NASCAR is believed to be working at securing Mexicos biggest auto racing star, Adrian Fernandez, a one-off ride for the upcoming Busch Series race at Mexico City. Fernandez, who was shut out of an IndyCar ride this year due to lack of sponsorship dollars – he preferred to focus on his ownership role at Fernandez Racing, which will campaign cars for Scott Sharp and Kosuke Matsuura – could join his former Champ Car colleague Michel Jourdain Jr, so far events biggest fan-drawer. Jourdain has signed a deal with [#10 Ford] ppc Racing to contest the full 2005 Busch Series season. Mexican touring car standouts Carlos Contreras [#13 FBR] and Jorge Goeters have already been confirmed to race at the inaugural Telcel-Motorola 200 at the famed Autodromo.(Speed Channel)(1-28-2005)
UPDATE: hearing it could be in a Hendrick Motorsports car, the #5.(1-29-2005)
UPDATE 2: Adrian Fernandez doesn’t have funding to drive in the IRL, but he will drive Hendrick Motorsports’ #5 Chevrolet in the Busch Series’ debut race in Mexico City on March 6.(Indy Star)(2-5-2005)
UPDATE 3: Lowe’s and Hendrick Motorsports announced Wednesday that Mexican open-wheel racing star Adrian Fernandez will drive the #5 Lowe’s/Hitachi Power Tools Chevrolet at the March 6 NASCAR Busch Series race in Mexico City. This marks the debut of Fernandez, 41, in NASCAR. The Mexico City native is the country’s most popular driver and one of its most popular athletes. Hendrick Motorsports General Manager Marshall Carlson said Fernandez has already visited the race shop to acclimate himself with a full-bodied car for this one-race effort. Lowe’s officials said sponsorship of Fernandez in the Mexico City race is an opportunity to align the world’s second largest home improvement retailer with a local hero. Lowe’s also has special promotional plans surrounding Fernandez in several markets. Fernandez joins Kyle Busch, Blake Feese and Boston Reid as drivers of the #5 Lowe’s Busch car in 2005. Jim Long serves as the team’s crew chief. This team won the NASCAR Busch Series championship with driver Brian Vickers in 2003 and finished second in points with driver Kyle Busch last season. Fernandez, Hendrick Motorsports officials, and Lowe’s representatives will unveil the #5 Lowe’s / Hitachi Power Tools Chevrolet and meet with the media in Daytona on Thurs., Feb. 17.(Team Lowe’s Racing PR)(2-10-2005)
