IndyCar star Pato O’Ward congratulates fellow countryman Daniel Suárez on Xfinity Mexico City victory

“I saw a tweet Daniel won in Xfinity, which I was super happy for him. I grew up with him in the same hometown, same track we started both, so, yeah, I think it’s fantastic for him,” O’Ward said, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “We would love to go there. I think it would be fantastic to have IndyCar there and we’re sure as hell going to try to pack the whole place up.”

Daniel Suárez sums up emotional win at Mexico City

You couldn’t script it any better for Suárez. Saturday was his first start on his home soil in 10 years, and he did not disappoint. Piloting the No. 9 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, he drove his way through the back of the field and held off Taylor Gray to take the checkered flag. Suárez felt right at home at the 2.42-mile, 15-turn road course, leading a race-high 19 laps.

Suárez left Mexico a decade ago with as he said, “nothing — no English, nothing.” Now, here he is — a NASCAR Cup Series regular and the winner of the first Xfinity race in Mexico since 2008. While Suárez couldn’t repeat in Sunday’s Cup race — finishing 19th — he’ll always have that moment from Saturday.

“In more than 20 years of my career, I have never experienced what I experienced today [Saturday],” he said after the race. “When I took the lead, I was able to hear the people like they were right next to me, right here. And not just in the stadium, but also in corner number one, two and three. It was unbelievable. I got goosebumps. I felt so blessed and I was like — I had never had that feeling in my life. It was unbelievable.

“And then I had to really talk to myself and say, ‘Hey Daniel, focus. Don’t get distracted.’ It’s so many people and Mexican flags everywhere, Daniel’s Amigos everywhere, people with signs that said ‘Vamos Suarez.’ It was unbelievable. I really had to work with myself to not get distracted. This race was very special. I know it’s Xfinity, but it’s a very special race for me.”