Carlos Contreras will partner with Armando Fitz in Mexico's top stock car racing league. Credit: Autostock

Fitz, Contreras to create NASCAR Mexico team

FitzContreras Racing to compete in 2006 Desafio Corona Series

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Busch Series team owner Armando Fitz has joined forces with NASCAR's first Hispanic driver, Carlos Contreras, to establish a new NASCAR Mexico team -- FitzContreras Racing. The team will run all 14 races in the 2006 Desafio Corona schedule beginning with the first scheduled race in Guadalajara, Mexico, on March 26. The announcement of the team's primary sponsor will be made at a press conference at the Camino Real Hotel in Mexico City on Friday at 7pm.

"I am proud to be involved with FitzContreras Racing," Fitz said. "I started my relationship with Carlos Contreras last year when he ran some races for us in the NASCAR Busch Series. I've spent the last couple of years learning about the Mexican series and this past year decided to venture out with Carlos in the creation of FCR."

"I couldn't be happier to announce the creation of FitzContreras Racing," Contreras said. "Armando and I have the same ambitions and those are to win and to help stimulate diversity in NASCAR's different series. I will continue to work towards that in the Busch Series with FitzBradshaw Racing while now also providing young drivers with an opportunity to someday compete in NASCAR's top series."

Like FitzBradshaw Racing in the Busch Series, FitzContreras Racing will also field a Dodge Charger. FCR will be one of three teams running Dodges in the Mexico series and the only to run the Charger (others run the Stratus).

"Dodge supports diversity in our driver development program and applaud Armando and Carlos for their efforts in this area." said John Fernandez, director of Dodge Motorsports Operations.

"Dodge has been a tremendous support for FitzBradshaw in the NASCAR Busch Series," Fitz said. "We are very happy to be racing a Dodge Charger in our ventures into Mexico. We hope to bring them many successes in Mexico and plan to represent them the best way we can."

Ruben Pardo, 26, will drive the No. 14 Dodge Charger in FCR's inaugural season in the series. Pardo has 18 top-5 finishes in 24 Desafio Corona races, including three wins and one pole. Pardo is also slated to drive for the team in select 2006 Busch East Series races.