CONCORD, N.C. (May 14, 2013) – After battling the weather all evening, Annabeth Barnes, Jack Madrid, and Devon Amos were able to hit the pavement to compete for Rev Racing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series race at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 11th. This was the first late model race for Amos, who took home a seventh place finish, Madrid finished 14th and Barnes came home 19th.

All three drivers had two successful practice sessions, and were able to score their best qualifying results of the season thus far. Barnes qualified 12th, Madrid qualified 14th, and Amos qualified 17th, in just his first start.
Barnes had a fast car and was running well all night, but was tangled up in an accident in front of her, disappointingly ending her night early. Madrid passed cars throughout the race, moving up to as high as eighth, when contact with the wall left damage to his car and he wasn’t able to get it back up to speed.

The next race for Barnes and Madrid with Rev Racing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series will be on Saturday, May 18th, and Motor Mile Speedway. Follow @RevRacin on twitter for updates throughout the weekend.

(CONCORD, NC) – Annabeth Barnes and Jack Madrid made their NASCAR Whelen All-American Series (NWAAS) debut on Saturday night at Hickory Motor Speedway in the 100 lap ZLOOP Challenge. After a promising start to the day, Rev Racing went in with high hopes for the event.

Early on in the race, Madrid experienced mechanical issues on his No. 4 Toyota Camry, effectively ending his night in the 22nd position.

Barnes had a good handling No. 21 Toyota Camry, and was able to advance her position, moving up as high as 11th within the first 10 laps. She was caught in a multiple car accident early on and sustained too much damage to continue, finishing in the 21st position.

Rev Racing had two strong practice sessions; where both drivers spent time getting accustomed to the track, and their new cars. The field was stacked with 22 competitors and Madrid and Barnes qualified 17th and 18th respectively. Both drivers qualified early and the track cooled down significantly as the session progressed, resulting in increased lap times from the later qualifying cars.

Barnes will be in action again on March 16th at Hickory, and both Rev Racing drivers will be competing in the NWAAS at Hickory on April 6th.

(CONCORD, NC) – Rev Racing drivers Annabeth Barnes and Jack Madrid will make their NASCAR Whelen All-American Series debut this Saturday, March 9th, at Hickory Motor Speedway in the Spring Classic Season Opener.

While Barnes is no rookie at Hickory Motor Speedway, where she ran her first full stock car season competing in the Limited Late Model Division, it will be her first time competing in a Late Model car.

“This is going to be a big year for me, moving into late models. It will be a good opportunity to learn and grow as a driver, and I’m really excited to compete for Rev Racing and thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the Drive for Diversity program.” said Barnes.

Madrid, originally from San Clemente, Calif., spent last season racing in the Super Late Model Division on the West Coast, where he finished top-10 in all four races in which he competed.

“The biggest difference for me this season will be the level of talent at the track, it’s really going to help me develop as a driver. I feel like we have a really great Toyota Camry that will be competitive, and my goal is to learn as much as I can each weekend.” said Madrid.

Barnes and Madrid both join the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program this season after being selected in the combine to compete for Rev Racing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. and racing will begin at 7:00 p.m. For more information about Rev Racing visit http://revracing.net or follow us on Twitter @RevRacin.

CONCORD, NC (September 17, 2012) Rev Racing’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series drivers, Mackena Bell and Trey Gibson, proved that they were championship contenders on Saturday night with two top-five finishes in the 100-lap championship race for the Bojangles Late Model Series at Hickory Motor Speedway. Although not competing in the entire 2012 season, Bell’s top-three finish earned her an eighth place finish in Late Model point standings at Hickory Motor Speedway while Gibson ended the season in sixth, 150 points ahead of his teammate.

Starting this race in fifth, Bell quickly fell back to 12th after being spun on the first lap, causing right front damage to her No. 4 Toyota Racing Development Camry. Not letting this stop her from a top finish, Bell quickly maneuvered her way through the field, cracking the top-five with 40 laps remaining. Nearing the end of this championship race, Bell proved no one would stop her from ending the 2012 season on a high note when she made her way up to third place in the 15 car field with 10 laps remaining, which is where she would cross the finish.

Also bringing his 2012 NASCAR Whelen All-American season to a successful end, Gibson started this race in seventh and quickly made his way into the top three within the first two laps. Continuing to keep his No. 2 Lithium Pros Toyota Camry in the top-five, Gibson was forced to make a late race pit stop, for a track bar adjustment. Starting in eighth with only 24 laps remaining, Gibson found that this was just the handling adjustment that he needed to stay competitive. Making his way through the field, Gibson was able to put the No. 2 Lithium Pros Toyota Camry back in the top-five with 10 laps remaining and crossed the finish in fifth.

“It was an honor to finish in the top-three considering the competition I had tonight,” said Bell. “It was unfortunate to have gotten caught up in a wreck on the first lap, but we made a great recovery. This team has made a lot of improvements from the beginning of the season and I would like to thank Mike Bartlett, Josh Berdnt, Keith Young and Jefferson Hodges for all their hard work and support as well as my amazing sponsors, Toyota and Toyota Racing Development for making this dream possible.”

“This weekend was better than the past couple of weeks and I am thankful to have a strong fifth place finish,” said Gibson. “The No. 2 Lithium Pros Toyota Camry was really good the first 70 laps, but after making a track bar adjustment the car seemed to handle even better. Due to this late pit stop we weren’t able to get the finished we had hoped for, but am still happy for this strong finish. I would like to thank my sponsors Lithium Pros and Toyota as well as my hard working team Mardy Lindley, Ryan Salomon, Dylan Smith and Steve Mann for their dedication this season.”

Bell and Gibson will also have an opportunity to compete in one of Hickory Motor Speedway’s largest racing events of the year – the Fall Brawl 200 lap Late Model race, on Saturday, September 29th.

CONCORD, NC (September 10, 2012) Rev Racing’s Mackena Bell comes home with a top-five finish in the 100-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series feature race this weekend, moving her into the top-10 in Late Model point standings at Hickory Motor Speedway.

After spending most of Saturday at this legendary short track, Bell and her teammate, Trey Gibson, had to await their chance to race against the competitive Late Model field until Sunday due to dangerous storms in the area.

In a race that was slowed by only one caution, Bell as able to battle back from an 11th place starting position into the top seven by the mid-point of this event. Bell continued to hold this position before laying the hammer down and moving her No. 4 Toyota Racing Development Camry into the top-five with just four laps to go, resulting in her second top-five finish of the 2012 season.

Hoping to compete with his teammate, Gibson wasn’t as fortunate. Starting this race in the top-five, Gibson’s No. 2 Lithium Pros Toyota Camry looked like the car to compete with before experiencing engine problems on lap 43. Unable to return to the race track, Gibson was forced to settle with a last place finish.

“This was a great race weekend,” said Bell. “Although our qualifying effort wasn’t what I was hoping, the changes that we made for the race as well as saving our tires until the end of this race paid off. A special thanks goes out to my team for their hard work as well as my sponsors, Toyota and Toyota Racing Development, for giving me the opportunity to have a great car.”

“Sometimes you lose more than you win in this sport, but I am really happy for my teammate today,” said Gibson. “We had a good run going for the 100 lap feature before experiencing motor problems, which forced me to end the day early. Fortunately, we have two more races to go to get another win this season and this is definitely possible with this hard working team.”

Both drivers will return to the track for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Championship Night this Saturday night at Hickory Motor Speedway, followed by the Fall Brawl 200 lap Late Model race on Saturday, September 29th.

By: Mike Petteway, Triad Sports Coverage.com
Hickory, NC (September 2, 2012) Rev Racing’s Mackena Bell and Trey Gibson maintained their poise throughout the 150 lap Bobby Isaac Memorial Late Model race Saturday night at Hickory Motor Speedway and crossed the finish line in sixth and tenth place respectively.

“Everybody preached all day about being smooth and straight off the corner and let the other drivers wear their stuff out,” said Mackena. Bell drove a great race and patiently waited for her opportunity to move up. It was apparent in the final 30 laps that the #4 Toyota Camry had plenty left for the competition.

“We fell back to about 20th at one point, but is was impressive to run with so many good drivers and come out with a sixth place finish,” Bell said. Mackena also did a great job to avoid several late race wrecks. “Those late race cautions were crazy, I could see things about to happen and I guess the “female instinct” took over and I was able to back down and get around the crashes,” said Bell.

Gibson salvaged a tenth place finish after some late race incidents, not of his making. Trey ran in the top 8 and was destined for an even better finish, but racing luck wasn’t riding in his #2 Camry. “On a restart I was put in behind some lapped cars and got hung out on the top lane, I dropped from eighth the thirteenth before I was able to find my way back to the bottom,” Gibson said.

Trey had a great Toyota under him, and like Mackena, he just rode around and conserved his equipment for the first 100 or so laps. As he made his way to the front he suffered a right front flat after contact with another car coming out of turn two and his hopes of a top five were dashed. He made his way down pit road with just 15 laps to go and quickly returned to the action and fought his way from the rear of the field to a solid tenth place finish.

“It was really unfortunate that we didn’t get the finish that we should have, but we’ll come back and go at it next time,” Trey said. “My crew and the guys back at the shop gave me a great hot rod tonight,” added Gibson.

Bell and Gibson are scheduled to return to Hickory Motor Speedway next Saturday night, September 8th for the 100 lap Late Model race.

CONCORD, NC (August 14, 2012) Rev Racing’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series drivers, Trey Gibson and Mackena Bell, continued a successful run in the twin 50-lap feature races at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday.

Dodging rain drops throughout the day, Gibson and Bell were able to battle a slick race track for two top-10 starting positions in the first of the two 50-lap races. After the wave of the green flag, Gibson, driver of the No. 2 Lithium Pros Toyota Camry, was able to push his way to third. While teammate, Bell continued to battle an ill handling car without losing her eighth place starting position.

Competing against a tight field, Gibson and Bell continued to hold their positions throughout this race, resulting in a third place finish for Gibson with Bell following in eighth.

The second race of the night was plagued with issues for both Gibson and Bell. After fourth and seventh place starting positions, Bell was the first to experience a problem after blowing a left rear tire on lap two. After a quick trip to the pits for repairs to her No. 4 Toyota Racing Development Camry, Bell returned to the track without losing a lap.

After several adjustments were made prior to the second race, Gibson also began to have trouble holding onto his No. 2 Camry when exiting off the corners, causing him to fall back to the fifth position after only 10 laps of this 50 lap race. Finding some grip in the final laps, Gibson battled back to fourth where he would remain until the final 10 laps. Unable to keep the throttle down on his No. 2 Lithium Pros Toyota Camry, Gibson fell back to sixth where he would cross the finish, with Bell following in seventh.

“Despite dealing with some handling issues, it was a decent night with two top-10′s” said Gibson. “I am thankful to this team for their hard work tonight as well as my supportive sponsors. We will be back this weekend looking for a much stronger run.”

“We made a lot of changes to the No. 4 Toyota Racing Development Camry on Saturday, which had me struggling a bit in the first race” said Bell. “Fortunately, I was back up to speed in the second race, but was forced to fight back due to a flat tire. So proud of my guys for working so hard and can’t wait to gain some ground this weekend.”

Both drivers will have an opportunity to battle for the win in this Saturday night’s feature Advance Auto NASCAR Whelen All-American Series race, at Hickory Motor Speedway.

CONCORD, NC (June 29, 2012) Rev Racing announced today that it has selected Langley Speedway to serve as host for the 2012 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine to be held October 16-18, 2012.

“We’re excited about returning to Langley Speedway,” said Derik Crotts, General Manager of Rev Racing. “They have excellent facilities and have tremendous support from the community. We’re looking forward to another great Combine and the opportunity to evaluate and develop NASCAR’s next group of stars.”

The Combine is NASCAR’s premier event used to review, evaluate and select its Drive for Diversity Program race car drivers for the 2013 race season. The Combine evaluation process consists of a complete assessment of drivers based on their physical fitness, driver resume, media aptitude, driver communications/knowledge anddriving skill (on and off track). Diverse aspiring drivers are encouraged to find more information and apply at revracing.net.

Tracks from across the nation had the opportunity to submit their application to host the 2012 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine. In addition to Langley Speedway, four other tracks, which submitted compelling and unique proposals, were reviewed as contenders. Sites were selected based on their ability to adequately fulfill NASCAR and Rev Racing’s requirements to effectively assess and evaluate each participant. The selection panel, which included members from Rev Racing and NASCAR, evaluated each proposal based on elements such as direct cost, resources required and community involvement and support, stated Crotts.

“It was a tough process, with several good opportunities provided for our consideration,” added Crotts. “ In the end, Langley presented the most cost effective option for the Combine, while at the same time meeting or exceeding all of our other requirements.”

Submissions for the 2012 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine will be accepted through August 1st, 2012. For more information and to apply visit RevRacing.net or contact Ade Herbert at 704.455.7556.

CONCORD, NC (June 18, 2012) Despite obstacles standing in their way, Rev Racing’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series drivers, Trey Gibson and Mackena Bell continued their streak of top-10 finishes at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday.
After a 12^th place starting position in Saturday night’s feature race, Gibson, driver of the No. 2 Lithium Pros Toyota Camry, was able to push his way into the top-10 before the halfway point of the race. While his teammate, Bell, was spun on lap 21, where she received extensive damage, causing her to fall to the rear of the 19 car field.

Gibson continued to weave his way through this field and was up to the sixth position, with just 20 laps remaining in this exciting race, before he was spun out going into turn four.

Both Gibson and Bell battled back from these set backs and with just five laps remaining they were back in the top-10.  With two laps remaining Gibson moved his No. 2 Lithium Pros Toyota Camry into the seventh position in front of teammate, Bell, who finished in eighth.

“The No. 2 Lithium Pros Camry was definitely worthy of a win,” said Gibson.  “Unfortunately, being caught up in a wreck didn’t allow for this win, but pushing my way back into the top-10 before the end of this race proves that this car was powerful.  I would just like to thank my team and sponsors, Lithium Pros and Toyota, for giving me such an incredible car.”

Teammate, Bell, said that she was hoping to put her No. 4 Toyota Racing Development Camry in the top five, but was happy to know that her team is continuing to improve each week.

“We have continued to get better every weekend,” said Bell.  “I have learned a lot from this team and know that the time is coming to put the No. 4 Toyota Racing Development Camry in the winner’s circle.”

Gibson ranks 10^th in NASCAR Whelen All-American’s North Carolina state late model points standings, despite having run fewer races than many of his competitors.  Gibson and Bell also rank 35^th and 186^th, respectfully, out of 500 competitors, in national late model points standings.  Both drivers will have an opportunity to battle for the win in the feature NASCAR Whelen All-American Series race, at Hickory Motor Speedway, on June 30^th.