José Luis Martinez
| José Luis Martinez | |
| 150px | |
| Age | 40 |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Car # | 59 |
| Years Competed | 2009, 2011- |
| Current Team | Lenard International |
| Former Team(s) | Star Nemoto Racing, Katzev Engineering |
| Championships | 0 |
| Pole Positions | 0 |
| Wins | 1 |
| First Race | 2009 Round of Belgium |
| First Win | 2011 Round of Daytona |
| Last Win | 2011 Round of Daytona |
| Last Race | 2014 Round of Indianapolis |
| TM Master Cup Series Driver | |
José Luis Martinez (born March 19, 1984 in Mexico City, Mexico) is a TM Master Cup Series and former TM Lights driver. He is mostly known for his humble, unassuming demeanor and charitable nature.
Known mainly for his upset victory at the 2011 Round of Daytona, Martinez is currently one of the reserve drivers for Lenard International.
TM Lights career[edit | edit source]
Martinez was called up to drive the #51 LeCrent Lights Nemoto for Star Motorsports in 2009 after their driver, Bruno Battaglia was injured in a car accident. Despite showing occasional speed, Martinez didn't run very well, and didn't get a TM Master Cup Series ride for 2010.
He did get a ride with the Autosport Hermanos Gutierrez TM Lights team for 2010, formerly known as Slim Motorsports. He continued to drive for them in 2011, entering the Independent's Trophy for the team as well.
TM Master Cup career[edit | edit source]
Martinez made his debut in 2011 for the Gutierrez brothers, competing for the Independent's Trophy. At Daytona, Martinez made history as the first (and so far, only) Independent driver to win a TM Master Cup race in an attrition-filled event.
That win combined with a successful test performance earned him a drive alongside Yuliya Nosova at Katzev Engineering for 2012. A slow start to the year was capped off with a messy showing at the 2012 Round of Carbondale. However, Martinez picked up the pace during the European races. He earned respect at Brands Hatch, where he came home fifth, and nearly won the 2012 Round of France before being passed on the last corner of the last lap by teammate Yuliya Nosova.
Unable to find a full-time ride after the 2012 season, Martinez was hired by Alex Harrison Racing to run for the Independent's Trophy. Martinez was given a Promoter's Option for the first race of the season. Despite a strong start to the race, Packer Carroll blatantly wrecked him, sending his car hard into the turn 2 wall and upside-down. Surprisingly, this did not draw a caution. Fortunately, Martinez was not injured, but he rejected Carroll's apology, calling it "false". Carroll was excluded from the race by the stewards, who felt that Carroll's actions were not befitting of a TM Master Cup series driver.