Ryan Blaney has disclosed the single rule he plans to follow when competing against Daniel Suarez at the Mexico City race, emphasizing that he will not “wreck the hometown guy.” The Viva Mexico 250, held at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, is notable as the first NASCAR Cup Series event outside the United States since 1958 and serves as a meaningful homecoming for Suarez.
After a disappointing 32nd-place finish at Michigan International Speedway, Blaney aims to recover at the Mexican road course, which offers a fresh challenge for drivers. Suarez, racing under the Trackhouse Racing banner, is the crowd favorite due to his local ties and prior success on road courses.
Daniel Suarez’s strongest career moment came at Sonoma Raceway, where he secured his first Cup Series victory on a road course. However, this season has been difficult for the No. 99 Ford driver, who has yet to notch a win and currently sits near the bottom of the standings with four DNFs in 15 starts. The pressure increases as his teammate Ross Chastain recently won at Charlotte, raising expectations within the team.
Blaney made it clear during a SiriusXM NASCAR radio interview that he has no intention of causing trouble for Suarez while racing on his home turf:
“Do not by any circumstances, wreck Daniels Suarez this weekend. That is the only rule that I have because I would get just booed out of the stadium. You couldn’t get to the bus fast enough. Do not wreck the hometown guy, the national driver,” he said.
“So Daniel, I’m gonna be an easy pass if you’re around me if you’re listening and you don’t have to worry about me dive bombing you and taking a chance because I don’t want that heat on me of being hated by a whole country if I spin you out,” he added.
At present, Ryan Blaney holds seventh place in the Driver’s standings with 427 points, while Suarez finds himself in 28th with 254 points, illustrating the gap in their seasons.
How Blaney’s Mindset Shifted Following His Victory at Nashville
Blaney endured a challenging start to the season, experiencing five DNFs due to mechanical failures and crashes. His fortunes changed at the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway, where he held off a strong challenge from Carson Hocevar to secure his first win of the season. Blaney led 139 of the 300 laps in a commanding performance.
Discussing whether winning influenced his mental approach, Blaney expressed skepticism about mindset changes following a victory, stating,
“Is there a mindset change when you win and you get locked in? I’ve never really believed that. I’ve always, to me at least and our group, it’s just we prepare every week like you’re trying to win the race, whether you’ve won one, zero or five it’s the same thing.”
The Nashville victory was significant for Team Penske, as it secured Blaney’s playoff position. His teammates Joey Logano and Austin Cindric also contributed with wins at Texas Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, respectively.
The Importance of Respecting Suarez on His Home Track
Blaney’s firm stance on protecting Suarez during the Mexico City race reflects both respect for the driver and an understanding of the intense atmosphere generated by Mexican fans. Racing at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is not just another event for Suarez but a major moment tied to national pride and his career narrative.
For Blaney, avoiding conflict on the track means steering clear of potential backlash that could come from fans if their local hero were compromised. This careful approach highlights the tensions and respect that come with racing in foreign markets, especially when local heroes such as Suarez are involved.
With the season‘s competitive nature and the complexities of road-course racing, Blaney’s commitment to maintaining clean competition against Suarez may impact race strategies for both drivers. As the Cup Series continues to expand its international presence, such dynamics between drivers and fan bases are likely to become more significant in shaping the sport’s future.
