Adrián Fernández to Compete in CART in 2003
©2002 SpeedCenter Publishing

Plans for a second car are ongoing
Adrian and Tom
Photo: Courtesy of Fernandez Racing

FONTANA, Calif.–-Fernandez Racing Team Owners Adrian Fernandez and Tom Anderson today confirmed that Adrian Fernandez will continue in the CART series next year. The 2003 season will mark the 11th year of Champ Car competition for Fernandez, who has seven career wins and three pole positions to his credit.

“A lot of people assumed that I would be back in CART next year, and I am pleased to confirm today that I will be in CART through at least 2004,” said Fernandez. “I am also pleased to be able to confirm that Tecate, Quaker State and Telmex will continue as our primary sponsors.”

For Fernandez, currently the only owner/driver in the CART series, the decision was based on both business and competition issues.

“I see a lot of positives in the future of this series and have the utmost confidence in [CART President and CEO] Chris Pook,” said Fernandez. “While we will be saying good-bye to some friends at the end of the season, new drivers are going to be coming into the series and I think the level of competition next year is going to be every bit as strong as it is now.

“I am not going to sit here and say that everything is perfect at the moment, but the series is on the mend and on the upswing. I think CART has a combination that will be successful for many years, and I am happy to confirm today that I will be a part of it.”

Fernandez, who is a spectator at California Speedway this weekend due to injuries sustained at the Honda Indy 300 in Australia last week, also emphasized the diversity of the CART series.

“As a driver, I enjoy the challenges of running on the street circuits, the road courses and the ovals,” he added. “As far as the fans go-–and I hope the fans in Australia have dried out by now after the much-needed downpour last weekend–-some of our best attendance figures have come on the street and road circuits and I think we will top all our previous records in Mexico City in a few weeks [at the Telmex Gigante Grand Prix on November 17]. We have a great product that people want to come and see.”

The 2003 season will mark the third year of CART competition for Fernandez Racing, which was formed by Fernandez and Anderson in the fall of 2000.

“I am happy to reemphasize my comments made earlier in the season, that Fernandez Racing will be in CART with Adrian driving next season,” said Anderson, who also serves as Managing Director.

“On behalf of the entire team, I want to thank Honda and everyone at HPD (Honda Performance Development) for their commitment to Fernandez Racing in 2001 and 2002, and wish them well in their new endeavors.

“Adrian and I have both worked with Cosworth in the past, and welcome them as we compete for the CART title in 2003. We will continue working with our current partners Lola and Bridgestone, both of whom we greatly respect.”

Anderson also noted that although the team is currently working on additional programs for next season, nothing has been finalized: “Our second car plans are incomplete at this time, and therefore we cannot comment.”

Since entering the CART FedEx Championship Series in 2001, Fernandez Racing, headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., has claimed two pole positions and three podiums. The team has posted seven top-five finishes and 19 top-10 finishes in 36 races contested to date.


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