Daniel Suarez pulled off a rare and stunning comeback on Saturday, winning The Chilango 150 in Mexico City after starting from last place. The former Xfinity Series champion not only thrilled his home crowd but also did something that hasn’t been seen in six years, winning an Xfinity race after beginning at the back of the field.
Suarez started last after crashing during qualifying and was forced to drive a rebuilt backup car. But despite the odds, he led 19 of the 65 laps and edged out Taylor Gray by just 0.598 seconds to take the win.
Daniel Suarez Joins an Elite Group of NASCAR Drivers
The race weekend is part of NASCAR’s return to Mexico, a moment Suarez had spent almost a year helping to promote. This comeback win places Suarez in rare company. Only seven other drivers in NASCAR history have ever won a national series race after starting in last place.
The most recent in the Xfinity Series before Suarez was Tyler Reddick in 2019, who came from the rear to win at Bristol Motor Speedway. That day, Reddick even served a pass-through penalty early in the race and still managed to reach Victory Lane.
NASCAR Pundit Seth Eggert shared this statistic on X, writing:
“@Daniel_SuarezG started last after a crash in qualifying. Last time a driver went from “Worst to First” in @NASCAR_Xfinity? @TylerReddick at @ItsBristolBaby in 2019, plus he also had a pass-thru penalty.”
.@Daniel_SuarezG started last after a crash in qualifying.
Last time a driver went from “Worst to First” in @NASCAR_Xfinity?@TylerReddick at @ItsBristolBaby in 2019, plus he also had a pass-thru penalty.#NASCAR | #NASCARMexico | #Chilango150 | @XfinityRacing | @jeff_gluck https://t.co/LJoXq1n8A0
— Seth Eggert (@SethEggert91) June 14, 2025
Looking back, the list of drivers who have pulled off this kind of ‘last to first’ run is short. Ross Chastain did it earlier this year at Charlotte in the Coca-Cola 600. Bobby Hamilton pulled off the feat at Daytona in 2005, while Tommy Houston made his charge at Hickory in 1992. The legendary Richard Petty did it at Richmond in 1971, while Bobby Allison did the same there in 1969. The first to do it was Dick Rathmann way back in 1954 at Oakland.
Suarez now joins that exclusive group, and his win carries extra meaning. Not only did he win in front of his home crowd, but he also helped make history in the first NASCAR Xfinity Series race held in Mexico since 2008.
“I Felt So Blessed” – Daniel Suarez Shares His Feelings on the Overwhelming Cheers From the Fans
After his dramatic win on home soil, Suarez said he was “living a dream.” The loud cheers from his home crowd made the victory even more special.
Suarez took the lead with 19 laps to go, just after a significant crash, involving Ty Gibbs and Connor Zilisch, caused a 13-car pileup. As soon as Suarez moved to the front, the fans in the grandstands erupted with joy.
In the post-race media session, Suarez spoke about the powerful support he felt from the crowd. He said:
“In more than 20 years of my career, I have never experienced what I experienced today. When I took the lead, I was able to hear the people like they were riding right here (with him). Not just in the stadium. The stadium was huge, but also in corners one and two, and three. It was unbelievable. I got goose bumps, and I felt so blessed.”
That #NASCARMexico atmosphere is unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/xITwDMMdaW
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) June 15, 2025
Now, with a win behind him, Suarez hopes to carry that momentum into Sunday’s Cup Series race, the Viva Mexico 250. The race will start at 3:00 p.m. ET and give him another chance to shine in front of his home fans.