NASCAR announces plans for new comedy feature film

Eugenio Derbez. (Getty Images)
Eugenio Derbez. (Getty Images)
Eugenio Derbez. (Getty Images)

NASCAR announced Monday that it is teaming up with one of Mexico’s most powerful stars to collaborate on a full-length comedy movie. Eugenio Derbez is one of Mexico’s most recognizable stars who gained global recognition in 2013’s Instructions Not Included. He was No. 1 on Variety’s Power of Latinos List in 2014 along with actress Sofia Vergara. Instructions Not Included was the most successful Spanish-language release ever in the U.S., grossing $44.5 million.

“I’m really excited about doing a movie with NASCAR,” said Derbez. “They have built an amazing organization with an undeniable fan base. I’m humbled that they want to work with me and think we can do something very special together.”

Benjamin Odell, partner with Derbez’s production company, 3Pas Studios, will serve as producer of the project along with Derbez. Zane Stoddard, vice president of NASCAR’s entertainment, marketing and content development division, will serve as executive producer. NASCAR’s popularity among Latinos has increased in recent years, as drivers such as Cuban-American Aric Almirola and Mexican Daniel Suarez have seen increasing success in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™ and NASCAR XFINITY Series. Derbez raced competitively in Mexico. MORE>>>

Greg Engle
About Greg Engle 7421 Articles
Greg is a published award winning sportswriter who spent 23 years combined active and active reserve military service, much of that in and around the Special Operations community. Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.