A driver in NASCAR’s Corona Series in Mexico died Sunday after crashing while leading on the last lap during an event begin held at the Autodromo Miguel E. Abed Amozoc in the Mexican state of Puebla.
Carlos Pardo, 33, lost control after being hit by another driver. His car was sent careening into a barrier. After being extricated from the car he was airlifted to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead about 45 minutes later.
Pardo had competed in 74 NASCAR Mexico Series events with a record of 10 wins and eight poles and won the 2004 series championship. His career also included six Camping World East Series starts and the 2006 Nationwide Series race at Mexico City.
Sunday’s race was called due to time constraints. Officials reverted to the previous completed lap and Pardo was declared the winner.
"Carlos Pardo was a tremendous competitor and person," said Chad Little, Director of Racing Development, NASCAR Mexico. "On behalf of everybody in the NASCAR family, our thoughts and prayers go out to Carlos' family and friends."
Pardo is survived by his wife Ana and infant child and well as his brother Ruben Pardo who is also a competitor in the Mexico series and has competed in Camping World East and Nationwide Series events beside his brother.
The NASCAR Corona Series was formed in 2004 as a joint partnership with NASCAR and is one of two NASCAR-sanctioned international series, the other one being the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.
Comments
Does the driver who hit him from behind and made him lose control have any legal responsability?
Was the track built with the correct safety measures? They said he crashed into the wall at the pit entrance.
OMG! How terrible for eveyone involved. I hope they will look at that wall and make some changes. RIP at least he died doing what he loved.
watching the video, it appears as though he hit at a "T" section of wall which would be a freak accident if you account for timing, angle, etc.. the disintegration of the car though, should be looked in to. to me, it appears as though the protective "capsule" of the drive was compromised and that he probably died of trauma and not a neck snap injury like Dale Sr.. Perhaps because impact was more to the side of the vehicle. ???
Horrendous accident - the track is unfit for racing: no tracks in any race series should have 'T' sections to the walls, especially when they are running at such high speed. Anyone who crashes at that section of the track is bound to be seriously injured, and unfortunatly Carlos Pardo was killed. Without the wall, it would have been just a routine slide through the grass. I really hope the safety issues are sorted before the Corona Series races at Puebla again.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!