Press Release | NASCAR
CHARLOTTE, N.C. / SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL (July 16, 2024) – NASCAR announced today that NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suárez will plan to compete in the NASCAR Brasil Series’ Special Edition, a tournament that runs parallel to the main competition, behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Camaro at Autódromo José Carlos Pace, better known as Interlagos, the weekend of August 2-4.
While the world looks on to Paris for the 2024 Olympic Summer Games, Suárez will participate in another international competition. The Monterrey, Mexico native, who will already be in Brazil to celebrate his wedding day with fiancée Julia Piquet, will make the stop in São Paulo before his return to the United States for a couple of days of racing action at the world-renowned racing circuit.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to compete in the NASCAR Brasil Series,” said Suárez. “Not only is this an opportunity to try something new, but with my fiancée’s family roots in Brazil, it gives me a chance to race in a place that she calls home. I am equally excited to support all the people at NASCAR who have helped me along my journey to the NASCAR Cup Series. Hopefully we can have some fun and bring some attention to the series from outside Brazil along the way”.
Suárez welcomed the invitation to compete in the international series while the NASCAR Cup Series enjoys a two-week hiatus in the 38-race season for the Olympic break. He also competed in a separate international event earlier this year in the NASCAR Mexico Series race at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where he drove to victory in his first series start since 2014.
Launched in 2022, the NASCAR Brasil Series is the sanctioning body’s fourth international series and first in South America. The series began competition in 2023 as a partnership between NASCAR and the GT Sprint Race series in Brazil.
“We are extremely excited to have Daniel join us once again for an international race,” said Chad Seigler, Vice President, Chief International Officer at NASCAR. “As NASCAR continues to grow and expand on a global scale, we want to showcase that our international series provide the competition level, resources and industry connections to help the most talented competitors advance their careers.”
Brazil’s strong motorsports culture has extended to NASCAR over the past 20 years. Three Brazilian-born drivers have competed in NASCAR in the United States – Christian Fittipaldi made 15 Cup Series starts in 2003, Nelson Piquet Jr. started 83 races across NASCAR’s three national series from 2010-16 winning three times, and Miguel Paludo has 81 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, including three this past season.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome Daniel Suárez to our race, a driver with such a great story, who has already qualified for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Playoffs”, said Thiago Marques, NASCAR Brasil representative. “His presence puts a great deal of value on our grid. Based on his profile, I think he will get along with everyone and have a great weekend at Interlagos.”
(Photo Courtesy NASCAR)
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