By Dick Mittman
indy500.com
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Adrian Fernandez's favorite movie is "Dumb and Dumber."
This must be a case of opposites attract because he could be best described as "Smart and Smarter."
Fernandez will start sixth, on the outside of the second row, in the 88th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race on May 30 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The fact he is here again, this time as both driver and team owner, is an example of his acumen.
At 41, his lean-but-solid body is as fit as that of any 30-year-old. He understands that to drive 500 miles at Indy takes dedicated physical preparation.
After winning in 1998-99 at Motegi in CART, he wisely formed a friendly relationship with Honda officials in Japan. That's why he not only has one of their formidable engines for this race in his No. 5 Quaker State Telmex Tecate Panoz G Force/Honda/Firestone but also in a second car driven by rookie Kosuke Matsuura, who qualified ninth in his Panasonic ARTA Panoz G Force/Honda/Firestone on MBNA Pole Day on May 15, directly behind his boss in the third row.
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Fernandez also was smart enough to take on veteran Tom Anderson as a partner when he formed Fernandez Racing in 2000. Other veterans, John Ward and John Dick, became a part of the team, too.
When Fernandez talks about what he and the team must do to win, the word "smart" pops up several times.
"You have to be smart, you have to be fast, you have to conserve your car," Fernandez says.
A few more words and again he said, "You just have to be smart."
And then a few more words later: "You have to be smart and strong through the whole race, a lot of things can happen."
Fernandez, a native of Mexico City, made the decision of his racing life in March when he chose to join the Indy Racing League® IndyCar® Series instead of remaining with Champ Car. This meant he would not compete in the two races at Monterrey and Mexico City, where his home fans adore him.
It was a business decision; one he felt was necessary for his team.
"I helped make it happen, both races," Fernandez said. "Obviously, I'm going to miss it, big time. That's the thing that hurts me the most, not being able to race in my country."
At the same time, he missed being a part of the Indianapolis 500 after starting the 1994 and 1995 races. He was reaching his prime as a race driver at 31 in 1994 and could have become a serious contender. In 2000, he finished second in the CART championship to 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran and became the only driver to score wins in every country where the series competed.
"It was hard not being able to compete in the Indy 500 for so many years," he said. "Like Michael (Andretti) and a lot of guys, I would have liked to have competed here. But, as you know, on that day you have to do what you have to do.
"The important thing is we're back, and we're competitive. And we have our own team. Everybody on Fernandez Racing does a fantastic job. We're still a young team, still learning, but hopefully this will be a team that a lot of people will talk about in the future.
"I'm happy. It wasn't easy. It hasn't been easy."
Fernandez was driving for Patrick Racing when the opportunity came for Fernandez to form his team with Honda and Tom Anderson. He said ownership provides him with more control for the future in such things as dealing with sponsors.
"I know it's going to be difficult, but at the end of the day it may be worth it," he said.
Actually, Fernandez Racing has an international flavor starting with Fernandez and Matsuura.
Anderson and Dick are Americans originally from California and Idaho. Team manager Gustavo Del Campo hails from Mexico City. Chief mechanic Mike Sales is a native of London. Lead gearbox technician Mick Austin comes from Bathgate, Scotland. Mechanic Hector Cruz's hometown is Monterrey, Mexico. Lead mechanic Tony Leith is from Wallingford, England, while sub-assembly mechanic Mike Miller calls Melbourne, Australia, home.
"We have everything," Fernandez said.
After running 222.832 mph in Pole Day practice, Fernandez settled for a 220.999 mph four-lap qualifying run. Buddy Rice won the MBNA Pole with a speed of 222.024.
"I think we could have done better," Fernandez said. "Conditions were changing a lot. We set a little too much in our run, and we were not right on the gears we needed to have. We should have been a contender for the pole.
"I'm happy. The pressure is over, now off our shoulders. We can concentrate on the race and focus on what you think is going to be the track conditions, and all that type of thing. In general, we feel pretty positive that everything is going to be very strong."
Fernandez does not consider his age a hindrance. He noted that he is in such good shape that he could drive for another 10 years if he chooses. He and two-time Indy champion Al Unser Jr, 42, are the only qualified drivers past the 40 mark.
Fernandez said the only difference he feels now than when he was younger is that his agenda is heavier because of being an owner, too. There are no thoughts of retirement, he added.
"Everything is about enjoyment, and if you can still dedicate yourself 100 percent to what you're doing, he said. "Even if you enjoy driving and can be competitive, if you cannot give your whole concentration and focus, you know, maybe it's time to stop."
Today, winning the race May 30 is his singular goal.
"Winning this one," he said, "would really put your name on the map and for sure will be one of your most prestigious trophies in your collection." ***
Tickets: Tickets are available for the 2004 Indianapolis 500 on May 30. For information, log on to www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, or call the IMS ticket office at (800) 822-INDY or (317) 492-6700.
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