By the Numbers: Mexico

¡Una vez al año!

Once every season, the Nationwide Series heads south and visits the beautiful country of Mexico for 200 miles of road racing at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Sunday's running of the Corona Mexico 200 (1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) will be the fourth race run at the 2.518-mile track, and while we in America know the rich history of some of our favorite tracks like Daytona, Talladega and Martinsville -- not much is known of one of Mexico's most famous circuits.

The track is named in honor of Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez, both champion cycling and motorcycle riders who also found success when they made the switch from two wheels to four. Ricardo's time on earth was short, though, as he died in a tragic crash in the 1962 Mexican Grand Prix, the year the track opened. It was named Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez shortly after.

One of the more exciting aspects of the annual trip to Mexico is the international appeal the race has. The Corona Mexico 200 gives fans the opportunity to watch some of the best around the world compete in a stock car.

Interestingly, despite the large number of foreign-born drivers in the field, top-10 finishes among them have been very few. Mexico's Adrian Fernandez has two, a 10th in '05 and a ninth '07; Marc Goossens finished ninth in '06; and Mexico native Jorge Goeters finished seventh last season.

For these newcomers, the transition to stock cars isn't an easy one, but one that doesn't take long to make on a road course, either.

"These cars are difficult because they are so different than what we are used to and you have to get used to so many different things," said Fernandez, who will race in this race for the fourth time. "I would say [I'll be comfortable] by the fourth lap in terms of getting used to my braking points and things like that. This is a car that I have run before in Mexico and I know these cars pretty well on a road course. Even though most of the other drivers run these cars more than me, they mostly run on ovals.

"It doesn't take you long. The main thing is to have patience and to be there at the end with no damage to your car. At the end, the strongest guys will always be at the front."

One of those guys up front will more than likely be Boris Said. There is only one driver who can claim a top-five finish in every Nationwide race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, but one thing has eluded Said despite the success -- a victory.

A fifth in 2005 followed up by a second in '06 and a third in '07 has Said feeling he is due for a win. Some motivation from an unlikely source is adding to his excitement.

"This could be the year of the win," Said said. "I have a great crew and great equipment. My only concern is that I haven't been racing for a while.

"I'm champing at the bit to go racing again. I'm always pumped about my next race, but I am even more inspired for Mexico after watching the Rocky Balboa effort by Masters champion Trevor Immelman. To me, winning a NASCAR race is like winning the Masters."

If Said is to finally get that win, it's going to come with some excitement attached. Last year's race was won by Juan Montoya in a green-white-checkered finish but everyone remembers the way he took the lead from teammate Scott Pruett to get the victory (watch video).

The winner will have to survive three-plus hours of hard racing with 640 turns and only a couple pit stops to catch his breath.

¡Será una carrera emocionante el domingo!

Just the facts ma'am