The NASCAR Mexico Series Races at the Los Angeles Coliseum

Race winning driver Daniel Suarez acknowledging his fans at the LA Coliseum.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

NASCAR Mexico Series Races at the Los Angeles Coliseum                                                            Words and Images by: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The King Taco LA Batalla En El Coliseo was the support race for the Busch Light CLASH at the Los Angeles Coliseum.  This was an invitation only race and the individuals competing were invited from NASCAR Mexico and its two feeder series. 

The Desafio Corona was established by NASCAR Mexico in 2004 to develop and promote stock car racing in that country.  Up to that time open-wheel racing dominated the sport. In 2024 they will be racing at 12 events throughout Mexico plus the LA Coliseum. Over the years it has taken on a few different names.   There are now two feeder series; the NASCAR Challenge Series and the NASCAR Truck Series.

Six drivers have won the championship.  The Telcel team is the most successful winning four drivers' championships.  Ruben Garcia, Jr was the youngest champion at 20 years old and has four championships to his name. He competes full time driving the #88 for Team GP - CANEL'S.

To date, three women have competed in the NASCAR Mexico Series. 21-year old Regina Sirvent is the only woman in todays competition and she was driving the #10 GRUPO FIRME Chevrolet.

The only female driver in the event was Regina Sirvent who drove the #10 HO Speed Racing Chevrolet to 13th Place.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 2023 Challenge Champion Salvador de Alba Jr. would have competed while driving the #48 RED-COLA  Ford but during practice his throttle stuck and he hit the turn-1 wall hard and damaged the car too severely to compete.

2023 Mexico Challenge Series Champion Salvador De Alba.  Inage Credit 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

As a guest driver, Daniel Suarez drove the #99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet.

Due to the impending weather conditions qualifying for the event consisted of three flying laps.  The fasted qualifier was 4-time Series Champion Ruben Garcia Jr in the #88 Team GP-CANEL's Chevrolet.  He was followed by Abraham Calderon in the #2 Escuderia Telmex Chevrolet. 

Pole sitter Ruben Garcia, Jr in the #88 Team GP - Canel's Chevrolet.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Abraham Calderon in the #2 Escuderia Telmex Chevrolet.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The race followed the end of the rescheduled Busch Light CLASH.  The race was highly contested but run cleanly.  Garcia and Calderon swapped positions a number of times. 

The grid for the King Taco LA Batalla En El Coliseo.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The start of the King Taco LA Batalla En El Coliseo. Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images 

Typical tight racing at the front of the pack at the King Taco LA Batalla En El Coliseo.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O''Brien / Motor Driven Images

Suarez ran near the front for most of the race while Tovar and A. De Alba appeared to have the fastest cars.  With about 30-laps to go Suarez was able to take over the lead. A slow drizzle began to fall but was not bad enough to stop the race.  As the track began to get wet many of the cars slowed their pace and held position. With 7-laps to go a car spun forcing the final caution.  Suarez was able to hold off Tovar on the restart and finished the race in 1st place

The top three finishers were Daniel Suarez in the #99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, followed by Santiago Tovar in the #22 Team GP - CANEL'S Chevrolet.  The final podium position was taken by Alex de Alba in the #14 Alessandros Racing Chevrolet.

King Taco LA Batalla En El Coliseo race winner Daniel Suarez doing donuts in celebration of his win.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2nd Place finishing driver was Santiago Tovar in the #22 Team GP-Canel's  Chevrolet seen here during practice earlier in the day.  Image Credit:  2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

3rd Place driver was Alex De Alba in the #14 Alessandros Racing Chevrolet.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The next race in the NASCAR Mexico Series will take place on  March 24 at 11:00 am CST at San Luis Potosi'.  Tickets are available through NASCAR Mexico. 

As a footnote; These NASCAR Mexico drivers are a very relaxed and friendly group.  As they gathered for interviews at the 1923 Club they were all smiles, high-fiving each other, and primarily stayed together as one friendly group.  When asked if they really liked each other, the resounding answer was, "yes, this is our culture.  We are competitive on the track, but off we are all friends."  Well Done!

Viva Mexico.

TAGS: Abraham Calderon,  Alessandros Racing, Alex de Alba, Daniel Suarez, Escuderia Telmex, Grupo Firme,  LA Coliseum, Los Angeles Coliseum, Motor Driven Images, NASCAR, NASCAR Mexico, Regina Sirvent, Ruben Garcia Jr, Salvador de Alba, Santiago Tovar, Team GP-Canel's Racing,  Trackhouse Racing