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A16 sports
Tuesday 14 June 2022
Suárez's win at last delivers a Mexican Cup winner

By JENNA FRYER house Racing and wanted
AP Auto Racing Writer to build it around Suárez,
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — who was joining his fourth
Here are some things to team in four years. Marks
know about Daniel Suárez's is a former driver but also a
long journey before be- businessman; he believed
coming the first Mexico- Suárez could be a winner
born winner at the top level in the right environment,
of NASCAR: and also recognized what
— When he decided as a a Mexican driver could do
child in Monterrey to seri- for Trackhouse.
ously pursue a career as a As he built Trackhouse
racecar driver, Suárez's fa- around Suárez, Marks
ther closed his well-known brought entertainer Pitbull
automobile restoration into his ownership group.
shop to support his son. The duo had clear goals of
— Suárez's first move to the tapping the Latino market
United States to pursue his and making an impact on
dream wasn't a relocation youth in America's minority
to NASCAR's hub in Char- communities.
lotte, North Carolina, but The biggest move was
rather an unconventional last summer when Marks
arrangement to live with his bought the entire NASCAR
team owner in Buffalo, New Daniel Suarez drinks some of the wine from the winner's goblet after a NASCAR Cup Series race, organization from Chip Ga-
York. Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. nassi, which gave him the
— He spoke no English and Associated Press people, the parts and the
had to learn by watching shop he needed to field a
cartoons, programming want that to happen. I as internationally-born Cup gave him two seasons be- winning team. It also gave
with light dialogue that started working extremely winners. fore cutting him loose to him room for a second car
could teach him the basics. hard to learn English. But Suárez had won long promote Erik Jones. JGR and the seat went to Ross
— When he finally made "It's been quite a journey. before Sunday, first in the has since cut Jones, too. Chastain, who not only
it to North Carolina, he That's why I felt like my sto- NASCAR Peak Mexico Se- Stewart-Haas Racing took won Trackhouse's first Cup
crashed with various friends ry is very similar to many, ries, then in K&N, then a a shot on Suárez in 2019 race this March but added
until at last landing the many Mexicans, Latinos, Truck Series race driving for and he thought he'd cob- a second victory, as well.
cheapest apartment he out there coming to this Kyle Busch. He was beloved bled together the sponsor- Suárez was supposed to
could find in Mooresville, country, trying to find a by Toyota, which very much ship to keep the seat lon- win Trackhouse's first race,
unofficially known as "Race goal or trying to find their wanted him in its program, ger than one season. The not Chastain. Now Chas-
City USA" because of its dream. If I was able to and he advanced into an weekend of the finale, he tain was locked into the
proximity to NASCAR shops. make it happen, everyone Xfinity Series ride with Joe learned he'd been fired for playoffs while Suárez was
It was the hardest two years out there can make it hap- Gibbs Racing that should the second time in a year. below the playoff cutline
of his life. pen." have changed his life. Gaunt Brothers Racing took with not much to show for
"I didn't have money to Suárez is only the fifth Cup Suárez won three races Suárez for the 2020 season his improvement.
buy myself classes to speak winner born outside the and the 2016 Xfinity title, but it was a fledgling team Immediately after Suárez
English," recalled Suárez. "I U.S. in NASCAR history. He and maybe in another and failed to qualify for the took the checkered flag
remember one day waking won on the road course year he'd be ready for season-opening Daytona Sunday, Marks noted that
up and being scared that at Sonoma Raceway, in Cup. Instead, Carl Edwards 500. The remaining 35 rac- Suárez and crew chief Tra-
the language barrier was his 195th career start, to abruptly retired and with es were awful and Gaunt vis Mack built Trackhouse
going to keep me away join Marcos Ambrose (Aus- an unexpected hole to fill Brothers has run just eight and Chastain victories
from my goal, which was tralia), Juan Pablo Mon- in its Cup lineup, JGR hastily races since Justin Marks were "tough on them. But
being a winner, a champi- toya (Colombia), Earl Ross promoted Suárez. threw Suárez a lifeline at they never gave up, they
onship winner in the NAS- (Canada) and none other He wasn't ready to drive the end of that season. knew they were going to
CAR Cup Series. I didn't than Mario Andretti (Italy) the No. 19 Toyota, and JGR Marks was launching Track- be in victory lane."q

State Department officials meet with

Griner's WNBA team

WASHINGTON (AP) — State vocates for hostages and Feb. 17 at an airport in Rus-
Department officials met wrongfully detained Ameri- sia after authorities there
Monday with representa- cans, but offered no addi- said a search of her bag
tives of Brittney Griner's tional details about what revealed vape cartridges
WNBA team about the was said or who specifically containing a cannabis de-
Phoenix Mercury star's attended. rivative. In May, the State
monthslong detention in The administration has pre- Department reclassified
Russia and the Biden ad- viously said that its working Griner as wrongfully de-
ministration's efforts to se- to bring Griner and another tained and transferred
Phoenix Mercury's Brittney Griner (42) is congratulated on a play cure her release. American, Michigan cor- oversight of her case to the
against the Seattle Storm in the first half of the second round of The State Department con- porate security executive State Department Presi-
the WNBA basketball playoffs Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Everett,
Wash. firmed the meeting, which Paul Whelan, home from dential Envoy for Hostage
Associated Press involved officials from its Russia. Affairs, or SPEHA.q
specialized office that ad- Griner was detained on