The longtime series mainstay Ruben Pardo overcame an early spin to win his first NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series race of 2014 in Sunday’s Queretana 200. It was Pardo’s fifth career win, first since October 12, 2012 in Chihuahua, and second career victory in Querétaro. He won in this city, located about 130 miles northwest of Mexico City, back in 2004, the series’ inaugural season..

Pardo finished 3.606 seconds faster than second-place finisher Patrick Goeters, but the victory was a lot harder than that number would suggest. After starting the race in eighth, Pardo moved into the top-five early on, but a spin in turn three on lap 21 sent the veteran driver to the rear of the field.  A good strategy and a bit of luck  helped Pardo work his way back up to the front, eventually taking the lead on the 135th lap.

Picture Courtesy OCESA – http://hometracks.nascar.com/