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Quiroga Earns Historic Victory
Wins first night race in NASCAR Mexico Series historyTUXTLA GUTIERREZ, Chiapas, Mexico -- Defending series champion Germain Quiroga earned his first win of the 2010 NASCAR Mexico Series season on an historic night. The Pennzoil 200 at Autódromo de Chiapas Saturday was the first night race in series history.
The driver of the No. 2 TELCEL completed the 200 laps in 1 hours, 52 minutes, 28.943 seconds. It is Quiroga's 12th career win.
The event drew 25,000 fans, including Juan Sabienes Guerrero, the Governor of the state of Chiapas. More than 50 portable lights were brought in to light pit road and the track.
Salvador Duran won the pole position and led the first 60 laps. Duran set a series record with the pole in just his fourth career start. Ruben Rovelo took the lead before Duran moved back in front on lap 77. They traded the lead until Antonio Perez took over the top spot on Lap 98. Quiroga, however, was able to take advantage on restarts to work his way to the front, taking the lead on Lap 159 and leading the rest of the way. Rafael Martinez finished second, followed by Duran.
Rogelio Lopez was fourth, followed by Patrick Goeters.
Patrick Goeters, Rovelo, Perez, Freddy Tame, Oscar Ruiz and Irwin Vences rounded out the top 10.
The race was slowed by just three cautions.
After four races, Perez leads the points standings by six over Goeters (623-617). Rafael Martinez, who won the season's first two races, is third in points with 602. Quiroga and Tame complete the top five.
The NASCAR Mexico Series will next run at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City.
Germain Quiroga drove his No. 2 Telcel to Victory Lane Saturday night. OCESA
