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Daniel Suarez: I agree, and I’ve actually had a hard time with those things. But as I get more mature, I’m getting better with it. Like Bubba says, we race almost 40 times a year, and you’re going to have disagreements with many drivers. You have to somehow control it, put it to the side, and continue to move forward.
Bubba, your first NASCAR win was historic—and the emotion you showed afterwards spoke to that. But that victory came on a controversial rain postponement. Your second win helped silence the doubters. Do you look back on either victory as being more significant to you personally?
BW: I was thinking about this the other day. My first win, at Talladega, was massive – not just because it was my first, but the history that went on. Being a part of that was really special. The way we won was controversial, sort of, but the check cashed and the trophy’s sitting at my house, so we’re all good!
With the second win at Kansas, that took me back to when I first started racing and started winning. It’d been a while since I won in that fashion—to take the lead with about 67 laps to go and never look back. They were two different styles of wins, and I hope to have more of both, whichever way it comes, though I’m leaning more towards the second one at Kansas.
Daniel, your win was also historic. And since then, more international drivers have been coming over to try NASCAR, including Finnish Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen. Are you surprised at how international the sport is becoming?
DS: To see so many drivers from different countries now looking at NASCAR, for me, is pretty unbelievable. I wouldn’t be surprised if in the next few years we see NASCAR racing internationally, in Canada, Mexico, and who knows where. And I feel like I’ve been a small part of it, working to bring more Latinos to the racetrack. It’s been quite a journey.
Speaking of international, you both have unique Formula 1 connections. Bubba, you’re friendly with Lewis Hamilton. And Daniel, your fiancé is Max Verstappen’s girlfriend’s sister. Do you guys ever get together to watch F1 races?
BW: No, but only because it’s on way too early—I’m asleep when those races are on!
DS: I’m a big fan, and I watch most of the races because of Max, though I like Lewis Hamilton a lot, too. But like Bubba says, sometimes it doesn’t make sense to wake up at 5 AM when I’m also going to race in the middle of the afternoon. But I try to watch as much as I can. There are things we can learn from them, and I’m sure things they can learn from us, as well.
Formula 1 is known for its Monaco street race, and now NASCAR has its own street race planned in Chicago. What are your expectations for that?
BW: I honestly don’t know. We’ve been trying different things, like our exhibition race at the L.A. Coliseum, and it just changes up the feel and the vibes from our usual stuff. Fingers crossed it goes in our favor.
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Gregory Leporati
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