After an absence of nearly 20 years, the Xfinity Series returns to Mexico City for some road course racing at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Travel issues caused some changes in the schedule and moved all activities to Saturday and an early morning practice session and qualifying.
The teams have an additional challenge this weekend with Mexico City sitting over seven thousand feet above sea level, resulting in thinner air. The atmospheric conditions not only effect the breathing of the drivers but the cars as well since the cars also depend on air to run properly. Thinner air means less horse power, less, drag, and brakes that are not as cool. NASCAR gave the teams a choice of three different gears for the race and some crews have made gear changes to maximize efficiency.
There are 39 drivers entered in the race including Cup Series drivers Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, and fan favourite the Mexican born Daniel Suarez.
Anthony Alfredo got loose and spun through the grass before hitting the wall and had to have his car towed back to the garage.
Spotters are reporting some squirrels around the track and are telling the drivers to keep any eye out while they practice and try to get familiar with the course.
Not only is Connor Zilisch leading the field in practice, he is over a second faster than any other driver including the Cup Series drivers.
A heavy braking zone, turn four is a big problem for the drivers with many of them missing the turn.
Group qualifying follows practice with a very short break for adjustments and tire changes. The drivers are divided into two groups and will have 20 minutes to make a qualifying run.
Bad weather has moved close to the track and NASCAR has adjusted qualifying to a single group 40 minute run.
Daniel Suarez says that he is living a dream this weekend and expects to have “a few hundred” friends and family at the track for both races.
Six of the 12 playoff spots are locked up with race wins from Justin Allgaier, Austin Hill, Connor Zilisch, Jesse Love, Sammy Smith, and Brandon Jones.
Sam Mayer who has won four of the past eleven road course races says that it is “cool” to be there and “very special”.
Connor Zilisch said that it was “cool to learn the track”; adding that it was special to be there at the track in Mexico City.
William Sawalich is the first driver to get on the course for a qualifying run and posted a time of 93.923 seconds.
Christian Eckes spins out in turn four while making his qualifying run but kept the car away from the wall.
Daniel Suarez missed the turn and crashes his car deep into the tire wall but gets it out and moving again.
NASCAR has stopped qualifying while they make repairs to the barrier.
After a short break, the cars are back on the track again for the final 20 minutes of qualifying.
Out of the care center, Daniel Suarez said that there was an issue with the brakes; adding “my bad”. Saying that they will be fine, he calls JRM a “top notch team”.
Mexico City native Andres Perez is making his Xfinity Series debut in today’s race.
With a time of 92.372 seconds, Connor Zilisch put his number 88 JR Motorsports car on the pole for the fourth time this season. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Ty Gibbs will start alongside on the front row.
At just 18 years old, Connor Zilisch is the youngest driver to be the fastest driver to reach five career poles.
The starting lineup for the Mexico City road course race:
Connor Zilisch
Ty Gibbs
Christopher Bell
Carson Kvapil
Sammy Smith
Sam Mayer
Austin Hill
Taylor Gray
Nick Sanchez
Jesse Love
William Sawalich
Justin Allgaier
Sheldon Creed
Austin Green
Brandon Jones
Andres Perez
Matt DiBenedetto
Jeb Burton
Jeremy Clements
Sage Karam
Harrison Burton
Thomas Annunziata
Blaine Perkins
Ryan Ellis
Dean Thompson
Kris Wright
Josh Bilicki
Daniel Dye
Ryan Sieg
Ruben Rovelo
Josh Williams
Brennan Poole
Christian Eckes
Parker Retzlaff
Kyle Sieg
Brad Perez
Daniel Suarez
Anthony Alfredo
The rain has not dampened the spirits of the fans, the stand s are full and ready to cheer on their favourite driver – Daniel Suarez. After a crash during qualifying, Suarez will start the race form the back of the field in a backup car.
Melon Man Ross Chastain joins Adam Alexander and Parker Kligerman in the broadcast booth for the race.
Stages one and two of the race are 20 laps each with stage three lasting 25 laps for a total of 65 laps around the 2.4 mile course.
Connor Zilisch brings the field down for the green flag start of the race with Ty Gibbs alongside. Drivers spread out three and four wide going into turn one with Ty Gibbs taking the lead on the turn.
Connor Zilisch and Ty Gibbs battle for the lead in turn 15 and Zilisch gets out in front but he misses turn two after contact from Ty Gibbs.
Lap two, Ty Gibbs leads the race with Chritopher Bell in second; Sammy Smith, Carson Kvapil, and Connor Zilisch round out the top five.
Connor Zilisch passes Carson Kvapil for fourth.
Lap three, Daniel Suarez has moved up to 28th.
The first caution flag comes out on lap three when Sam Mayer gets loose and slides sideways into the barrier.
The backup car Daniel Suarez is driving finished fifth at Chicago last year.
Ty Gibbs brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap six with Christopher Bell alongside. Drivers quickly spread out three and four wide. Gibbs and Bell are side by side going into the turn with Gibbs taking the lead.
Lap six, the top five ae Ty Gibbs, Christopher Bell, Sammy Smith, Carson Kvapil, and Connor Zilisch.
Lap seven, Connor Zilisch passes Sammy Smith and Carson Kvapil for third.
Jeremy Clements in on pit road with the hood up. He reports that the transmission fluid was spouting everywhere.
Daniel Suarez has entered the top 20.
Lap eight, Christopher Bell and Connor Zilisch battle for second.
Harrison Burton spins out but the track stays green.
Lap nine, Connor Zilisch passes Christopher Bell for second.
The top five are Ty Gibbs, Connor Zilisch, Christopher Bell, Sammy Smith, and Jesse Love. Daniel Suarez is up to 16th.
Harrison Burton reports that he has no rear grip.
Lap eleven, Connor Zilisch has caught leader Ty Gibbs and begins to battle for the position with Christopher Bell on their bumper.
Lap 12, the top three drivers – Ty Gibbs, Connor Zilisch, and Christopher Bell are nose to tail.
Christopher Bell spins out and get up against the barrier but gets the car going again and the track stays green. He dropped to 10th.
Lap 13, Connor Zilisch continues to challenge leader Ty Gibbs.
Justin Allgaier reports a transmission issue; saying that he has lost first and second gear. He brings the car down pit road. Allgaier takes his car to the garage to repair the broken axle.
Christopher Bell has recovered his mishap and is up to seventh as he continues to work his way through the field.
Sammy Smith spins out from fourth after contact from Jesse Love.
Lap 16, the top five are Ty Gibbs, Connor Zilisch, Carson Kvapil, Jesse Love, and Taylor Gray.
Daniel Suarez is in the top 15 in 13th place.
Lap 17, Christopher Bell and Sheldon Creed come down pit road for service to flip the stage. More drivers also come down pit road for service to flip the stage. Daniel Suarez has a slow stop after getting blocked in by Dean Thompson.
Ross Chastain’s Cup crew is pitting for Daniel Suarez in today’s race.
Connor Zilisch passes Ty Gibbs coming off of pit road.
Carson Kvapil is the new leader.
Carson Kvapil wins stage one for his first stage win of the season.
The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Carson Kvapil
Taylor Gray
Jesse Love
Austin Hill
Nick Sanchez
Brandon Jones
Sage Karam
Matt DiBenedetto
Jeb Burton
Alex Labbe
Mexican driver Ruben Rovelo is having car issues.
Drivers come down pit road for service. Jesse Love has radio issues and can only hear his crew on the front stretch. Jesse Love wins the race off of pit road but not all of the drivers made a pit stop.
Eleven drivers flipped the stage putting Connor Zilisch in the lead of the race.’
Connor Zilisch brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two on lap 26 with Ty Gibbs alongside. Zilisch gets out in front as drivers get three and four wide. Daniel Suarez restarts the race in the top 10.
The top five are Connor Zilisch, Christopher Bell, Daniel Suarez, Ty Gibbs, and Sammy Smith.
Carson Kvapil restarted the race in 15th after winning stage one.
Kyle Sieg’s crew came over the wall too soon and Sage Karam was charged with an uncontrolled tire during his pit stop. Both drivers restarted the race from the back of the field.
Kris Wright spins out and gets off the course but the track stays green.
Ty Gibbs passes Daniel Suarez for third; Connor Zilisch leads the race.
Anthony Alfredo gets loose and spins around, but gets moving again and takes his car to pit road; the track stays green.
Stage two is halfway through; Connor Zilisch leads the race with Ty Gibbs in second; Christopher Bell, Daniel Suarez, and Sammy Smith round out the top five.
Lap 31, Austin Hill has a flat tire.
Daniel Suarez battles with Christopher Bell for third.
Lap 32, Carson Kvapil takes a spin but the track stays green.
Turn eleven is turning out to be calamity corner with several of the drivers spinning out.
Lap 35, Connor Zilisch leads the race with Ty Gibbs a second and a half behind; Christopher Bell, Daniel Suarez, and Sammy Smith round out the top five.
Four laps remain in stage two with Connor Zilisch a second and a half out in front of Ty Gibbs. Drivers begin to make green flag pit stops to flip the stage.
Thomas Annunziata’ car is being pushed.
Christopher Bell has stopped on the track with a smoking car as more drivers make pit stops.
Christopher Bell reports that his car “is dead”.
Three laps remain in stage two, leaders come down pit road for service. Both drivers battle for position coming off of pit road with Zilisch getting out in front but Gibbs is on his bumper and making contact.
Christopher Bell is out of his car, the car is still sitting on pit road.
Sammy Smith leads the race on the final lap of stage two.
Austin Hill spins out in turn four but gets back on the track.
Sammy Smith wins stage two.
The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Sammy Smith
Taylor Gray
Sheldon Creed
Brandon Jones
Christian Eckes
Daniel Dye
Dean Thompson
Nick Sanchez
Connor Zilisch
Ty Gibbs
Justin Allgaier has returned to the race but is 15 laps down.
Christopher Bell said that he doesn’t know what happened to the car but he did not miss a shift in the H pattern.
The fencing in front of the track is completely lined with fans wanting to get as close as possible to the action.
The drivers who have not made a pit stop, come down for service. Sheldon Creed reports he has no rear or lateral grip. Taylor Gray wins the race off of pit road.
Connor Zilisch brings the field down for the green flag starts of stage three on lap 46 and immediately the field gets three wide…including the lead. Daniel Suarez takes the lead as drivers scatter and a crash brings out the caution flag. Connor Zilisch jumps the curb; Carson Kvapil and Ty Gibbs make contact and Gibbs has a flat tire. Sam Mayer, Sammy Smith, Ruben Rovelo, Kyle Sieg, Sheldon Creed, William Sawalich, Brandon Jones, Ryan Sieg and Parker Retzlaff were all involved in the crash in one way or another.
Drivers are on pit road for service as the crowd goes crazy for Daniel Suarez leading the race.
With 14 laps remaining in the race, Daniel Suarez brings the field down for the green flag restart with Christian Eckes alongside. Drivers get three and four wide in a battle for position. Daniel Suarez gets out in front to lead the race with Christian Eckes in second; Taylor Gray, Harrison Burton, and Nick Sanchez rounding out the top five.
Daniel Suarez has pulled out to a one second lead on Christian Eckes.
With 13 laps to go, Daniel Suarez has increased his lead to two seconds on Christian Eckes; Taylor Gray, Nick Sanchez, and Austin Hill round out the top five.
The fans have not stopped cheering and waving flags since Daniel Suarez took the lead.
Taylor Gray passes Christian Eckes for second with Daniel Suarez two and a half seconds out in front.
After being involved in the stage three start crash, Connor Zilisch is just out side the top 10 in eleventh.
With eleven laps to go, Taylor Gray has cut into Daniel Suarez’ lead and is now under two seconds behind.
Ten to go, Daniel Suarez has a second and a half lead on Taylor Gray; Christian Eckes, Austin Hill, and Nick Sanchez round out the top five.
Austin Hill passes Christian Eckes for third.
With nine laps to go, Connor Zilisch has entered the top 10 in ninth place.
Connor Zilisch passes Harrison Burton for eighth place.
Eight to go, Taylor Gray has closed the gap on leader Daniel Suarez to just one second; Austin Hill, Christian Eckes, and Nick Sanchez round out the top five.
Jesse love spins out to bring out the caution flag with just seven laps remaining in the race. His car is smoking but hasn’t blown yet.
Daniel Suarez brings the field down for the restart with just four laps remaining in the race with Taylor Gray alongside. Suarez jumps out in front as drivers get three and four wide. Taylor Gray comes up to battle with Suarez getting off the track briefly but recovers for the lead.
Ryan Sieg spins out but the track stays green.
Three to go, Daniel Suarez holds on to a near one second lead on Taylor Gray. Nick Sanchez has a smoking tire rub.
Two to go! Daniel Suarez holds on to a near one second lead on Taylor Gray.
Brandon Jones gets turned around but the track stays green.
Daniel Suarez takes the white flag to a wildly cheering crowd.
Ten years ago, Daniel Suarez drove his VW Beetle from Monterrey, Mexico to Charlotte, North Carolina to become a race car driver.
In a happy homecoming, Daniel Suarez goes from the back of the field to win the race!!!
Normally in NASCAR only the winner is celebrated but this weekend, they are following the traditions of the open wheel cars with a podium finish, celebrating the top three drivers.
And out comes the taco pinata for Daniel to smash!
Suarez calls the win a very special day.
Unofficial results of the road course race in Mexico City:
Daniel Suarez
Taylor Gray
Austin Hill
Christian Ecked
Connor Zilisch
William Sawalich
Austin Green
Jeb Burton
Harrison Burton
Sammy Smith
Sheldon Creed
Dean Thompson
Daniel Dye
Ty Gibbs
Alex Labbe
Matt DiBenedetto
Kris Wright
Jesse Love
Carson Kvapil
Josh Williams
Anthony Alfredo
Thomas Annunziata
Sam Mayer
Josh Bilicki
Brandon Jones
Brad Perez
Blaine Perkins
Kyle Sieg
Ryan Sieg
Andres Perez
Nick Sanchez
Ryan Ellis
Sage Karam
Justin Allgaier
Parker Retzlaff
Jeremy Clements
Ruben Rovelo
Brennan Poole
Christopher Bell