Daniel Suárez climbs 38 positions to win the NASCAR Xfinity title

Joshua Reyes Samano

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, June 15, 2025, p. a11

A black car with the number 9 awaited the starting flag at the back of the grid. It looked like just another one of the 39 competing in the race, but behind the wheel, it was a different story. Hours earlier, Mexican Daniel Suárez (JR Motorsports) destroyed his lead car in qualifying, but adversity didn't stop the Monterrey native, who rallied from last place to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series and become the first tricolor to win this category at the Hermanos Rodríguez racetrack. He was joined on the podium by Taylor Gray (Joe Gibbs Racing) and Austin Hill (Richard Childress Racing), who finished second and third, respectively.

There are stories in motorsport that are written like novels. Suárez once again embodied his name in gold letters in the series, after overcoming one of the drivers' greatest fears: a collision that could put everything at risk. The incident occurred this morning at Turn 11 of the track, before the entrance to the GNP stadium, where the tricolor driver lost control of the brakes and crashed into a retaining wall, destroying the front of his vehicle.

"I told my wife after the incident, 'They'll put my back against the wall, and I'm going to come back stronger.' That's what I did, and coming from behind and winning the race feels better," he declared at the end of the competition.

The circuit was chaotic from the start. Yellow flags set the pace after several crashes that halted the roar of the engines on each lap of the historic venue. Suárez was aggressive from the start and made up more than 10 places in the opening five laps.

"What the hell! It's already 14!" exclaimed a man when he realized the driver of the black car was putting on the show he'd promised. That fan in the stands could barely contain his excitement, as he wrapped his arms around his compatriot's car with each lap, shouting his support, as if the man traveling at over 200 kilometers per hour could hear him over the roar of the engines.

▲ In a race marked by several crashes, the Monterrey-born driver overcame a collision and delivered a historic run. Photo by Víctor Camacho

It's the first time in my life that, under the yellow flags, I heard the entire crowd screaming as if they were right next to me. I'll always remember that feeling, because it was incredible to have the support of my fans at every moment. Now it's time to celebrate for an hour or two, and tomorrow I'll face what's next.

The categories are fundamental in motorsports to determine the skill and ability of drivers. Suárez demonstrated the qualities that have earned him a place in the NASCAR Cup, the championship's premier category, with the Trackhouse Racing team.

With five laps remaining, he was already leading a lower-level competition, but various circumstances put him in a difficult position. Suárez's most recent Xfinity victory came at Homestead-Miami in 2016, the season finale where he won the championship before moving to the top flight.

The climax of the final stage came as Suárez beat American Tyler Gibbs to the start, while a multi-vehicle accident brought out another yellow flag. At the finish, Christian Eckes challenged the Mexican for first place, but the latter had no problems and crossed the finish line with the other escort vehicles.

Having already won the race, the Mexican performed a series of maneuvers in front of the GNP stadium that left tire marks on the grass. That black car at the end of the starting grid was now at the center of the track.

Suárez climbed onto the awning and celebrated with his hands in the air. "Did you like it? Viva México, cabrones! " said the Monterrey native, who will race today in the NASCAR Cup, where he'll start from tenth place.

▲ The 30-year-old athlete earned her fourth World Cup medal and her first gold medal. Photo @COM_Mexico

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, June 15, 2025, p. a11

In her return to competition after participating in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Kenia Lechuga won gold in the lightweight single scull at the World Rowing Cup in Italy.

The 30-year-old Monterrey native crossed the finish line in 7:34.5 minutes, dominating the competition held in Varese.

We congratulate the lieutenant for her effort, discipline, and determination; she is an example and inspiration for the great naval family , posted the Navy, the institution to which the rower belongs.

Lara Tiefenthaler of Austria and Maia Emilie Lund of Norway took second and third place, respectively.

For Kenya, it was her fourth World Cup medal and her first gold. Her trophy cabinet also includes silver at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade, gold at the Pan American Games in Santiago the same year, and bronze at the third World Cup in 2024 in Poznan, Poland.

The Italian competition is part of their preparation for the World Championships in the specialty, scheduled for September 21-28 in Shanghai, China.

Citlali is also crowned

Mexican boxer Citlalli Ortiz was crowned champion in the 80-kilogram category at the 2025 World Boxing Challenge in the Czech Republic.

After a couple of close rounds against Canada's Victoria Penney, the tricolor landed more punches in the third to take the victory. Norway's Sofia Sorensen took the bronze.

After participating in the Paris Games, Bellatrix decided to remain in the amateur category for one more cycle and seek a medal at Los Angeles 2028.

The World Boxing Challenge is eligible to accumulate points toward the Olympics. By winning gold, Ortiz earned 50.

Portillo takes the bronze

Meanwhile, Olympic athlete Erick Portillo won the bronze medal at the Mityng na Rynku in Bialystok, Poland, after clearing 2.20 meters in the high jump.

The 22-year-old competitor improved his record, finishing fifth just a few days ago at the City of Lucca Athletics Meeting with a jump of 2.10 meters.

The competition in Poland is part of the athlete's preparation for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Meanwhile, the mixed technical duo of Joana Jiménez and Diego Villalobos placed fourth at the Artistic Swimming World Cup in Xian, China. In the team free routine, Mexico finished fourth with a total of 282.4225 points.

The Independent and AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, June 15, 2025, p. a11

After snatching pole position at the Canadian Grand Prix, George Russell threw down the gauntlet to Max Verstappen.

Russell put in a brilliant final lap of qualifying to take his first pole of the season, beating Verstappen by 0.160 seconds, while championship leader Oscar Piastri sits in third.

Russell and Verstappen, arch-rivals after their dispute last year, clashed on track last time out in Spain. The Dutchman was penalized for causing a collision, dropping him from fifth to tenth and earning him three F1 penalty points.

Verstappen is now one penalty point away from a suspension and Russell couldn't help but provoke the Red Bull driver before the grand prix and the first corner on Sunday.

The Dutchman, however, was satisfied with his performance, overtaking the two McLaren drivers and reaching the front row. He has a total of 11 penalty points over a consecutive 12-month period, leaving him one point shy of a one-race ban. He will be out of danger after the Austrian Grand Prix at the end of the month, when he will be docked two points. Until then, he faces a suspension.

Russell's teammate, Kimi Antonelli, will start fourth. Lewis Hamilton will start fifth, Fernando Alonso sixth, and Lando Norris seventh.

Meanwhile, Mexican Pato O'Ward (Arrow McLaren) qualified third for the Bommarito IndyCar race, to be held today in Madison, Illinois.