Now comes the hard part.
After three days of evaluations –
the last two of which consisted of on-track testing at Langley Speedway in
Hampton, Va. – Rev Racing personnel will pour over their notes from the 2012
NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) Combine and pick their team for the 2013
racing season.
It won’t be an easy task, which
for Rev Racing and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity is a good thing.
“We saw a ton of talent – a lot
more talent than ever before,” said Jefferson Hodges, Rev Racing’s director of
competition. “And some of them were the same kids. I don’t know what they did
between last year and this year, but they really stepped up their game. I was
really happy about it.
“I think there are a lot more
drivers that deserve an opportunity in our Late Model program than there are
openings, so that part of is going to result in some tough decisions.”
“The success of that program is
based on the fact that we’re able to really concentrate and develop these
drivers.”
For drivers like Daniel Suarez, Rev
Racing’s reputation for development is what makes a spot on the team so
valuable. Suarez is leading the Mexico’s NASCAR Toyota Series in points and is
a member of the Next9 initiative, an industry program that helps identify the
next wave of NASCAR starts coming up through the ranks. In the past two years,
he has run against Rev Racing drivers such as Kyle Larson, Darrell Wallace Jr.
and Sergio Pena.
“It’s a really good experience
being with all these drivers,” said Suarez of the Combine. “This is one of the
best teams for development of young drivers who are in my position. I’m really
excited to get the chance to get this opportunity to try out for Rev Racing.
“It’s a really important step for
me and my career to be one of the 17 drivers [invited to the Combine], but
that’s not the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal is to be a member of the team
and I’m working really hard for that.”
Thursday’s final session was a
half-day, with a handful of drivers making additional runs as officials got a
second look to help gather more information. All drivers are still in the
running for spots on the 2013 Rev Racing team, which will be selected from
among the 2012 Rev Racing drivers and the Combine participants. That selection
will take place following the completion of the 2012 season. Rev Racing still
has a pair of NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races on the schedule.
The Combine has been held the
last two years at Langley, a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series sanctioned
track. The track’s characteristics help play a large role in evaluating
drivers.
“The track is tough. It’s hard,”
said Jefferson, who has more than 15 years experience with Late Models
throughout the southeast. “Turns 3 and 4 are simple. It’s just a corner. But 1
and 2 is extremely difficult. So it really separates the great drivers from the
good drivers.”
The drivers at the Combine boast
a variety of backgrounds in racing, from open-wheel to stock car. Limited
experience in full-fendered cars, though, did little to slow down the
competitors. Collin Cabre, a Florida driver with extensive sprint car
experience, said the challenge of those cars actually helps drivers adapt
quickly to their surroundings.
“These two days have been an
incredible experience,” said Collin Cabre. “Running from a sprint to a Late
Model is totally different. They’re both fast in their own ways.
“What might spook another driver
won’t spook a sprint car driver; what they say is out of shape and what I say
is out of shape is totally different. They might say it’s totally sideways and
it’s not really,” said Cabre. “The cars are very well set up. Rev Racing did a
great job setting them up in the shop. They’re a pleasure to drive and I hope
I’ll be driving them more.”
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