NASCAR visits Argentina

NASCAR, A BIG HIT IN ARGENTINA

Potrero de los Funes, Argentina (August 2, 2009) - The American driver, Ken Schrader, from Roush Fenway Racing, attended his first race of Turismo Carretera in Argentina and he showed everyone at Potrero de los Funes racetrack in the San Luis Province what the NASCAR world is about.

Schrader first drove a Sprint Cup, the main NASCAR Series, and later he was able to drive a Turismo Carretera car. The more than 60,000 fans at the track applauded the presentation and enjoyed the 900 horsepower machine, just before the local TC series feature race of the day.

During the weekend, the Argentinean fans were also able to see in action a Nationwide Series car, as well as truck from the Camping World Series. The three cars were formally presented earlier in the week in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, and were later transported to Autódromo Potrero de los Funes, in the San Luis Province, in the heart of the country. Aside from Schrader, the Argentinean racers, Matias Rossi, Guillermo Ortelli, Diego Aventin and Agustin Canapino, were able to drive the three cars.

Ken Schrader, who with the three NASCAR cars, was the center of attention for the media and fans, shared the press conference with the top three drivers of the Turismo Carretera race, Juan De Benedictis (Ford), José María López (Torino), and Christian Ledesma (Chevrolet). Schrader was very happy with the event, the experience and the passion the Argentinean people show for the sport.

"I feel grateful for this invitation and I really think that you have an excellent series,” assured Schrader, who traveled to Argentina with his wife, and was flanked by the 3M President, Antonio Ozuna at the press conference. "I loved the cars, they are technologically advanced, and the fans' passion is amazingly surprising.”

"The facilities (of the Potrero de los Funes circuit) are amazing and the track is very nice. The lake and the mountains give it a plus, and visually it is very pleasing,” said Schrader, who also praised the country. He promised that he will come back. In the meantime, he will carry with him all the good memories and will treasure the new friendships he did over the week visiting Argentina.

Turismo Carretera was the first series created in the world, which earned it a Guinness Record Book mention. The first race was held in 1937 and over these 72 years has become a huge passion for Argentineans, just second to soccer.

-credit: actc