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Saturday, March 10
Fernández causes a frenzy in Mexico
By Robin Miller
Special to ESPN.com
MONTERREY, MEXICO -- Twenty-one years ago, Championship Auto Racing Teams went to Mexico City for a road race, hoping maybe it could evolve into a longtime partnership between America's fastest form of motorsports and the largest city in Mexico.
But, after two years of disappointing crowds and very little atmosphere, CART checked out of Mexico. Since then, the FedEx Championship has branched out to Canada, Australia, Japan, Brazil, England and Germany.
|  | | Adrian Fernández has made racing in Mexcio not only feasible, but profitable. |
Taking champ cars south of the border again didn't seem like an option, until longtime CART owners Pat Patrick and Gerry Forsythe noticed a growing phenomena: Adrian Fernández.
When Fernández joined Patrick Racing in 1998, he was a journeyman. Occasionally quick but seldom a threat to win and never a title contender, the then 33-year-old native of Mexico City more or less blended in with the scenery.
In 1998 he scored two wins and finished fourth in the point standings. In 1999, despite missing four races with a fractured arm, he still wound up No. 6 and bagged two more victories. Last season, it was two wins, six other top five finishes and second in the standings.
More importantly, Fernández' success had galvanized his countrymen. Not since the Rodriguez brothers, Ricardo and Pedro, stormed to Formula One prominence in the '60s had Mexico been excited about auto racing.
But the personable Fernández suddenly became front page news. At the past couple races in Houston, half of the crowd seemed to be cheering for him. At last year's finale in Fontana, Calif., when Adrian still had a shot at the championship, more than 20,000 Mexicans flew to the California Speedway.
And, if they didn't make the trip, they watched on television. That race garnered an 11 rating and 14 is the best number possible.
The trend was obvious. So, with Fernández help, Patrick and Forsythe put together a plan to stage a CART race in Monterrey, Mexico - the country's third largest city with five million -- around a park.
Sunday afternoon, CART racing returns to Mexico and, regardless of the outcome on the track, it's assured of being a huge victory for Fernández, his country, the promoters and CART.
All 58,191 seats have been sold. Ditto for the 11,040 seats in 92 suites. Another 30,000 general admission tickets are all but gone. Monterrey is race crazy. There are Tecate or Telmex (two major backers) signs and posters every 25 feet and it's the only thing people are talking about.
"It's the biggest thing in Mexico since the 1968 Olympics," said Fernández, whose association with Tecate and Telmex (major sponsors of his CART team) and friendship with the governor and mayor helped pave the way for a 2.1-mile road course around Fundidora Park.
"This is good for my country, good for my sport and I am very proud of everybody associated with this event. The great thing is that it's only going to get better."
The impact Fernández has had on this frenzy cannot be denied. Or believed.
He literally cannot go anywhere in Mexico without security. There were seven guards escorting him in and out of the pits all weekend as people chased him like a rock star.
"I had no idea," said Tamy Valkosky, the publicist for Fernández Racing. "I've seen women come up to him, touch him and start crying. He's like Ricky Martin."
Adds team manager Tom Anderson: "Adrian is the Michael Jordan of Mexico."
A native of Mexico City, Fernández worked his way up the racing ranks until landing a fulltime CART ride in 1994. He cultivated a relationship with Tecate and Quaker State and they grew together. Telmex came on board two years ago and now they're also riding that wave with Fernández.
"Everything comes with success but it took eight years to get to this level," he said. "It wasn't a gift and it's wasn't easy, I worked hard to get here. Mexican people are great because they support you through the good and bad.
"I understand they are very enthusiastic and I wish I could shake every one of their hands but, naturally, that isn't possible. I knew this weekend would be difficult and it's very flattering to have so much support.
"My country cares very much about two things - soccer and auto racing."
But they'll be most passionate about Fernández.  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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