Wednesday
Victor Gonzalez Jr. Returns to Historic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Press Release“Puerto Rican driver ready for NAPA Auto Parts 200″
like it was only a few weeks ago when Victor Gonzalez Jr. climbed
aboard the #05 Day Racing entry and raced in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 at
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. However, the
record books show that August 30, 2009 was the day that Victor Gonzalez
Jr. became the first Puerto Rican driver to compete in the NASCAR
Nationwide Series.
Gonzalez Jr. qualified 36th and finished 14th in the ’09 NAPA Auto
Parts 200, a race that was marred by rain for most of the 76 laps.
Gonzalez Jr., a road course veteran, worked his way through the field
to earn his top-fifteen finish. While many of his fellow competitors
were racing in the rain and inclement weather for the first time,
Gonzalez Jr. used his experience racing in those conditions to
methodically work traffic during the race.
“Last year in Montreal was a very wild race,” Gonzalez Jr. said. “It
was tough with the rain and very slick track, not to mention having to
dodge other cars slipping and sliding around the course. I’m really
looking forward to this year and beautiful weather in Montreal.”
Since his first NASCAR Nationwide Series start at Montreal, life has
changed for Victor Gonzalez Jr.. The Puerto Rico driver has become a
well-known figure in his native country. He has been the subject of
several features on television and print publications about his career
in motorsports. It was during this media attention when Ricky Martin,
Puerto Rican legendary singer and entertainer, contacted Gonzalez Jr.
to wish him well in an earlier Nationwide Series this year. The two
quickly became friends, and now the #05 car that Gonzalez Jr. will
drive in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 will have support from The Ricky
Martin Foundation.
“It’s really been wonderful working and representing The Ricky Martin
Foundation,” Gonzalez Jr. added. “I’ve been to several schools meeting
and talking with groups of young people. It’s been a very rewarding
experience for me.”
The Ricky Martin Foundation advocates for the well-being of children
around the globe in critical areas such as social justice, education,
and health. Their principal project, People for Children, condemns
child exploitation as a consequence of human trafficking and modern day
slavery.
Gonzalez has competed in three NASCAR Nationwide Series events this
year with a best finish of 23rd at Road America in Elkhart Lake,
Wisconsin. However, Gonzalez Jr. feels as though he had a top-10 or
better car in his last two races.
“At Road America, I had a good car and the pit strategy had me in
position for a top-five finish,” Gonzalez Jr. continued. “But, I got
spun twice in the last few laps of the race and didn’t get the finish
we deserved. At Watkins Glen, a blown tire early in the race but us
back in the field. Then, I got involved in an accident when the track
was blocked with cars wrecking going up the hill. I am confident that I
had at least a top-ten car at Watkins Glen too.”
With Road America and Watkins Glen in the rearview mirror, Gonzalez Jr.
turns his focus to the 2.709-mile, 15-turn road course in Montreal,
Quebec, Canada.
“This (Circuit Gilles Villeneuve) is not an easy track,” Gonzalez Jr.
said. “But, it is a course that really suits my driving style. It’s
really like a street course to me. My car was really good in the slow
corners of this track, so I hope to use that to my advantage. Plus,
I’ll have some media from home at the race as well.”
For the first time in his brief NASCAR career, Gonzalez Jr. will have a
group of media from Puerto Rico traveling to Montreal to cover his
weekend. They will provide updates during practice and qualifying as
well as race highlights to his many fans back home. In addition, the
Puerto Rican media will follow Gonzalez Jr. the entire weekend to give
his fans a “behind the scene” look.
“Needless to say, this is a huge weekend for me,” Gonzalez Jr.
concluded. “I really enjoyed coming here last year. The Canadian fans
were great. With a good car and crew, plus the support of everyone back
home, I’m looking for a great weekend.”
Practice for the NAPA Auto Parts 200 begins on Saturday, with the
74-lap, 200.54-mile race set for a 2 PM ET start on Sunday, August 29th.
- Day Racing Press Release
Article Tags: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Day Racing, NAPA Auto Parts 200 Presented by Dodge, NASCAR Nationwide Series, No. 05 The Ricky Martin Foundation Chevrolet Impala, Ricky Martin, Road America., Victor Gonzalez Jr., Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International
