CALDERON TAKES AMERICAN DEBUT OF NASCAR MEXICO TOYOTA SERIES AT PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
The most famous words in motorsports--Pilotos, enciendan sus motores--were
enthusiastically delivered by grand marshal Sergio Romo, relief
pitching ace of the world champion
San Francisco Giants, and with that the American debut of the NASCAR
Mexico Series was launched at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday
evening. Abraham Calderon won the Toyota 120 inaugural event, taking
his first career victory.
"It is amazing," gushed Calderon in victory lane.
The race got off to a wild start in turn 1. Pole sitter Jorge Goeters,
the 2012 series champion, slipped high on the start, and
fourth-starting Jose Luis Ramirez tried to fill
the hole. With cars going three-wide, Goeters and Ramirez spun.
Ramirez got the worst of it, finishing 26th and last.
Calderon, who earlier in the day announced sponsorship from the World
Baseball Classic to promote the appearance of the Mexico team against
the U.S. in Phoenix next week, took
off to a handy lead. The only other driver who seemed to have anything
for Calderon was Homero Richards, who hung onto second place, about two
seconds behind, until the mandatory break at lap 50.
After the intermission, Antonio Perez swooped low into second place and
there was fierce racing for fourth through seventh places until another
three-wide situation forced a wreck
involving Hector Aguirre. Aguirre's Toyota damaged the safer barrier
and brought out a red flag.
The subsequent restart on lap 66 saw Ruben Pardo dash into second, which he held until fading on the last lap.
The final results behind Calderon found Perez second, Ruben Garcia Jr.
in third, Pardo fourth, and Richards fifth.
Saturday will see a doubleheader at PIR as the NASCAR Nationwide Series
will start at 2:30 p.m. and drivers in the Talking Stick Resort 60
NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will take
the green flag at 5:30. Good seats are available for Saturday's races.
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