Fernández Moves to IRL For 2004
Written by Josh Katinger · March 12, 2004
After the past several days of good news for the Champ Car series, there had to be some kind of a downer. That downer came to Champ Car in the form of losing one of its top teams to the IRL. Mexican Adrián Fernández will take his team and driving skills to the IRL in order to pursue “what is best for our sponsors and the future of Fernández Racing.” Which sounds to me like his sponsor may have said “we want to be in the IRL or you can go find another sponsor.”
This is a big loss in that Adrián is loved by Champ Car’s fanatical Mexican fan base. Fernández was also the oldest driver in the field and the only driver/owner, until this week when Jimmy Vasser announced that he would become driver/owner at the newly renamed PKV racing. With Adrián’s departure Vasser also now takes over the “oldest man in the field” honor, which I’m sure he’s thrilled about.
FernandezRacing.net: Fernández to Contest 2004 IRL IndyCar® Series
Motorsport.com: Fernandez to contest 2004 IndyCar
Motorsport.com: Champ Car statement on Adrian Fernandez
GrandPrix.com: A blow for Champ Cars
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3 Responses to “Fernández Moves to IRL For 2004”
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The sponsors no doubt had a major input to the “Brittney” like change of mind. I also bet Tony G. opened up the IRL wallet to facilitate the barely 48hr stay in Champ Car by Fernández
If we think back to when the IRL was attempting to buy the rights to CART’s road racing assets, they bid 14 million dollars to spend. Adrian’s IRL team is entering the series under Fernandez Racing, which means what? No primary sponsor. Sooo, my conclusion is that Tony George is going to use that money to buy the TEAMS, instead of the venues. If he can buy just two more teams into joining the IRL there will be no Champ Car series to speak of, will there. Damn smart, if you ask me
Business is business, if Champcar fans remain loyal to the series and support their sponsors (the ones that are left), the big name teams and drivers will come back to where the money is. Hopefully attendance/TV ratings at IRL will suck again this year and their sponsors will eventually get it.