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Adrian Fernández

Adrián Fernández
Adrián Fernández Le Mans drivers parade 2011 crop.jpg
Fernández at the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans driver parade
Nationality Mexican
Born (1965-04-20) 20 April 1965 (age 51)
Mexico City
Previous series
1981
1981–1983
1984–1986
1987
1987–1989
1990–1991
1992
1993–2003
2004–2005
2006
2007–2010
2010
2011
Mexican Touring Car Racing
Mexican Formula Vee
Mexican Formula K
Benelux Formula Ford
British Formula Ford
Mexican Formula Three
Indy Lights
CART World Series
IndyCar Series
Rolex Sports Car Series
American Le Mans Series
Le Mans Series
Intercontinental Le Mans Cup
Championship titles
1991
1983
2009
Mexican Formula Three Championship
Mexican Formula Vee
American Le Mans Series (LMP2 class)
24 Hours of Le Mans career
Participating years 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012
Teams France Barazi-Epsilon
United Kingdom Aston Martin Racing
Best finish 2nd (2007)
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
10 races run over 4 years
Best finish 74th (2005)
First race 2005 Telcel Motorola 200 (Mexico City)
Last race 2008 Corona Mexico 200 (Mexico City)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 2 0

Adrián Fernández Mier (born April 20, 1965) is a Mexican retired racing driver and co-owner of the Fernandez Racing team.

Born in Mexico City, Fernández began his career by racing motocross at age eight. He entered his first auto race in 1981 at the "24 Hours of Mexico" and at the age of 15 he made the permanent move to cars in 1982. From 1982 to 1984 Fernández competed in the Formula Vee Championship taking the title in '83 and '84. He also raced in the Formula K Series in 1984, competing in that series through 1986. He finished in the top four in the standings all three years in Formula K.

In 1987, he ran one race in the Benelux Formula Ford 1600 Championship, one British RAC Formula Ford 1600 Championship race and competed in the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch. From 1988-89 he ran the British RAC and Esso Formula Ford 1600 Championship series before moving to the Mexican F3 Championship for 1990 and 1991, winning the title in '91.

In 1992, Fernández came to the United States to compete in the Firestone Indy Lights Championship (now the PPG-Dayton Indy Lights Championship). He finished third in the points winning four races, a rookie record, and took the "Indy Lights Rookie of the Year" honors and made more than two million dollars in prize earnings.

His talent apparent, Fernández made the jump to the CART IndyCar World Series in 1993, competing in five races for Galles Racing International. He ran his first full CART season in 1994 with Galles finishing 13th and capturing the "Marco Magaña" and "Luchador Olmeca" awards and the "JAC" trophy for "Best Driver" outside Mexico. Competing again with Galles in 1995, Fernández finished 12th in the standings placing in the top ten nine times.

Fernández moved to Tasman Motorsports in 1996. He had six top ten finishes, including his first career CART victory at Toronto. Unfortunately his delight at taking his first win was dampened by the fatal accident suffered by Jeff Krosnoff late in the race. The win in Toronto made him the first Mexican to win a CART event since Héctor Rebaque in 1982, and Fernández went on to finish 12th in the season points tally. However, 1997 was a disappointing season for Fernández. The Tasman team ran a Lola chassis which failed to perform to expectations. Through force of will, determination and talent, Fernández battled to three top ten finishes and 18th place in the PPG Cup standings.

Fernández joined Patrick Racing for the 1998 season and proved his ability to challenge for the championship. He enjoyed 14 top ten finishes with eight top five placements and two victories, Japan and Mid-Ohio, en route to a fourth place showing in the PPG Cup race during the 1998 FedEx Championship. He captured his first career pole at Michigan and led the championship race for the first time in his career. Unfortunately once again Fernández was touched by tragedy — a crash at Michigan resulted in an errant wheel from his car flying into the stands and killing three spectators. However, it was his victory during the Miller Lite 200 that gave Patrick Racing one of its most memorable moments when Fernández stood atop the podium next to his teammate Scott Pruett. Fernández was also named the "Athlete of the Year" in Mexico.


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