A new milestone for a track veteran
Jorge Mendoza has just added another achievement to a career that is already legendary. The SRO Motorsports organization gave him the green light to compete in the upcoming Arlington Grand Prix, where the Toyota GR Cup sedans will challenge the asphalt surrounding the Dallas Cowboys stadium.
For this pilot, getting a new license is almost routine… but he never loses the excitement. Especially when the prize is an event like this.
“Adding the SRO license to this extensive list is a source of pride for Jorge, especially with such an exciting event just around the corner,” the statement highlights.
From university to the podium, without letting go of the wheel
His story began like many great stories: competing while studying. In 1987, while studying Economics at St. Mary’s University, he reached the podium (third place) at the San Antonio Grand Prix. And he wasn’t just into engines: he also played college football and competed in karate tournaments throughout Texas.
The discipline he learned then became his hallmark. In 1986 he temporarily left karting to focus on his training, a decision that would shape his future.
Urban racing has always been his weakness. Despite arriving with little testing time at his first IMSA races, he instantly adapted to those tight circuits with walls that do not forgive mistakes. In 1988 he was already in the top ten in San Antonio, facing experienced drivers.
The road was not easy. Limited resources sometimes forced him to new cars almost on the fly, because the financial support only covered the competition weekend.
But everything changed when he made the jump to two wheels.
With more opportunities to try out and stronger financial backing — first in San Antonio and then in Mexico — he did the unthinkable. Although he had not ridden motorcycles in his youth and was even afraid of them at first, he became the fastest motorcyclist in Mexico.
He was the first Latino in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycles to reach 100 km/h in just one second. And also the first IMSA driver to compete in that category, back in 1998.
His connection to Texas is deep and emotional. In 1984 he was just another spectator in the stands of the Formula 1 GP in Dallas. That moment helped light the spark.
Today, four decades later, he is the one who proudly represents Texas and the entire Latin community on the slopes of the world. Next stop: Arlington.
