TheNASCAR Mexico Series(formerlyNASCAR Corona Seriesand other names) is aNASCARseries in Mexico. It is the most prestigious stock car racing series in the country.

NASCAR Mexico Series
CategoryStock Cars
CountryMexico
United States
Inaugural season2004
ManufacturersChevrolet
Ford
Toyota(formerly)
Mazda(formerly)
Dodge(formerly)
Tire suppliersGeneral Tire
Drivers' championSalvador de Alba
Makes' championFord
Teams' championSidral Aga Racing
Official websitewww.nascar.mx/
Current season

Origins (Desafío Corona)

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TheDesafío Coronawas established in 2004 byNASCAR Mexico,a joint-venture betweenNASCARand Mexican entertainment groupOCESA,with the idea of developing stock car racing in Mexico, and fueling a transition from the country's historicallyOpen-wheel carracing fan base to stock car racing.[1]

From 2004 to 2006, theDesafío Coronagrew considerably in infrastructure, as well as in number of fans, drivers and sponsors.

Present

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NASCAR Corona Series logo, 2007–2010
NASCAR Corona Series logo, 2011
NASCAR Toyota Series logo, 2012–2014
NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series logo, 2018–2022

TheNASCAR Mexico Corona Serieswas officially presented at the 2006 Desafío Corona award ceremony.[2]Toyotaassumed naming rights in 2012, dubbing it theNASCAR Toyota Series.[3]

The series is one of three NASCAR-sanctioned international series, the others are theNASCAR Pinty's Seriesand theNASCAR Whelen Euro Series.Following North American short-track racing trends to cut costs and unify rules among different tours, NASCAR is considering changes to the Canadian Tire and Corona Series where the two series adopt the Busch rules as to allow the competitors to use the same cars inNASCAR Busch Seriesraces.

The winner of the series championship received an invitation to theUNOH Battle at the Beach,formerly theToyota All-Star Showdown.All other drivers may also attempt to qualify by entering the heat races.

2016 hiatus

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After the end of the 2015 season, the series was suspended supposedly due to the fact that organizers of the series wanted to instead support theFormula OneMexican Grand Prix,which had just been revived for 2015. Several of the teams and drivers that participated in the series moved to the Super Copa Telcel "V8" series.

2017 return

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In October 2016 it was announced that the series would return with new sponsorship fromPEAK Antifreeze,with an exhibition race that December to be followed by a full 2017 season.[4]

Also in 2017 two supporter series were created: theNASCAR FedEx Challenge SeriesandNASCAR Mikel's Truck Series.

The series lost its sponsorship with PEAK Antifreeze in 2023, which was when a playoff system was implemented to the series.

Mexico Series tracks

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In its 14 seasons, the NASCAR Mexico Series has used 16 tracks in 14 venues (two inSantiago de Querétaroand two inSan Luis Potosí). Currently, six oval tracks are used, onlyAutódromo Monterreyis a road circuit. Three tracks have been used in two configurations.Autódromo Monterreylong and frijol,Autódromo Hermanos RodríguezinNASCAR Nationwideand oval,Autódromo Miguel E. Abedin a 2.840 km (1.765 mi) layout and oval.

Autódromo Potosinois the shortest track with a distance of 0.402 km (0.250 mi) andAutódromo Monterreythe longest track with a distance of 3.200 km (1.988 mi).

San Luis Potosíis the venue with more races (34, 32 inAutódromo Potosinoand 2 inParque Tangamanga II)

NASCAR Mexicohad powered the construction of oval tracks in México,Autódromo Potosinowas remodeled in 2001,Aguascalientes,[5]Chiapas,[6]Querétaro[7]had new tracks for NASCAR events. In 2012, a speedway inChihuahuawas scheduled for inauguration.[8]

For 2013,a race in the Southwestern United Stateswas held: a 75-lap, 75-mile (122 km) race atPhoenix International Racewayduring the NASCAR Cup SeriesSubway Fresh Fit 500weekend.

For 2024, the series held an event as part of theBusch Light Clash at the Coliseum,conducted at a temporary 0.402 km (0.250 mi) circuit around theLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum.The Mexico Series race was a support race for the Clash, and it was won byDaniel Suárez.

Venue Tracks Years
Mexico City Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez 2004–2019, 2022–present
Querétaro EcoCentro Expositor Querétaro 2004–2015, 2017–present
Guadalajara Trióvalo Internacional de Cajititlán 2004–2010, 2017-2022
Monterrey Autódromo Monterrey 2004–2014, 2017–2019, 2021–present
San Luis Potosí Super Óvalo Potosino 2005–2015, 2017–present
Puebla Autódromo Miguel E. Abed 2006–2015, 2017–present
Tuxtla Gutiérrez Autódromo Chiapas 2008–2011, 2013–2015, 2017–2019, 2021–present
Aguascalientes Óvalo Aguascalientes México 2009–2015, 2017–present
Juan Aldama, Chihuahua El Dorado Speedway 2012–2015, 2018–2019, 2022–present
Los Angeles Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 2024

Former tracks

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City Track Years
Torreón Autódromo Dinamita 2004
San Luis Potosí Autódromo San Luis 400 2004
Zacatecas Autódromo de Zacatecas 2004–2009
León, Guanajuato Autódromo de León 2004, 2017
Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix Raceway 2013–2015
Pachuca Autódromo Moisés Solana[es] 2017

Cars

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Corona Series cars

In the first season, onlyGeneral Motors(through itsPontiacdivision) andDodgeparticipated in the series.[9]Fordmade its debut in 2005 with itsMustangmodel,[10]but since 2006, theFusionis the Ford model entry.[11]In 2009,Toyotastarted its participation with itsCamry.TheMazda 6was first entered in 2010.[12]As with the other NASCAR divisions in the United States, Dodge subsequently pulled its factory support and no longer participates in the Mexican series.

Along with the other international series, theK&N Pro Series EastandWest,and theARCA Menards Series,the Mexico Series hasGeneral Tireas an exclusive tire supplier.[13]

Most wins

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Rank Manufacturer Wins Races % Wins
1 Toyota 83 148 56.1%
2 Ford 48 218 22.0%
3 General Motors 41 220 18.6%
4 Dodge 22 208 10.6%
5 Mazda 14 71 19.7%

Specifications

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The start of the NASCAR Mexico race at the2024 Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum.

Champions

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Germán Quiroga,three-time champion (2009–11)

Six drivers have won the championship. The Telcel team is the most successful with four drivers' championships.Rubén García, Jr.is the youngest champion (20 years old), and Rafael Martínez the eldest. (45 years old).[14]Rubén García Jr.has the most championships to his name with 5.

Season Driver Owner(s) No. Manufacturer Starts Wins Top 10s Poles Points(margin)
2004 Carlos Pardo Telcel Sun Motorola 6 Pontiac 14 4 12 2 2326 (69)
2005 Jorge Goeters Ramiro Fidalgo 18 Pontiac/Dodge 14 4 4 2320 (48)
2006 Rogelio López Carlos Slim 48 Pontiac/Dodge 14 5 7 2204 (75)
2007 Rafael Martínez Ramiro Fidalgo 18 Ford Fusion 14 7 12 3 2250 (4)
2008 Antonio Pérez Jimmy Morales 1 Dodge 14 5 12 2 2182 (29)
2009 Germán Quiroga Mónica Morales 2 Ford 14 3 12 4 2273 (276)
2010 Germán Quiroga Mónica Morales 2 Dodge 14 3 11 2 2173 (150)
2011 Germán Quiroga Mónica Morales 2 Dodge 14 3 12 2 2272 (286)
2012 Jorge Goeters Ramiro Fidalgo 31 Mazda 14 2 12 0 539 (34)
2013 Rodrigo Peralta Denisse Guaida 24 Ford 14 1 11 0 1198 (8)
2014 Abraham Calderón Monica Morales 2 Dodge/Toyota 15 0 11 1 1200 (9)
2015 Rubén García, Jr. Juan Pablo García 88 Toyota 15 3 12 3 1213 (18)
2017 Abraham Calderón Jimmy Morales 2 Toyota 12 5 9 1 468 (27)
2018 Rubén García, Jr. Juan Pablo García 88 Toyota 12 3 12 2 452 (23)
2019 Rubén García, Jr. Juan Pablo García 88 Toyota 12 4 11 2 496 (21)
2020 Rubén Rovelo Alessandros Racing 28 Ford 12 5 11 0 522 (14)
2021 Salvador de Alba Sidral Aga Racing team 48 Ford 12 4 10 2 483 (6)
2022 Rubén García, Jr. Juan Pablo García 88 Toyota 12 4 10 478 (9)
2023 Salvador de Alba Sidral Aga Racing team 48 Ford 12 4 10 1 Playoffs

Final Four

2024 Rubén García, Jr. Juan Pablo García 88 Toyota 13 3 12 6 Playoffs

Final Four

Rookie of the Year

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Season Driver Car Team
2004 Ignacio Alvarado Pontiac Alvarado Racing
2005 Patricio Jourdain Ford Motorcraft Racing
2006 Antonio Pérez Pontiac Escudería Telmex
2007 Mike Sánchez Chevrolet MAG Paper
2008 Irwin Vences Ford FCV Racing
2009 Alejandro Capín Chevrolet MT Sport Marketing
2010 Daniel Suárez Dodge SC Racing/Equipo Telcel
2011 Enrique Contreras III Dodge Fénix Racing Team
2012 Rubén García, Jr. Toyota SC Racing
2013 Santiago Tovar Toyota
Chevrolet
2014 Rodrigo Marban Toyota Patricia Marban (owner)
2015 Manolin Gutierrez Ford H&H HighSpeed
2017 Enrique Baca Chevrolet
Toyota
Jimmy Morales (owner)
2018 Fabián Welter Toyota Jimmy Morales (owner)
2019 Jacobo Cosio Dodge Samantha Valadez (owner)
2020 Luis Michael Dorrbecker Ford Jimmy Morales (owner)
2021 Max Gutiérrez Chevrolet Jimmy Morales (owner)
2023 Andrés Pérez de Lara Chevrolet Jimmy Morales (owner)
2024 Alex de Alba Ford Sidral Aga Racing team

*in 2022 there were no rookies in the main category, the best rookie was awarded from the challenge category

Series winners

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List of winners

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Updated after 2024 Aguascalientes 2 (September, 2024)

Key
Driver is currently racing in the 2024 season
Bold NASCAR Mexico Champion
Rank Driver Wins First Last
1 Rubén Rovelo 26 2008 Guadalajara 1 2021 San Luis Potosí 2
2 Rogelio López 26 2004 Guadalajara 2 2022 Chiapas
3 Rubén García Jr. 25 2013 Aguascalientes 1 2024 San Luis Potosí 2
4 Rafael Martínez 19 2005 Guadalajara 2 2013 Querétaro 2
5 Germán Quiroga 17 2004 San Luis Potosí 1 2011 Aguascalientes 2
6 Abraham Calderón 17 2013 Phoenix 2024 Chiapas
7 Homero Richards 15 2009 Guadalajara 2018 Monterrey
8 Salvador de Alba 14 2018 Guadalajara 2 2023 Puebla 1
9 Jorge Goeters 13 2004 México City 1 2012 Monterrey 2
10 Antonio Pérez 12 2007 Monterrey 2 2013 San Luis Potosí 2
11 Irwin Vences 12 2013 México City 2 2024 Querétaro 1
12 Daniel Suárez 11 2012 México City 1 2024 Los Angeles
13 Carlos Pardo 10 2004 Torreón 2009 Puebla 1
14 Xavi Razo 8 2017 México City 2024 Querétaro 2
15 Rubén Pardo 7 2004 Querétaro 2 2015 Phoenix
16 Patrick Goeters 5 2005 México City 1 2013 Puebla 2
17 José Luis Ramírez 5 2010 Chiapas 2 2022 Querétaro 2
18 Julio Rejón 3 2023 Aguascalientes 2 2024 México city
19 Carlos Contreras 2 2004 Guadalajara 1 2004 Querétaro 1
19 Freddy Tame Jr. 2 2006 Puebla 3 2007 Querétaro 1
19 Hugo Oliveras 2 2009 Querétaro 1 2012 México City 2
19 Rodrigo Peralta 2 2013 Aguascalientes 2 2015 Querétaro 1
19 Santiago Tovar 2 2015 Aguascalientes 1 2019 Chiapas
24 Andrés Pérez de Lara 1 2024 Aguascalientes 1 2024 Aguascalientes 1
24 Alejandro de Alba 1 2024 Puebla 2 2024 Puebla 2
24 Max Gutierrez 1 2023 Chihuahua 2 2023 Chihuahua 2
24 Jake Cosio 1 2023 Querétaro 1 2023 Querétaro 1
24 César Tiberio Jiménez 1 2004 Monterrey 2004 Monterrey
24 Fernando Plata 1 2006 San Luis Potosí 1 2006 San Luis Potosí 1
24 Ricardo Pérez de Lara 1 2008 Zacatecas 2008 Zacatecas
24 Waldemar Coronas 1 2008 Querétaro 2 2008 Querétaro 2
24 Héctor Aguirre 1 2013 Mexico City 1 2013 Mexico City 1
24 Luis Felipe Montaño 1 2014 México City 1 2014 México City 1
24 Pepe González 1 2015 México City 2 2015 México City 2
24 Michel Jourdain Jr. 1 2017 León 2017 León

University of Northwestern Ohio Battle at the Beach

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Mexico Series champions are invited to the NASCARToyota All-Star Showdown(now the University of Northwestern Ohio Battle at the Beach). In 2011 Daniel Suárez, Germán Quiroga and Rubén Rovelo took part. They finished in 11th, 12th and 30th, respectly.[15]

The 2012 Series champion, along with international counterparts in Canada and Europe, will be invited to participate with an automatically exempt entry in any of the three divisions (Late Model, K&N Pro, Whelen Modified) in the Battle at the Beach, which will be held a week and a half before the series race atPhoenix International Raceway.

Year Race Venue Driver Start Finish
2007 Toyota All-Star Showdown Irwindale Rubén Pardo 29 21
2008 Toyota All-Star Showdown Rogelio López 16 13
Antonio Pérez 40 31
2009 Toyota All-Star Showdown Antonio Pérez 8 18
2010 Last Chance Rubén Rovelo 1 9
2011 Toyota All-Star Showdown Daniel Suárez 12 11
German Quiroga 25 12
Rubén Rovelo 19 30
2013 UNOH Battle At The Beach Daytona Jorge Goeters 26 13

Female drivers

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To date, three women have started a NASCAR Mexico Series race, three started a Trucks Mexico Series race and one started a NASCAR Challenge race.Mara Reyesscored apole positionin her first race.

Regina sirvent was the first woman to win a Trucks Mexico Series race.

Driver Season Entries Starts Wins Top 10
Mara Reyes 2004–2005 28 28 0 20
Leslie González 2005 1 1 0 0
Estefania Reyes 2007, 2010–2011 21 17 0 0
Regina Sirvent* 2022- 30?* ? 2** ?
Valeria aranda** 2019- 40? ? ? ?
Andrea Lozano** 2022- 20 19 0 9

*In Challenge Series (run in the same races at the same time with NASCAR Mexico Series)

**In Trucks Mexico Series

Other NASCAR series

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Scott Riggs

Some drivers of NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series have taken part inXfinity SeriesandGander RV & Outdoors Truck Series(now Craftsman Truck Series), action, but only Jorge Goeters and Daniel Suárez have both raced in theNASCAR Cup Seriesand NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series.Scott Riggs,Cody Ware,andKevin O'Connellall only made one start in the PEAK Mexico Series but had also run in the Cup Series.Rubén Pardo,Rogelio LópezandRubén García Jr.have won in theK&N Pro Series East;whileDaniel Suárezhas won in theK&N Pro Series East,theNASCAR Xfinity Series,NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck SeriesandNASCAR Cup Series.In 2016, Suárez won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, driving forJoe Gibbs Racing.In 2017 and 2018, he moved to theNASCAR Cup Seriesdriving No. 19 for Joe Gibbs Racing. In 2019, he moved to the No. 41 driving forStewart-Haas Racingbefore moving to the No. 96 driving forGaunt Brothers Racing,then moved to the No. 99 forTrackhouse Racing Team.On June 12, 2022, Suárez won his first careerNASCAR Cup Seriesrace atSonoma Raceway.

NASCAR Cup Series drivers

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Five drivers have raced both the NASCAR PEAK Mexico andNASCAR Cup Series.

Driver Seasons Cup Starts Mexico Series Starts Wins Top 5 Top 10
Jorge Goeters 2004–Present 1 150 13 60 98
Daniel Suárez 2009–2014 195 76 10 26 39
Scott Riggs 2010 208 1 0 0 0
Cody Ware 2014 71 1 0 0 0
Kevin O'Connell 2015 1 1 0 0 0

References

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  1. ^"OCESA y SELCA presentan su nuevo serial como" Desafío Corona 2004 "".Sporcar.com. March 5, 2004.
  2. ^"El Desafío Corona será en 2007 Nascar-México".La Jornada. December 8, 2006.
  3. ^"La Temporada 2012 Será NASCAR Toyota Series".NASCAR México. February 16, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon May 1, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 18,2012.
  4. ^"NASCAR returns to Mexico for 2017 with new sponsor PEAK".Las Vegas Sun.Las Vegas, NV. 18 October 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-10-19.Retrieved2016-10-19.
  5. ^"El óvalo de Aguascalientes: 1.4 km".ESTO. March 11, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2016.RetrievedDecember 23,2011.
  6. ^"Inauguran con gran éxito Autódromo Chiapas; más de 20 mil aficionados en la 13a. fecha de la NASCAR".Instituto de Comunicación Social de Chiapas. October 13, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon March 8, 2012.
  7. ^"Impresiona el Autódromo".ESTO. March 8, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2016.RetrievedDecember 23,2011.
  8. ^"El Dorado Speedway, nuevo óvalo NASCAR en México".NASCAR Europe. December 19, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon September 5, 2012.
  9. ^"Mopar – Seman Baker seguirá teniendo los únicos autos Dodge en el Desafío".Sportcar. June 23, 2004. Archived fromthe originalon February 2, 2017.RetrievedApril 11,2020.
  10. ^"Ford entra al Desafío Corona con el Mustang 2005".Sportcar. January 25, 2005.
  11. ^"El Ford Fusion corre en los Stock Cars".Sportcar. February 2, 2006.
  12. ^"Mazda de México participará en la NASCAR Corona Series".Portal Automotriz. April 9, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon March 5, 2016.RetrievedMay 9,2011.
  13. ^"General Tire to Serve as Exclusive Tire Supplier For NASCAR's K&N Pro Series, Pinty's Series and PEAK Mexico Series".NASCAR Home Tracks.February 5, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 5,2019.
  14. ^"Conquista Rafael Martínez título en Nascar".Milenio. November 16, 2008.
  15. ^"Suarez almost at the top ten; Rovelo in an accident at the Toyota All-Star".Escuderia Telmex. January 30, 2011.
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