Nascar Motorsport

In this post we would talk about the establishment of a new series in Mexico - the NASCAR Corona Series, which were created in December 2006 and announced by National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). Thus, the NASCAR Corona Series (previously known as NASCAR Mexico Corona Series) is a NASCAR series in Mexico, a federal constitutional republic in North America. Just for extra information (if you still don't realize where it is located), Mexico is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the North Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of Mexico. The NASCAR Mexico Corona is the most important stock car racing series in the country.

The Desafio Corona was founded in 2004 by NASCAR Mexico, a joint-venture between NASCAR and Mexican entertainment group OCESA, with the idea of developing stock car racing in Mexico, and fueling a transition from the country’s historically open-wheel racing fan base to stock car racing. The series was originally known as MasterCard Truck Series, which was a Crafstman Truck Series look-alike series, founded in 2002. From 2004 to 2006, the Desafio Corona grew considerably in infrastructure, as well as in number of fans, drivers and sponsors.

Bring out for yourself that NASCAR Mexico Corona Series was officially presented at the 2006 Desafio Corona award ceremony. Starting in 2007, NASCAR is the sanctioning body of the series. The series is one of two NASCAR-sanctioned international series, the other one being the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Following North American short-track racing trends to cut costs and unify rules among different tours, NASCAR is considering changes to the Canadian Tire and Corona Series where the two series adopt the Grand National rules as to allow the competitors to use the same cars in NASCAR Grand National Division races. The winner of the Corona Series receives an invitation to the Toyota All-Star Showdown. All other drivers may also attempt to qualify by entering the heat races.

The series kicked off the 2007 season at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, with a non-points-paying race during the weekend of March 4, along with events from the Busch Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series. The race was won by Carlos Pardo (#14 Citizen/Familly Dollar Dodge), followed by Rafael Martinez (#19 Canel's/Scotiabank Ford) and Freddy Tame (#18 Canel's/Scotiabank Ford).

What is more, NASCAR Corona Series drivers were invited to the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. Points leader Rafael Martinez did not participate despite having a guaranteed starting spot. Only Antonio Perez participated in the Showdown, barely making it into the feature race after earning the final starting spot by finishing 6th in the "Last Chance" qualifier. Perez started 40th and finished 31st after losing several laps following an early wreck. 2006 Corona Series champion Rogelio Lopez, currently racing in the Busch East Series, also participated in the Showdown and finished a respectable 13th.

NASCAR Racing is one of the most well-known sports in America today. This rapidly-growing sport reaches thousands of new fans every day. For those who are new to this fascinating sport here is a quick introduction with necessary information. NASCAR is an abbreviation which stands for: National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. It is the largest sanctioning body of stock cars in the United States. The three largest racing series sanctioned by NASCAR are the Sprint Cup, the Nationwide Series and the Craftsman Truck Series. It also oversees NASCAR Local Racing, the Whelen Modified Tour, and the Whelen All-American Series. NASCAR sanctions over 1,500 races at over 100 tracks in 39 states, Canada, and Mexico. From 1996 to 1998, NASCAR held exhibition races in Japan and an exhibition race in Australia in 1988.

Nascar has its origins as regional entertainment in the Southeastern U.S., and has grown to become the second-most popular professional sport in terms of television ratings inside the U.S., ranking behind only the National Football League. Internationally, NASCAR races are broadcast in over 150 countries. It holds 17 of the top 20 attended sporting events in the U.S., moreover, it has 75 million fans who purchase over $3 billion in annual licensed product sales. These fans are considered the most brand-loyal in all of sports and as a result, Fortune 500 companies sponsor NASCAR more than any other governing body. In 2007 NASCAR made a profit of just under $3 billion, and was the second richest motorsport (as you know Formula One was first).

And just for more additional information: in Daytona Beach, Florida are located the NASCAR's headquarters, although it also maintains offices in four North Carolina cities: Charlotte, Concord, Conover and Mooresville. Regional offices are also located in New York City, Los Angeles, Arkansas, and international offices in Mexico City and Toronto. Additionally, owing to its southern roots, all but a handful of NASCAR teams are still based in North Carolina, particularly near Charlotte.