David Martínez
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- For the Mexican financier, see David Martinez.
David Martinez (born December 8, 1981 in Tamaulipas, Mexico) is a Champ Car Atlantic Series racecar driver.
[edit] Background
Starting at the age of seven through his early twenties, Martinez raced in his homeland Mexico in Go Karts, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula Renault 2000, and Formula 3000 Series. At the age of 14 he won his first formula championship (Mexican Formula 2 Neon), in 1997 Martinez was awarded the Rookie of the Year Award in Mexican Marlboro Cup Formula 3000 and in 2002 won the Mexican Formula Renault 2000. Martinez eventually expanded his racing territory, which included a year in the Barber Dodge Pro Series (2003) winning the first race he participated in (Monterrey, Mexico Fundidora Park). In 2004 Martinez migrated to Europe and produced five top-five results in the Formula Renault V6 Eurocup Series. The 25 year old missed the first race of the year in the 2005 Champ Car Atlantic Championship but still managed to claim fifth in his rookie season. He finished third in his first race in Monterrey Mexico, captured his first career pole and scored a total of four podiums and seven top-five finishes.
Also during 2005, Martinez contested some rounds for the A1 Grand Prix Series.
In 2006 Martinez returned to Atlantics with the US RaceTronics Team, and repeated his fifth place in the championship despite a challenging season in which he switched teams halfway through the year, but still managed to continue his success on Mexican soil by finishing third at the Monterrey, Mexico event.
Martinez will team up with Paul Tracy and Buddy Rice in Mexico City and pilot Forsythe Championship Racing’s #33 INDECK Ford-Cosworth/Bridgestone/Lola in his Champ Car debut. This will mark the first time since the end of the 2004 Season that the Forsythe Team will run a three car operation. Martinez will get his first taste of a Champ Car on Friday November 3rd at the MSR Houston road course in a test alongside teammate Buddy Rice.
[edit] Racing History
[edit] 2006
Finished 5th in the Atlantic championship. Won the 2006 Atlantic Season Stay on Track Award.
[edit] 2005
Missed the first race of the year but still managed to claim 5th in his rookie Atlantic season. Finished 3rd in his first race of the year in Monterrey, Mexico. Earned top finishes of second at both Toronto and San Jose. Claimed 3rd at both Road America and Montreal and won his first series pole position at Montreal in the season finale. Won the 2005 Atlantic Season Sportsmanship Award.
[edit] 2004
Produced five top-five results in the Formula Renault V6 Eurocup series.
[edit] 2003
Enjoyed a dramatic Barber Dodge Pro Series victory at his home race in Monterrey, Mexico. Finished 4th in the final Barber Dodge series standings. Also earned the Mexican Formula Renault championship that season.
[edit] 2002
Made one Atlantic start, finishing 15th in Monterrey, Mexico. Raced in the Mexican Formula Renault 2000 series. 2001: Earned a 4th place finish in the Mexican Formula 3000 championship.
[edit] 2000
Competed in Mexican Formula 3000 series and finished 4th in final standings.
[edit] 1999
Claimed Mexican Formula 3000 Rookie of the Year honors while posting 4th place finish in final season rundown.
[edit] 1997
Was named the top rookie in the Formula 3000 Marlboro Cup.
[edit] 1996
Won the Mexican Formula 2000 Neon Marlboro Cup title.
[edit] 1991-95
Earned numerous karting championships in Mexico.
