D4D Combine Success Attributed to Strong Partnerships

DriveForDiversity_922x520.jpg.main.pngThe 2014-15 NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) Combine will take place in Hampton, VA for the 4th consecutive year. While the Drive for Diversity Combine is a NASCAR-sanctioned initiative, the success of the Drive for Diversity combine is largely contributed to the support of its partners and year-round sponsors. Langley Speedway will host the combine, drivers and officials on October 13th – October 15th. Langley Speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned track that hosts more than fifty percent of Rev Racing’s Whelen All-American Series races throughout the year. The track currently hosts 11 divisions which alternate running during their Saturday night program: Late Models, Grand Stock, Modifieds, K&N Pro Series East, Legend cars, Super Street, UCAR, Pro Six, Super Trucks, HRKC Pro Winged Champ Karts, Bandoleros, Enduros, and the Whelen Southern Modified Tour. “Langley Speedway is pleased to continue their relationship with NASACR Drive for Diversity and Rev Racing for the fourth consecutive year. We again welcome the opportunity to partner with the City of Hampton and Hampton University to showcase these stars of tomorrow,” said Bill Mullis, owner of Langley Speedway. In addition to the on-track performance evaluations that will take place at Langley Speedway, the participants will be evaluated on physical fitness conducted by pit crew coach Phil Horton at nearby Hampton University. Hampton will host and offer the usage of their athletic facilities for Coach Horton and staff to test both the endurance and strength of the athletes hoping to secure a spot on our 2015 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pitcrew roster. The combine will engage and test Hampton student athletes and trainers. Rev Racing’s partnership with Hampton University has extended outside merely the use of their facilities. Management at Rev Racing has worked year-round with students in the sports management program as well as the business school. Students and faculty have worked together on research projects surrounding strategies and distribution tactics of the teams’ social media platform. “Being able to directly work with the marketing staff and drivers of Rev Racing has been invaluable to my students. The experiences have truly developed their skill sets in research, analysis, virtual collaboration and new media,” said Professor Ralph Charlton. The combine participants and Hampton students will also go through an afternoon media and PR training session before hitting the track that will take place at the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communication. Rev Racing and the Drive for Diversity Program continue to look for opportunities to improve the combine and driver experience, as well as, engaging other institutes that hold the same diversity initiatives. “We are extremely proud of the relationships that we have fostered with our various partners. We look forward to continuing these relationships and look for areas of growth for many years to come,” said Rev Racing owner, Max Siegel. Another destination for the Drive for Diversity Combine is the Virginia Air & Space Center. Every year the combine has taken place in Hampton, the Air & Space Center has provided NASCAR & Rev Racing with an inaugural catered dinner as an official welcome to the combine and to the city of Hampton, Virginia. In addition to Langley Speedway, Hampton University, and the Air & Space Center we would also like to thank NASCAR, Sunoco, Toyota, and Goodyear for their continued support during the combine and the entire NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season. It is through the positive relationships with our partners and sponsors that Rev Racing is able to experience success year-in and year-out. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Christy Gormal at [email protected].

Two Top-10s in Season Finale

SONY DSCRev Racing capped off the 2014 season in excellent fashion, with two drivers finishing in the top-10 at Dover International, otherwise known as the Monster Mile. Leading the way for Rev Racing were teammates Sergio Peña and Ryan Gifford. Both drivers qualified no better than 20th but were able to use their veteran acumen to impressively improve their standing over the course of the 150-lap race. Due to rain, the teams weren’t able to accomplish much the day prior to the race and left the track early as first practice was ultimately cancelled. This left only one practice on the day of the race for each team to become acclimated to what would be the fastest track they’ve competed on all season (the average speed was 154 mph). The lack of practice arguably contributed to both Peña and Gifford having less than favorable qualifying efforts. However, much like the past few races, Gifford did not let his qualifying effort distract him from his game plan during the actual race; and Peña followed suit. Both Pena and Gifford, who took the green flag 23rd and 20th, took their time over the course of the race. Neither driver forced the issue and waited until the right opportunities presented themselves to advance through the pack. Both drivers were assisted by a few competitors going down with flat tires, however it was ultimately their patience and ability to take advantage of restarts that allowed each of the drivers to have successful races. Peña ultimate took the checkered flag in 6th while Gifford finished in 9th. Daniel Suarez, who competed in his final race for Rev Racing did not have the race that he had hoped for, taking the checkered in 22nd but is grateful for the time he spent with his teammates and remains optimistic about his future in the NASCAR Nationwide series. Remaining Rev Racing drivers, Beasley & Bell finished the race 16th and 17th respectively. ABOUT REV RACING: Headquartered in Concord, NC, Rev Racing, owned by Max Siegel, operates the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program, which is the industry’s leading developmental program for ethnic minorities, women drivers, and pit crew members. For more information about Rev Racing visit www.revracing.net and follow us on Twitter @RevRacin.