DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A life-changing opportunity could one day evolve into a sport-shaping career for 24 young men and women come the middle of next week.
Contested from Oct. 18-20, the eighth consecutive Drive for Diversity Combine will be held at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va., where drivers will vie for spots in one of NASCAR’s most successful initiatives.
Aspiring drivers of diverse backgrounds ranging from ages 16 to 24, and representing 10 U.S. states, Mexico and Puerto Rico, are prepared to showcase their skills in the hopes of securing a ride with Rev Racing in 2012. Rev Racing will enter its third year fielding teams for NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity initiative, in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
[callout_left]Grandstands at Langley will be open to the public from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET, Oct. 19-20 during on-track testing. [/callout_left]
The past two seasons of the D4D initiative have enjoyed unparalleled success. In 2010, Darrell Wallace Jr. became the youngest winner and first African-American winner in series history en route to winning the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Sunoco Rookie of the Year. This year’s Revolution Racing team eclipsed that success by placing three drivers in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East top 10 (Wallace had three victories and finished second in points; Sergio Pena also won three races and finished fifth; and Ryan Gifford finished 10th). Overall in 2011, Revolution Racing(now Rev Racing) had six wins, 12 top fives and 22 top 10s in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.
The drivers attending the Drive for Diversity Combine will be evaluated by a select committee on multiple fronts including on-track performance, marketing and media aptitude, physical fitness and personality.
2012 DRIVER FOR DIVERSITY COMBINE: INVITE LIST
| Driver | Age | Hometown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Gifford | 22 | Winchester, Tenn. | @ryangifford2 |
| Angelique Bell | 17 | Roseville, Calif. | |
| Jessica Brunelli | 18 | Hayward, Calif. | @brunelliracing |
| Sergio Pena | 18 | Catharpin, Va. | @thesspena |
| Mackena Bell | 19 | Carson City, Nev. | @mackenabell |
| Michael Cherry | 20 | Valrico, Fla. | @fastcherry |
| Jorge Arteaga | 23 | Agualcalientas, Mexico | @jorgearteaga46 |
| Jack Madrid | 16 | San Clemente, Calif. | |
| Kyle Larson | 19 | Elk Grove, Calif. | @kylelarsonracin |
| Frank Young | 19 | Fontana, Calif. | |
| Dylan Smith | 17 | Randolph, Vt. | |
| Devon Amos | 18 | Rio Rancho, N.M. | @devonamos |
| Annabeth Barnes | 20 | Hiddenite, N.C. | @annabethh |
| Bryan Ortiz | 21 | Bayamon, P.R. | @bryanoracing |
| Amber Colvin | 18 | Tallahassee, Fla. | @ambercolvin01 |
| Ruben Garcia | 16 | Mexico City, Mexico | @rubengarcia4 |
| Lindsey Holman | 23 | Abingdon, Va. | @LJHolman75 |
| Ryan Reed | 17 | Bakersfield, Calif. | @ryanreed04 |
| Trey Gibson | 18 | Easley, S.C. | @ tgibsonracing |
| Dallas Montes | 17 | Bakersfield, Calif. | @racinshoe17 |
| Juan Carlos Blum | 16 | Guadalajara, Mexico | @jcblum13 |
| Enrique Contreras | 18 | Cuernavaca Morelos, Mexico | @contreraskike |
| Tayla Orleans | 17 | Randleman, N.C. | @taylaorleans93 |
| Alexis Wilson | 16 | Hamburg, N.Y. |
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