ALT What was it like growing up racing in South Florida? “It was a really tough racing environment because you’re racing against kids with famous racing last names, you’re racing in the rain most of the time, and there’s just so much talent. The road racing scene there is so big because a lot of current Indycar and F1 drivers have winter homes there and they race with us too. It’s big for learning.” Homestead-Miami Speedway is your home track, tell us what it was like racing here first on the Karting track and later racing on the oval? “HMS was the first place I ever got to watch a race and seeing it evolve and having the privilege to even race and win on the kart track was a dream come true. I never believed I’d have the chance to get my butt off the grandstands and rip the fence on the oval but it was definitely emotional to do it.”

ALT Why is it important to continue the movement of NASCAR’s Diversity and Inclusion program? “I think visibility and representation are the biggest factors in my opinion. Being a first generation Latino driver, I know many 1st gens can relate to their parents pushing them to become doctors or lawyers, not thinking something like racing is a feasible thing to do. To add on that not knowing how to become involved is another hurdle and the NASCAR Drive For Diversity program helps bridge that gap, and has for years.” If you could tell your younger self one thing when you just got started racing, what would it be? “Not giving up is most of the battle.”