Barriers fall as Darrell Wallace Jr. wins in NASCAR’s East tour (USAToday)

Darrell Wallace Jr. discovered Saturday night that celebrating his first NASCAR victory differed greatly from how he envisioned it. Don’t even bother asking him to digest the historical aspect of his victory in the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150, where Wallace became the NASCAR K&N East Series’ first African-American winner and its youngest victor at 16 years, five months and 19 days. Wallace’s win topped Brett Moffitt (16 years, 9 months, 27 days), who won at South Boston (Va.) Speedway last season. “It hasn’t hit me, but soon it will,” said Wallace, a member of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program. “It was a pretty crazy night. It was mainly saving tires, that’s what they were telling me in my ear all night. That’s what I did and I was able to come up with the win.” Wallace started seventh at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway in his series debut and led three times for 22 laps, gaining his final lead after passing Cole Whitt just after the last restart. Next were fellow rookie Andrew Smith, Jody Lavender, Whitt and Ryan Gifford, one of Wallace’s three D4D teammates at Revolution Racing. Read the rest on USAToday

Wallace Makes History, Gives Revolution Racing First Win

Darrell Wallace Jr. made his debut in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East one for the history books, becoming the youngest driver and first African-American to win in series history. “We were solid all day – from practice to qualifying. Everything,” said Wallace, who is just 16 years, 5 months and 19 days old. “I can’t thank the guys from Revolution Racing enough. They worked their tails off to get this car ready for this race.” Wallace led three times for 22 laps in the No. 6 Revolution Racing Chevrolet, taking the lead for the final time on a green-white-checkered finish to the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150 at Greenville Pickens Speedway on Saturday night. “I kept spinning my tires,” said Wallace. “I told myself to just relax – you’ll get them back. And that’s what I did and I came home with the ‘W’” Wallace’s win also earned him Sunoco Rookie of the Race honors. It is the first win for Revolution Racing, a majority minority-owned race team owned by Max Siegel and John Story. Revolution, which operates four NASCAR K&N Pro Series East teams and six NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model teams, focuses on driver development through a unique academy-style program. Three of Wallace’s Revolution Racing teammates also competed in Saturday night’s Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150. Ryan Gifford battled back to a fifth-place finish after two spins in the No. 2 Distribution One Chevrolet. Mackena Bell, the only female driver in the 30 car field, scored a top-20 finish in her NASCAR K&N Pro Series East debut, driving the No. 8 Revolution Racing Chevrolet. Sergio Pena, who made his NASCAR K&N Pro Series debut in January during the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, was involved in a wreck on lap 65 that sent his No. 4 Revolution Racing Chevrolet to the garage. Pena was credited with a 28th-place finish. The race broadcast will air Thursday, April 1 at 6 p.m. ET on SPEED. Revolution Racing will return to the track in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East 150 at South Boston (Va.) Speedway on April 3.

Revolution Late Models Battle Caution Filled Night at Hickory

Revolution Racing’s Jessica Brunelli, Katie Hagar and Jason Romero returned to Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway this weekend looking to build on what they learned in last weekend’s 100-lap season opener. What they got instead was a caution-filled 50 laps of door-to-door racing. Romero came away with a seventh-place finish in the No. 2 Distribution One Late Model, followed by Hagar in eighth in the No. 4 Late Model. Brunelli was battling for a spot in the top five when a broken wheel hub on her No. 3 Late Model brought out a late caution and ended her night before the green-white-checkered finish. “It was a crazy race with a lot of beating and banging out there tonight,” said Brunelli, who was credited with an 11th-place finish. “Unfortunately we had the issue with the hub that ended our night a few laps early. Everyone on the Revolution Racing No. 3 Late Model team worked hard tonight and it’s tough to see it end that way. Now we have to come back out here in a couple of weeks and show them we’re capable of running up front at the end.” Romero had a solid seventh-place finish after a 10th-place qualifying run. “We were good on new tires, but we were hitting the nose a little bit in qualifying which hurt our effort,” said Romero. “Fortunately we learned a lot in last week’s race and we were able to get the car rotating a little better in race conditions. We’ve got a lot of talented people in the Revolution Racing late model shop working hard to get these cars right, and we learn a little bit more and get a little bit better with every race.” Hagar fought through multiple on-track incidents to come away with an eighth-place finish. “It was a tough night for the No. 4 team, but we were able to stay on the lead lap and finish eighth,” said Hagar. “We got caught up in a couple of things on-track tonight, but we fought through it and didn’t give up. Everyone on this team worked hard and I think we showed our determination and perseverance. We’ve got next weekend off to regroup and I think we’ll come back stronger than ever.” Brunelli, Hagar and Romero will return to action April 9 at Tri-County Motor Speedway (Hudson, N.C.). They return to Hickory Motor Speedway for another 50-lap feature on April 10. Revolution late model drivers Michael Cherry, Becca Kasten and Megan Reitenour will race at Tri-County Motor Speedway April 2, followed by their first race at Caraway Speedway (Asheboro, N.C.) on April 3.

K&N Pro Series where development takes place (NASCAR.com)

By Ty Norris, Special to NASCAR.COM In the fall of 1997, Dale Earnhardt and I had a closed-door conversation with an executive of our NASCAR Busch Series team’s primary sponsor. We were informing this distinguished gentleman that we planned to move Steve Park to the Cup Series the following year and were replacing him with an unproven driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Out of character, this executive lost his mind while expressing his displeasure. After all, Park had won three times in his only full season with DEI and finished third in points. As soon as we find someone we like, you guys move him up to Cup and we’re stuck paying for you to help your son,” the sponsor boldly said. This executive seemed to forget that the Busch Series was a true developmental series then, and much like university alumni have learned through the years, it’s hard to get attached to the best players because they are only visiting en route to the pros. Dale got his way — imagine that — and Junior took over the No. 3 ride in 1998. He won back-to-back Busch Series titles, outpointing a kid from Wisconsin named Matt Kenseth. The highest full-time Cup driver in the final season rankings was 25th in points. Our primary sponsor paid only $1.4 million per year for all 34 events, and had 13 victories and two titles to show for it. It was affordable, well-represented and rewarding to teams and sponsors. Read the rest on NASCAR.com

Weekend Preview: Hickory Motor Speedway

The Revolution Racing late model program returns to Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway this weekend where three Revolution Racing drivers – Jessica Brunelli, Katie Hagar and Jason Romero – look to improve on last weekend’s season opener.   Event Information: Late Model Stock 50 laps Hickory Motor Speedway Saturday, March 27 at 7 p.m.   Jessica Brunelli Team: No. 3 Late Model  Crew Chief: Brandon Butler Brunelli on her third-place finish at Hickory last weekend: “My team did an awesome job putting the car together last week and we had a great run, despite having to come from the back of the field. I’m looking forward to getting in good qualifying run this week and, hopefully, starting up front. It’s a much shorter race this week so starting up front will be important.” Fast Facts:
  • Brunelli finished third in her first late model race at Hickory Motor Speedway last weekend after starting 14th. 
  • Brunelli is finishing her junior year of high school via online college prep independent study. She also works 20 hours/week at the race shop.
  • At 17 years old, Brunelli is the youngest of Revolution Racing’s late model drivers.
  Katie Hagar Team: No. 4 Late Model Crew Chief: Lynn Martin Hagar on returning to Hickory Motor Speedway: “I’m really looking forward to going back to Hickory this weekend. We made some improvements to the car throughout the week and I know what to expect this time around. I think we can go out there and put on a great, competitive show.” Fast Facts:
  • Hagar finished sixth in the season opening 100-lap feature at Hickory last weekend.
  • Hagar made her first start at Hickory Motor Speedway in an Allison Legacy Car in 2000; she has also tested modifieds and late models at Hickory.
  • Hagar has raced late models in California for the last two seasons, competing at All American Speedway, Madera Speedway and Stockton 99 Speedway.
  Jason Romero Team: No. 2 Distribution One Late Model Crew Chief: Brent Cusick Romero on returning to Hickory Motor Speedway: “I’m excited to go back to Hickory this weekend with the knowledge we gained last weekend. I figured out late in the race what worked for me so it’s nice to be able to go back this week and apply what we learned. I think the No. 2 Distribution One Late Model will be good this week.” Fast Facts:
  • Romero finished eighth in last weekend’s season opener at Hickory Motor Speedway after starting the race 10th.
  • Romero finished the 2009 season 11th overall in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national points standings.
  • In his first full season of racing late models at All American Speedway, Romero won four poles and 11 races on his way to the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series track championship.

Weekend Preview: Greenville Pickens Speedway

Revolution Racing will make its NASCAR K&N Pro Series East debut at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway this weekend with four rookie drivers. Mackena Bell, Ryan Gifford, Sergio Pena and Darrell Wallace Jr. will all contend for the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year title.   Event Information: Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150 Greenville Pickens Speedway Saturday, March 27 at 8 p.m. ET (TV: SPEED, April 1, 6 p.m. ET)   Track Information: Greenville Pickens Speedway is a flat, half-mile asphalt oval with five degrees of banking in the turns.   Mackena Bell Team: No. 8 Chevrolet  Crew Chief: Jerry Babb Bell on making her debut in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East: “I’m looking forward to making my first start in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East this weekend. I’m excited for the opportunity to compete at a historic track like Greenville Pickens Speedway, against a field of great drivers. I’ve got a great crew chief in Jerry Babb and I’m ready to go out there and learn as much as I can about racing in this series.” Fast Facts:
  • Bell raced super late models at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.) in 2009 for Position One Motorsports. She finished the season eighth in the points standings with one top three and 10 top‐10 finishes.
  • This will be Bell’s first career start at Greenville Pickens Speedway.
  • Bell is the only female driver on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East entry list for this weekend’s Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150.
  Ryan Gifford Team: No 2 Distribution One Chevrolet Crew Chief: Lee McCall Gifford on his Greenville Pickens preparation: “We had a really good test last week and I got a little bit of experience in these cars last year, which will really help us this season. I think we have what it takes to go out there this weekend and run up front.” Fast Facts:
  • Gifford made five starts in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series last season (four in the East and one in the West). He scored two second-place finishes, including the season finale at Dover International Speedway.
  • Gifford has never competed at Greenville Pickens Speedway. This will mark his first career start at the historic track.
  • Gifford is a hands-on driver and is at the shop working on his cars every chance he gets. He prides himself on knowing what he can do to make his cars faster.
  Sergio Pena Team: No. 4 Chevrolet Crew Chief: Mark McFarland Pena on making his first start since the Toyota Showdown: “We ran well out in Irwindale which was a huge confidence booster for me. It helped to get that seat time and to get a feel for these cars, but now the season really starts and we have to go out there and be consistent and run up front every week. I’m excited to work with Mark (McFarland) this year and I think we’ll be good this weekend.” Fast Facts:
  • Pena made his NASCAR K&N Pro Series debut at the Toyota Showdown at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale in January. He qualified on the pole and finished second to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano.
  • As a rookie in the late model division at Shenandoah (Va.) Speedway in 2009, Pena scored six wins in 11 races.
  • Pena has just one year of oval track experience; prior to running late models, he competed on road courses in open-wheel formula cars.
  Darrell Wallace Jr. Team: No. 6 Chevrolet Crew Chief: Robert Huffman Wallace on his debut in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East: “It’s been a long off season and I am ready to get back to racing. Everyone at Revolution Racing has been working hard to get these cars ready for this weekend. I’m ready to get to Greenville so we can show everyone what this team is capable of doing.” Fast Facts:
  • Wallace has been competing in late models since he was 14 years old. Now at 16, he’s old enough to compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, NASCAR’s premier development series.
  • At just 16 years old, Wallace is Revolution Racing’s youngest driver.
  • Wallace has raced late models at Greenville Pickens Speedway in the past; this will be his first start at the track in a NASCAR K&N Pro Series car.

Brunelli Finishes Third In Hickory Debut

Jessica Brunelli looked impressive in her debut at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway last night, coming from the back of the field to a third-place finish in the 100-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model race. Brunelli, Revolution Racing’s only late model rookie, had just two career late model starts going into this weekend’s race. Brunelli’s Revolution Racing teammates, Katie Hagar and Jason Romero, finished sixth and eighth, respectively. “I’m proud of myself and my team,” said Brunelli, driver of the No. 3 Revolution Racing Late Model. “I couldn’t have asked for a better car tonight… that was probably the best car I’ve ever raced. I’m glad I could give Revolution Racing a good finish in our first race here at Hickory.” A mechanical issue during her qualifying warm up lap forced Brunelli to miss her qualifying attempt and start at the tail-end of the 14 car field. That didn’t slow Brunelli down, however. By lap 35, she had worked her way into the top five and settled comfortably into the fourth position. Race leader Kyle Moon pulled into the pits with a flat tire on lap 65, moving Brunelli into third place. A restart with 15 laps to go gave Brunelli the opportunity to battle with the leaders, but she couldn’t advance her position and settled back into third. A late race charge by fourth-place Candace Muzny kept Brunelli on her toes. Muzny couldn’t make the pass and Brunelli crossed the line third for her career-best late model finish. Hagar, driving the No. 4 D4D Crew Member Development Program presented by Sprint Late Model, finished sixth after qualifying 12th. “I had my hands full tonight, that’s for sure,” said Hagar. “We didn’t get a lot of practice yesterday with the No. 4 D4D Crew Member Program Late Model, but I’m proud of all the hard work the guys put into getting the car ready for the race. We’ll go back to the shop and get it better for next week.” Romero finished eighth in the No. 2 Distribution One Late Model after a 10th-place qualifying effort.“It’s good to get the first race of the season out of the way and I’m looking forward to coming back out here next week and doing it all over again,” said Romero. “I can’t thank everyone at Revolution Racing, Drive for Diversity and Distribution One enough for their support. This is going to be a great season.” Brunelli, Hagar and Romero return to Hickory Motor Speedway next Saturday, March 27.

Weekend Preview: Hickory Motor Speedway

The Revolution Racing late model program heads to Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway this weekend where three Revolution Racing drivers – Jessica Brunelli, Katie Hagar and Jason Romero – will make their season debut. Event Information: Late Model Stock 100 laps Hickory Motor Speedway Saturday, March 20 at 7 p.m.   Jessica Brunelli Team: No. 3 Revolution Racing Late Model  Crew Chief: Robert Huffman Brunelli on making her first late model start for Revolution Racing: “I’m excited to get racing, especially after watching my teammates race at Greenville Pickens Speedway last weekend. I’m not really familiar with a lot of the drivers out here that I will be competing against, so I’m looking to go out there and get a sense of who everyone is, how they drive, and really just learn as much as I can.” Fast Facts:
  • Brunelli earned one top-10 finish in two NASCAR Whelen All-American Series late model starts in 2009.
  • Brunelli earned Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR Whelen All‐American Series Modified division at All American Speedway (Roseville, Calif.) last season with 10 top fives and 13 top 10s.
  • At 17 years old, Brunelli is the youngest of Revolution Racing’s late model drivers.
  • Brunelli is completing her high school education (she’s currently a junior) through online college prep independent study, which allows her the flexibility she needs to race without sacrificing a quality education.
  • This is Brunelli’s first season participating in the Drive for Diversity program.
  Katie Hagar Team: No. 4 D4D Crew Member Development Program presented by Sprint Late Model Crew Chief: Mark McFarland Hagar on returning to the East Coast: “It was a great opportunity for me to go out to California and race for the last couple of years, but I’m glad to be back East where it’s easier for my friends and family to support my racing. It’s been a long time, nearly 10 years, since I’ve been to Hickory, and I know it’s a tough track. Everyone at Revolution Racing has been working hard to make sure we have what we need to go out there and be competitive.” Fast Facts:
  • Hagar has raced late models in California for the last two seasons, competing at All American Speedway, Madera Speedway and Stockton 99 Speedway.
  • In 2009, Hagar set the track qualifying record at Stockton 99 Speedway with a lap of 13.576 seconds.
  • Hagar made her first and only start at Hickory Motor Speedway in an Allison Legacy Car in 2000; she has also tested modifieds and late models at Hickory.
  • Hagar is in her third season with the Drive for Diversity program.
  Jason Romero Team: No. 2 Distribution One Late Model Crew Chief: Andy Santerre Romero on his first late model race away from All American Speedway: “I’m ready to get to Hickory where we’ll be competing against some of the best late model drivers in the country. Revolution Racing and the Drive for Diversity program have given me a great opportunity to come out to the East Coast after competing at All American Speedway for most of my career. There’s a big difference between the Western late models that I’ve been running and these truck-arm cars, but I’m learning all I can and I’m looking forward to a great season.” Fast Facts:
  • Romero finished the 2009 season 11th overall in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national points standings.
  • In his first full season of racing late models at All American Speedway, Romero won four poles and 11 races on his way to the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series track championship.
  • Romero was the recipient of the 2009 NASCAR Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award, which recognizes the achievements of female and minority drivers in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
  • This is Romero’s first season competing with the  support of the Drive for Diversity program.

Revolution Racing Overcomes Challenges on Way to Solid Season Debut

Revolution Racing’s Michael Cherry headed into Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway’s season opening Twin 50 late model races with a year of competition at the historic speedway under his belt. Cherry used that experience to his advantage, scoring two top-10 finishes with a seventh- and fourth-place run, respectively, despite mechanical woes early in the first race. Also for Revolution Racing, Becca Kasten (eighth and eighth) and Megan Reitenour (13th and 11th) made their season debuts in the twin Late Model features at Greenville Pickens. “We ran good tonight, all things considered,” said Cherry. “We had the carburetor issue in the first race that really took us out of contention, so it was good to rebound in the second race and run up front with the leaders. I’m happy to get out of here with a solid top-five finish and the Distribution One late model in one piece.” Cherry, driving the No. 6 Distribution One Late Model, qualified third for the first 50-lap event but knew early on that his car wasn’t running as it should. By lap 10, he had slipped to the tail end of the field. A well timed caution allowed Cherry the opportunity to bring his car in for the necessary repairs. He restarted 14th on lap 12 and worked his way back to a seventh-place finish. Cherry started the second race where he finished the first, in the seventh spot. A long green-flag run spread out the field and Cherry knew a restart would be his only shot at picking off the leaders. A series of late race cautions bunched up the field, helping Cherry move from seventh to fourth. On the final restart, Cherry made the pass for third but couldn’t hold on to the position. He settled for a fourth-place finish. Kasten piloted the No. 5 D4D Crew Member Development Program presented by Sprint Late Model to a pair of eighth-place finishes, despite trouble in qualifying. “We had the car where we wanted it in final practice and I just messed up in qualifying,” said Kasten, who was competing at Greenville Pickens Speedway for the first time. “We had to start at the tail end of the field but I was able to pick up some spots and get some experience racing with these guys.” Reitenour had limited practice time at Greenville Pickens Speedway on Saturday due to an engine change for the No. 1 Revolution Racing Late Model. Reitenour qualified 12th and finished 13th and 11th in the Twin 50 events. “I was out there trying to get all I could out of it,” said Reitenour. “In the first race, I could catch [the field] in the corners but I had nothing for them on the straightaway. We picked up a little bit for the second race and I thought we had a shot at a top 10, but we came up just a little short tonight.” Cherry, Kasten and Reitenour will return to action April 2 at Tri-County Motor Speedway in Hudson, N.C. Their Revolution Racing teammates – Jessica Brunelli, Katie Hagar and Jason Romerowill make their late model season debut at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway on March 20.