Month: September 2016

Multicultural and Female Drivers to Compete for a Spot in NASCAR Drive for Diversity Developmental Program

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Seventeen Drivers Invited to 13th Drive for Diversity Combine at New Smyrna Speedway DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 29, 2016) – Seventeen drivers from across the country will compete for spots in the top driver development program in motorsports, NASCAR Drive for Diversity, during a national tryout at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway from Oct. 10-12. The 13th annual NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine invites promising ethnically diverse and female drivers from across North and South America to test their skills over a three-day period as NASCAR evaluates talent for the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Class of 2017. “This year’s NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine will feature some incredible talent and we’re excited to watch these young drivers compete,” said Dawn Harris, NASCAR director, multicultural development. “NASCAR’s first-class development program has produced the likes of Kyle Larson, Daniel Suárez and Darrell Wallace Jr., so it will be fun to see who rises to the top at New Smyrna.” In partnership with Rev Racing, NASCAR Drive for Diversity offers racing opportunities in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series for one full season, providing drivers with equipment, mentoring, and competition experience. “This is an unbelievable opportunity for these up-and-coming drivers; something I am very proud to be a part of for the sixth-consecutive year,” said Jefferson Hodges, Rev Racing director of competition. “To see past Drive for Diversity participants compete across all three NASCAR national series speaks volumes for the solid foundation Rev Racing provides these drivers in their budding careers.” This year, there are 13 female drivers competing for spots with Rev Racing. Returning this fall is Macy Causey, who at 14 years old was the youngest combine participant in NASCAR Drive for Diversity history in 2015. Also participating is Hailie Deegan, daughter of Brian Deegan, the most decorated athlete in freestyle motocross history, and Hope Hornish, the niece of 2006 Indianapolis 500 winner and current NASCAR XFINITY Series driver Sam Hornish Jr. Drivers under consideration to return to the team in 2017, but who will not compete at the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine, include current NASCAR K&N East and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series drivers: Jairo Avila, Enrique Baca, Collin Cabre, Madeline Crane, Ruben Garcia Jr, and Ali Kern. Collin’s brother, Chase Cabre, is also among the drivers selected to compete in this year’s combine. Driver combine participants will be evaluated on their driving skills and take part in a physical fitness assessment and receive additional training at Bethune-Cookman University. The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine has proven successful in identifying and developing future stars of the sport. Current NASCAR Driver for Diversity members have garnered four Top-5’s and 13 Top-10’s combined in the NASCAR K&N East and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series this season and are looking to repeat last year’s season ending victory at Dover International Speedway. Program graduate, Kyle Larson, earned his first victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this year at Michigan International Speedway. Fellow graduate and NASCAR XFINITY Series driver Daniel Suárez this year became the first Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR national series race. Suárez and fellow NASCAR XFINITY driver Darrell Wallace Jr., another NASCAR Drive for Diversity alumnus, are currently competing in the first NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase. Fans can follow the Combine live on Twitter at @NASCARDiversity and @RevRacing. Below are the invitees to the 2016 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine:
First Last Age City State/Country
Ali Kern* 23 Fremont Ohio
Amber Balcaen 24 Winnipeg Canada
Ariel Biggs 22 Castaic California
Armani Williams 16 Grosse Point Michigan
Chase Cabre 19 Tampa Florida
Collin Cabre* 23 Tampa Florida
Enrique Baca* 25 Monterrey Mexico
Hailie Deegan 15 Temecula California
Hannah Newhouse 19 Twin Falls Idaho
Hope Hornish 19 Defiance Ohio
Jairo Avila* 21 Alhambra California
Jay Beasley 24 Las Vegas Nevada
Kayli Barker 19 Las Vegas Nevada
Luis Rodriguez 22 Miami Florida
Macy Causey 15 Yorktown Virginia
Madeline Crane* 18 Meansville Georgia
McKenna Haase 19 Carlisle Iowa
Nicole Behar 18 Otis Orchards Washington
Reegan May 22 De Pere Wisconsin
Ruben Garcia Jr.* 20 Mexico City Mexico
Santiago Tovar 23 Mexico City Mexico
Taylor Jorgensen 20 Stockbridge Georgia
Walter Thomas III 18 Indianapolis Indiana
* Current NASCAR Drive for Diversity drivers eligible for 2017 program; will attend but not compete in combine About NASCAR The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit http://www.NASCAR.com and http://www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’). 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 and women drivers and pit crew members. For more information about Rev Racing visit https://revracing.net or follow us on Twitter @RevRacin.

Looking for the Same Outcome at “The Monster Mile”

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Concord, NC (September 28, 2016) – After thirteen races and eleven states, Rev Racing will find their way to the final race of the K&N Pro Series East Season at Dover International Speedway, better known as “The Monster Mile.” This monster, “Miles”, built of a concrete one-mile oval with banking of nine degrees on the straightaways and 24 degrees in the turns, has historically presented some of the best moments in NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) history. With multiple wins, pole settings and numerous top-5 and top-10 finishes, D4D present and past drivers have proved themselves at this track. Most recently, Collin Cabre, a rookie driver in the 2015 season, won the season closer at Dover with next to no track time (weather related) or experience at the Speedway. Needless to say, Rev drivers and crew are ready to take on Miles to finish out the season with the same momentum and success. This weekend, the K&N Pro Series East will close with the Dover 125, on Friday, September 30. This will mark the eighth time since 2004 that Dover International Speedway hosts the final race of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season. Collin Cabre (No. 2 UTI/NTI Toyota) – Cabre, who is currently sitting 6th in points, has steadily been improving in standings each race. With four top-5s and six top-10s this season, Cabre is hungry for the same result he found in 2015. The No. 2 UTI/NTI driver has earned four top-5 finishes in his last six races. “We are approaching this race the same as last year,” said Cabre. “The car is in a really good spot set-up wise and we are all just eager to hit the track. It looks like rain again this year, so I am fine with just racing if it earns us the same outcome. We experienced some unlucky moments in the beginning of the year, but feel good overall about the growth we have had in the car. I am appreciative to my team and the program for the opportunity. Let’s hope we can bring home the win.” Ruben Garcia (No. 6 Sunoco Toyota) – Ruben Garcia, sitting 11th in points, approaches this weekend ready to break into the top-10 in standings. Garcia has earned five top-10’s this rookie season. Garcia will drive the No. 6 Sunoco Toyota this weekend and hopes to be part of the historically success the past D4D drivers have found at this track. Ali Kern (No. 4 Honda Generators Toyota) – Kern, who is currently 13th in points, will drive this year’s 2016 NASCAR Drive for Diversity’s Combine sponsor, Honda Generators, branding on her car this weekend. Kern hopes to add a top finish to her resume as her rookie season will come to a close. Enrique Baca (No. 42 Rev Racing Toyota) – As Baca and team prepare for Dover, communication will be at the forefront of their track strategy. Baca, entering the No. 42 just two races ago, is challenged with a new track experience, series and crew. This Monterrey, Mexico native is eager to prove himself and garner a solid finish with his team. Two-lap qualifying for the DOVER 125 will be on Friday, September 30th at 12:35 p.m., followed by the race at 5:00 p.m. Follow @RevRacin on Twitter for live race updates.

NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Combine Moves to New Smyrna Speedway

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The 2016 NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) Driver Combine, sponsored by Honda Generator, will take place October 10-12 at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway, Rev Racing announced today.

NASCAR and Rev Racing competition directors and staff will host the multi-day tryout to evaluate multicultural and female drivers from around the globe, and identify which drivers will have the opportunity to compete as part of the 2017 D4D driver class.

This is the first year New Smyrna Speedway will host a D4D combine. The high-banked half-mile has seen visits from several Rev Racing drivers during the season-opening NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race each February, including a win by current NASCAR XFINITY Series driver Daniel Suarez in 2014.

New Smyrna Speedway is a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series track and hosts the annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing each February. The track will also host the Hart to Heart Breast Cancer Foundation Super Late Model 100 on October 29.

Each year, D4D host tracks and sponsors have contributed greatly to the success of the combine event.

“We have watched the diversity program for years and are excited to the host the combine this year,” said Kim Brown, general manager of New Smyrna Speedway. “I believe it will bring a lot of exposure to the track as well as the city of New Smyrna Beach.”

Honda Generators will also come on board this year as the primary sponsor of the 2016 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine. Honda Generators has been a long-standing season sponsor of Rev Racing through a product exchange program with the race team since 2014. Honda’s series of portable generators will be part of the track-side action – providing the crew and drivers durable and dependable power throughout the entire combine.

In addition to the on-track performance evaluations that will take place at New Smyrna Speedway, the combine participants will be evaluated on physical fitness by pit crew coach Phil Horton at nearby Bethune-Cookman University.

Bethune-Cookman will make its athletic facilities available for Coach Horton and staff to test both the endurance and strength of athletes hoping to secure a spot on the 2017 NASCAR D4D driver roster.

Additionally, Rev Racing and NASCAR staff will work with Bethune-Cookman mass communications students for a hands-on learning exercise engaging combine participants. The students will conduct mock media interviews with the athletes and also take part in social media activities and broadcast opportunities from New Smyrna Speedway during the combine.

Rev Racing continues to look for opportunities to improve the D4D combine and driver experience, as well as engage other institutes that hold the same values and diversity initiatives.

“We are extremely proud of the relationships that we have fostered with our various partners,” said Rev Racing owner, Max Siegel. “We look forward to continuing these relationships and look for areas of growth for many years to come. The new 2016 combine partners will not only benefit the participants, but offer a new experience to repeat participant drivers.”

This year’s 2016 combine sponsors will include, Honda Generators, New Smyrna Speedway, Five Star Race Car Bodies, Bethune-Cookman and host hotel Perry’s Ocean Edge Resort. Rev Racing also thanks Drive for Diversity partners NASCAR, Sunoco and Goodyear for the continued support during the combine and the entire 2016 season. It is through the positive relationships with 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]. 

 

About Honda Generators

Honda Power Equipment, a division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., markets a complete range of outdoor power equipment, including generators, lawn mowers, pumps, snow blowers, tillers and trimmers for commercial, rental and residential applications, outboard marine engines and general purpose engines. Its comprehensive product line is powered exclusively by four-stroke engines.

About New Smyrna Speedway 

New Smyrna Speedway is a NASCAR sanctioned asphalt track that is 0.48 of a mile in length, located near New Smyrna Beach, Florida in Samsula. New Smyrna Speedway races various divisions from Super Late Models to Bombers every Saturday night from March to November and hosts the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing every February and the Florida Governor’s Cup 200 every November. New Smyrna Speedway strives to be fun for the entire family.

About Bethune Cookman University:

Founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) today sustains her legacy of faith, scholarship and service through its relationship with the United Methodist Church and its commitment to academic excellence and civic engagement.  B-CU offers 38 degrees on its main campus and online college. Located in Daytona Beach, B-CU is one of three private, historically black colleges in the state of Florida. The institution boasts a diverse and international faculty and student body of nearly 4,000.  For more information, visit http://www.cookman.edu/.

A New Track Experience for Rev Racing

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Concord, NC (September 14, 2016) – This weekend, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will head to New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) in Millville, New Jersey, for the first time in series history. This race will also mark the third road course event on the race schedule this season. Although this new location poses a new challenge, Rev Racing drivers might have the experience needed for some top finishes in the JUSTDRIVE.com 125.

Collin Cabre (No. 2 UTI/NTI Toyota) – Cabre, who is currently sitting 7th in points with three top-5s and five top-10s this season, hopes to have the same outcome as the last road course race at Watkins Glen International. Cabre finished fifth at The Glen for his best career road course finish. With just one more race on the schedule, after NJMP, Team No. 2 is focused on high finishes to improve the end of year point standing placement.

Ruben Garcia (No. 6 Sunoco Toyota) – Ruben Garcia, sitting right outside the top-10 in points, approaches this weekend ready to put his experience to the test. Garcia, who has a tremendous amount of road course experience from driving in Mexico, feels a sense of comfort, even though he has never raced this course.

“I plan to take all of the experience I have gained this year in the K&N car and combine that with my road course background to achieve the finish we want,” said Garcia. “The car is in a really good spot and I think this is the best opportunity we have had all season for the win.”

Garica will drive the No. 6 Sunoco car this weekend and at the season ender at Dover International Speedway.

Ali Kern (No. 4  Max Siegel, Inc. Toyota) – Driver Ali Kern is the only Rev Racing driver who has had previous experience with the road course at NJMP. Earlier this year, Kern spent some time in a road course driving school, located at NJMP. Kern, who is currently 13th in points, hopes to break into the top-10 by the season’s end.

Enrique Baca (No. 42 L&M Ethanol Toyota) – Baca and team are looking for redemption after a difficult K&N debut at Greenville Pickens Speedway. After an aggressive start between drivers, Baca was involved in a crash that left him unable to proceed with the race. Baca, who also comes with great experience in road course racing from his time spent on the track in Mexico, is eager to put his road course knowledge to the test.

Drivers will join other East Series competitors for a day of optional track testing on Friday September 16th. Qualifying (NASCAR Road Race Style)* for the JUSTDRIVE.com 125 will be on Saturday, September 17th at 3p.m., followed by the race at 5:15 p.m.Follow @RevRacin on Twitter for live race updates.

 

* Fastest 22 cars earn starting positions 1st through 22nd