Only 48 hours earlier Adrian Fernandez had been at the Champ Car Preview in Long Beach, where he announced his intention to compete in that series, and even presented his 2004 car.

The immediate reaction on the Internet and in some press billed him as a "traitor" and a "deserter." What else can you expect? Any other team to make the jump from Champ Car to the IRL has received the same label. Some claim he was enticed by longtime Champ Car and IRL partner Honda: Adrian moved his second Champ Car team to the IRL with Honda in 2003. But why would people believe that? Fernandez is the same man who helped build a strong Mexican following for Champ Car and brought in sponsors like Tecate Beer, Telmex, and Quaker State Mexico. Arguably, his presence and that of his sponsors kicked in the door for other Mexican drivers, and brought in other Mexican sponsors. Adrian and his sponsors were instrumental in bringing Champ Car to Mexico. With such a great legacy and such a huge stake in Champ Car, why would he leave? I'll tell you why. Fernandez left because he stopped leading his team with his heart, and started using his head.

Look, I'm probably one of the biggest Champ Car fanatics in the world, and was as shocked as anyone when I heard the news. But let's face it, not all is well in Champ Car land. I agree with Adrian when he said he could only count 12 confirmed cars. If Champ Car doesn't make the 18-car cut, it could be forced to close its doors. If that happened, Fernandez would have to put as many as 40 employees on the street looking for work -- most of them with families. Adrian, if you are reading this I commend you for your actions. If anyone else reading this still thinks he is a traitor, let me take this opportunity to show you some facts on the harsh realities of being a car owner.

Fernandez and his sponsors (all Mexican) just walked away from a series with two Mexican races, two to three Mexican drivers, and a handful of Mexican sponsors, some of which are in direct competition with Fernandez's. He walked away from the possibility of ever running in front of his home crowd ever again, and why? So he could keep the 40 employees that run his Champ Car team employed.

Fernandez made the most unselfish decision he may ever make. But people do not realise the good he has done for his team. Pick up the newspaper and read how many people are losing their jobs around the world. When was the last time a business changed its entire position to save a measly 40 jobs? And still many of the people in the racing community don't understand.

How come these same people were not angry when Andy Petree deserted Nextel Cup for Menards sponsorship and Paul Menard in the Busch series? He moved his team to another series and took on a new driver with sponsorship to ensure the future of his team. Nothing really different from what Fernandez did, but no, Petree wasn't called a traitor. He was respected for working to ensure that his team and employees had a future.

Personally I'm angry with Team Kelly, Hemelgarn Racing, American Spirit Team Johansson, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, and the Arrows F1 team for not adopting this same model. Instead, they chose to throw in the towel and "downsize", or to shut down their operations altogether, leaving many people to look for work elsewhere -- and there are not many vacancies opening up for racing personnel, especially in Indianapolis. Why is the media not throwing Fernandez some slack? The man just saved 40 (mostly American) jobs!

Adrian Fernandez, Tom Anderson, and all of the sponsors of the Tecate team should be commended for their effort to put the future wellbeing of their employees first. It's a shame the media is so blinded by the Champ Car/IRL war to really see what the team was doing.

All opinions expressed in the Magazine Channel are those of authors only and not those of Motorsport.com.