After just being naturalized as a U.S. citizen last week, NASCAR driver Daniel Suárez was happy to discuss what taking the oath meant to him when he met with reporters Saturday at New Hampshire Speedway, the site of Sunday's USA TODAY 301.
Though he was born in Monterrey, Mexico, Suárez said he almost gained U.S. citizenship by birth 32 years earlier – but his parents decided that making a trip across the border was too expensive at the time.
“It’s really funny how my parents, they had that thought before I was born, about being born in the United States, I guess to have more opportunities. They didn’t do it," Suárez said. “And now, I guess I did it my way.”
RACE INFO: Start time, lineup, TV info for Sunday's USA TODAY 301
The No. 99 Chevy driver has done pretty well on his own. After coming to the USA in 2012 to pursue his racing dreams, Suárez became the first international champion of NASCAR's Xfinity Series in 2016 and began his NASCAR Cup series career the following year at Daytona.
Along the way, gaining U.S. citizenship wasn't necessarily a priority for him -- until he started thinking more seriously about it six years ago.
“I came to this country to race and compete," the two-time winner on the Cup circuit said. "I had been working really hard to try and go to the next step and be more competitive. In a blink of an eye, I’ve been already here 12 years.”
2024-12-25 23:261517 view
2024-12-25 22:441410 view
2024-12-25 22:38231 view
2024-12-25 22:372469 view
2024-12-25 22:152370 view
2024-12-25 21:44690 view
The "Cowboy Carter" Christmas countdown has began, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is gearing up to hit
Addressing "lower business demand," Best Buy has made a significant cut to its workforce and laid of
Olivia Culpo isn't afraid to face off against plastic surgery rumors.The Culpo Sisters star denied h