Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour presented by NASCAR on FOX - Daniel Suárez Interview

Episode Date: June 26, 2025

Kevin Harvick sits down with Daniel Suárez after his incredible weekend in Mexico City, where Suárez won the Xfinity Series race and was embraced as the clear fan favorite. The two discuss what that moment meant to Suárez personally, the electric atmosphere, and why NASCAR must return to Mexico. They also break down the bigger picture — what international races mean for the future of the sport and how NASCAR can grow globally. Then, Suárez opens up about his current situation with Trackhouse Racing, reflects on the highs and lows of his 2024 Cup Series season, and shares what fans can expect from him in the second half of the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a driver, I have never felt as complete as I am right now. NASCAR, I believe, is bigger than what we think, and we have to take advantage of that. Do you think that's good, bad for NASCAR, Mexico? For them, it's a dream. I'm pretty sure NASCAR is not here. NASCAR is in Charlotte, North Carolina. If you guys are going to have it as difficult as I had it, you guys are not going to make it. Welcome to Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour, presented by NASCAR on Fox.

And this week, we have a guest that we've been after for a while, and we were so intrigued with everything for Mexico, so we appreciate you taking the time and coming in the studio because I think it's a fun conversation to have, and so thanks. Appreciate it. Thank you, Gary, and thank you for having me. Well, let's just start there. You know, you go through all this planning and all this talk and all this hype, and in my view, it looked like a successful event at Mexico, but the highlight of the weekend for me was Saturday. I know that practice and you had the accident. But coming from the back and winning that race, talk to me about that and just the whole Mexico experience from the weekend that you had. Yeah, Kevin.

Honestly, there was a lot of build-up a lot. You know, I have never experienced anything like that in my life. You know, the last time I race in Mexico was in 2014. So it was a long time ago. And since January, before the season actually started, I was already in Mexico City doing promotions and doing events. and doing things with sponsors and things like that. So for me, it was almost like a six-month build-up into that weekend. So when I got into the weekend, into Friday, to actually drive,

honestly, I was so relief because I felt like, okay, finally, I want to get to drive, right? Because, you know, that's what we love to do. And it was fun, you know, getting the opportunity with Junior Motorsports to drive their cars. Obviously, those cars are super fast. I knew I was going to have a good shot. I haven't been in a good exfinity car in many years, actually since I run full time, really.

So to get used to the car and to get used to everything, it was a process. But the car was fast from the get-go. The only thing that I didn't like about the car was the brakes, but I didn't know if it was normal. I had a conversation with Connor

after the practice. I had a conversation with John. single guide after practice, because my pedal was going long. And at the time, I didn't know if it was normal or not. I'm so used to a cup car. The cup car is so much more solid. So different, yeah. And I like that.

You know, in a rock solid pedal. And I didn't have that. But I didn't know if it was normal or not. And every time that the pedal was traveling, it just kept going, lab one in practice. So I didn't know if it was normal or not. And when I push hard, just the pedal, I just continue to. And it seems to me that when you hit the pedal,

it break, but then once the pedals start traveling, it just stopped stopping. And that's unfortunate what happened to me in qualifying and already was disappointed. But I felt like starting from the back with the back of it, it kind of like made up a pretty cool story out of the day. Yeah, and when I went there, I think it was 2005, Adrian Fernandez was there.

And it was one of the most eye-opening experiences I've ever had because they were there all weekend and they were whistling and they would scream. And there was not one lap that he went by that they didn't do that. And it was one of the most amazing fan experiences that I've ever been a part of. How were the fans to you as far as I saw some of the social media things that you did when you got off the bus and all the different things? I mean, it's like an international hero is coming home

and the whole event was built around you. in my opinion. For me, that was the highlight of the weekend. You know, I've been racing for 20 years. And in my entire career, I have never heard people from the grandstands when I'm driving. Yeah.

I don't know if you have. Oh, yeah. One time. Yeah. I have never hear the people screaming when I'm actually driving. When I took the lead on Saturday and Sunday, I was able to hear the people screaming,

especially on Saturday. And Saturday was even more because actually it was on the coffee. you know, right after that, and the people were getting crazy. I mean, and that's, only that's a feeling that I'm going to remember forever because I have never experienced that in my life. And, you know, for me, obviously, was very special. You know, here in the United States, this place has become my home.

And we go to a lot of places like California, your home that, you know, California, Phoenix, Texas, Miami, a lot of these places that there is a lot of Hispanics, and they made me feel like home, you know, they made me feel very welcome. without being said, it's not what I was born. It's not what I was raised. Right. And I really appreciate all the love a lot. Without having said, in Mexico, it was a complete different level.

Like, the amount of support, I mean, I believe that 90% of the people in the Grants are supporting myself. So it was pretty spectacular and a feeling that I hope that I get to enjoy it many more times. When I look at, as I was studying for this interview, I see Corona. I see tell sell. I see all these Mexican brands. What doors did that race open for you that might not have otherwise been open? Because that to me was always the intrigue about going to Mexico. I had Hershey as a sponsor at that time, and we had Palan Palo Rico, the candy, the Mexican candy on the car.

And it opened up doors that we would never open up. And I don't know that a lot of people understand. the doors that going international opens up. How does that change for you? Because I see a lot of stuff that if we don't have that Mexico city race, in my opinion, aren't necessarily open as big for you. Am I looking at that wrong? 100% right.

100% right. Like, a good example is Carlos Lim and Tel-Sail and Telmex. You know, this guy, this group of people, they've been supporting me for 15 years. In a small fashion, business-to-business stuff here and there. When we went to Mexico, they went all in. I mean, you could not go to the streets without seeing my face somewhere. I wish, honestly, you were there because it was, for me, it was pretty cool, you know, to see everything. And, you know, Telcelo has been something consistent with me.

And then for Mexico, they went huge. The same opportunity came with Corona, 0.0. With Banorte, you know, one of the biggest banks in Mexico. Yeah. You know, Mission Foods, the same thing. You know, actually, Mission Foods is very strong here in the United States as well. the tortillas. So it just created a whole new chapter of opportunities.

And obviously, and I believe that these new opportunities are for everyone. I'm the lead, obviously, being the only Mexican driver. Are you comfortable with that? I love it. Being the lead. Yeah, I love it. I mean, it is a massive importance.

I love it. I love it. I also believe that everyone else in the industry has to take ownership in in those things and also take advantage of the opportunities, because there is brands, there is going to be companies that they may don't have presence in Mexico or international, that they may don't really care, but there is going to be a lot of other companies

that they would love to be in Mexico because international. Like, the reason why I run the Xfinity race is because Quaker State wanted to be in the Cop car. Well, Telcel got that race. He said, well, let's do the Xfinity race. But all that budget, all the money, all that hype, it came from Mexico. It was a complete different thing than the budget

in the U.S., so that's great because the way I see this new money. Yeah, do you think we do it again? I think so. Yeah, I would be extremely surprised if we don't. I think there is a lot of people that are just super excited about it.

And I believe that the second time is going to be even stronger. I had a lot of conversation with the promoters in Mexico and they've been doing Formula One for 10 years and they told me that to get Formula One to what it is today, to be selling out days after they put the tickets on sale, it took them four years. So it's a process. They have

to learn the people. They have to learn the series. They have to learn what they want, what they don't want, the merchandise, all these different things to be able to get to that point. So I believe that it's a very important market and I hope that we continue to take advantage of it. When you see, like, it really frustrates me because when we went, when I hear everything that it took to put all this together, I mean, it's a massive undertaking. to do something this far outside of the box that from the norm, right? We've been there. It's a much different time than it was in 05 and 06 and much different sport.

You know, the world is different. But I can't stand the criticism of events like this before we even go. I read. And, you know, do you go and talk to any of those guys and just try to help them understand? Because I don't know that anybody else is. And I don't know if they understand. understand the significance of the marketing side. If you really want to be, have the drivers be the stars that they used to be,

this is the stuff you're going to have to do. We used to go to Mexico. We used to go to Canada. Sure, it was a different landscape for the sport. Do you have any conversations with any of those guys that, or the crew members or anybody? Sometimes I try to, to some of them, not all of them. But I believe that you have to be, you have to be open-minded. Yeah.

And I believe that we continue to do the same things that we've been doing for many years. We're going to get the same results. I believe that NASCAR has done an amazing job the last handful of years to think outside the box. To get out of that comfortable zone, the LA Coliseum, Chicago, you know, I'm sure that there's going to be more surprises coming up with different racetracks, different new markets. That's what we need. You know, we need to go back to Canada. We need to continue to go to Mexico. We need to continue.

Kevin, last year I run in a race, a NASCAR Brazil race in South Paulo. I guarantee you there were 40,000 people in the grandstands for a NASCAR Brazil race. Unbelievable. Unbelievable. There is a huge market. And I'm not saying that NASCAR Cup Series has to go to Brazil. All I'm saying is a NASCAR, I believe, is bigger than what we think. And we have to take advantage of that.

Like, why we don't take advantage? of that. And I believe NASCAR is doing that. You know, NASCAR is seeing that. That's why we have NASCAR, Mexico, NASCAR, Mexico, all the different series, because NASCAR is seeing that. The way also I see it is that if there was not NASCAR, Mexico, I wouldn't be here today. NASCAR, Brazil just got started a couple of years ago.

Maybe in a few years we're going to see a Brazilian over here. The same thing with Canada. I feel like that's what we need, you know, continue to... We live in an amazing country that is extremely diverse. So we have to continue to bring people. And not just drivers, in my opinion, is everything. It's mechanics, engineers, pick crew members. You know, every time that I walk on Pea Road,

every single peak crew member that speaks Spanish are my friends. You know, it's almost like we have a special bond, just because we speak the same language. So I feel like we have to continue to grow up. Because the sport is so big and so healthy that there is so many good opportunities out there. Do you talk to any of the NASCAR, Mexico guys? Do you help any of those guys? Is there anybody that you see that has the ambition to do what you did?

Yeah, I do. And not just drivers, not just drivers, also mechanics, mechanics, engineers as well. Because that's a big deal. You know, racing in Mexico, the way I saw it, is a big deal for us, but it's also a very, very big deal for the NASCAR Mexico series because I guarantee you that that was the most important race of the year for them. Because they were racing along the Cup series. you know, for us, it almost

it becomes normal, you know, to be doing this, in this level. But for them, they see us as superheroes. So to be able to race in the same stage, it's a very big deal. And many of these guys are trying to go to a diversity program and trying to do a couple of late models here, a couple of legends races,

to a summer showout. That's trying to do all these different things. And, you know, 80% of them, they called me to ask for an advice, hey, what should I do? Should I go here? Should I do there? What do you think is going to be more helpful?

Because obviously, the money factor, you know, is important as well, especially coming from Mexico, the pesos against dollars is a big thing. So, so they have to be very smart in how they spend whatever amount of money they have. So when they, like when they came to the clash, is that something that they look forward to? Do they like leaving Mexico when they ran the NASCAR Mexico series? When they came and ran at the clash, is that something that they're looking to do more of? Do you think that's good, bad for NASCAR Mexico? I think it's a dream. For them, it's a dream. For them to be in the same

stage as trucks, Xfinity, or cop, is a dream. Because they are having the opportunity to see what they do and to, hey, here's my card if you ever need something. Hey, can I take a picture with you?

I mean, how many people ask you for pictures from the Mexico series when you were doing the LA Clutch? Like, they love everyone here and they're aspiring to one day getting here. And the reason why I know that is because I was in those shoes. 10 years ago,

eight years ago, I was that guy that I was like, oh my God, and I remember my spot, I don't know if you remember this, but NASCAR, Mexico, the very first time

they're racing in the US was in Phoenix, Arizona. I won one of those races. And for me, it was a huge deal because I was just getting started. I was still racing NASCAR Mexico. And in my mind,

I was like, if I win this race, you know, jogi's racing is going to call me. Yeah. Hendrick is going to call me. In my mind, that's how I used to think,

right? and it was super cool to be able to win in the same stage, the same weekend than the big guys. It's very interesting. The whole dynamic of it is really, it's much bigger than people realize. And I think the more that we can talk about this and expose the importance to the sponsors, to the drivers,

to NASCAR Mexico, to NASCAR itself. NASCAR is this massive brand that I feel like almost has forgotten. how big they are. And that's what, I don't know that they forgot about it. I think that we forget that we can go do stuff like this and have an impact that is much bigger than what people give us credit to do. Totally agree, Kevin. I was six months ago, I was in my honeymoon in Japan.

I was in a little marketplace where they said clothes and stuff. There was a section of NASCAR in Japan. I saw one of your shirts over there. Really? From when you were at the RCR, I saw the Langer Junior shirt. Actually, I took a picture. I sent it to him. Like, we're big.

We just have to continue to take advantage of those opportunities. And I feel like something that is also very important is to... I think many people get it, but not all of us, all of us, is how difficult it is for foreigners to come to a sport. You know, like I experience that. You know, when we come to the United States, see someone like starting all over again. You know, when I came to the U.S., I was 19 years old, I had to start all over again.

All my career is almost like, well, in the past, almost like it didn't matter. I have to start all over and since the language. So I think the support from NASCAR, through the diversity program, through all these different things, to be able to give these kids a hand, is super important because all these kids really are starting behind. You know, like, there is not go-cars for obols in Brazil. There is not go-kars for oboles in Mexico. So really all these kids are only getting to ovals When they are 15, 16, my first oval race, I was 17 years old.

So if you think about it as a kid 17 years old here in the United States, it's almost already racing in an Xfinity series. So I felt like the support, the platform of support that NASCAR is building is extremely important because without that, there would be no international. So in NASCAR, Mexico, you have to be how old to race? In NASCAR, Mexico, you have to be, I think you have to be like 17 or 18.

Yeah. And is that an FIA thing? No. No, no, that's control. Now is controlled by NASCAR, to an extent. NASCAR Mexico and NASCAR U.S. Are there a legend cars in Mexico? No, they don't exist.

And that's the thing is that if you want, let's say that you want to run NASCAR Mexico, well, you have to sign gokers, Rothkuz gokers. And then you go into like a little trucks, there are B-6 trucks. on those trucks you can jump, I think, when you are like 15, and then you go to NASCAR, Mexico.

But if you think about it, before 15, there is no Oval for you. Everything is Rothkirts. And then you jump into ovals, and then you start learning the different things. And what I have learned is that by the time that you get to 15, if you do everything right, everything perfect, you may get to the US when you are 18, and then you start racing with kids, like Killing, for example. I mean, Killing is amazing.

Super experience, all the experience, since 10. So you bring a kid from Mexico, from Brazil, from one of these places with 18 years old, it has five years behind. It has five percent of experience than what a kid growing up in the U.S. with all this connection with all these racetracks has. So that's the one part of people forgets, how difficult it is to make it from a different country just because the racetrack, the resources, and all the different things that are different. Yeah, I used to tell Danica Patrick that all the time. She's like, what do I need to do to do to get back? better to kind of speed up my process to catch up with some of the guys. I said, Danica,

you're never going to catch me. She's like, what do you mean? I said, because every time I go on the racetrack, I still learn. And you're still learning all, you know, the things that I learned 20 years ago. And so I understand what you're saying. And I think that's intriguing to me. How did you learn about NASCAR? How did you go down that path? You talk about NASCAR, Mexico, being at that point. Was NASCAR a thing? Was it just a niche that you got introduced to? How did you even get introduced to NASCAR?

I hope the shirt is comfortable because it's a long story. That's okay. But I was always a fan of NASCAR. I remember seeing the races on Sunday. I remember seeing the big numbers on the doors. And I was always a big fan of NASCAR. And when I grew up, racing... You watched it on TV.

Oh, I watched on TV with my grandpa and with my dad on Sundays. And I remember when I was a little kid, you know, I didn't have a lot of money. So I was racing gokers and here, there, a little here, a little bit there. And eventually when I started running out of money, that it was pretty soon after I started, I started to find different opportunities. And then my dad and I, we decided to build our own car or my dad had a restoration shop. So we built a beetle, both buying beetle. and we put the car together to go race

because there was a series for that. And in my mind and my dad's mind, okay, that was like the NASCAR route. And at that time, we're not thinking NASCAR US. The goal was for me to go to NASCAR, Mexico. That was the main goal. And I remember perfect. I have pictures and everything.

Like my beetle was the only beetle in the entire series with a number on the door. Like huge number, just like NASCAR. That was my thing. I remember putting in the right side headlight and right side daylight the number as well. Like that was my thing. I love NASCAR.

I also learned Formula One. At first, that's what I wanted to do. But then I realized I didn't have the money. And then when I connected with Carlos Slim and Jim Morales, they gave me actually the opportunity to go to England. And they say, hey, they know, we hear that you were very good in gokers. You know, we hear from Checo Paris and Esteban Gutierrez, that you were very good.

Will you like to put this aside and go to Europe? And I remember having this conversation with Jim Morales, because at the time he was like my godfather, when it comes to racing. And he said, I ask him, I say, Jimmy, if you were my dad, what would your advice would be to me? Because I don't know what to do.

My dream is being NASCAR now. Like, when I was very young, it was Formula One because that was the only option. And then when I started growing, I wanted to do NASCAR. And now I have a legit option to pick. And he said, Daniel, if you go to Formula One, you have to do everything perfect.

I was 18 at the time. You have to do everything has to go perfect. And you're going to be probably the second or the third Mexican driver in Formula One. And in NASCAR, NASCAR really wants a Mexican driver there one day. And I believe that you have the talent at the time to be able to do it if everything works so good.

But nobody has done it before. So it's very difficult. And the second that he said to me, nobody has done it before is very difficult. And I say, I'm the guy for that. I'm your guy. And since then, I've been focused in trying to be that guy. So growing up, you were, you followed F1.

and that was what you followed. I mean, you watched, obviously, you told us that you watched NASCAR. So you followed F1. Who was your F1? Like, who was your racing hero? Fernando Loneso. Because when I grew up,

when I was 11 years old, that I started racing, I didn't know anything about Oval. So there wasn't even an option, you know, in Gokers. So it was Fernando Lonson. But once I started realizing, okay, man, this is super expensive.

There is no chance. My family is going to be able to support me for this. I started thinking, okay, NASCAR, Mexico. And then I built my beetle and then all these things. And then I started watching you, Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson, Dale Jr. Like all these guys that for me were the legends. And for me, you know, for a kid from Mexico that didn't speak English watching on TV to come here eventually and be able to raise with all you guys, it was amazing.

Well, it's quite a story. And I think you actually drove from Mexico City here, right? You had one of the little Beatles today. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So the way that this story worked is that I was in my first year, my first year full-time in NASCAR, Mexico, and I was already doing well. I was already strong off-front, and I was only 19 years old. And I got an opportunity to race for a very, very small theme in the Toyota All-Star Showdown in California. Do you remember that race? Amazing race in Irwindale.

And nobody in Mexico wanted me to do that race, because I didn't have a lot of experience. I had two years of experience in Oval. So anyway, we went to that race anyway. We had a lot of the sponsorship in there. We ended up going to that race. And long and so in short, we ended up not just qualifying for the race, which that was a goal, but we finished 11 in the race. And we qualified 12.

So we did good with this very small team. And the owner of this very small theme told me, Daniel, if you can only speak English, I think that you can be very good. Because at the time, I had to bring my sport for Mexico because I couldn't speak English. So this guy, his name is Troy Williams. he invited me to live with him. At the time, I thought that he lived whatever NASCAR was. I didn't know Charlotte existed.

And I moved, I ended up moving with him in January of 2011. And he shop, which he was a very, very small shop, like a six-car garage. I was in Buffalo, New York. Oh, my gosh. So I didn't know. I thought that NASCAR was up there. I had no idea. And he was very nice.

And he held me. and I live with him and his family for a few months. But after a few months, I remember watching the Daytona 500 from his house, watching Trevor Bainwin in that race. And a month went by and I called my dad and say, hey, dad, I'm pretty sure NASCAR is not here.

NASCAR is in Charlotte, North Carolina. So I moved back to Mexico. I prepare my beetle. I rebuild the engine, suspension, and everything. And I drove all the way from Mexico to Charlotte. And I started living with first of friends trying to look for opportunities with nothing. And I ended up racing one race here, one race there.

And all that time, I was still racing in Mexico. But I just wanted to start getting my feet wet in the U.S. You ever look back at that diversity program and everybody that came through that program at that time and just not only the diversity program, just the NASCAR class of drivers that you guys raced with in the K&N series and through that program? I mean, that's a pretty star-studded list.

Yeah, it was a good. It was, La Joy was there. Bowman, Larsson, Chase, Blaney, myself, Wallace. It was a pretty strong list. Yeah. It was a pretty strong list. And everyone was super nice to me.

You know, that's why I have a good relationship with some of these guys, because Wallace, Chase, Blaney, all these guys, Logano, all these guys, met me when I didn't speak English. I look at that bond between that group of guys. It's different than

most other generations. Am I misreading that? Yeah, no, I think definitely, I believe that Blaney, Chase, and Boba, they've been very close since they were kids, right? And I came in kind of like a little bit later, and I believe that I have a good relationship with these guys just because

we have known each other for over 10 years. And really, we met when we couldn't talk to them. You know, I remember going to trips as part of the NASCAR Next 9 program at the time. We went to Chicago one time. And I was just tagging alone because I couldn't speak. I couldn't talk to anyone.

So for me, I believe that every driver out there journey is unique. And every driver has had their own difficulties and things that has to go through and barriers that has to break. But for me, it's been different, right? Like the language, family, money, like all the different things. And that's why I have told people in the past, I said, man, if you, I say these two kids in Mexico and say, guys, if you guys are going to have it as difficult as I had it, you guys are not going to make it. You guys are not going to make it because life really was very tough to me to be able to build me this way to be able to make it. So for me, part of my journey, I have to help NASCAR build a platform to make it a little bit easier.

It's not going to be easy, but a little bit easier for drivers from out of the country because if not, it's so difficult. Yeah. And as you, as I've been in the legend car thing for a little bit, and I listened to their international programs, they're big. Like when you go to London and Europe in general and you go to different countries, they have big races. But the kids can't race. They can't race on the ovals. And I look at NASCAR, Mexico, and I look at Mexico in general. And you look at that legend car stuff.

But a lot of times, like in Italy, when they race all the legend cars, you can't race that legend car until you're like 16 years old. And to me, that's a major roadblock for the age is a major roadblock for international kids to get what they need on these ovals or just in the car in general. Even if it's on a road course. And being in that European carding system for a little bit, it just seems like it's locked down for the wrong reasons. to channel all these kids to make them spend the money through the carts, through F4, F3, F2, F1. And, you know, it's just a, it's a major roadblock internationally to have those kids be able to be developed for something other than

their Formula One system that they've designed. So it's a very, very intriguing system. And we don't need to get started on super licenses and things like that. Because then it'll just be, you know, a totally different conversation. I want to touch on you just your cup season, where you guys are currently. You've been kind of up and down. You've been in the mix, out of the mix. Where do you think you are as we go towards this, you know, this last run towards the playoffs?

Yeah, it's been difficult. It's been difficult, Kevin. Really, the entire year, you know, like we have been extremely inconsistent. Like, if we show up next week and we are top five, top 10 car, I wouldn't be surprised and if we are 20th, I wouldn't be surprised. Like we are very hit and miss. I believe that in the last month,

month and a half, we've been getting a little bit better. Like at least we are in the ballpark. The last month or so, I have been finishing in the top 15 pretty much every race, top 18 or so. So that's better.

But we still need more. You know, to be able to give a real fight to the big teams, to the Hendrik, to the Gibbs, today, Penske's, we need more. You know, these guys are fast every weekend, not just one week a month. So we have work to do.

You know, we have work to do. And sometimes we're trying something and sometimes the one or the area are trying something else. I believe that the platform of work that we have done this year, it has come long ways. It took a while. Last year when Matt Svidorski, my cruise shift, came on board, you know, he told me, he said, Daniel, I don't know how you guys work like this.

Like, there is a lot going on here that has to be better. And since then, you know, I've been trying to push Tony Lunders and Justin Marks to be able to, I mean, you've been part of that a little bit, to be able to make things better and more working together. And I believe that we're making steps in that direction. Yeah. I believe that that party is way better than last year. Without being said, we just continue to need a little bit more speed in general.

And it seems like you have to work through these situations a lot in the sport in general, just with the ups and the downs of cup racing being so difficult, not just you, but I'm just saying the sport in general, to be able to... It's just so hard. I wish people knew how hard it was to compete on a weekly basis to be capable of being competitive. I mean, it takes everything to... to be in that position.

As you go through the rest of the year, obviously it's a contract for you. Now that adds another layer to it. And you've dealt with stuff like this before. Do you think about it or do you just go perform? I mean, you obviously have to think about it and try to plan your future. Where do you think all that is for you?

It's definitely a distraction. I made my mind not to think about it before Mexico. Because before Mexico, Mexico was my... The only thing I care. Yeah. I didn't care with anything else. And it added, I mean, with the way that that event worked, in my mind,

it just added a piece of value to you that elevated you. And that's just, that's my opinion. But I think that once that Mexico City event was done, the activation from all those sponsors, to me, your value went up. Thank you. Thank you for that. I believe that, too. I'm going to be quite honest with you.

I felt like as a driver, I have never felt as complete as I am right now. Like I felt that on track, I feel like I'm probably as good as I ever been. Outside the racetrack with sponsors in Mexico, things like that, marketing-wise, I feel like I'm more stronger, like probably twice as strong as a couple years ago.

And I'm very lucky. You know, I'm very blessed that I'm the only one today in the entire sport that can do what I can, right? And I feel very blessed for that. And it gives you more control. It gives you more say in this situation. I survive like that. When we had bad years and you had control,

not control, but you had a lot of say with the sponsors, it gave you a lot of options. Yeah. And I feel very blessed for that. Yeah. With having said, I want to win. Yeah. You know, I want to win.

And I love Trackhouse. Honestly, Trackhouse is the best opportunity I ever had in the cup in the cup. in the cup level, in the consistent basis. They gave me things that I was missing in the past. And I've been extremely happy. With that being said, you know, there is a few things that are missing. You know, there is a few things here and there that are missing. That I'm not 100%.

And we just have to continue to work. And hopefully the results come and see what happens. See what the future holds. Definitely is a distraction, you know, to be thinking about this. I don't like to be thinking about this every single June, May, because people start asking questions and sponsors say, man, what are we going to do? And it's never a good thing.

And I believe that it has definitely become a distraction the last couple of years. Yeah. Well, you've got a lot of good cards in your hands right now. So, you know, I think that it'll be interesting to see where that go. So last question. So I know what you're going to tell me was, but your first car, what was it? Did you build it with your dad?

when did you start driving it? And, you know, what was your first vehicle that you drove on the street? On the street. Like your daily driver. Yeah. So it was a 1964 beetle. I knew that part was going to get the answer. It was a 1964 beetle.

It was just a shell. I remember the car just arrived at the shop. I was 12 years old. And my dad, I really wanted a car. I really wanted a car. I was a pain with my dad. Hey, I want a car, I want a car. You're how old?

12. 12. So what are the rules in Mexico to drive? Subjective. 16. Yeah, okay. 16. I was driving way younger than that.

By 12, I was already driving. Yeah. But anyway, we're not going to go there right now. So my dad said, take that thing. And you build it yourself. So that's, that's, when I was, if you were asking me, Daniel, what are you going to be when you grew up? When I was 12 years old, I was going to tell you, I want to be a mechanic. That's what I wanted to do.

At the time, at the time, racing drivers, I used to see them as superheroes, like Superman, like things that are not really real. Because I used to see you guys on the TV. I didn't even know that that was an option for me. And eventually that became an option later on. But at the time, I wanted to be a mechanic. So with the guys at the shop,

I started building a motor, a transmission, brakes, and I started building that thing. That thing was all rusted and I always just driving that thing. Eventually, you know, to continue to continue, to race. I had to sell it. My dad had to sell it. And then he gave me another one. It was a 56, 57, 57, another piece of junk. And I had to put it together. So you can say it as a piece of shit. Yeah, it was a piece of shit. And I had to put it together. And this second car, actually, the 57, it meant a lot to me because I wasn't a very, very critical point in my career,

because I kept this car for a little while. I built it and it was a very nice car. It became to be a decent money car. And when I was racing NASCAR, Mexico, I was just starting NASCAR, Mexico, we needed money. We didn't have money. We already got a sponsor. But the sponsors say, hey, we're going to pay you in two weeks. And we needed money like that week.

So I had to sell that car to finance the race. And then eventually they pay us back. And that was it. But the funny thing about that car is that, you know, when things went well in racing, I was able to support my dad in his shop. and the person that bought that car for me to help me, because he didn't really want the car,

but he wanted to help me. He bought a car. He said, Daniel, help me restore this car, like if you will have done it for yourself. So we restore the car, and he has the car, and he loves the car. And yeah, and for me, all these different cars that I was able to build

when I was very young really helped me to continue my racing career life. So that was kind of fun. What an incredible story. I could sit here for, we'll have to do part two to this, You have just an amazing story, and I appreciate you taking the time to let the fans know. So thank you.

Thank you, Ken. Appreciate you. Good luck. Thank you.