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Tuesday, June 12
Fernández looking for more
By Adrián Fernández
Special to ESPN.com
I leave for Detroit on Wednesday and I am really excited about this weekend's race after getting our first points of the season in Milwaukee by finishing fifth. We finally got the monkey off our back, and the electrical problems we had in Nazareth and Motegi -- which I feel cost us points-paying finishes at both events -- are behind us.
|  | | Fernández has had some tough luck at Detroit in the past. |
It's not going to be an easy weekend for us in Detroit, though. I have a penalty for causing a red flag during qualifying in Long Beach that carries over to qualifying this weekend. I will have to sit out the last eight minutes which, in a 30-minute session, can make a big difference! I'm also in the first qualifying group because we are 14th in the point standings. Generally, the second qualifying group is quicker.
And qualifying at Detroit is so important because passing is difficult. We need to try to qualify as far up as we can. If we have a good car, which we usually do at Detroit, then hopefully we can do some good things.
I really like the circuit at Belle Isle, but the last two years there have been tough. I had my visor strip go into the turbo last year during my pit stop, and broke my wrist the year before. Hopefully, this year will be better. I like the street courses, and I used to live in Detroit. I still have a lot of friends there, so it is always nice to go back.
The team has been getting stronger and stronger each weekend, and I think you could see that in Milwaukee. We need to keep building. The next three races are back to back, and we need to focus on good finishes and more points. The halfway stage of the season is not that far off.
Away from the races, I have been traveling quite a bit lately. I went to the Formula One race in Monaco before Milwaukee. It was a nice change because I didn't have to worry about waking up early for practice! The atmosphere at the race is fantastic, and it's what comes with the race that makes Monaco so special.
I spent a lot of time talking to people I hadn't seen in awhile -- drivers, my good friend Jo Ramirez from McLaren, Bernie Ecclestone ... It was great. I hadn't been to a grand prix in a long time.
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I really like the circuit at Belle Isle, but the last two years there have been tough. I had my visor strip go into the turbo last year during my pit stop, and broke my wrist the year before. Hopefully, this year will be better. ” |
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— Fernández |
Then I went back to Mexico after Milwaukee to Toluca for an appearance for my sponsor, Tecate. It was nice to be back in Mexico. There were a lot of fans, a lot of media and a lot of interest, so that was especially nice.
We did an autograph session at a mall and there were so many people there that we couldn't get to everyone. It is sad when you can't get to everybody because you can see in their faces that they are trying to get to you and there is only so much you can do. I think everyone had a good time, though -- especially me. The support was incredible and it was nice to spend time there.
This past weekend, I traveled to the wedding of my good friend P.J. Jones. He's been one of my best friends for some time, and it was nice to be able to see him get married. I wish him and his new bride the best. I also enjoyed seeing Parnelli (Jones, his father). He has always been one of my idols.
Traveling for the rest of June and July will mainly be to the races as there as not much time to squeeze in anything else. My next column will be just before the Cleveland race, after this weekend in Detroit and then Portland. Hopefully, I will be talking about the number of points we gained!
Until then, all the best.
Adrián
2000 CART runner-up Adrián Fernández, who drives the No. 51 Tecate/Quaker State/Telmex Honda/Reynard car, provides a diary for ESPN.com throughout the 2001 season. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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