NASCAR Driver Daniel Suarez Becomes American Citizen After 6 Years: 'It Was The Right Time'

If you live in America (and you probably are if you’re reading this), you can now call NASCAR driver Daniel Suarez a fellow citizen.

On June 18 in Charlotte, NC, the 31-year-old took the citizenship oath along with 50 other people in attendance. Suarez had lived in America for the past 12 years while beginning his racing career, but started the process of becoming a full-fledged citizen six years ago.

"It wasn’t a dream of mine," Suarez said on his original stance of becoming a citizen. "I came to this country to race and compete. 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."

But as he got older, that stance changed. Now that he’s engaged and has more on his plate, he thought it was time to get serious about becoming a citizen. He even got help from members of his Trackhouse Racing team, who quizzed him in April ahead of the test.

"I felt like it was the right time to start this process. Slowly, I’m getting more and more responsibilities in my life. It was the right time to feel more secure; that I belong here," Suarez said.

He wasn’t alone at the official ceremony either. Not only did his fiancé attend, but NASCAR president Steve Phelps was there, in addition to members of the Trackhouse Racing team.

Sonoma, Calif. - NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez gives a thumbs up as he gets introduced to fans before the start of the Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway in June. Photo: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

"The most special part of everything was, you see so many people there," Suarez said Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. "I was not expecting it. I was not expecting to see so many people."

Welcome to the American family Mr. Suarez. We’re happy to have a man who entered our country legitimately be a part of this great nation.