Career Timeline of Luis Díaz (racing driver): Major Achievements and Milestones

How Luis Díaz (racing driver) built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Luis Díaz, nicknamed "Chapulín", is a Mexican racing driver known for his success in the American Le Mans Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series. He secured the 2009 American Le Mans Series LMP2 class drivers championship while driving for Level 5 Motorsports with co-driver Adrián Fernández. Furthermore, he achieved runner-up positions in the 2005 and 2006 Rolex Sports Car Series DP drivers championship. Díaz also has a background in open-wheel racing, showcasing his versatility within motorsports.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1989: Karting Start

In 1989, Diaz started his racing career in karting.

1996: Rookie of the Year

In 1996, Diaz earned Rookie of the Year honors in Formula Reynard.

1997: Formula 3 International

In 1997, Diaz competed in Formula 3 International, becoming the highest-placed Mexican driver in the series that year.

1998: Formula Mexico Title

In 1998, Díaz earned the Formula Mexico title, followed by a season in the Panamerican Indy Lights.

1999: Indy Lights Debut

In 1999, Díaz made his Indy Lights debut, finishing 10th in his first race at Laguna Seca.

2001: Joins Roquin Motorsports

In 2001, Díaz joined Roquin Motorsports, finishing seventh in the championship with one podium and four top-five finishes.

2002: Formula Atlantic Season

In 2002, Diaz competed in his first Formula Atlantic season for Dorricot Racing, finishing fourth in the championship with wins at Portland and Road America.

2004: Sports Car Racing Debut

In 2004, Diaz made his sports car racing debut, teaming with Jimmy Morales in a Lexus-Riley Daytona Prototype for Chip Ganassi Racing in the Rolex Sports Car Series.

2005: Runner-up Finish in Daytona Prototype Championship

In 2005, Diaz moved to the team’s No. 01 entry with Scott Pruett, earning three wins, eight podium finishes and four poles en route to a runner-up finish in the Daytona Prototype drivers championship.

2005: Runner-up in Rolex Sports Car Series DP

In 2005, Díaz was runner-up in the Rolex Sports Car Series DP drivers championship.

2006: Runner-up and Ganassi Teams Championship

In 2006, Diaz repeated his runner-up finish in the Daytona Prototype drivers championship and helped lead Ganassi to the teams championship.

2006: Runner-up Again in Rolex Sports Car Series DP

In 2006, Díaz was runner-up again in the Rolex Sports Car Series DP drivers championship.

2007: American Le Mans Series Debut

In 2007, Díaz made his American Le Mans Series debut, driving for Lowe’s Fernandez Racing in the LMP2 category with a Lola B06/43 Acura and later the Acura ARX-01a/b.

2009: LMP2 Drivers Championship

In 2009, Diaz and Adrian Fernandez won the LMP2 Drivers Championship, scoring nine wins out of ten races, with Diaz earning three class poles.

2009: American Le Mans Series LMP2 Championship Win

In 2009, Luis Díaz, alongside Adrián Fernández, won the American Le Mans Series LMP2 class drivers championship.

2010: Starts for Alex Job Racing and PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports

In 2010, following the demise of Fernandez Racing Diaz made a handful of starts for both Alex Job Racing and PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports, reaching the podium four times and earning three class poles in the GTC and PC ranks.

2011: Joins Level 5 Motorsports

In 2011, Díaz joined Level 5 Motorsports for its P2 program, starting the season with a class win in the 12 Hours of Sebring with Scott Tucker and Ryan Hunter-Reay and earning additional victories at Road America and Laguna Seca.

2012: P2 Victory at Laguna Seca

In 2012, Diaz remained at Level 5 Motorsports, earning the P2 victory at Laguna Seca in the team's HPD ARX-03b.

2012: Le Mans Debut

In 2012, Díaz made his Le Mans debut, co-driving with Scott Tucker and Christophe Bouchut in Level 5 Motorsports’ LMP2-class HPD ARX-03b, but the car failed to finish after running out of fuel on-track.