Victor Gonzalez Jr.
Victor Gonzalez Jr. | |||||||
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![]() Gonzalez at Road America in 2012 | |||||||
Born | (1975-07-18) July 18, 1975 (age 49) San Juan, Puerto Rico | ||||||
NASCAR Cup Series career | |||||||
2 races run over 1 year | |||||||
2013 position | 48th | ||||||
Best finish | 48th (2013) | ||||||
First race | 2013 Toyota/Save Mart 350 (Sonoma) | ||||||
Last race | 2013 Cheez-It 355 at The Glen (Watkins Glen) | ||||||
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NASCAR Xfinity Series career | |||||||
7 races run over 3 years | |||||||
2018 position | 76th | ||||||
Best finish | 60th (2012) | ||||||
First race | 2009 NAPA Auto Parts 200 (Montreal) | ||||||
Last race | 2018 Zippo 200 at The Glen (Watkins Glen) | ||||||
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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career | |||||||
1 race run over 1 year | |||||||
2017 position | 56th | ||||||
Best finish | 56th (2017) | ||||||
First race | 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 250 (Mosport) | ||||||
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Statistics current as of November 17, 2018. |
Victor Gonzalez Jr. (born July 18, 1975) is a Puerto Rican professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 17 Chevrolet Camaro for Niece Motorsports. Twice a competitor in the 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race, he became the first Puerto Rican driver to compete in a top level NASCAR series when he broke the barrier in 2009.
Racing career
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/14/05VictorGonzalezJr2010Bucyrus200RoadAmerica.jpg/220px-05VictorGonzalezJr2010Bucyrus200RoadAmerica.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/99_Victor_Gonzalez_Jr_2012_Road_America_Sargento_200.jpg/220px-99_Victor_Gonzalez_Jr_2012_Road_America_Sargento_200.jpg)
Gonzalez began his racing career in 1990 in showroom stock cars in his native country, Puerto Rico. He spent several years competing in touring cars, including two races in the North American Touring Car Championship, before switching to open wheel competition in 1997, competing in the Barber Dodge Pro Series for two years. Then, after two years in the Dominican Republic GTS Cup, moving to the Toyota Atlantic Championship in 2002, he competed in the series' companion event to the Grand Prix of Long Beach, finishing 21st. In 2003, he returned to the Barber Dodge series, where he finished 20th in points,[1][2] posting a best finish of 2nd following winning the pole at The Milwaukee Mile.[3] He established a reputation as an excellent driver on road courses, and became the only Puerto Rican driver to become an instructor at the Skip Barber Racing School.[1]
In 2005 and 2006, Gonzalez competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race, co-driving a Porsche 911 for Team Sahlen.[4] He finished 9th in both events.[5]
Gonzalez made his debut in NASCAR competition in 2009, as a road course ringer at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in the Nationwide Series NAPA Auto Parts 200, driving the No. 05 Ford for Day Enterprises.[1] He became the first Puerto Rican driver to compete in a NASCAR national touring series event,[6] finishing 14th in his inaugural event.[7]
Gonzalez returned to the No. 05 for four races in 2010, making his oval track debut at Phoenix International Raceway;[8] his best finish of the year came at Montreal where he finished 16th.[9]
In 2012, Gonzalez returned to the Nationwide Series, driving the No. 99 Toyota for RAB Racing at Road America in June,[10] where he finished 17th, and at Watkins Glen International in August,[11] where he finished 16th.[12]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Victor_Gonzalez_Jr._Sonoma_2013.jpg/220px-Victor_Gonzalez_Jr._Sonoma_2013.jpg)
In April 2013, it was announced that Gonzalez would make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut, driving the No. 36 Chevrolet for Tommy Baldwin Racing in races at Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen International that summer.[13] He was the first Puerto Rican driver to start a Sprint Cup race.[14]
Gonzalez and Niece Motorsports made an agreement in June 2017 to have Gonzalez drive Niece's No. 45 truck at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park that summer.[15]
Motorsports career results
Barber Dodge Pro Series
Barber Dodge Pro Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Rank | Points | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1997 | STP 4 | SEB 29 | SAV 6 | LRP 18 | MDO 15 | WGI 13 | MIN 24 | MDO 6 | ROA 28 | LS 12 | REN 6 | LS 15 | 12th | 51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1998 | SEB 2 | LRP 26 | DET 26 | WGI 27 | CLE 26 | GRA 21 | MDO | ROA | LS1 | ATL | HMS | LS2 | 24th | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1999 | SEB 15 | NAZ 14 | LRP DNS | POR | CLE | ROA | DET | MDO | GRA | LS | HMS | WGI | 31st | 3 |
NASCAR
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
Sprint Cup Series
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | NSCC | Pts | Ref | ||
2013 | Tommy Baldwin Racing | 36 | Chevy | DAY | PHO | LVS | BRI | CAL | MAR | TEX | KAN | RCH | TAL | DAR | CLT | DOV | POC | MCH | SON 37 | KEN | DAY | NHA | IND | POC | GLN 41 | MCH | BRI | ATL | RCH | CHI | NHA | DOV | KAN | CLT | TAL | MAR | TEX | PHO | HOM | 48th | 10 | [16] |
Xfinity Series
NASCAR Xfinity Series results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | NXSC | Pts | Ref |
2009 | Day Enterprises | 05 | Ford | DAY | CAL | LVS | BRI | TEX | NSH | PHO | TAL | RCH | DAR | CLT | DOV | NSH | KEN | MLW | NHA | DAY | CHI | GTW | IRP | IOW | GLN | MCH | BRI | CGV 14 | ATL | RCH | DOV | KAN | CAL | CLT | MEM | TEX | PHO | HOM | 123rd | 121 | [17] |
2010 | Chevy | DAY | CAL | LVS | BRI | NSH | PHO 29 | TEX | TAL | RCH | DAR | DOV | CLT | NSH | KEN | ROA 23 | NHA | DAY | CHI | GTW | IRP | IOW | GLN 37 | MCH | BRI | CGV 16 | ATL | RCH | DOV | KAN | CAL | CLT | GTY | TEX | PHO | HOM | 83rd | 337 | [18] | ||
2012 | RAB Racing | 99 | Toyota | DAY | PHO | LVS | BRI | CAL | TEX | RCH | TAL | DAR | IOW | CLT | DOV | MCH | ROA 17 | KEN | DAY | NHA | CHI | IND | IOW | GLN 16 | CGV | BRI | ATL | RCH | CHI | KEN | DOV | CLT | KAN | TEX | PHO | HOM | 60th | 55 | [19] | ||
2018 | Niece Motorsports | 17 | Chevy | DAY | ATL | LVS | PHO | CAL | TEX | BRI | RCH | TAL | DOV | CLT | POC | MCH | IOW | CHI | DAY | KEN | NHA | IOW | GLN 31 | MOH | BRI | ROA | DAR | IND | LVS | RCH | CLT | DOV | KAN | TEX | PHO | HOM | 76th | 6 | [20] |
Camping World Truck Series
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | NCWTC | Pts | Ref | |||||||||||||||
2017 | Niece Motorsports | 45 | Chevy | DAY | ATL | MAR | KAN | CLT | DOV | TEX | GTW | IOW | KEN | ELD | POC | MCH | BRI | MSP 16 | CHI | NHA | LVS | TAL | MAR | TEX | PHO | HOM | 56th | 24 | [21] |
* Season still in progress
1 not eligible for series points
North American Touring Car Championship
(key)
North American Touring Car Championship results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year | Team | No. | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | NATCC | Pts | |||||||||||||||||||||||
1996 | Fastech Group | 27 | Ford Mondeo | LRP | LRP | DET | DET | PIR 7 | PIR 7 | TOR | TOR | TRV | TRV | MOH | MOH | VAN | VAN | LS | LS | 14th | 20 |
References
- ^ a b c "Gonzalez to make debut in Nationwide at Montreal". NASCAR.com. Turner Sports. August 26, 2009. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
- ^ "Victor Gonzalez Jr Biography". Speedsport Magazine. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
- ^ Shaw, Jeremy, ed. (2004). Autocourse Champ Car Official Yearbook 2003–2004. London: Hazleton Publishing. p. 173. ISBN 1-903135-33-8.
- ^ "Team Sahlen expands to ROLEX Team". Team Sahlen Racing. January 26, 2005. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
- ^ "Victor Gonzalez Jr. - NASCAR Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Results". Racing-Reference. USA Today Sports Media Group. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
- ^ Potts, Christian (August 26, 2009). "Sky's the limit". The Norman Transcript. Norman, OK. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
- ^ "Fellows wrecks early at Montreal". ESPN. August 30, 2009. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
- ^ "Gonzalez to Race Nationwide Series at Phoenix and Road America". Motorsport.com. February 4, 2010. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
- ^ "Victor Gonzalez Jr. - NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. USA Today Sports Media Group. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
- ^ "Delta Commercial, IMCA to Sponsor Victor Gonzales, RAB Racing in NASCAR Nationwide Series Race at Road America". RAB Racing via Catchfence.com. June 7, 2012. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
- ^ "Victor Gonzalez Jr., No. 99 Delta Commercial / IMCA Toyota Camry, Watkins Glen Preview". Speedway Media. August 8, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ "Victor Gonzalez Jr. Posts 16th-Place Finish at Watkins Glen". Catchfence.com. August 13, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
- ^ "Victor Gonzalez Jr. To Make History As First Caribbean Driver In NASCAR Sprint Cup Series". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco, CA. April 20, 2013. Retrieved 2013-04-21.
- ^ "LASTCAR.info: Small Team Storylines For The 25th Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Sonoma". brock.lastcar.info. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
- ^ "Victor Gonzalez, Jr. teams up with Niece Motorsports". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
- ^ "Victor Gonzalez Jr. – 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ "Victor Gonzalez Jr. – 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ "Victor Gonzalez Jr. – 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ "Victor Gonzalez Jr. – 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ "Victor Gonzalez Jr. – 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ "Victor Gonzalez Jr. – 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
External links
- Official website
- Victor Gonzalez Jr. driver statistics at Racing-Reference
- v
- t
- e
- Tommy Baldwin Jr.
- Beth Baldwin
- Allan Heinke
Drivers |
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Crew chiefs |
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- Aric Almirola
- Michael Annett
- Josh Bilicki
- Dave Blaney
- Ryan Blaney
- Mike Bliss
- Geoff Bodine
- Alex Bowman
- Ward Burton
- Patrick Carpentier
- Wally Dallenbach Jr.
- Ty Dillon
- Tomy Drissi
- Bill Elliott
- Ron Fellows
- Joey Gase
- Victor Gonzalez Jr.
- David Green
- Bobby Labonte
- Scott Lagasse Jr.
- Randy LaJoie
- Stephen Leicht
- Damon Lusk
- Jeremy Mayfield
- Michael McDowell
- Mark McFarland
- Brandon McReynolds
- Casey Mears
- Ted Musgrave
- Steve Park
- Danica Patrick
- Ryan Preece
- Tony Raines
- David Reutimann
- Robert Richardson Jr.
- Scott Riggs
- Elliott Sadler
- Bobby Santos III
- Johnny Sauter
- Brian Simo
- Mike Skinner
- Regan Smith
- Garrett Smithley
- Reed Sorenson
- Jimmy Spencer
- Ryan Truex
- Paul Wolfe
- J. J. Yeley