Following an illustrious 12-year career at the top levels of open-wheel competition, Adrian Fernandez launched a new chapter in his 26-year professional racing dossier two years ago when he partnered with Lowe's - the world's second-largest home improvement retailer - to enter sports car competition under the Lowe's Fernandez Racing banner.
The relationship between Fernandez and Lowe's dates back to 2005 when Fernandez was offered the opportunity to drive the No. 5 Lowe's car in the Mexico City NASCAR Busch race for Hendrick Motorsports and Team Lowe's Racing. Fernandez finished 10th in his debut, and what had originated as a one-race deal resulted in Fernandez contesting an additional five Busch races that season.
In the fall of 2005, the association between Fernandez and Lowe's continued to grow. Fernandez, who established his own race team - Fernandez Racing - in 2000, partnered with Lowe's to form Lowe's Fernandez Racing. The team entered sports car competition in 2006 with Fernandez participating as both a team owner and driver in the Grand-Am Series.
Today, Fernandez and Lowe's Fernandez Racing prepare for their second year of competition in the American Le Mans Series with Fernandez, alongside long-time friend and teammate Luis "Chapulin" Diaz, driving the #15 Lowe's Acura ARX-01b sports car.
At-A-Glance:
- Claimed three podiums and six top-five finishes in 2007 ALMS debut
- Veteran of a 12-year career at the top levels of open-wheel racing, winning in both Champ Car (CART) and IndyCar Series competition
- Debuted in sports car competition in 2006, winning the Mid-Ohio Rolex Sports Car Series race and claiming four additional top-five finishes
- Began competing in select NASCAR Busch Series events in 2005, driving for Team Lowe's Racing and Hendrick Motorsports
- Finished fifth in the IndyCar Series Championship in his inaugural season in 2004 with three wins and six top-five finishes
- Missed the 2000 Champ Car championship crown by only 10 points, finishing second to Gil de Ferran
- Has garnered numerous awards over the years including "Athlete of the Year" in Mexico, a nomination for Mexico's National Sports Award (Premio Nacional del Deporte), and recognition at the U.S. Premios Fox Sports Awards for his contributions to Latin American auto racing
- Named one of Mexico's 300 most influential people by Lideres Mexicanos magazine in 2006
Fernandez made his mark in the Champ Car and IndyCar Series ranks, enjoying a 12-year career that made the Mexico City native a familiar name to racing fans worldwide. He added to his extensive resume in 2005, making his debut in the NASCAR Busch Series with six starts for Team Lowe's Racing and Hendrick Motorsports.
Alongside his accomplishments on the race track, Fernandez began carrying the dual moniker of owner/driver in 2000, when he teamed with motorsports veteran Tom Anderson to launch Fernandez Racing.
Fernandez began his career on two wheels, racing motocross when he was 8 years old. After spending most of his early years watching his racing uncles, Santiago and Jose, compete at Mexico City's Hermanos Rodriguez racetrack, he decided to follow in their footsteps. Success soon followed with rookie-of-the-year honors and two consecutive Formula Vee titles.
At the age of 22, Fernandez went to Europe to further his career. In between jobs as a mechanic and instructor at the historic Brands Hatch circuit in England, he continued to polish his driving talents. When he debuted on the American racing scene in 1992, Fernandez sent record books flying for most laps led and most oval wins in a rookie Indy Lights championship season en route to rookie-of-the-year honors. He moved up to Champ Car competition the following year. One of the most satisfying wins of his illustrious career came at Portland in 2003 when Fernandez earned his first win in his dual role as both a team owner and driver.
Fernandez's professional racing career spans over 25 years, and his achievements have resulted in numerous awards including "Athlete of the Year" in Mexico, a nomination for Mexico's National Sports Award (Premio Nacional del Deportes) for his career achievements in auto racing and recognition at the U.S. Premios Fox Sports Awards for his contributions to Latin American auto racing. In July of 2006, Fernandez was recognized as one of the 300 most influential people in his homeland by a national magazine.
Interests: Adores being a father and spending time with daughter, Valentina. Hobbies include golf, scuba diving, tennis, cycling, skiing and almost all outdoor sports. Interests include real estate, high-tech gadgets and working around the house.