Moves Up to Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

Don’t worry about Daniel Suárez.

And don’t buy into the assumption that, in promoting Suárez to fill the seat of departing Carl Edwards, Joe Gibbs Racing is making the same mistake it made in 2009 when the organization threw then-18-year-old Joey Logano into the deep end of the pool.

Laboring under the weight of replacing Tony Stewart in the No. 20 Toyota, Logano never blossomed at JGR. It took four years of seasoning and a move to Team Penske for Logano to realize his enormous potential in a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series car.

Suárez, on the other hand, is already 25, and possesses a ferocious work ethic matched only by his desire to learn – and learn quickly.

The Mexican driver has paid his dues, lots of them. Starting in go-karts, Suárez excelled in both the NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series and NASCAR K&N Pro Series before advancing to the national touring level in the NASCAR Camping World Truck and XFINITY Series.

He comes to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with championship credentials, having triumphed in the inaugural XFINITY Series Chase last year.

Early in the 2016 campaign, however, Suárez didn’t look like a potential champion. Yes, he had plenty of speed, but his lack of experience at and knowledge of the tracks that made up the brunt of the XFINITY schedule showed – sometimes glaringly.

But Suárez is a sponge, eager to seek out and absorb new information. One of Suárez’s foremost resources has been a driver who has won championships in both the XFINITY and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and also owned the Camping World Truck Series Toyotas Suárez drove on that circuit.

In fact, Suárez’s weekly routine included a phone call to JGR teammate and KBM team owner Kyle Busch, who was more than willing to share the knowledge that has made him the all-time victory leader in the XFINITY Series.

With Busch’s help, as well as advice from Edwards, Suárez learned the language of the asphalt as adroitly as he picked up English by watching sitcoms and sports on television. When he needed help with his restarts, he went to the undisputed master, Ron Hornaday Jr.

By the second half of the season, he was a contender. Suárez won for the first time last year in the 13th race, at Michigan. He won again on a return trip to Dover and clinched the championship with a victory in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Don’t think for a minute, though, that Suárez’s hunger has been sated by an XFINITY title. It wasn’t to win in “the series where names are made” that Suárez drove a 1994 Volkswagen bug from Mexico to North Carolina to pursue his dream.

Though a jump from XFINITY to Cup is a difficult proposition for any driver, Suárez is ready to make the move, albeit earlier than planned given Edwards startling announcement that he is stepping away from his full-time ride in the No. 19 Camry.

Suárez has a strong support system that includes business manager Jimmy Morales, Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, Chip Ganassi Racing co-owner Felix Sabates, sponsor Arris and automaker Toyota. All are fully invested in Suárez’s prospects for success at NASCAR’s highest level.

“I wasn’t expecting to be in this position right now,” Suárez said at the Wednesday press conference announcing his promotion. “It’s been an amazing time. This is hard to believe that I’m in this position. We started all this dream 10 years ago with NASCAR, and right now to be in this position, to be in this opportunity, is just something amazing for me and for everyone that has been helping me, of course.

“I know that it won’t be easy. We have a lot to work. I have a lot to learn. But I’m sure that it couldn’t happen in a better situation with (crew chief) Dave Rogers and the entire 19 group. It’s just an amazing team. I feel like it’s just a perfect place to be for a rookie like me that is really hungry to learn and to go out there and to perform well…

“It’s been an amazing journey, and I can’t wait for the future.”

To borrow a phrase from the late George Allen, for Suárez, the future is now. And the first measure of success in that future will be how long it takes Suárez to get his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup win.

The second will be how long it takes Kyle Busch to stop returning his phone calls.

Individuals and Organizations Honored for Efforts in Diversity

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year, Daniel Suárez, will headline a group of eight winners at the ninth annual NASCAR Diversity Awards. The event will take place at 12 p.m. ET today at the Daytona International Speedway in the lead up to the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 21 (1 p.m. ET on FOX).

The NASCAR Diversity Awards recognize the people and organizations in motorsports that champion diversity and inclusion in eight categories: Industry Ambassador, Diverse Driver, Ignition Award, Diverse Intern, Institution, Partner, Young Driver, and Pit Crew.

Notable previous NASCAR Diversity Awards winners include: Max Siegel, Darrell Wallace Jr., Phoenix International Raceway, Toyota, Coca-Cola, Sunoco, and the University of Central Florida.

Driven by NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France, the NASCAR Diversity Awards has become the leading means to recognize multicultural accomplishments across the motorsports industry.

The winners are chosen based on participation or support of NASCAR’s year-round diversity and inclusion initiatives including: NASCAR Drive for Diversity, the leading driver and crew member development program in motorsports; the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program, a paid internship program for ethnically-diverse candidates with high academic standing from elite institutions; and the NASCAR Opinion Leader Initiative, which engages multicultural community, civic, and professional organizations.

“Becoming more diverse and inclusive is a huge priority at NASCAR and we continue to make long-term investments to boost female and minority participation across every level of our sport, on and off the track,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “Widening our appeal is critical to our continued expansion and we are proud to honor today’s winners, and many others across the industry, for their hard work and support.”

The 2016 NASCAR Diversity Awards Winners:

Industry Ambassador Award
Winner: Claire B. Lang, NASCAR radio host and current host of “Dialed In” on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio who has actively engaged with NASCAR diversity and inclusion initiatives

Description: Representative who displays an exemplary effort to incorporate multicultural initiatives as part of his/her job.

Diverse Driver Award
Winner: Abraham Calderon, 2014 NASCAR Mexico Series Champion

Description: Minority or female NASCAR developmental driver who exemplifies outstanding performance both on and off the racetrack in encouraging awareness and interaction with NASCAR and motorsports.

Ignition Award
Winner: Daniel Suárez, 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year, Joe Gibbs Racing and NASCAR Drive for Diversity alum

Description: Minority or female NASCAR national series driver who demonstrates leadership both on and off the racetrack while helping to foster the diversity in sport.

Outstanding Intern Award
Winner: Victoria Kim, a Penn State graduate and Pocono Raceway’s first NASCAR Diversity Internship Program intern

Description: Student who exhibits high performance and leadership skills in academics as well as during their NASCAR Diversity Internship Program.

Institution Award
Winner: National Association of Black Journalists, An organization of journalists, students, and media-related professionals that provides quality programs and services to and advocates on behalf of African-American journalists worldwide

Description: Civic or educational institution that exposes minorities to motorsports and encourages pursuit of opportunities within the motorsports industry.

Partner Award
Winner: Chevrolet, for demonstrating a commitment to NASCAR diversity and inclusion goals through its program support and engagement with NASCAR Multicultural Development

Description: Company that shows commitment to NASCAR diversity and inclusion goals through its program support and engagement with NASCAR.

Young Racer Award
Winner: Macy Causey, 15, youngest participant in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine

Description: Minority or female between the ages of 8-15 years old who has partaken in some form of competitive racing and has overcome adversity in pursuit of his/her dream of participating in the motorsports industry.

Crew Member Award
Winners: Rafael Diaz and Mike Russell, both of Roush Fenway Racing and part of the 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship team

Description: Minority or female crew member who inspires awareness of NASCAR through competitive performance and outreach activities.

8th Annual Celebration Highlights Multicultural and Female Milestones

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR celebrated a defining year for the industry’s multicultural progress with the 8th annual NASCAR Diversity Awards today at Daytona International Speedway.

NASCAR and industry leaders gathered to recognize people and organizations within the industry whose dedication to diversity is indicative of the evolving face of motorsports and emphasizes the importance of inclusion.

“Through a wide range of programs, we continue to strengthen our relationships with stakeholders by increasing minority and female participation at every level of the sport,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Racing Operations. “From the competitors on the track to our employee base to the fans who so passionately follow the sport, NASCAR is increasingly reflective of multiculturalism here and abroad.”

“We are proud of our accomplishments, but even more excited about the future,” Cassidy added.

Recognized for their outstanding achievements were:

• Aric Amirola received the NASCAR Ignition Award, given to a minority or female NASCAR national seriesdriver that demonstrates leadership both on and off the race track while making contributionsto the advancement of the sport. A Florida native of Cuban descent, Almirola he won his first NASCAR Sprint Cup race in 2014 at Daytona International Speedway driving for Richard Petty Motorsports and became the first Hispanic-American driver to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Off the track, Almirola is a diversity ambassador and regularly participates in initiatives and events to broaden the NASCAR fan base.

• Chloe Kerr received the NASCAR Diversity Internship Participant Award, which goes to the student who has exhibited outstanding performance and leadership skills in academics as well as during their internship in the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program. Kerr is a graduate student at Georgetown University pursuing a degree in corporate communications, Kerr displayed the utmost professionalism and immediately made an impact in the Integrated Marketing Communications department.

• Haley Moody was given the NASCAR Diverse Driver Award, given to a minority or woman NASCAR developmental driver that exemplifies outstanding performance both on and off the race track in encouragin awareness and interaction with NASCAR and motorsports. Moody became the first female to win a Limited Late Model championship in North Carolina with her championship at Southern National Motorsports Park in 2014. She also became the first female to win at Myrtle Beach Speedway, which was also last race her father attended before passing due to cancer. She has been a role model to young girls at track, and takes time to meet with fans before races.

• Jack & Jill of America, Inc. was presented the NASCAR Institution Award, which goes to a company that demonstrates a commitmentto NASCAR diversity and inclusion goals throughtheir program support and engagement with NASCAR. Jack & Jill has lent support to various NASCAR diversity initiatives. At its 2014 National convention, with support from the NASCAR Foundation, the Teen Summit incorporated NASCAR’s STEM platform and featured Drive for Diversity participants. This was followed up with a track immersion experiences for multicultural groups at Charlotte Motor Speedway with plans to replicate at other chapters nationally.

• Enrique Lemon was awarded the Young Racer Award, presented to a minority or female youth between the ages of 8-15 years old that has partaken in some form of competitive racing and has overcome adversity in pursuit of his or her dream of participating in the motorsports industry. Limon, a 16-year old Mexico City native, is the first graduate of Rev Racing Driver Academy and two-year participant in Drive for Diversity program. In 2014, he competed in the Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway where he placed eighth among a field that included national series drivers. His natural talent and impressive results have again earned him a spot on the Rev Racing team for 2015.

• Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va., received the NASCAR Partner Award, given to a company that demonstrates a commitment to NASCAR diversity goals through their program support and engagement. Langley has been a staunch supporter of the Drive for Diversity program with numerous efforts and has played host to the Combine for several years. In addition, it has generated ongoing awareness of Rev Racing and other diversity efforts through local weekly radio broadcasts and promotions.

• Richard Williams was presented the NASCAR Diverse Crew Member Award. The award goes to a minority or woman crew member that inspires awareness of NASCAR through competitive performance and outreach activities. Williams is an integral part of Roush-Fenway Racing and standout graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development program. He has become an advocate for diversity in the sport and reguarly meets with groups and fans at tracks.

• Greg Fresquez was recognized with the Industry Ambassador Award. Representative who displays a personal effort to incorporate multicultural initiatives as part of his or her job. Fresquez has made a major impact in increasing the level of awareness and affinity for NASCAR within the Hispanic community in Phoenix. Fresquez has traveled to Mexico on behalf of Phoenix International Raceway and has developed excellent relationships with several drivers and race teams on both sides of the border.

The NASCAR national series season gets underway tonight with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway, and the NASCAR XFINITY Series’ Alert Today Florida 300 Saturday, leading into Sunday’s 57th running of the Daytona 500. The flag the Great American Race, begins at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, live on FOX, Motor Racing Network Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Tickets for the Daytona 500 are available online at DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Fans can follow @NASCAR on Twitter to engage in the #NASCAR conversation.

Sport Racing Toward More Diverse Future

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR’s Seventh Annual Diversity Awards Luncheon on Friday celebrated the present while clearly sending an emphatic message regarding the future of the sport.

The overall face of NASCAR is evolving daily, resulting from the ever-growing number of individual, diverse faces that are driving a multi-cultural awareness throughout the NASCAR industry. NASCAR’s commitment to diversity efforts is producing tangible results, on and off the race track. Some of the people involved in those results were honored Friday at Daytona International Speedway.

“Inclusion and diversity … we’re trying to make that synonymous with NASCAR racing,” said NASCAR President Mike Helton, at the outset of the event.

The award recipients “help us embrace the unprecedented amount of opportunities women and multicultural individuals have across all disciplines in the motorsport industry,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR’s vice president of public affairs and multicultural development. “They are shining examples of our industry’s understanding of the importance of diversity in all aspects of our sport.”

No one shone brighter Friday than the winner of the Industry Ambassador Award, Alba Colon, Chevrolet Racing’s program member for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

She stands just a shade over five feet but make no mistake, she’s a giant.

Colon is a definitive pioneer when it comes to diversity and the NASCAR industry. A native of Salamanca, Spain, she received a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Puerto Rico in 1994 and soon started working for General Motors. Colon moved into her current position with Chevrolet in 2001, becoming the first female to lead an OEM racing program in NASCAR.

The Industry Ambassador Award honors Colon for her support of diversity initiatives and willingness to share her inspiring story.

“Diversity is a topic I did not always think about, to be honest but because of this award, I’ve been thinking about what it is, practically,” Colon said. “Diversity is only an asset when it’s combined with the will to win … with hard work. And for those who are different like I am, remember: diversity alone does not guarantee success. Attitude, drive and education are critical. You will not succeed without those qualities.”

From off-track to on-track, one of NASCAR’s brightest young stars, Kyle Larson, was presented with the NASCAR Ignition Award in recognition for reaching NASCAR’s top rung — the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Larson, last year’s Sunoco Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, is competing for the same honor this season in Sprint Cup. Larson, an Asian-American, will make his first Daytona 500 start on Sunday, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. He is the first graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program to land a Sprint Cup ride.

Other award presentations:

The NASCAR Diverse Driver Award went to Daniel Suarez, third in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East points last season while also finishing as the championship runner-up in the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series. Suarez already has two K&N victories to start this season.

The NASCAR Diverse Crew Member Award was presented to Dion “Rocko” Williams, former NFL player now a crewman for four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon.

The Young Racer Award, to 11-year-old Austin Geer, who will drive a Bandolero car for Rev Racing this season. Geer already has 25 Bandolero victories.

The NASCAR Partner Award, to Toyota, in recognition of aligning Toyota Racing’s NASCAR efforts closely with the sport’s overall diversity efforts.

The NASCAR Diversity Internship Participant Award, to Southeastern University graduate Victoria Garcia, after an outstanding internship with NASCAR Productions.

The Institution Award, to the University of Central Florida‘s DeVos Sport Business Management program headed by Dr. Richard Lapchick, for efforts in educating students on how sports can help create a more diverse and inclusive society, along with the responsibility of using sports to make a difference.