The NASCAR Mexico Series (formerly NASCAR Corona Series and other names) is a NASCAR series in Mexico. It is the most prestigious stock car racing series in the country.
 | |
| Category | Stock Cars |
|---|---|
| Country | Mexico United States |
| Inaugural season | 2004 |
| Manufacturers | Chevrolet Ford Toyota (formerly) Mazda (formerly) Dodge (formerly) |
| Tire suppliers | General Tire |
| Drivers' champion | Salvador de Alba |
| Makes' champion | Ford |
| Teams' champion | Sidral Aga Racing |
| Official website | www.nascar.mx/ |
 Current season | |
Origins (Desafío Corona)
editThe Desafío Corona was established in 2004 by NASCAR Mexico, a joint-venture between NASCAR and Mexican entertainment group OCESA, with the idea of developing stock car racing in Mexico, and fueling a transition from the country's historically Open-wheel car racing fan base to stock car racing.[1]
From 2004 to 2006, the Desafío Corona grew considerably in infrastructure, as well as in number of fans, drivers and sponsors.
Present
edit
The NASCAR Mexico Corona Series was officially presented at the 2006 Desafío Corona award ceremony.[2] Toyota assumed naming rights in 2012, dubbing it the NASCAR Toyota Series.[3]
The series is one of three NASCAR-sanctioned international series, the others are the NASCAR Pinty's Series and the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. Following North American short-track racing trends to cut costs and unify rules among different tours, NASCAR is considering changes to the Canadian Tire and Corona Series where the two series adopt the Busch rules as to allow the competitors to use the same cars in NASCAR Busch Series races.
The winner of the series championship received an invitation to the UNOH Battle at the Beach, formerly the Toyota All-Star Showdown. All other drivers may also attempt to qualify by entering the heat races.
2016 hiatus
editAfter the end of the 2015 season, the series was suspended supposedly due to the fact that organizers of the series wanted to instead support the Formula One Mexican Grand Prix, which had just been revived for 2015. Several of the teams and drivers that participated in the series moved to the Super Copa Telcel "V8" series.
2017 return
editIn October 2016 it was announced that the series would return with new sponsorship from PEAK Antifreeze, with an exhibition race that December to be followed by a full 2017 season.[4]
Also in 2017 two supporter series were created: the NASCAR FedEx Challenge Series and NASCAR Mikel's Truck Series.
The series lost its sponsorship with PEAK Antifreeze in 2023, which was when a playoff system was implemented to the series.
Mexico Series tracks
editIn its 14 seasons, the NASCAR Mexico Series has used 16 tracks in 14 venues (two in Santiago de Querétaro and two in San Luis Potosí). Currently, six oval tracks are used, only Autódromo Monterrey is a road circuit. Three tracks have been used in two configurations. Autódromo Monterrey long and frijol, Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in NASCAR Nationwide and oval, Autódromo Miguel E. Abed in a 2.840 km (1.765 mi) layout and oval.
Autódromo Potosino is the shortest track with a distance of 0.402 km (0.250 mi) and Autódromo Monterrey the longest track with a distance of 3.200 km (1.988 mi).
San Luis Potosí is the venue with more races (34, 32 in Autódromo Potosino and 2 in Parque Tangamanga II)
NASCAR Mexico had powered the construction of oval tracks in México, Autódromo Potosino was remodeled in 2001, Aguascalientes,[5] Chiapas,[6] Querétaro[7] had new tracks for NASCAR events. In 2012, a speedway in Chihuahua was scheduled for inauguration.[8]
For 2013, a race in the Southwestern United States was held: a 75-lap, 75-mile (122 km) race at Phoenix International Raceway during the NASCAR Cup Series Subway Fresh Fit 500 weekend.
For 2024, the series held an event as part of the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, conducted at a temporary 0.402 km (0.250 mi) circuit around the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Mexico Series race was a support race for the Clash, and it was won by Daniel Suárez.
| Venue | Tracks | Years |
|---|---|---|
 Mexico City |
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez | 2004–2019, 2022–present |
| Querétaro |
EcoCentro Expositor Querétaro | 2004–2015, 2017–present |
| Guadalajara |
Trióvalo Internacional de Cajititlán | 2004–2010, 2017-2022 |
| Monterrey |
Autódromo Monterrey | 2004–2014, 2017–2019, 2021–present |
| San Luis Potosí |
Super Óvalo Potosino | 2005–2015, 2017–present |
| Puebla |
Autódromo Miguel E. Abed | 2006–2015, 2017–present |
| Tuxtla Gutiérrez |
Autódromo Chiapas | 2008–2011, 2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021–present |
| Aguascalientes |
Óvalo Aguascalientes México | 2009–2015, 2017–present |
| Juan Aldama, Chihuahua |
El Dorado Speedway | 2012–2015, 2018–2019, 2022–present |
 Los Angeles |
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 2024 |
Former tracks
edit| City | Track | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Torreón |
Autódromo Dinamita | 2004 |
| San Luis Potosí |
Autódromo San Luis 400 | 2004 |
| Zacatecas |
Autódromo de Zacatecas | 2004–2009 |
| León, Guanajuato |
Autódromo de León | 2004, 2017 |
| Phoenix, Arizona |
Phoenix Raceway | 2013–2015 |
| Pachuca |
Autódromo Moisés Solana | 2017 |
Cars
edit
In the first season, only General Motors (through its Pontiac division) and Dodge participated in the series.[9] Ford made its debut in 2005 with its Mustang model,[10] but since 2006, the Fusion is the Ford model entry.[11] In 2009, Toyota started its participation with its Camry. The Mazda 6 was first entered in 2010.[12] As with the other NASCAR divisions in the United States, Dodge subsequently pulled its factory support and no longer participates in the Mexican series.
Along with the other international series, the K&N Pro Series East and West, and the ARCA Menards Series, the Mexico Series has General Tire as an exclusive tire supplier.[13]
Most wins
edit| Rank | Manufacturer | Wins | Races | % Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Toyota |
83 | 148 | 56.1% |
| 2 | Ford |
48 | 218 | 22.0% |
| 3 | General Motors |
41 | 220 | 18.6% |
| 4 | Dodge |
22 | 208 | 10.6% |
| 5 | Mazda |
14 | 71 | 19.7% |
Specifications
edit- Chassis: Steel tube frame with safety roll cage, must be NASCAR standards.
- Engine Displacement: 5.7 L (5,700 cc) (350 in³) V8.
- Transmission: 4 Speed Manual.
- Weight: 2,680 lb (1,216 kg) Minimum (without driver).
- Power Output: 400 hp.
- Torque: 394 ft⋅lbf (534 N⋅m).
- Fuel: 98 octane unleaded gasoline provided by Pemex.
- Fuel capacity: 15 US gal (57 L).
- Fuel delivery: Carburetion.
- Compression ratio: 9.3:1.
- Aspiration: Naturally aspirated.
- Wheelbase: 107 in (2,718 mm).
- Tires: Slick tires provided by General Tire.
- Length: 205.25 in (5,213 mm).
- Width: 74 in (1,880 mm).
- Height: 52 in (1,321 mm).
- Safety equipment: HANS device, Seat belt.
Champions
edit
Six drivers have won the championship. The Telcel team is the most successful with four drivers' championships. Rubén García, Jr. is the youngest champion (20 years old), and Rafael Martínez the eldest. (45 years old).[14] Rubén García Jr. has the most championships to his name with 5.
| Season | Driver | Owner(s) | No. | Manufacturer | Starts | Wins | Top 10s | Poles | Points (margin) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Carlos Pardo | Telcel Sun Motorola | 6 | Pontiac | 14 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 2326 (69) |
| 2005 | Jorge Goeters | Ramiro Fidalgo | 18 | Pontiac / Dodge | 14 | 4 | 4 | 2320 (48) | |
| 2006 | Rogelio López | Carlos Slim | 48 | Pontiac / Dodge | 14 | 5 | 7 | 2204 (75) | |
| 2007 | Rafael Martínez | Ramiro Fidalgo | 18 | Ford Fusion | 14 | 7 | 12 | 3 | 2250 (4) |
| 2008 | Antonio Pérez | Jimmy Morales | 1 | Dodge | 14 | 5 | 12 | 2 | 2182 (29) |
| 2009 | Germán Quiroga | Mónica Morales | 2 | Ford | 14 | 3 | 12 | 4 | 2273 (276) |
| 2010 | Germán Quiroga | Mónica Morales | 2 | Dodge | 14 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 2173 (150) |
| 2011 | Germán Quiroga | Mónica Morales | 2 | Dodge | 14 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 2272 (286) |
| 2012 | Jorge Goeters | Ramiro Fidalgo | 31 | Mazda | 14 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 539 (34) |
| 2013 | Rodrigo Peralta | Denisse Guaida | 24 | Ford | 14 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 1198 (8) |
| 2014 | Abraham Calderón | Monica Morales | 2 | Dodge/Toyota | 15 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 1200 (9) |
| 2015 | Rubén García, Jr. | Juan Pablo García | 88 | Toyota | 15 | 3 | 12 | 3 | 1213 (18) |
| 2017 | Abraham Calderón | Jimmy Morales | 2 | Toyota | 12 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 468 (27) |
| 2018 | Rubén García, Jr. | Juan Pablo García | 88 | Toyota | 12 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 452 (23) |
| 2019 | Rubén García, Jr. | Juan Pablo García | 88 | Toyota | 12 | 4 | 11 | 2 | 496 (21) |
| 2020 | Rubén Rovelo | Alessandros Racing | 28 | Ford | 12 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 522 (14) |
| 2021 | Salvador de Alba | Sidral Aga Racing team | 48 | Ford | 12 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 483 (6) |
| 2022 | Rubén García, Jr. | Juan Pablo García | 88 | Toyota | 12 | 4 | 10 | 478 (9) | |
| 2023 | Salvador de Alba | Sidral Aga Racing team | 48 | Ford | 12 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 444 (11) |
| 2024 | Rubén García, Jr. | Juan Pablo García | 88 | Toyota | 13 | 3 | 12 |
Rookie of the Year
edit| Season | Driver | Car | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Ignacio Alvarado |
Pontiac | Alvarado Racing |
| 2005 | Patricio Jourdain |
Ford | Motorcraft Racing |
| 2006 | Antonio Pérez |
Pontiac | Escudería Telmex |
| 2007 | Mike Sánchez |
Chevrolet | MAG Paper |
| 2008 | Irwin Vences |
Ford | FCV Racing |
| 2009 | Alejandro Capín |
Chevrolet | MT Sport Marketing |
| 2010 | Daniel Suárez |
Dodge | SC Racing/Equipo Telcel |
| 2011 | Enrique Contreras III |
Dodge | Fénix Racing Team |
| 2012 | Rubén García, Jr. |
Toyota | SC Racing |
| 2013 | Santiago Tovar |
Toyota Chevrolet |
|
| 2014 | Rodrigo Marban |
Toyota | Patricia Marban (owner) |
| 2015 | Manolin Gutierrez |
Ford | H&H HighSpeed |
| 2017 | Enrique Baca |
Chevrolet Toyota |
Jimmy Morales (owner) |
| 2018 | Fabián Welter |
Toyota | Jimmy Morales (owner) |
| 2019 | Jacobo Cosio |
Dodge | Samantha Valadez (owner) |
| 2020 | Luis Michael Dorrbecker |
Ford | Jimmy Morales (owner) |
| 2021 | Max Gutiérrez |
Chevrolet | Jimmy Morales (owner) |
| 2023 | Andrés Pérez de Lara
|
Chevrolet | Jimmy Morales (owner) |
| 2024 | Alex de Alba
|
Ford | Sidral Aga Racing team |
*in 2022 there were no rookies in the main category, the best rookie was awarded from the challenge category
Series winners
editList of winners
editUpdated after 2024 Aguascalientes 2 (September, 2024)
| Driver is currently racing in the 2024 season | |
| Bold | NASCAR Mexico Champion |
| Rank | Driver | Wins | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rubén Rovelo |
26 | 2008 Guadalajara 1 | 2021 San Luis Potosí 2 |
| 2 |  Rogelio López |
26 | 2004 Guadalajara 2 | 2022 Chiapas |
| 3 | Rubén García Jr. |
25 | 2013 Aguascalientes 1 | 2024 San Luis Potosí 2 |
| 4 |  Rafael Martínez |
19 | 2005 Guadalajara 2 | 2013 Querétaro 2 |
| 5 | Germán Quiroga |
17 | 2004 San Luis Potosí 1 | 2011 Aguascalientes 2 |
| 6 | Abraham Calderón |
17 | 2013 Phoenix | 2024 Chiapas |
| 7 | Homero Richards |
15 | 2009 Guadalajara | 2018 Monterrey |
| 8 |  Salvador de Alba |
14 | 2018 Guadalajara 2 | 2023 Puebla 1 |
| 9 | Jorge Goeters |
13 | 2004 México City 1 | 2012 Monterrey 2 |
| 10 | Antonio Pérez |
12 | 2007 Monterrey 2 | 2013 San Luis Potosí 2 |
| 11 | Irwin Vences |
12 | 2013 México City 2 | 2024 Querétaro 1 |
| 12 | Daniel Suárez |
11 | 2012 México City 1 | 2024 Los Angeles |
| 13 | Carlos Pardo |
10 | 2004 Torreón | 2009 Puebla 1 |
| 14 | Xavi Razo |
8 | 2017 México City | 2024 Querétaro 2 |
| 15 | Rubén Pardo |
7 | 2004 Querétaro 2 | 2015 Phoenix |
| 16 | Patrick Goeters |
5 | 2005 México City 1 | 2013 Puebla 2 |
| 17 | José Luis Ramírez |
5 | 2010 Chiapas 2 | 2022 Querétaro 2 |
| 18 | Julio Rejón
|
3 | 2023 Aguascalientes 2 | 2024 México city |
| 19 | Carlos Contreras |
2 | 2004 Guadalajara 1 | 2004 Querétaro 1 |
| 19 | Freddy Tame Jr. |
2 | 2006 Puebla 3 | 2007 Querétaro 1 |
| 19 | Hugo Oliveras |
2 | 2009 Querétaro 1 | 2012 México City 2 |
| 19 | Rodrigo Peralta |
2 | 2013 Aguascalientes 2 | 2015 Querétaro 1 |
| 19 | Santiago Tovar |
2 | 2015 Aguascalientes 1 | 2019 Chiapas |
| 24 | Andrés Pérez de Lara
|
1 | 2024 Aguascalientes 1 | 2024 Aguascalientes 1 |
| 24 | Alejandro de Alba
|
1 | 2024 Puebla 2 | 2024 Puebla 2 |
| 24 | Max Gutierrez
|
1 | 2023 Chihuahua 2 | 2023 Chihuahua 2 |
| 24 | Jake Cosio
|
1 | 2023 Querétaro 1 | 2023 Querétaro 1 |
| 24 | César Tiberio Jiménez |
1 | 2004 Monterrey | 2004 Monterrey |
| 24 | Fernando Plata |
1 | 2006 San Luis Potosí 1 | 2006 San Luis Potosí 1 |
| 24 | Ricardo Pérez de Lara |
1 | 2008 Zacatecas | 2008 Zacatecas |
| 24 |  Waldemar Coronas |
1 | 2008 Querétaro 2 | 2008 Querétaro 2 |
| 24 | Héctor Aguirre
|
1 | 2013 Mexico City 1 | 2013 Mexico City 1 |
| 24 | Luis Felipe Montaño |
1 | 2014 México City 1 | 2014 México City 1 |
| 24 | Pepe González |
1 | 2015 México City 2 | 2015 México City 2 |
| 24 | Michel Jourdain Jr. |
1 | 2017 León | 2017 León |
University of Northwestern Ohio Battle at the Beach
editMexico Series champions are invited to the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown (now the University of Northwestern Ohio Battle at the Beach). In 2011 Daniel Suárez, Germán Quiroga and Rubén Rovelo took part. They finished in 11th, 12th and 30th, respectly.[15]
The 2012 Series champion, along with international counterparts in Canada and Europe, will be invited to participate with an automatically exempt entry in any of the three divisions (Late Model, K&N Pro, Whelen Modified) in the Battle at the Beach, which will be held a week and a half before the series race at Phoenix International Raceway.
| Year | Race | Venue | Driver | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Toyota All-Star Showdown | Irwindale | Rubén Pardo |
29 | 21 |
| 2008 | Toyota All-Star Showdown | Rogelio López |
16 | 13 | |
| Antonio Pérez |
40 | 31 | |||
| 2009 | Toyota All-Star Showdown | Antonio Pérez |
8 | 18 | |
| 2010 | Last Chance | Rubén Rovelo |
1 | 9 | |
| 2011 | Toyota All-Star Showdown | Daniel Suárez |
12 | 11 | |
| German Quiroga |
25 | 12 | |||
| Rubén Rovelo |
19 | 30 | |||
| 2013 | UNOH Battle At The Beach | Daytona | Jorge Goeters |
26 | 13 |
Female drivers
editTo date, three women have started a NASCAR Mexico Series race, three started a Trucks Mexico Series race and one started a NASCAR Challenge race. Mara Reyes scored a pole position in her first race.
Regina sirvent was the first woman to win a Trucks Mexico Series race.
| Driver | Season | Entries | Starts | Wins | Top 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mara Reyes |
2004–2005 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 20 |
| Leslie González |
2005 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Estefania Reyes |
2007, 2010–2011 | 21 | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Regina Sirvent*
|
2022- | 30?* | ? | 2** | ? |
| Valeria aranda**
|
2019- | 40? | ? | ? | ? |
| Andrea Lozano**
|
2022- | 20 | 19 | 0 | 9 |
*In Challenge Series (run in the same races at the same time with NASCAR Mexico Series)
**In Trucks Mexico Series
Other NASCAR series
edit
Some drivers of NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series have taken part in Xfinity Series and Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series (now Craftsman Truck Series), action, but only Jorge Goeters and Daniel Suárez have both raced in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series. Scott Riggs, Cody Ware, and Kevin O'Connell all only made one start in the PEAK Mexico Series but had also run in the Cup Series. Rubén Pardo, Rogelio López and Rubén García Jr. have won in the K&N Pro Series East; while Daniel Suárez has won in the K&N Pro Series East, the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series and NASCAR Cup Series. In 2016, Suárez won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. In 2017 and 2018, he moved to the NASCAR Cup Series driving No. 19 for Joe Gibbs Racing. In 2019, he moved to the No. 41 driving for Stewart-Haas Racing before moving to the No. 96 driving for Gaunt Brothers Racing, then moved to the No. 99 for Trackhouse Racing Team. On June 12, 2022, Suárez won his first career NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway.
NASCAR Cup Series drivers
editFive drivers have raced both the NASCAR PEAK Mexico and NASCAR Cup Series.
| Driver | Seasons | Cup Starts | Mexico Series Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jorge Goeters |
2004–Present | 1 | 150 | 13 | 60 | 98 |
| Daniel Suárez |
2009–2014 | 195 | 76 | 10 | 26 | 39 |
| Scott Riggs |
2010 | 208 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cody Ware |
2014 | 71 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kevin O'Connell |
2015 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
References
edit- ^ "OCESA y SELCA presentan su nuevo serial como "Desafío Corona 2004"". Sporcar.com. March 5, 2004.
- ^ "El Desafío Corona será en 2007 Nascar-México". La Jornada. December 8, 2006.
- ^ "La Temporada 2012 Será NASCAR Toyota Series". NASCAR México. February 16, 2012. Archived from the original on May 1, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ "NASCAR returns to Mexico for 2017 with new sponsor PEAK". Las Vegas Sun. Las Vegas, NV. 18 October 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-10-19. Retrieved 2016-10-19.
- ^ "El óvalo de Aguascalientes: 1.4 km". ESTO. March 11, 2009. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
- ^ "Inauguran con gran éxito Autódromo Chiapas; más de 20 mil aficionados en la 13a. fecha de la NASCAR". Instituto de Comunicación Social de Chiapas. October 13, 2008. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012.
- ^ "Impresiona el Autódromo". ESTO. March 8, 2008. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
- ^ "El Dorado Speedway, nuevo óvalo NASCAR en México". NASCAR Europe. December 19, 2011. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012.
- ^ "Mopar – Seman Baker seguirá teniendo los únicos autos Dodge en el Desafío". Sportcar. June 23, 2004. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
- ^ "Ford entra al Desafío Corona con el Mustang 2005". Sportcar. January 25, 2005.
- ^ "El Ford Fusion corre en los Stock Cars". Sportcar. February 2, 2006.
- ^ "Mazda de México participará en la NASCAR Corona Series". Portal Automotriz. April 9, 2010. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
- ^ "General Tire to Serve as Exclusive Tire Supplier For NASCAR's K&N Pro Series, Pinty's Series and PEAK Mexico Series". NASCAR Home Tracks. February 5, 2019. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
- ^ "Conquista Rafael Martínez título en Nascar". Milenio. November 16, 2008.
- ^ "Suarez almost at the top ten; Rovelo in an accident at the Toyota All-Star". Escuderia Telmex. January 30, 2011.
External links
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