The young CDMX driver, only 17 years old, will race this Thursday, September 15 (precisely on the day of El Grito de la Independencia de México) at Bristol Motor Speedway in the ARCA Menards Series, at 6:30 p.m. afternoon ET in a scheduled 200-lap race on the 0.533-mile oval with 106.6 miles to go.
It will do so on a weekend where the NASCAR Cup Series will also participate (with Daniel Suárez in the Playoffs), on Saturday the 17th; NASCAR Xfinity Series, Friday 16th; and NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series (where Max Gutiérrez previously made his debut), also on Thursday 15th.
The event is the 18th round of the ARCA Menards Series (national) schedule, as well as the final races of the year for the ARCA Menards East and Six Chief Showdown Series.
And it marks the first commitment of three this year, after successfully participating in the 2022 NASCAR Drive for Diversity program (in the Legends category). The following will be at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (October 14) and Phoenix Raceway (November 4), with the ARCA Menards Series West category.
The Escudería Telmex Telcel driver will drive the Ford Mustang number 51, with the sponsors EMPEREON CONSTAR LATAM – Telcel and with the David Gilliland Racing (DGR) team.
Currently in Mexico he leads the NASCAR Challenge championship, with great chances of being crowned in 2022.
He is the leader to date seven (of a total of 12), with 256 points, 5 top 5, 7 top 10 and 3 wins (Querétaro, Puebla and Monterrey).
In Querétaro, the second date, he won in the NASCAR Challenge Series and in the general classification, above the experienced drivers of the NASCAR Mexico Series (both categories run together, with separate scores); and in Monterrey, the seventh date, he triumphed and finished sixth overall.
TO REMIND
- At 14 years old, Andrés Pérez de Lara was Rookie of the Year and Top 4 in the FIA F4 championship in 2019.
- At 15 years old he was Trucks Mexico Series Champion in 2020.
- At 16, he was the 2021 NASCAR Challenge Rookie of the Year and Top 4.
- At 17, he is chosen for the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program, leads the NASCAR Challenge championship and debuts in the ARCA Menards Series in the United States in 2022.
“Making my debut in the ARCA Menards Series with a team like DGR is incredible, it has motivated me to work harder than ever in all aspects to get the best results. I am beyond excited for the opportunity and ready for this big step in my sports career.”
ANDRÉS PÉREZ DE LARA
“Andrés has progressed rapidly through a variety of different racing disciplines. His versatility is impressive and we are excited to see him translate his skills to the ARCA Menards Series.”
DAVID GILLILAND
CO-OWNER OF DGR
ABOUT THE DGR
David Gilliland Racing (DGR) is a racing team owned by NASCAR veteran David Gilliland and businessman Johnny Gray. The team specializes in driver development, competing full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, multiple divisions of the ARCA Menards Series and CARS Tour, with factory support from Ford Performance.
In its first four years of operation, DGR has achieved success in each series racking up multiple wins and championships. The team operates out of three buildings totaling 60,000 square feet in Mooresville, N.C.
IT´S A MATTER OF ADN
Andrés has talent in his veins and has a great future ahead of him. He comes from inheritance, since his father, Ricardo Pérez de Lara, is an iconic figure in our midst (among his extensive track record, it is worth noting that he is North American Ferrari Challenge Champion and Ferrari World Champion in Abu Dhabi). And his older brothers are also pilots and cut from the same cloth.
THE OBJECTIVE
Andrés Pérez de Lara intends to be the NASCAR Challenge champion this season and also participate in the three ARCA Series races, as future preparation to reach the top of NASCAR EU (The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing).
