NASCAR Mexico Series
 | |
| Category | Stock Cars |
|---|---|
| Country | Mexico United States |
| Inaugural season | 2004 |
| Manufacturers | Chevrolet Ford Toyota (formerly) Mazda (formerly) Dodge (formerly) |
| Tire suppliers | General Tire |
| Drivers' champion | Ruben Garcia Jr. |
| Makes' champion | Chevrolet |
| Teams' champion | Team GP - Canel's |
| Official website | www.nascar.mx/ |
 Current season | |
The NASCAR Mexico Series (formerly NASCAR Corona Series and other names) is a national NASCAR-sanctioned racing series in Mexico. It is the most prestigious stock car racing series in the country.
Origins (Desafío Corona)
[edit]The Desafío Corona was established in 2004 by NASCAR Mexico, a joint-venture between NASCAR and Mexican entertainment group OCESA, with the idea of developing stock car racing in Mexico, and fueling a transition from the country's historically open-wheel car racing fan base to stock car racing.[1]
From 2004 to 2006, the Desafío Corona grew considerably in infrastructure, as well as in number of fans, drivers and sponsors.
Present
[edit]
The NASCAR Mexico Corona Series was officially presented at the 2006 Desafío Corona award ceremony.[2] Toyota assumed naming rights in 2012, dubbing it the NASCAR Toyota Series.[3]
The series is one of NASCAR's four international series alongside the NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Brasil Series, and the NASCAR Euro Series.
The winner of the series championship received an invitation to the UNOH Battle at the Beach (formerly the Toyota All-Star Showdown). All other drivers could also attempt to qualify by entering the heat races.
2016 hiatus
[edit]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 the Formula One Mexican 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
[edit]In October 2016, it was announced that the series would return with new sponsorship from PEAK Antifreeze, with an exhibition race that December to be followed by a full 2017 season.[4]
Two new supporting series were also created for 2017: the NASCAR FedEx Challenge Series and NASCAR Mikel's Truck Series.
The series lost its sponsorship with PEAK Antifreeze in 2022, with the series name reverting back to the NASCAR Mexico Series.
The following year saw the implementation of a playoff system for the first time to decide the end-of-season champion.
Mexico Series tracks
[edit]The NASCAR Mexico Series has held events on 17 tracks in 15 locations (two in Santiago de Querétaro and two in San Luis Potosí) since it's inception in 2004 (22 seasons). The series has raced on a mix of ovals and road courses that are mainly located in Mexico, though some events have also taken place in the United States and Panama.
Several tracks have been raced on in both a road course and oval configuration, including Autódromo Monterrey, Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Autódromo Miguel E. Abed, and Autódromo de Quéretaro.
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, USA, has historically had the shortest lap distance of any track, being just 0.402 km (0.250 mi) long. Currently, the Super Óvalo Potosino is the shortest track with a distance of 0.804 km (0.500 mi). The longest track is set to be Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez's National road course layout, which will be used for the Mexico Series' joint weekend with the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series in June 2025,[5] with a distance of 3.89 km (2.42 mi). Previously, the longest track was Autódromo Monterrey's road course layout, with a distance of 3.2 km (2.0 mi).
San Luis Potosí is the location with the most races in series' history, with 42 races having been held as of April 2025 (40 at Super Óvalo Potosino and 2 at Autódromo San Luis 400).
NASCAR Mexico has powered the construction of oval tracks in México, with examples including a remodeling of Autódromo Potosino in 2005, Aguascalientes,[6] Chiapas,[7] and Querétaro.[8] In 2012, another speedway was completed in Juan Aldama, Chihuahua, which is currently known as El Dorado Speedway.[9] El Dorado Speedway has uniquely hosted one of the only night races on the calendar for several years.
In 2013, the series held it's first international event; a 75 lap, 75 mile (122 km) long race held at Phoenix Raceway in the southwestern United States. The race was held as part of the NASCAR Cup Series' Subway Fresh Fit 500 weekend, and was known as the Toyota 120. The race lasted until the 2015 season.
In 2024, the series held an exhibition race as part of the NASCAR Cup Series' Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum weekend, that was conducted at a temporary 0.402 km (0.250 mi) circuit around the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Mexico Series race was a support race for the Clash, and the race was won by Daniel Suárez.
In 2025, the series is set to stage it's first race in Central America, which will be held at the Autódromo Panamá located near Sajalices, roughly 50 km southwest of Panama City. The event will be known as the Nations Panama City 200.[10]
| Venue | Tracks | Years |
|---|---|---|
 Mexico City |
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez | 2004–2019, 2022–present |
 Querétaro |
EcoCentro Expositor Querétaro | 2004–2015, 2017–present |
 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 |
 Sajalices |
Autódromo Panamá | 2025 |
Former tracks
[edit]| City | Track | Years |
|---|---|---|
 Guadalajara |
Trióvalo Internacional de Cajititlán | 2004–2010, 2017–2022 |
 Torreón |
Autódromo Dinamita | 2004 |
| San Luis Potosí |
Autódromo San Luis 400 | 2004 |
 Zacatecas |
Autódromo de Zacatecas | 2004–2009 |
 León |
Autódromo de León | 2004, 2017 |
 Juan Aldama |
El Dorado Speedway | 2012–2015, 2018–2019, 2022–2024 |
 Phoenix |
Phoenix Raceway | 2013–2015 |
 Pachuca |
Autódromo Moisés Solana | 2017 |
 Los Angeles |
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 2024 |
Cars
[edit]
In the first season, only General Motors (through its Pontiac division) and Dodge participated in the series.[11] Ford made its debut in 2005 with its Mustang model,[12] but since 2006, the Fusion is the Ford model entry.[13] In 2009, Toyota started its participation with its Camry. The Mazda 6 was first entered in 2010.[14] 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 NASCAR's other international series and the ARCA Menards Series, the Mexico Series has General Tire as an exclusive tire supplier.[15]
Most wins
[edit] | This section needs to be updated. (April 2025) |
| 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
[edit]- Chassis: Steel tube frame with safety roll cage, must be NASCAR standards.
- Engine Displacement: 5.7 L (5,700 cc) (350 in³) V8.
- Transmission: 4 Speed Manual.
- Weight: 2,680 lb (1,216 kg) Minimum (without driver).
- Power Output: 400 hp.
- Torque: 394 ft⋅lbf (534 N⋅m).
- Fuel: 98 octane unleaded gasoline provided by Pemex.
- Fuel capacity: 15 US gal (57 L).
- Fuel delivery: Carburetion.
- Compression ratio: 9.3:1.
- Aspiration: Naturally aspirated.
- Wheelbase: 107 in (2,718 mm).
- Tires: Slick tires provided by General Tire.
- Length: 205.25 in (5,213 mm).
- Width: 74 in (1,880 mm).
- Height: 52 in (1,321 mm).
- Safety equipment: HANS device, Seat belt.
Champions
[edit]
As of 2025, eleven different drivers have won the NASCAR Mexico championship. Rubén García Jr. was the youngest champion (20 years old), and Rafael Martínez was the oldest champion (45 years old).[16] Rubén García Jr. has the most championships to his name with 5.
| Season | Driver | Team or 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. | Team GP - Canel's | 88 | Chevrolet | 12 | 4 | 10 | 478 (9) | |
| 2023 | Salvador de Alba | Sidral Aga Racing | 48 | Ford | 12 | 4 | 10 | 1 | Playoffs
Final Four |
| 2024 | Rubén García, Jr. | Team GP - Canel's | 88 | Chevrolet | 13 | 3 | 12 | 6 | Playoffs
Final Four |
Rookie of the Year
[edit]| Season | Driver | Car | Team or Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2015 | Manolin Gutierrez |
Ford | H&H HighSpeed |
| 2017 | Enrique Baca |
Chevrolet Toyota |
Jimmy Morales |
| 2018 | Fabián Welter |
Toyota | Jimmy Morales |
| 2019 | Jacobo Cosio |
Dodge | Samantha Valadez |
| 2020 | Luis Michael Dorrbecker |
Ford | Jimmy Morales |
| 2021 | Max Gutiérrez |
Chevrolet | Jimmy Morales |
| 2022 | Rewarded to a Challenge Series driver; no rookies in the main category | ||
| 2023 | Andrés Pérez de Lara
|
Chevrolet | Jimmy Morales |
| 2024 | Alex de Alba
|
Ford | Sidral Aga Racing team |
Series winners
[edit]List of winners
[edit]Info accurate as of the 2025 Chiapas race
| Driver is currently racing in the 2025 season | |
| Bold | NASCAR Mexico Champion |
| Rank | Driver | Wins | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rubén Rovelo
|
26 | 2008 Guadalajara 1 | 2021 San Luis Potosí 2 |
| Rogelio López
|
26 | 2004 Guadalajara 2 | 2022 Chiapas | |
| Rubén García Jr.
|
26 | 2013 Aguascalientes 1 | 2025 San Luis Potosí 1 | |
| 4 | Rafael Martínez
|
19 | 2005 Guadalajara 2 | 2013 Querétaro 2 |
| 5 | Germán Quiroga
|
17 | 2004 San Luis Potosí 1 | 2011 Aguascalientes 2 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Freddy Tame Jr.
|
2 | 2006 Puebla 3 | 2007 Querétaro 1 | |
| Hugo Oliveras
|
2 | 2009 Querétaro 1 | 2012 México City 2 | |
| Rodrigo Peralta
|
2 | 2013 Aguascalientes 2 | 2015 Querétaro 1 | |
| Santiago Tovar
|
2 | 2015 Aguascalientes 1 | 2019 Chiapas | |
| Alex de Alba
|
2 | 2024 Puebla 2 | 2025 Chiapas | |
| 25 | Andrés Pérez de Lara
|
1 | 2024 Aguascalientes 1 | 2024 Aguascalientes 1 |
| Max Gutierrez
|
1 | 2023 Chihuahua 2 | 2023 Chihuahua 2 | |
| Jake Cosio
|
1 | 2023 Querétaro 1 | 2023 Querétaro 1 | |
| César Tiberio Jiménez
|
1 | 2004 Monterrey | 2004 Monterrey | |
| Fernando Plata
|
1 | 2006 San Luis Potosí 1 | 2006 San Luis Potosí 1 | |
| Ricardo Pérez de Lara
|
1 | 2008 Zacatecas | 2008 Zacatecas | |
 Waldemar Coronas
|
1 | 2008 Querétaro 2 | 2008 Querétaro 2 | |
| Héctor Aguirre
|
1 | 2013 Mexico City 1 | 2013 Mexico City 1 | |
| Luis Felipe Montaño
|
1 | 2014 México City 1 | 2014 México City 1 | |
| Pepe González
|
1 | 2015 México City 2 | 2015 México City 2 | |
| Michel Jourdain Jr.
|
1 | 2017 León | 2017 León |
University of Northwestern Ohio Battle at the Beach
[edit]Mexico Series champions were invited to the University of Northwestern Ohio Battle at the Beach (formerly known as the Toyota All-Star Showdown). In 2011, Daniel Suárez, Germán Quiroga and Rubén Rovelo took part. They finished in 11th, 12th and 30th, respectively.[17]
| 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
[edit] | This section needs to be updated. (April 2025) |
To date, four women have started a NASCAR Mexico Series race, three started a Trucks Mexico Series race and one started a NASCAR Challenge race.
Some notable accomplishments by female drivers have included Mara Reyes scoring a pole position in her first race, and Regina Sirvent becoming the first woman to win a NASCAR 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- | ? | ? | 2** | ? |
| Valeria Aranda**
|
2019- | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Andrea Lozano**
|
2022- | 20 | 19 | 0 | 9 |
*Has only raced in the NASCAR Challenge Series (run in the same races at the same time with NASCAR Mexico Series)
**Has only raced in the NASCAR Trucks Mexico Series
Other NASCAR series
[edit]
While some NASCAR Mexico Series drivers have taken part in Xfinity Series and Truck Series races, only Jorge Goeters and Daniel Suárez have raced in both the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Mexico Series. Additionally, Scott Riggs, Cody Ware, and Kevin O'Connell have all only made one start in the Mexico Series but have also taken part in Cup Series races.
Rubén Pardo, Rogelio López and Rubén García Jr. have all achieved victories in the regional K&N Pro Series East; while Daniel Suárez has won in the K&N Pro Series East, and all three of NASCAR's domestic national series (the Xfinity Series, Truck Series and Cup Series).
In 2016, Suárez won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, before moving up to the NASCAR Cup Series the following year, driving the No. 19 for Joe Gibbs Racing. In 2019, he moved to the No. 41 driving for Stewart-Haas Racing before moving to the No. 96 driving for Gaunt Brothers Racing, then moved to the No. 99 for Trackhouse Racing Team. On June 12, 2022, Suárez won his first career NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway.
NASCAR Cup Series drivers
[edit]Five drivers have raced both the NASCAR Mexico and NASCAR 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
[edit]- ^ "OCESA y SELCA presentan su nuevo serial como "Desafío Corona 2004"". Sporcar.com. March 5, 2004.
- ^ "El Desafío Corona será en 2007 Nascar-México". La Jornada. December 8, 2006.
- ^ "La Temporada 2012 Será NASCAR Toyota Series". NASCAR México. February 16, 2012. Archived from the original on May 1, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ "NASCAR returns to Mexico for 2017 with new sponsor PEAK". Las Vegas Sun. Las Vegas, NV. 18 October 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-10-19. Retrieved 2016-10-19.
- ^ "Cup Series to make history with Mexico City event in 2025". NASCAR.com. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ^ "El óvalo de Aguascalientes: 1.4 km". ESTO. March 11, 2009. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
- ^ "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 from the original on March 8, 2012.
- ^ "Impresiona el Autódromo". ESTO. March 8, 2008. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
- ^ "El Dorado Speedway, nuevo óvalo NASCAR en México". NASCAR Europe. December 19, 2011. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012.
- ^ "NASCAR MÉXICO SERIES DEBUTA EN PANAMÁ CON UNA CARRERA HISTÓRICA" (in Spanish). NASCAR Mexico. 8 April 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ^ "Mopar – Seman Baker seguirá teniendo los únicos autos Dodge en el Desafío". Sportcar. June 23, 2004. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
- ^ "Ford entra al Desafío Corona con el Mustang 2005". Sportcar. January 25, 2005.
- ^ "El Ford Fusion corre en los Stock Cars". Sportcar. February 2, 2006.
- ^ "Mazda de México participará en la NASCAR Corona Series". Portal Automotriz. April 9, 2010. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
- ^ "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. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
- ^ "Conquista Rafael Martínez título en Nascar". Milenio. November 16, 2008.
- ^ "Suarez almost at the top ten; Rovelo in an accident at the Toyota All-Star". Escuderia Telmex. January 30, 2011.
External links
[edit]
| Chairmen and presidents | |||||||||
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| Major national racing series | |||||||||
| NASCAR Regional |
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| International series |
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