I have so many thoughts in my head right now. It’s been a rough journey in the Cup Series, and these guys believed in me,” he further added. As he celebrated with his team, smashing a taco-shaped piñata, it was clear this was more than just a win. It was a breakthrough. A reward for perseverance. A signal to every doubter that Suarez had arrived, and on his terms. The 2016 Xfinity series champion even addressed fans in Spanish: “This is the first one of many.”

Fast-forward to 2025. Suarez is no longer just a Cup Series winner—he’s become NASCAR’s global face. As the sport heads toward its first points-paying Cup race outside the U.S. in the modern era, big names are showing up. And so are big brands. Among all of them, Suarez is sparking huge buzz. It seems like billion-dollar brands are racing to align with him. One of the biggest surprises? A quiet but intriguing entrance by Budweiser’s $19 billion rival—Corona.

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Daniel Suarez’s social media post sparks rumors!

NASCAR’s Mexico City race on June 15 is more than just another date on the calendar. It’s a milestone. For the first time in decades, a Cup Series points race will happen outside the U.S., at the famed Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. With 15 turns on a 2.429-mile course and 100 laps on the docket, it’s set to be a technical, grueling, and unforgettable challenge. It also lands squarely in Daniel Suarez’s backyard—his home country, his home crowd.

And that only sparked a huge speculation in the NASCAR garage when Suarez posted a sneak peek of his upcoming collaboration. He posted a picture sitting on a stock car painted in a striking Corona Cero livery. No Trackhouse branding. No explanation. Just a clean, quiet flex that sent speculation into overdrive. It sparked multiple questions like – Is Corona partnering with Suarez? Will we see a Corona-sponsored car racing in Mexico City?

And this left NASCAR fans buzzing. One fan wrote, “A Corona Cup Series car for the race in Mexico City would be just a chef’s kiss.” And they’re not wrong. If that happens, it would be massive. Corona is the world’s most valuable beer brand according to Kantar, valued at over $19 billion. Traditionally known for beach vibes and lime rituals, Corona has recently expanded with Corona Cero.

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via Imago

It is a non-alcoholic beer that fits the modern, health-conscious consumer. It’s already the official beer sponsor of the World Surf League. Now, it could be eyeing NASCAR. However, Corona isn’t the only major brand aligning with Suarez ahead of NASCAR’s groundbreaking Mexico City race. Telcel-Infinitum, Mexico’s leading telecommunications giant with a market cap of $46 billion, has already locked in a primary sponsorship deal with Suarez’s No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet.

Just a couple of days ago, Suarez unveiled the Telcel-backed car in Mexico City, proudly sporting the white and blue livery that will represent him in front of his home crowd. “This, to me, is a dream come true,” Suarez said, emphasizing how meaningful it is to compete in his native country after leaving in 2011 to chase his NASCAR dream.

Meanwhile, NASCAR has been preparing for this moment for months. From cultural events to driver meet-and-greets, they’ve gone all-in on fan engagement. Drivers like Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and Christopher Bell have joined Suarez for pre-race promos, enjoying local cuisine and embracing the culture. NASCAR even tapped entertainment giant OCESA to ensure the event goes big.

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Corona stirs a massive ‘beer’ war among NASCAR fans!

The moment Daniel Suarez dropped that photo with the Corona Cero stock car, NASCAR Twitter and Reddit lit up like the pit lane during a green-flag stop. One fan noted, “I would assume this is a Mexican ad since that’s a Mexico Series car.” That’s a smart observation. The car style aligns with what we’ve seen in the NASCAR Mexico Series, which Corona once sponsored as a title partner in the early 2000s. The brand helped elevate NASCAR’s visibility in Latin America back then. If this is a return play, it’s rooted in legacy.

Another fan pointed out the branding nuances: “It’s also Corona Cero, which I believe is different branding than the U.S. non-alcoholic Corona.” That’s accurate. Corona Cero has rolled out globally, focusing on wellness and balance. It’s distinct from any American brand variant, and its presence signals a different strategy—possibly tapping into NASCAR‘s growing international ambitions and audience, especially in Latin America.

Meanwhile, some fans took a marketing view. “Probably a personal sponsorship, seeing how there is no Trackhouse branding anywhere.” That’s possible. Drivers often secure personal deals independent of their teams. With Suarez’s popularity in Mexico, Corona aligning with him, even in a limited campaign, would make perfect sense. After all, Ross Chastain is already linked with Busch Light Beer brand, and this new deal could create issues for the team. However, a user reflected on Suarez’s dream Mexico debut.

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“I hope Suarez has a great run that weekend in Mexico. It would be an absolute scene if he could pull off a win.” That sentiment is shared by many. A Suarez win on home soil would be more than a checkered flag—it would be history, passion, and legacy all rolled into one. And finally, one fan chimed in with a business-savvy note: “Anheuser-Busch InBev owns the brand outside of the United States.” Notably, AB InBev’s global portfolio includes Corona, Modelo, Budweiser, and more. That gives them the ability to market different brands across different territories. A Corona-backed car in Mexico while Budweiser or Busch Light runs in the U.S.? For the time being, it looks possible.

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