NASCAR and Rev Racing today announced 17
candidates invited to take part in the three-day evaluation.
“We are excited to see the continued interest
in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program as evidenced by the increased breadth
and depth of applicants for the evaluation,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR vice
president of public affairs and multicultural development. “The NASCAR Drive
for Diversity program provides opportunities for female and minority drivers
and crew members, and we are proud to be working with Rev Racing to foster
great talent that will continue to enrich our sport.”
The NASCAR D4D program created in 2004 is now
executed by Rev Racing and the team is competing in their third season in the
NASCAR K&N Pro Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Currently the
top two rookies in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Kyle Larson and Bryan
Ortiz are in the 2012 D4D class, while Larson and Rev Racing graduate Darrell
Wallace Jr. made their national series debuts this year. Larson has top 10s in
both starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Wallace has a top 10
in all three of his NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
The 2012 Combine will be a three day driver
evaluation ofon-track performance, marketing and media aptitude, and physical
fitness. Langley, a .4-mile asphalt oval, is the NASCAR-sanctioned track
hosting the event for the second consecutive year.
“Langley truly challenges those who take part
in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine,” said Derik Crotts, general manager
of Rev Racing, the executing partner for the program. “Participants will have
several on track sessions to present their racing abilities. This will include
some unique challenges that we will throw at them to make sure that they are on
their game.”
The 2013 Rev Racing team will be selected
from among the 2012 Rev Racing drivers and the Combine participants.
The 2012 NASCAR
Drive for Diversity Combine participants are all between 15 and 24 years of
age, and include Amber Colvin of Mooresville, NC; Devin Amos of Rio Ranch, NM;
Las Vegas native Dustin Ash; Annabeth Barnes of Hiddenite, NC; Collin Cabre of
Thonotosassa, FL; Goffstown, NH’s Kayla Cazares; Jessica Dana of Olympia, WA; and
Eagle River, WI’s Paige Decker. Also chosen for the combine were Cassie Gannis
of Phoenix, AZ: Lindsay Katz of Kalamazoo, MI; San Clemente, CA driver Jack
Madrid; Kate McCall of Port Orange, FL: Dallas Montes of Bakersfiled, CA; Twin
Falls, ID native Hannah Newhouse and Dylan Smith of Randolph, VT. Two foreign
drivers were also chosen for this year’s combine; Daniel Suarez of Monterrey, Mexico
and Erica Thiering of Sherwood Park. Alberta, Canada.
Good Luck to all the drivers...it would be great to hear interviews from them about their experience in the D4D.
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