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NASCAR Mexico Series

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from NASCAR Corona Series)
Not to be confused with Toyota Racing Series.
"Mexico Series" redirects here. For the professional baseball series, see MLB Mexico Series.
NASCAR Mexico Series
CategoryStock Cars
CountryMexico
United States
Inaugural season2004
ManufacturersChevrolet
Ford
Toyota (formerly)
Mazda (formerly)
Dodge (formerly)
Tire suppliersGeneral Tire
Drivers' championSalvador de Alba
Makes' championFord
Teams' championSidral Aga Racing
Official websitewww.nascar.mx/
Current season

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.

Origins (Desafío Corona)

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Main article: Desafío Corona

The 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

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NASCAR Corona Series logo, 2007–2010
NASCAR Corona Series logo, 2011
NASCAR Toyota Series logo, 2012–2014
NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series logo, 2018–2022

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

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After 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

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In 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

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In 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.

class=notpageimage|
Nascar Mexico venues in green. In red are former venues.
Venue Tracks Years
Mexico Mexico City Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez 2004–2019, 2022–present
Mexico Querétaro EcoCentro Expositor Querétaro 2004–2015, 2017–present
Mexico Guadalajara Trióvalo Internacional de Cajititlán 2004–2010, 2017-2022
Mexico Monterrey Autódromo Monterrey 2004–2014, 2017–2019, 2021–present
Mexico San Luis Potosí Super Óvalo Potosino 2005–2015, 2017–present
Mexico Puebla Autódromo Miguel E. Abed 2006–2015, 2017–present
Mexico Tuxtla Gutiérrez Autódromo Chiapas 2008–2011, 2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021–present
Mexico Aguascalientes Óvalo Aguascalientes México 2009–2015, 2017–present
Mexico Juan Aldama, Chihuahua El Dorado Speedway 2012–2015, 2018–2019, 2022–present
United States Los Angeles Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 2024

Former tracks

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City Track Years
Mexico Torreón Autódromo Dinamita 2004
Mexico San Luis Potosí Autódromo San Luis 400 2004
Mexico Zacatecas Autódromo de Zacatecas 2004–2009
Mexico León, Guanajuato Autódromo de León 2004, 2017
United States Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix Raceway 2013–2015
Mexico Pachuca Autódromo Moisés Solana [es] 2017

Cars

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Corona Series cars

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

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Rank Manufacturer Wins Races % Wins
1 Japan Toyota 83 148 56.1%
2 United States Ford 48 218 22.0%
3 United States General Motors 41 220 18.6%
4 United States Dodge 22 208 10.6%
5 Japan Mazda 14 71 19.7%

Specifications

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The start of the NASCAR Mexico race at the 2024 Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum.
  • 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

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Germán Quiroga, three-time champion (2009–11)

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 Playoffs

Final Four

2024 Rubén García, Jr. Juan Pablo García 88 Toyota 13 3 12 6 Playoffs

Final Four

Rookie of the Year

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Season Driver Car Team
2004 Mexico Ignacio Alvarado Pontiac Alvarado Racing
2005 Mexico Patricio Jourdain Ford Motorcraft Racing
2006 Mexico Antonio Pérez Pontiac Escudería Telmex
2007 Mexico Mike Sánchez Chevrolet MAG Paper
2008 Mexico Irwin Vences Ford FCV Racing
2009 Mexico Alejandro Capín Chevrolet MT Sport Marketing
2010 Mexico Daniel Suárez Dodge SC Racing/Equipo Telcel
2011 Mexico Enrique Contreras III Dodge Fénix Racing Team
2012 Mexico Rubén García, Jr. Toyota SC Racing
2013 Mexico Santiago Tovar Toyota
Chevrolet
2014 Mexico Rodrigo Marban Toyota Patricia Marban (owner)
2015 Mexico Manolin Gutierrez Ford H&H HighSpeed
2017 Mexico Enrique Baca Chevrolet
Toyota		 Jimmy Morales (owner)
2018 Mexico Fabián Welter Toyota Jimmy Morales (owner)
2019 Mexico Jacobo Cosio Dodge Samantha Valadez (owner)
2020 Mexico Luis Michael Dorrbecker Ford Jimmy Morales (owner)
2021 Mexico Max Gutiérrez Chevrolet Jimmy Morales (owner)
2023 Mexico Andrés Pérez de Lara Chevrolet Jimmy Morales (owner)
2024 Mexico 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

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List of winners

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Updated after 2024 Aguascalientes 2 (September, 2024)

Key
Driver is currently racing in the 2024 season
Bold NASCAR Mexico Champion
Rank Driver Wins First Last
1 Mexico City Rubén Rovelo 26 2008 Guadalajara 1 2021 San Luis Potosí 2
2 Aguascalientes Rogelio López 26 2004 Guadalajara 2 2022 Chiapas
3 Mexico City Rubén García Jr. 25 2013 Aguascalientes 1 2024 San Luis Potosí 2
4 Nuevo León Rafael Martínez 19 2005 Guadalajara 2 2013 Querétaro 2
5 Mexico City Germán Quiroga 17 2004 San Luis Potosí 1 2011 Aguascalientes 2
6 Nuevo León Abraham Calderón 17 2013 Phoenix 2024 Chiapas
7 Mexico City Homero Richards 15 2009 Guadalajara 2018 Monterrey
8 Jalisco Salvador de Alba 14 2018 Guadalajara 2 2023 Puebla 1
9 Mexico City Jorge Goeters 13 2004 México City 1 2012 Monterrey 2
10 Jalisco Antonio Pérez 12 2007 Monterrey 2 2013 San Luis Potosí 2
11 Mexico City Irwin Vences 12 2013 México City 2 2024 Querétaro 1
12 Nuevo León Daniel Suárez 11 2012 México City 1 2024 Los Angeles
13 Mexico City Carlos Pardo 10 2004 Torreón 2009 Puebla 1
14 Mexico City Xavi Razo 8 2017 México City 2024 Querétaro 2
15 Mexico City Rubén Pardo 7 2004 Querétaro 2 2015 Phoenix
16 Mexico City Patrick Goeters 5 2005 México City 1 2013 Puebla 2
17 Mexico City José Luis Ramírez 5 2010 Chiapas 2 2022 Querétaro 2
18 Mexico City Julio Rejón 3 2023 Aguascalientes 2 2024 México city
19 Mexico City Carlos Contreras 2 2004 Guadalajara 1 2004 Querétaro 1
19 Mexico City Freddy Tame Jr. 2 2006 Puebla 3 2007 Querétaro 1
19 Mexico City Hugo Oliveras 2 2009 Querétaro 1 2012 México City 2
19 Mexico City Rodrigo Peralta 2 2013 Aguascalientes 2 2015 Querétaro 1
19 Mexico City Santiago Tovar 2 2015 Aguascalientes 1 2019 Chiapas
24 Mexico City Andrés Pérez de Lara 1 2024 Aguascalientes 1 2024 Aguascalientes 1
24 Mexico City Alejandro de Alba 1 2024 Puebla 2 2024 Puebla 2
24 Mexico City Max Gutierrez 1 2023 Chihuahua 2 2023 Chihuahua 2
24 Mexico City Jake Cosio 1 2023 Querétaro 1 2023 Querétaro 1
24 Nuevo León César Tiberio Jiménez 1 2004 Monterrey 2004 Monterrey
24 Jalisco Fernando Plata 1 2006 San Luis Potosí 1 2006 San Luis Potosí 1
24 Mexico City Ricardo Pérez de Lara 1 2008 Zacatecas 2008 Zacatecas
24 Argentina Waldemar Coronas 1 2008 Querétaro 2 2008 Querétaro 2
24 Nuevo León Héctor Aguirre 1 2013 Mexico City 1 2013 Mexico City 1
24 Mexico City Luis Felipe Montaño 1 2014 México City 1 2014 México City 1
24 Jalisco Pepe González 1 2015 México City 2 2015 México City 2
24 Mexico City Michel Jourdain Jr. 1 2017 León 2017 León

University of Northwestern Ohio Battle at the Beach

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Mexico 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 Mexico City Rubén Pardo 29 21
2008 Toyota All-Star Showdown Aguascalientes Rogelio López 16 13
Jalisco Antonio Pérez 40 31
2009 Toyota All-Star Showdown Jalisco Antonio Pérez 8 18
2010 Last Chance Mexico City Rubén Rovelo 1 9
2011 Toyota All-Star Showdown Nuevo León Daniel Suárez 12 11
Mexico City German Quiroga 25 12
Mexico City Rubén Rovelo 19 30
2013 UNOH Battle At The Beach Daytona Mexico City Jorge Goeters 26 13

Female drivers

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To 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
Mexico Mara Reyes 2004–2005 28 28 0 20
Mexico Leslie González 2005 1 1 0 0
Mexico Estefania Reyes 2007, 2010–2011 21 17 0 0
Mexico Regina Sirvent* 2022- 30?* ? 2** ?
Mexico Valeria aranda** 2019- 40? ? ? ?
Mexico 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

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Scott Riggs

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

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Five drivers have raced both the NASCAR PEAK Mexico and NASCAR Cup Series.

Driver Seasons Cup Starts Mexico Series Starts Wins Top 5 Top 10
Mexico Jorge Goeters 2004–Present 1 150 13 60 98
Mexico Daniel Suárez 2009–2014 195 76 10 26 39
United States Scott Riggs 2010 208 1 0 0 0
United States Cody Ware 2014 71 1 0 0 0
United States Kevin O'Connell 2015 1 1 0 0 0

References

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  1. ^ "OCESA y SELCA presentan su nuevo serial como "Desafío Corona 2004"". Sporcar.com. March 5, 2004.
  2. ^ "El Desafío Corona será en 2007 Nascar-México". La Jornada. December 8, 2006.
  3. ^ "La Temporada 2012 Será NASCAR Toyota Series". NASCAR México. February 16, 2012. Archived from the original on May 1, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "El óvalo de Aguascalientes: 1.4 km". ESTO. March 11, 2009. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "Impresiona el Autódromo". ESTO. March 8, 2008. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  8. ^ "El Dorado Speedway, nuevo óvalo NASCAR en México". NASCAR Europe. December 19, 2011. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "Ford entra al Desafío Corona con el Mustang 2005". Sportcar. January 25, 2005.
  11. ^ "El Ford Fusion corre en los Stock Cars". Sportcar. February 2, 2006.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "Conquista Rafael Martínez título en Nascar". Milenio. November 16, 2008.
  15. ^ "Suarez almost at the top ten; Rovelo in an accident at the Toyota All-Star". Escuderia Telmex. January 30, 2011.
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