A foot into NASCAR

A few days ago, the Philippines took a huge step towards getting the first Filipino into one of the United States’ largest mass-based sports leagues, NASCAR. With the help of a philanthropic group founded by Filipinos and veterans of Philippine motorsports, stepping onto the actual tracks of NASCAR as a driver could be just six months away.

On Thursday, some of the biggest names in Philippine motoring converged on the Raffles Design Institute at Bonifacio Global City to hear this presentation for the first time. Racing legend Mike Potenciano, representing the organizing Spirit Sports Program, introduced its founder, sportsman and investor Paul Moñozca. Present were Asian Formula Three veteran Tyson Sy, internationalists like Gaby dela Merced, John Marcelo, Stefano Marcelo, Memchie Ramirez, Pia Boren and representatives of Tuason Racing School, among others. The weeks past, all the biggest names in Philippine motorsports from the 1980’s to the present all expressed interest in attending the briefing.

“This is an opportunity that, if we don’t take it, may not come again,” said a visibly excited Potenciano, who also produces the radio program “Turbo Time”. “We have all been waiting for this.”

Moñozca briefly introduced the NASCAR Racing Experience, a collaboration between NASCAR and drivers Jeff Gordon and Mario Andretti Racing Experience. Started in 1998, NASCAR RE was originally envisioned as a means for ordinary fans to have the same technical and mechanical experience as actual NASCAR drivers. Unlike racing experience models named after other legendary drivers, NASCAR RE using the same cars and tracks used in actual races, and clients have their own personal race instructor who acts as a crew chief and provides feedback through a Racing Electronics in-car radio system. In other words, you get all the bells and whistles. Moñozca bought into NASCAR RE with the goal of helping a Filipino driver ascend into NASCAR.

Some time in March, 15 Filipino teams will be given a three-day schedule either at Las Vegas Speedway (where they will have a bigger live Filipino audience) or in Concord, North Carolina, for the full, actual NASCAR experience. Once there, each team will be provided a car, crew and all the facilities to run in an international race. The Spirit Program will subsidize over half of their expenses. They will be even be provided their own racing suits, boots and helmets.

On the first day, they will train over 20 laps in order to get accustomed to the track, tires and other conditions. Remember, no one from the Philippines has ever been in an actual NASCAR vehicle to race it. On the second day, there will be a time trial just for the 15 Philippine teams. The third day will be the NASCAR World Circuit, where the top two Philippine qualifiers will be among 15 teams from the US, Latin America, Europe and other regions. The top two finishers will earn a shot at being recruited to train with an official NASCAR team.

Initially, the Spirit Program intended to simply invite two teams of two drivers each. But Potenciano firmly believed that if it was opened up to everyone, those with a desire to make this next leap would not let the chance pass them by. The presentation even included an actual NASCAR racer painted in the colors of the Philippine flag with Spirit partners Cebuana Lhuillier, PLDT and San Miguel Corp.

“All we can do is equalize the playing field,” Moñozca says. “Once we get there, it’s all up to the drivers.”

Those who expressed interest have less than a month to pull in their own sponsors and sign a letter of intent. Compared to the cost of having a year-round NASCAR team ($38 million), this chance of a lifetime is a steal. 

All they have to do is get onboard, and drive like their future depended on it.