Lowe’s Fernandez Racing drivers Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz will make their first start on the 1.7-mile JAGFlo Speedway Reliant Park circuit from the seventh spot overall on the grid after qualifying this afternoon for the Lone Star Grand Prix of Houston. Fernandez, who celebrated his 44th birthday today, handled qualifying duties, posting a best lap that was fifth among the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) LMP2 class. The biggest challenge for the team in the two one-hour practice sessions prior to qualifying was the handling of the #15 Lowe’s Acura Lola on the extremely bumpy temporary circuit.
Tomorrow’s two hour and 45-minute race ends a string of three consecutive street course events for the series. Following impressive runs at St. Petersburg and Long Beach that fell short, Fernandez and Diaz are hoping to finish the job this weekend. The pair are currently fourth in the driver championship – three points out of third and nine points out of second. Lowe’s Fernandez Racing is placed third in the team championship standings.
Lone Star Grand Prix Qualifying Results – Overall:
1. David Brabham 1:01.824 = 98.001 mph (Acura)
2. Allan McNish 1:01.830 = 97.991 mph
3. Romain Dumas 1:01.876 = 97.918 mph
7. Adrian Fernandez 1:02.935 = 96.271 mph
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