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Wednesday, March 7
Fernández ready to roll as car owner
By Adrián Fernández
Special to ESPN.com
This is my second column for ESPN.com, and I look forward to writing you with news from on and off the track throughout the year. There is a lot of anticipation for the first race of the season -- the Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix -- and it's hard to believe we will be taking to the track in Mexico in just a few days.
|  | | Adrián Fernández endures another one of the rigors of life as a race car driver -- posing for publicity photos with the Tecate Girls. |
As a team, we have had four months to prepare for our debut. When you think about it, it's not a lot of time, but we have accomplished quite a lot -- moving into our new race shop in Indianapolis; organizing equipment; hiring personnel; and a full preseason testing program. I am pleased and proud of what we have been able to do.
We have assembled an excellent group of people, and my partner, Tom Anderson, has been the key to putting the team in place. Obviously, there is some pressure with the first race being in my home country, but there is a lot of talent on the team and we have a strong base. Plus, we have a lot of people supporting us, and a lot of fans cheering us on. If we stick to the basics, I think we will do very well this weekend.
For me, I will approach this like any other race and do the best that I can. People ask if I am approaching things differently now that I am an owner/driver. Not really. My dance card is full off the track with sponsor appearances, dinners and media events, but when I am behind the wheel it will be business as usual. To race in Mexico is a dream come true for me, and I will do my best to bring home good results for everyone.
This weekend will be very special for me, but I think it will be a unique experience for the CART community as well. The support for the race has been tremendous, and I am very excited to share this with everyone.
The only thing bothering me is my wrist. The doctor said it is a form of tendonitis called intersection syndrome, and there is some pain and swelling above my left wrist. I have been going to therapy since it started, which was towards the end of February after a test at Firebird International Raceway.
I have no idea how or why it happened. I don't think it will be a problem during the weekend, but it's in the back of my mind right now. I have worked very hard during the off-season to prepare physically, and this is nagging at me.
So, we will be on our way shortly. Shinji Nakano is ready to go -- he has done very well in testing and, as I said before, I think he is going to surprise a lot of people this year. This is his second visit to Mexico and I know he is looking forward to going there and getting the season underway.
Speaking of surprises, we have a few surprises planned for the team including a Mariachi band to greet them at the airport. (I hope they don't read this before they leave.) It will be a busy, but fun, weekend, and I look forward to telling you about in my next column.
P.S. The photo was taken at our recent test at Phoenix. These are the new Tecate Girls. Being a racing driver is tough, no?
2000 CART runner-up Adrián Fernández, who drives the No. 51 Tecate/Quaker State/Telmex Honda/Reynard car, will provide a weekly diary to ESPN.com throughout the 2001 season. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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