Adrian Fernandez, Driver - Fernandez Racing - 2001

Tecate/Quaker State/
Telmex
Honda

Birthdate: April 20, 1965
Birthplace: Mexico City, Mexico
Resides: Paradise Valley, Arizona
Height/Weight: 5'8", 145 lbs.
Personal: Single
Interests: Business, music

The first owner-driver in CART Champ Car racing since Bobby Rahal, Adrian Fernandez will officially unveil his new team in front of thousands of his countrymen, at the Grand Prix of Monterrey, Mexico, the season-opening race in the 2001 FedEx Championship Series.

Fernandez began his racing career on two wheels, racing motorcycles in his native Mexico as a pre-teen. Shifting to four wheels and the Mexican Formula Vee Championship in 1982, the 17-year-old was fourth overall and series rookie of the year. He moved up rapidly through the ranks of Mexican open-wheel racing series, then spent two years racing Formula Fords in England.

Fernandez returned to Mexico in 1990, winning that country's Formula 3 Championship in 1991. He then joined the CART Indy Lights Championship for 1992, breaking the series rookie records for most wins (four), most oval wins (three) and laps led. He finished third in the championship and was named rookie of the year.

He made his Champ Car debut the following year, driving at the Grand Prix of Long Beach and four other events with Galles Racing. A move to Honda power and Tasman Motorsports in 1996 saw his first race victory, at Toronto.

In 1998 Fernandez joined the Patrick Racing organization, resulting in a breakout season: fourth in the final points standings with victories at the inaugural Champ Car race at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan and at Mid-Ohio. He again contended for the title in 1999, with wins at Japan and California, but missed four races after breaking his right wrist in a crash at Detroit. He still managed a sixth place finish in the points standings after scoring points in 12 of his 16 race starts.

Last year was the best yet for the Mexican, with another pair of victories and 17 point scoring finishes in the final 18 races. Fernandez took the title fight down to the final race of the season, finishing just 10 points behind eventual champion Gil de Ferran.

CART Racing Record