Road America: Victor Gonzalez Jr. preview

Gonzalez Likes "Home Track Advantage" at Road America
Puerto Rican to drive Day Racing Chevrolet in Bucyrus 200

Nashville, TN (June 14, 2010) ... Victor Gonzalez Jr. will make his second NASCAR Nationwide Series start of 2010 in the Bucyrus 200 presented by Menards at Road America this Saturday. However, this time Gonzalez feels as though he'll have a "home track advantage" at the 4.048-mile, 14-turn Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin road course.

"I drove my first race in the United States at Road America," Gonzalez stated. "Plus, I've raced there several times in SCCA and Skip Barber Pro Series. I've tested many cars and driven who knows how many laps at Road America as an instructor for the Skip Barber Racing School as well. I feel like I'm more prepared for this race than I've ever been."

Gonzalez has already made NASCAR history last August when he became the first Puerto Rico driver to compete in the Nationwide Series. He finished 14th in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal; however, Gonzalez feels as though the Bucyrus 200 at Road America can be his "breakthrough" race in NASCAR.

"Day Racing has recently purchased a road course Chevrolet from James Finch and will have engines from Earnhardt-Childress Racing," Gonzalez added. "That combination will give me a competitive car. Plus, I've been training and eating healthy to prepare myself for this race. I'm really focused and committed to keep improving and show that I belong in this Series."

Gonzalez has been quite busy in recent weeks with a Media Tour in Puerto Rico.

"I did 32 interviews in eight days during the media tour," Gonzalez said. "It was really great with all the radio, television, and newspaper coverage. There was a feature article on the front page of the largest paper in Puerto Rico that is distributed in New York and Miami as well. This week, two huge billboards in San Juan are being used to encourage fans to watch me race at Road America."

"It's been very exciting for me to represent my country in NASCAR," Gonzalez continued. "There are lots of race fans in Puerto Rico, but they didn't have a real reason to watch the NASCAR races. Now, they do and it's been almost overwhelming the support that I have received."

Gonzalez will have some additional support at Road America this weekend as well. His father, Victor Sr., will travel to Wisconsin to watch his son compete in the Bucyrus 200.

"I'm so happy that my father will be there to see me race this week," Gonzales added. "He hasn't seen me race since 1999, and I'm really excited to have him there. He's my best friend and I'd love to give him a Father's Day present he'll never forget. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to race in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and hope that a strong performance this week will lead to better things down the road."

Gonzalez made NASCAR history when he became the first Puerto Rican to compete in the Nationwide Series. Now, with the support of his country at home and his father at the track, don't be surprised to see Victor Gonzalez Jr. make history again this week at Road America.

-source: victor gonzalez jr PR