Fernando Mendoza’s parents return to Indiana for Brickyard 400

INDIANAPOLIS (WRTV) — Part of the Mendoza family returned to Indiana this weekend, with Fernando Mendoza’s parents and his younger brother Max going to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400.

Max Mendoza was invited by NASCAR to interview drivers and report on the race, as he is pursuing a career in journalism.

Fernando Mendoza’s parents, Fernando Mendoza Sr. and Elsa Mendoza, made their first-ever trip to Indianapolis Motor Speedway and got to meet Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles.

“It’s pretty impressive,” Fernando Mendoza Sr. said about IMS. “It’s something you see on TV growing up as a kid and your whole life, the Indy 500, all the other big races here, the Brickyard, you see it in person, it’s massive.”

Fernando Mendoza officially signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday on a four-year, $57 million deal after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Fernando’s parents reflected on his journey to that moment.

“We’re so grateful to Indianapolis and IU because he would have never had this opportunity without this city and without the coaches and without IU,” Elsa said. “So we’re so grateful, we’re so happy, and IU will always be part of us.”

“He’s excited. It’s kind of a sense of relief just to get it out of the way,” Fernando Mendoza Sr. said. “We knew it was going to happen, but it’s nice to get to work and understand that now he’s got a few weeks before the season starts and focus on what is important, which is his job.”

Fernando Mendoza Sr. added that Indiana is like a second family to them.

Fernando Mendoza and the Raiders start their season at home against the Miami Dolphins on September 13.