Text 97, 81 rader
Skriven 2006-08-09 16:30:00 av Mike Powell (1:2320/105.0)
Ärende: Fern ndez Named One of Me
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Fern~ndez Named One of Mexico's Most Influential
List of 300 Includes Business, Political, Sports and Cultural Leaders

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Aug. 8, 2006) - Adri~n Fern~ndez is more than just a race
car driver. And now a national magazine in his native Mexico has once again
acknowledged his popularity, naming him one of the 300 most influential
people in the country.

The July issue of Lideres Mexicanos placed Fern~ndez on an accomplished list
of his fellow countrymen, joining leaders in numerous categories including
science, culture, media, entertainment, sports, politics, public opinion and
business. It is the fourth time Fern~ndez has been part of this elite list,
having been selected in 2001, 2002 and 2005.

Fern~ndez is one of six athletes on the list of 300 which includes golf
standout Lorena Ochoa, Oakland A's pitcher Esteban Antonio Loaiza, and soccer
stars Francisco 'Kik~n' Fonseca, Rafael M~rquez and Oswaldo Javier S~nchez.

President Elect of Mexico Felipe de Jes~s Calder~n, exiting President Vicente
Fox, prominent business leaders the Slim family [Telmex] and Jos~ Antonio
Fern~ndez [Tecate], and actress Salma Hayek are included on the wide-ranging
roster.

"This is quite an honor," said Fernandez, who will handle double driving
duties this weekend competing in the No. 57 Lowe's Chevrolet at the Watkins
Glen Busch Series race on August 12 in addition to his full time ride in the
Lowe's Fernandez Racing No. 12 Pontiac Riley in the Grand American Road
Racing Series on August 11 also at Watkins Glen.

"I have always been proud of my country and strive to represent my country
well in all of my racing and business dealings. There are a lot of people on
that list who I know and respect, and to be included with them is something
for which I continue to be extremely humbled and grateful."

Fernandez is a self-made man whose rise to a 12-year career at the top levels
of open-wheel racing attracted the allegiance of fans around the world. In
2000, Fernandez acted on his business acumen and began carrying the dual
moniker of owner/driver, branching out to the team ownership ranks in
partnership with motorsports veteran Tom Anderson. Fernandez Racing currently
fields a two-car team in the IndyCar Series with Scott Sharp and Kosuke
Matsuura as drivers.

In the last two years, Fernandez has expanded his horizons, competing in
selected NASCAR Busch Series races and forming Lowe's Fernandez Racing which
competes in the Rolex Sports Car Series.

"There are a lot of people who have helped me in my career over the years,
and I will never forget the support of Tecate, Quaker State and Telmex who
were with me in my early years and throughout most of my open-wheel career,"
added Fernandez. "I am extremely proud to represent Lowe's and to be able to
take this next step in my career in sports car racing."

A sporting icon in his homeland, Fernandez has been credited with helping to
return top-level open-wheel racing to his native country, and for opening the
doors to Mexican drivers outside the country's borders. In the United States,
Fernandez has been widely recognized for expanding the Hispanic fan base in
auto racing.

Fernandez began motocross racing at the age of eight in Mexico. He raced
open-wheel cars in Mexico and Europe before joining the CART series in 1993
posting eight career victories and 21 podium finishes through the 2003
season. In 2004, Fernandez joined the IndyCar Series, where he won three
races including two of the final three events.

He has received numerous awards during his career including "Athlete of the
Year", "Driver of the Year" and fourth "Best Athlete of the Century" in
Mexico. He was nominated for Mexico's National Sports Award -- the 2004
Premio Nacional del Deporte -- for his career achievements in auto racing and
recognized at the Premios Fox Sports Awards for his contributions to Latin
American auto racing.

Lideres Mexicanos [www.lideresmexicanos.com], a Mexican magazine published 11
times a year, profiles Mexican industrialists, artists, politicians, leaders
of opinion, sportsmen and outstanding people in any social scope.

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