By David Caraviello | NASCAR.com – 11 hours ago
AVONDALE, Ariz. -- On one side of the stage was a U.S.
color guard comprised of an ROTC unit, on the other was a contingent
from the local Mexican consulate flanking that nation's flag. The
invocation was offered in Spanish and English, and the Mexican and
United States national anthems were performed by Latin singing stars.
Eventually, the sky over Phoenix International Raceway was filled with
the sound of one common language -- the rumble of race car engines.
And with that, the first NASCAR Toyota Mexico Series race on U.S.
soil was underway -- although it was quickly halted under caution when
pole winner Jorge Goeters was spun in the first turn. But nothing could
diminish the sense that something new and different was unfolding on the
1-mile track, a feeling that began during opening ceremonies and lasted
through Abraham Calderon's celebration in Victory Lane.
For NASCAR, it was an opportunity to spotlight an international
effort that also includes a fledgling circuit in Europe and a more
established tour in Canada. For the Toyota Mexico Series, it was a
chance to perform at a major American motorsports facility. And for many
of the drivers, it was an opportunity to fulfill one dream -- and
perhaps take a step toward realizing much larger ones.
"This track, I've only seen it on TV, and now I'm here," said
Calderon, a 24-year-old from Monterrey, Mexico, who scored his first
career victory Friday night. "I think in the future, we can do it. This
is a dream being here, and I plan in the future on racing on the big
ones, Daytona and Talladega and all of the tracks that are amazing and
awesome for us. Hopefully, I'll be there sometime."
NASCAR's Mexico Series has been in existence since 2004, and is
operated in partnership with the Mexican entertainment conglomerate
OCESA. Since its founding the league has gradually expanded to more and
better tracks, and this year's schedule is comprised of a 15-race slate
that opened Friday in Phoenix and ends Nov. 10 at Autodromo Hermanos
Rodriguez, where the Nationwide Series competed for several years.
But the Phoenix race is clearly a crown jewel, both because of its
location in a major U.S. market and its connection to the Sprint Cup
Series competing at the same facility on the same weekend. Asked what he
hoped to get out of this experience, Goeters -- a Mexico City native
who also won the pole for the first Nationwide race in Mexico City --
was succinct: "Hendrick Motorsports," he said.
"Maybe like a spotter or something. I'd love to be that," he added,
tongue only halfway in cheek. "Honestly, we are very excited. We know
our level is growing. We want to race for our country, we want more
races here in the States. We enjoy the facilities and everything they
give us every race. So we never know. So I'm ready for my life to
change."
Although that may seem a lofty goal, three-time Mexico Series
champion German Quiroga is now in the Camping World Truck Series, and
Goeters and Juan Carlos Blum are among those who have competed in a
handful of Nationwide events. Others hope to use the Mexico Series as a
springboard to something like an American late model tour or the K&N
Pro Series, on which Monterrey native Daniel Suarez has made 19 career
starts.
"I think NASCAR Mexico does a good job to develop drivers, to support
drivers who want to come to America to do like a K&N or a super
late model, or some of the national series," said Suarez, whose vehicle
hit the wall and suffered damage early in Friday's race. "I think it's
our goal in a few years to be one of those, or to be in the national
series."
Clearly, it meant a great deal for the Mexico Series drivers to
compete in the U.S. "I can't explain to you how emotional all the teams
and drivers are," Suarez said. That much was evident throughout Friday,
whether it was crewmen posing for photos in front of cars in the Sprint
Cup garage, team members buying souvenirs, or the enthusiasm that
surrounded the event's opening ceremonies. Before he gave the command to
start engines, San Francisco Giants pitcher Sergio Romo bounced up and
down as if he were on the mound.
"It just opens up an opportunity for them to come here and showcase
their abilities," said Arizona Diamondbacks great Luis Gonzalez, who was
an honorary race official. "NASCAR continues to grow, and just with
every other major sport, everybody's looking to go global now and
expand. You've seen this grow so much in the last 10 to 15 years."
Most Mexico Series teams are based around Mexico City, and the voyage
to Phoenix entailed a convoy that crossed the border at Nogales, Ariz.,
where the team transporters were switched onto tractors that met U.S.
trucking regulations. To cut costs, some teams shared haulers. The race
was also designed to maximize cost effectiveness, with the event split
into 50- and 25-lap segments separated by a 10-minute break that allowed
teams to bring only skeleton crews.
To those involved, though, the travel was more than worth it. "This
is a dream come true. We are doing history," said Enrique Contreras,
director of the Toyota Mexico Series. "First time crossing the border.
It was a little difficult this first time, but we now know the way to do
it, and I hope we can do it a little more frequently. It's a really big
opportunity for our series."
Raceway president Bryan Sperber sounded hopeful that the event would
return. "I'm hoping this is the beginning of a very long relationship,"
he said. "? They absolutely would have a home here at PIR for as long
as they want to race with us."
Sitting at the same table, Contreras was quick to accept the offer.
"We are ready," he said. "Whenever you guys invite us, we will be here."
Calderon, who dominated the event by leading 62 of 75 laps, might not
want to leave. After taking the checkered flag, he unleashed a massive
burnout that enveloped the frontstretch grandstand in smoke -- and blew
the engine in his No. 05 car in the process. A giddy Calderon laid on
the roof of his vehicle, then stood and saluted the crowd, and then
needed a tow truck to push his vehicle into Victory Lane.
"It's amazing," said an elated Calderon, whose car was backed by the
World Baseball Classic. "I can't believe it. It's unbelievable. I can't
even describe it with words."
World Cup Qualifying Preview: Honduras - Mexico
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