Daniel Suarez stands as NASCAR’s first Mexican-born Cup Series winner. His 2022 Sonoma Raceway victory marked a historic milestone in NASCAR history. His story connects humble Monterrey beginnings to American racing’s highest level.
Today he races professionally and is recognized as a prominent figure for Latino NASCAR fans. Married to Julia Piquet, daughter of an F1 legend, he holds dual citizenship. His 2026 move to Spire Motorsports marks a fresh chapter in an already historic career.
Daniel Suarez Quick Bio/Wiki
| Facts | Details |
| Full Name | Daniel Alejandro Suarez Garza |
| Date of Birth | January 7, 1992 |
| Age | 33 years old |
| Birthplace | Monterrey, Mexico |
| Citizenship | Dual (Mexico & USA – became U.S. citizen June 18, 2024) |
| Height | Not specified |
| Wife | Julia Piquet (married July 30, 2024) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $6 million (2025) |
| Current Team | Trackhouse Racing (2025) |
| 2026 Team | Spire Motorsports (No. 7 Chevrolet) |
| Residence | Huntersville, North Carolina |
| Parents | Alejandro Suarez & Rosalina Garza |
| Notable Initiative | Founder of “Daniel’s Amigos” fan community (2019) |
Early Life and Family Background
Daniel Alejandro Suarez Garza was born January 7, 1992, in Monterrey, Mexico. His parents, Alejandro Suarez and Rosalina Garza, raised five people in a modest two-bedroom home. His father ran an auto restoration shop where young Daniel first learned about engines.
Racing wasn’t a family tradition handed down through generations. His grandfather taught him to drive early, sparking interest. At age 11, his father bought a used go-kart they fixed together at the shop.
Money was tight from the start. They hunted for worn-out tires instead of buying new ones. That resourcefulness taught Daniel tire management skills that still serve him today.
His father made a big sacrifice most fans don’t know about. He re-mortgaged their home to fund Daniel’s racing dreams, then later sold the restoration business entirely. Daniel eventually helped reopen that shop after finding success, paying back what was given.
Age and Personal Details
Daniel Suarez is 33 years old as of December 2025. His physical conditioning meets the demanding requirements of stock car racing. The cockpit of a Cup Series car suits his build perfectly for long races.
His dual identity shapes everything he does now. On June 18, 2024, he became a U.S. citizen while keeping his Mexican citizenship. “I don’t know if that makes sense… now I feel like I have a little bit of a part in it,” he told NASCAR.com during the ceremony.
Life off the track stays grounded in family values. He works on cars with his father when they’re together in Charlotte. His home includes both dogs and cats, and he loves sushi alongside traditional tacos and carne asada.
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Daniel Suarez Wife and Marriage to Julia Piquet
Daniel married Julia Piquet on July 30, 2024, in Brasilia, Brazil. Julia, born May 8, 1992, is the daughter of three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet. Their marriage connects NASCAR stock car racing with Formula 1 heritage in a unique way.
The couple’s history stretches back to 2012 when they first met through Julia’s brother, Nelson Piquet Jr. They didn’t start dating until 2019, letting friendship build first. Their engagement came in late 2022 after years of supporting each other’s careers.
Now they live together in Huntersville, North Carolina, near NASCAR’s hub. The relationship works because both understand the demanding life of professional motorsports. Julia’s media experience and racing background complement Daniel’s Cup Series career naturally.
Daniel Suarez Net Worth and Income Sources
Daniel Suarez’s net worth sits around $6 million as of 2025, according to Essentially Sports. This places him in NASCAR’s successful tier, though not among multi-championship millionaires. His wealth comes from racing salary, sponsorships, and brand partnerships.
For 2025, Trackhouse Racing reportedly paid him a $4.5 million base salary plus performance bonuses. His 2026 contract with Spire Motorsports will likely adjust those figures. Sponsorship deals with Chevrolet and Freeway Insurance boost his income beyond the track.
His Mexican heritage creates unique marketing value for brands targeting Latino audiences. Custom paint schemes celebrating his roots have opened merchandise opportunities. These income streams show how cultural identity can become a career asset in modern racing.
Early Racing Career in Mexico
Daniel’s racing started in karting around 2002 near Monterrey. He won Mexican national karting championships in 2004 and 2008. Those early wins proved his talent before he ever touched a stock car.
By 2009, he had moved into the NASCAR Mexico Series, making his first stock car start September 6 that year. Between 2012 and 2014, he won 10 races in the series. His 2013 season ended as runner-up in Mexico Series standings.
That performance caught attention north of the border. He began competing in the K&N Pro Series East (now ARCA Menards Series East) while still racing in Mexico. His 2014 Xfinity Series debut marked his official entry into NASCAR’s national ecosystem.
Xfinity Series Championship Breakthrough
The 2015 season brought Daniel Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in Xfinity while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. His rookie performance raised expectations for what might come next. But 2016 would rewrite the record books entirely.
Daniel captured the 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship, becoming the first foreign-born driver to win a major NASCAR national series title. The achievement resonated throughout motorsports, not just in NASCAR garages. Wikipedia and Sportskeeda documented this historic milestone extensively.
This was more than a personal achievement—it highlighted the potential for international drivers in American stock car racing. His championship brought greater attention to Latino and foreign talent in NASCAR.
NASCAR Cup Series and Historic Wins
Daniel moved to full-time Cup Series competition in 2017. The learning curve was steep, the competition fiercer than anything he’d faced. Five years would pass before his breakthrough moment arrived at the sport’s highest level.
June 12, 2022, changed everything at Sonoma Raceway Victory, according to NASCAR. Daniel won his first Cup Series race, becoming the first Mexican-born driver to reach victory lane at NASCAR’s top level. The Trackhouse Racing No. 99 car crossed the line first on the California road course.
His second Cup win came February 2024 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in a photo finish, according to ESPN. The margin was just 0.003 seconds, one of NASCAR’s tightest ever. Through 2025, he’s accumulated two Cup wins and multiple top-10 finishes that keep him competitive in the series.
2025 Season Challenges and Team Transition
The 2025 season tested Daniel’s resilience with only 7 top-10 finishes in 36 races. He finished 29th in Cup standings, leading just 35 laps all year. Consistency issues plagued the No. 99 team throughout the season, creating frustration on both sides.
On July 1, 2025, Daniel and Trackhouse Racing announced a mutual split after the season, Reuters reported. The four-year partnership would end despite that historic Sonoma win. Both sides described the decision as amicable, recognizing change might benefit everyone involved.
October 22, 2025, brought news of his 2026 landing spot with Spire Motorsports. He’ll drive the No. 7 Chevrolet starting next season. The move offers a fresh start with new crew chemistry and different car development opportunities ahead.
His attitude through adversity reveals character built in those early struggling days. “You put me against the wall, and I’m going to come back at you swinging,” he said. That fighting spirit remains his strongest competitive asset heading into the team change.
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Dual Citizenship and Cultural Identity
June 18, 2024, marked a personal milestone when Daniel became a U.S. citizen while keeping his Mexican citizenship, as reported by NASCAR. The naturalization ceremony moved him in ways he struggled to articulate. In 2024, Suarez became a U.S. citizen while retaining Mexican citizenship, reflecting his connection to both countries
When he arrived in the U.S. around 2014, he spoke no English at all. He taught himself watching cartoons and television shows to learn the language. He couldn’t even rent an apartment at first because he lacked a Social Security number.
His journey from Monterrey to Charlotte embodies cross-border possibility. “I came from a family with no money… growing up in a small house… coming here without speaking English,” he reflected at the citizenship ceremony. That immigrant experience shapes how he sees his role in NASCAR today.
Building Community Through Daniel’s Amigos
Daniel launched “Daniel’s Amigos” in 2019 to welcome Latino fans into NASCAR spaces, detailed by Latin Times. The fan community started at Auto Club Speedway with over 500 attendees from Southern California and Mexico. It creates spaces where Hispanic fans feel they belong in a historically U.S.-centric sport.
These gatherings feature mariachi music, Mexican food, and bilingual communication at race weekends. Fans travel from Mexico and Central America to meet Daniel and celebrate together. After COVID paused events, the community relaunched and keeps growing each season.
“Something I appreciate a lot about the Latino community is that we’re very loyal to each other,” Daniel shared. The initiative proves his influence extends beyond driving fast cars. He’s actively diversifying NASCAR’s audience and building cultural bridges most drivers never attempt.
Legacy Beyond Race Results
Daniel Suarez represents more than statistics in NASCAR history books. As the first Mexican-born Cup winner, he proved the sport’s top level welcomes international talent when given the chance. His 2016 Xfinity championship showed young Latino drivers that NASCAR dreams are achievable, not fantasy.
His June 2025 Xfinity win in Mexico City highlighted his symbolic importance to the sport’s growth. He crashed in Cup qualifying, started last in a backup car, then won in chaotic rain conditions at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Racing on home soil demonstrated how far he’d brought NASCAR’s international reach.
Beyond race results, Suarez has contributed to expanding NASCAR’s reach among Latino fans, demonstrating how cultural identity can coexist with professional achievement. His story proves that barriers exist to be broken, not accepted as permanent limitations.
FAQ’s about Daniel Suarez
How old is Daniel Suarez?
He is 33 years old, born January 7, 1992.
Who is Daniel Suarez’s wife?
He married Julia Piquet, daughter of F1 champion Nelson Piquet, on July 30, 2024.
What is Daniel Suarez’s net worth?
His net worth is approximately $6 million as of 2025.
What team will Daniel Suarez drive for in 2026?
He will drive the No. 7 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports starting in 2026.
How many Cup Series wins does Daniel Suarez have?
He has two Cup wins: Sonoma Raceway (2022) and Atlanta Motor Speedway (2024).
When did Daniel Suarez become a U.S. citizen?
He became a U.S. citizen on June 18, 2024, while retaining Mexican citizenship.
What is Daniel’s Amigos?
It’s a fan community Daniel founded in 2019 to welcome Latino fans into NASCAR spaces.
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