Veteran open-wheel driver/owner Adrian Fernandez will join the IRL IndyCar® Series full time, beginning with the Copper World Indy 200 at Phoenix International Raceway on March 21, Fernandez Racing announced yesterday.
Fernandez will drive a Panoz G Force/Honda/Firestone with sponsorship from long-time supporters Quaker State, Telmex and Tecate and new partner Aceros Vilag. He'll compete under the Fernandez Racing banner.
“Obviously, this is a big move for us particularly at this late stage,” said Fernandez, who is co-owner of the IndyCar Series entry of rookie Kosuke Matsuura.
Fernandez, a Mexico City native who turns 39 on April 20, had run in the defunct Champ Car series full time since 1994. He had eight career victories, including one under the Fernandez Racing banner.
“We have reviewed a lot of things the past few days, and had to take a hard look at what we know at this point in time to determine what is best for our sponsors and the future of Fernandez Racing," he said. "With the support of Quaker State, Telmex, Tecate and Aceros Vilag, we have made the decision to enter the IRL.
“Personally, it is never easy to make a decision like this, particularly when you factor in the friendships and relationships that have developed over many years for not only myself but everyone at Fernandez Racing.”
Fernandez has competed twice in the Indianapolis 500, finishing 28th in 1994 and 21st in 1995. He last competed on the 1-mile Phoenix International Raceway oval in 1995.
“I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of old friends next week at Phoenix – Tony (Kanaan), Dario (Franchitti), Helio (Castroneves), Bryan (Herta), Darren (Manning), Michael (Andretti)," Fernandez said. "I am also looking forward to returning to Motegi next month where I have won twice, and also to the month of May and the Indy 500. We are hitting the ground running and I know we will have a lot of support along the way.”
Said Fernandez Racing co-owner and managing director Tom Anderson: “We are extremely excited to once again have our team’s efforts focused on one championship, which includes the Indianapolis 500. This is a tremendous step reuniting our great sponsors from Japan and Mexico. We sincerely appreciate the effort all of them have put forth in order to make this possible.”
Fernandez and former Formula One driver Aguri Suzuki formed Super Aguri Fernandez Racing and entered the IndyCar Series in 2003 with Roger Yasukawa as the driver. Matsuura drives the No. 55 Panasonic ARTA Panoz G Force/Honda/Firestone entry.
“It is an understatement to say we have a lot of work to do in the next 11 days,” Fernandez said. “I’m sure there will be challenges, but we have a very experienced team in both Fernandez Racing and Super Aguri Fernandez Racing and will be able to help each other. It will definitely be an asset to run a two-car team and be able to build off each other."
Fernandez began racing in motocross when he was 8 years old. He competed in his first automobile race -- the 24 Hours of Mexico -- in 1981. Early in his career, he competed in Formula Ford 1600 in Mexico, Mexico Formula K and was Mexico's Formula Vee champion in the Marlboro Cup Series in 1984.
