Key takeaways:
*NASCAR star Daniel Suárez is now a US citizen after a 12-year process.
* Suárez will have dual citizenship of both his native Mexico and the United States.
*The NASCAR driver initially came to the U.S. on a tourist visa before obtaining a work visa and then a green card.
*He studied for the citizenship exam with his fiancée, Julia Piquet.
*Suarez’s storied career continues as he pursues his eighth season in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Daniel Suárez takes oath of US citizenship
After a 12-year journey, NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez became a U.S. citizen. On July 18, Suárez attended the U.S. citizenship swearing-in ceremony, marking an important milestone in his life. Suárez, originally from Mexico, now carries the pride of dual citizenship and represents both nations.
“I still can’t understand how important this is. But I know it’s very special to finally get to this point,” Suárez shared during an interview on June 15, before the Iowa Corn 350.
Journey towards citizenship: a long road traveled
For many, the process of obtaining US citizenship is complex and lengthy. Suárez is no exception. He initially set foot on American soil with a tourist visa and dreamed of competing. As his track career blossomed, he obtained a work visa and eventually a green card.
“I don’t think most people realize how much it takes to get to this point,” Suárez reflected after the race on June 16.
The role of love in this milestone
An important part of Suárez’s process involved studying for the citizenship test, an activity that became a fun game between him and his fiancée, Julia Piquet.
“Julia helped me a lot. She became my tutor and we had fun times in the truck, quizzing each other and turning it into dinner games. This made the entire learning experience faster and more enjoyable,” said Suárez.
Suárez’s impending wedding to Piquet further fueled his push to obtain his green card. Fearing deportation in case of possible problems without citizenship, for him it was more than a paperwork process; it was about ensuring a future for his family.
Suárez’s continued journey in NASCAR
As a driving force in the world of international motorsport, Suárez’s status on the track remains intact. He is currently participating in his eighth NASCAR Cup Series, his fourth season with Trackhouse Racing. Notably, Trackhouse Racing is partly co-owned by popular musician Pitbull.
His global community of fans, ‘Daniel’s Friends’, cheer him on as he blazes an impressive career path. Already a pioneering figure, Suárez made history in 2022 as the first Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race.
Currently ranked 18th in the 2024 season with three top-ten and two top-five finishes, Suarez is expected to be a part of the Cup Series playoffs, thanks to his victory earlier this year. With such an illustrious career path, including the 2015 Sunoco Rookie of the Year award and the 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, Suarez continues to push himself on the track.
Always surrounded by a whirlwind of emotion, Suárez continues to attract attention, this time for his acquired dual citizenship. As a historic Mexican-born NASA Cup Series race winner, he is now working to be the first dual citizen to take home victory on the NASCAR track. Can he set the bar even higher and make history once again? Only time will tell.
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