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Sergio Peña Captures First NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Victory

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_MG_3848 Win Marks Third D4D Victory in Last 12 Series Races   SOUTH BOSTON, Va. (April 17, 2011) – Just more than a year after exploding onto the NASCAR scene with a second-place finish in his NASCAR K&N Series debut in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale, Sergio Peña grabbed his first series victory in the South Boston 150. Peña, driving the Freightliner Toyota as part of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program, won the second race of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season. It marked the third victory in 12 NASCAR K&N Series races for Revolution Racing over the last two seasons.   Teammates Ryan Gifford, driving the TRD Toyota Camry, and Darrell Wallace Jr., driving the U.S. Army entry, took home fifth- and sixth-place finishes respectively, giving Revolution Racing three of the top-six positions in the tightly contested race. Michael Cherry, driving the Revolution Racing Fueling Your Dreams Toyota Camry, was involved in several accidents including one with then-race-leader Brett Moffitt with nine laps remaining, giving Peña the lead on the race’s final restart with four laps remaining. Cherry spun alone in turn four and Moffitt could not stop collecting Cherry’s Toyota. Peña held off Matt DiBenedetto, Max Gresham and Coleman Pressley for the win. Peña took over the lead in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East points standing by one point over Coleman Pressley. Wallace is fourth (21 points behind Peña), Gifford is seventh (minus 52) and Cherry is 17th (125 points down).   Wallace Jr, last year’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series rookie of the year, puwon the pole with Peña qualifying third, Cherry sixth and Gifford 12th. “This is a great feeling,” Peña said. “I don’t know what happened to Brett Moffitt there, but unfortunately for him he wasn’t able to finish the race, but he was definitely the car to beat. Luckily I was there to pounce on it and take away the win.”   The South Boston 150 can be seen on Speed TV Thursday at 6 p.m. (ET).

NASCAR Fueling Your Dreams Tour at CIAA

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Revolution Racing’s NASCAR Fueling Your Dreams Tour paid a visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame during the CIAA tournament in Uptown Charlotte. The Tour features a complete race hauler available for tours, a NASCAR K&N Pro Series showcar, iRacing Motorsports simulators and free premium items. Both Michael Cherry and Mackena Bell were on hand to meet new fans and show them the way around the track on the simulators.

Toyota Joins Revolution Racing

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Charlotte, N.C. (Jan. 26, 2011) – Revolution Racing, the second-year NASCAR development program, will campaign Toyota Camrys in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series beginning with this weekend’s NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.). Revolution Racing, founded and owned by former Dale Earnhardt Inc. executives Max Siegel and John Story, exists to provide opportunities in NASCAR for minorities and females and fields four teams in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, six teams in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, multiple youth racing teams and a NASCAR pit crew development program. Each team is part of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity (D4D) program, now entering its eighth season. “Revolution Racing is providing a tremendous service to the NASCAR industry and the individuals it touches,” said Ed Laukes, corporate motorsports marketing manager for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. (TMS). “Toyota’s commitment to diversity is built into every aspect of our business. We are proud to support the diversity efforts of NASCAR and Revolution Racing both on and off the track.” The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East teams are operated under the direction of four-time NASCAR K&N Pro Series champion Andy Santerre, and the six NASCAR Whelen All‐American Series teams are led by former Greenville-Pickens (S.C.) Speedway track champion Blair Addis. “Toyota and TRD have made a significant contribution to Revolution Racing, the NASCAR D4D program and diversity in general,” said Siegel and Story in a joint statement. “Toyota has made significant contributions to NASCAR and has proven itself to be a great corporate partner to the entire sport, and we are fortunate to have Toyota as a partner at Revolution Racing.” This year’s D4D class represents drivers from across North America. Six drivers will return from 2010 and will be joined by four new drivers. Last year’s on-track success was the most significant in the history of the D4D program with 11 drivers combining for five wins, 75 top-10 finishes and 41 top-five finishes. African-American driver Darrell Wallace Jr., who will return for his second season, earned Rookie of the Year honors as a 17-year-old, the youngest to ever win the award in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Hispanic driver Sergio Pena took the world by surprise when he won the pole for the Toyota All-Star Showdown at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, Calif., as he beat out 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year Joey Logano. Pena finished the race second to Logano. Among the historic accomplishments of Revolution Racing drivers in 2010 include:
  • March 27, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Darrell Wallace, Jr. became the youngest and first African-American to win in NASCAR K&N Pro Series history;·On June 5, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Ryan Gifford became the first African-American driver in NASCAR K&N Pro Series history to qualify on the pole;
  • On June 11, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Michael Cherry became the first African-American to win at Tri-County Speedway (Hudson, N.C.);
  • On July 2, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Megan Reitenour became the first female driver to win at Tri-County Speedway (Hudson, N.C.).
  • On July 30, 2010 Darrell Wallace Jr. won his second NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Lee (N.H.) USA Speedway.
  • On Sept. 24, 2010 Darrell Wallace Jr. become the youngest and first African-American to capture Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors finishing third in season points.
  • Over 200 minority and female drivers applied to be part of the 2011 Drive for Diversity class. Thirty-six of those applicants were invited to tryout at the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine presented by Sunoco last October at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va. Drivers were selected by Revolution Racing and NASCAR officials based on their on-track performance and off-track interviews.
  • The following 10 drivers were selected by Revolution Racing and NASCAR to compete in the program in 2011:
  • Jorge Arteaga of Aguascalientes, Mex., will race in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Made three starts in the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series including a 10th place finish in his debut at Lee USA Speedway on July 30th. Won the 2010 NASCAR Mexico Series Most Popular Driver award.
  • Mackena Bell of Carson City, Nev., returns to the Drive for Diversity Program for a second season, and will race in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series. In 2010, three of her five starts in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series were top-five, while her best finish came on Aug. 20 where she picked up an impressive second-place finish.
  • Jessica Brunelli of Hayward, Calif., will race in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Her 2010 season included six top‐five finishes and 10 top‐10 finishes. She returns to the Drive for Diversity program for a second season.
  • Michael Cherry of Valrico, Fla., returns to the Drive for Diversity Program for a third season and will race in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Last year he competed in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series, and became the first African American to win a late model race at Tri-County Motor Speedway in Hudson, N.C. The win was also his first career late model stock car victory.
  • Trey Gibson of Easley, S.C., will race in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. In 2010, Gibson ran a full schedule of late model stock cars at Greenville‐Pickens Speedway where he had two pole positions, 11 top‐five finishes, 20 top 10‐finishes and two wins. He made history by becoming the youngest driver to win a late model race at the historic Greenville‐ Pickens Speedway.
  • Ryan Gifford of Winchester, Tenn., returns to the Drive for Diversity Program for a second season racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Last year Gifford became the first African‐American in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East history to win a pole position on June 6, 2010. Ran 10 races for Revolution Racing in 2010 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, recording four top five finishes, one pole and a 10th‐place finish in season points.
  • Tayla Orleans of Randleman, N.C., will race in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series. From age 7, in her first 120 races she recorded 31 wins and 92 top-fives. Since that time, she has won numerous karting championships and honors that include becoming the youngest stock car winner in the history of Waterford (Connecticut) Speedbowl history.
  • Bryan Ortiz of Bayamon, Puerto Rico will race in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. In 2010 Ortiz drove for Sterling Marlin Racing in the Sunoco National Tour, recording four top‐three finishes in seven race and one pole position. He won Rookie of the Year honors after capturing Rookie of the Race awards in all seven starts.
  • Sergio Pena of Winchester, Va., returns to the Drive for Diversity Program for a second season, and will race in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. He entered his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series race at the Toyota All‐Star Showdown at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, Calif., won the pole, and finished second to 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year Joey Logano.
  • Darrell Wallace Jr. of Mobile, Ala., will race in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, and returns to the Drive for Diversity Program for a second season. Wallace Jr. won Rookie of the Year honors in the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, as well as capturing two victories in the series, which were the most wins for any Drive for Diversity driver last year.

VIBE Announces Partnership with Revolution Racing/NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program

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NEW YORK, N.Y. — VIBE Magazine today announced its entr’e into motorsports with the launch of a partnership project with Revolution Racing in support of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program. The program kicks off at the 2011 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, the sport’s premier short-track racing showcase at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale (Calif.) on Jan. 28-29 and further represents NASCAR’s efforts to reach the urban demographic. The multiplatform partnership will include VIBE branded signage on the car to be driven by racing sensation Darrell Wallace Jr., a strong brand presence at the track as well as extensive editorial coverage in VIBE and on www.vibe.com. Revolution Racing fields 10 race teams in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, as well as a youth racing development program. Revolution Racing’s drivers are chosen from hundreds of applicants in a combine-style tryout camp in an effort to find the next female or minority racing sensation. Darrell Wallace, Jr, was the first race winner of the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East campaign and earned the NASCAR K&N Series East Rookie of the Year in his first season as a 16-year-old. Wallace will look to become just the second driver to win the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown following his rookie season. With driver Sergio Pena behind the wheel, Revolution Racing qualified on the pole for the 2010 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown in its debut race as a team. Pena finished a close second to NASCAR Sprint Cup star Joey Logano after 225 hard-fought laps. ‘Vibe is proud to support Revolution Racing’s initiatives in providing platform for minority drivers to further their aspirations.’ Said Brett Wright, Chief Operating Officer of Vibe Lifestyle Group, the parent company of VIBE Magazine. ‘Vibe Magazine’s involvement as a sponsor speaks volumes to growing presence of minorities in racing, not only as participants, but as fans,’ said Max Siegel, Revolution Racing’s Chief Executive Officer. Both nights of racing will air live on SPEED.

Fast-Time, New Track Record for Brunelli at Las Vegas

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After capping an extremely successful season driving in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Models for Drive for Diversity and Revolution Racing, Jessica Brunelli returned to the West Coast this weekend to compete in the NASCAR S2 Sportsman Late Model Open Show at the Las Vegas Bullring. Driving an S2 Sportsman Late Model fielded by Tim Huddleson’s High Point Racing, Brunelli nabbed fast-time in Friday’s action to set a new track record for the S2 cars on the 3/8ths mile paved oval. Brunelli turned a lap of 16.466 seconds good for over 81 miles per hour average in the 350 hp spec stock cars. The Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle development driver started sixth in the 50 lap feature and moved up to fourth by lap four. Early contact in the feature knocked the toe in but Brunelli maintained a fourth place effort all the way to the finish. Brunelli, originally from Hayward, California, made waves this season with 12 top-ten finishes against the tough competition in North Carolina. Jessica won NASCAR Rookie of the Year honors in Late Models at both Tri-County Speedway and Hickory Speedway this year. She was featured on the show “NASCAR-Next Generation” on VERSUS as well as “Changing Lanes” on BET. Brunelli recently completed her run through the 2011 Drive for Diversity combine in hopes of being resigned for the 2011 season. She also assisted with the Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle Shoot-Out held in October. “Jessica continues to prove herself at every race track and in every series she competes in,” Driver Coach Ron Sutton said. “She has what it takes to excel at the next level of stockcar racing and is taking the right steps to get there!” Race fans can learn more about Jessica Brunelli at her website www.jessicabrunelli.com The website includes links to her Twitter and Facebook accounts, plus details on the various motorsports organizations that Brunelli is a member of.

Sergio Pena, 17, has the drive to improve NASCAR’s diversity

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“If you were going to create NASCAR’s ideal driver, how would you begin?” the commercial starts. “Would English be their first language? O su segundo?” driver Sergio Pena asks. Pena, a 17-year-old senior at James Wood High School in Winchester, is a top prospect in Drive for Diversity, a NASCAR initiative designed to create opportunities for minorities and women in a sport that’s been almost exclusively white and male since its humble beginnings in the deep South in the 1950s. Read the rest on the Washington Post

NASCAR’s marketing boss goes under cover

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He was “Kevin Thomas from Vermont,” the owner of a water purification business and winner of a fan contest allowing him to take a temporary job in NASCAR to be filmed for a documentary. At least that was the cover story believed by NASCAR industry employees preparing for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway in July. In reality, there was no contest. And mild-mannered Kevin Thomas was actually Steve Phelps, NASCAR’s chief marketing officer, filming an episode of the hit show Undercover Boss, airing at 9 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS. Through its Los Angeles office, which places the sport in mainstream entertainment ranging from introducing the grand showcase on The Price is Right to Talladega Nights, NASCAR had been discussing a slot on Undercover Boss with CBS for several years. Too many fans would instantly recognize NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France or president Mike Helton. Phelps proved to be the missing ingredient. Read more of Andrew Giongola’s article on NASCAR.com

Drive for Diversity Combine Set for Virginia’s Motor Mile Speedway

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Mooresville, N.C. (Oct. 14, 2010) – Thirty-Five drivers from 18 states, Mexico and Puerto Rico are prepared to showcase their skills at the seventh annual Drive for Diversity Combine presented by Sunoco Sunday through Tuesday at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va. The drivers, ranging in age from 16 to 26, hope to earn a spot on the Revolution Racing team that will again field teams in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.  Drivers on the 2010 Revolution Racing team enjoyed the best on-track season in the history of the Drive for Diversity program, earning four victories, 42 top-five finishes and 80 top 10s in 141 starts.  Included in that number were impressive results in the highly competitive NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.  Ryan Gifford, Sergio Pena and Darrell Wallace Jr. each competed in all 10 Series races, while Mackena Bell (six races), Michael Cherry (three races) and Mark Davis (one race) each took turns driving the fourth Revolution Racing car.  These four teams scored two wins, 10 top fives and 15 top 10s. The drivers attending the Drive for Diversity Combine presented by Sunoco will be evaluated on multiple fronts during the Combine including on-track performance, marketing and media aptitude, physical fitness, personality and more. Following the three-day assessment, the results will be evaluated by a committee that will select participants for the 2011 season. Grandstands at Motor Mile Speedway will be open to the public Monday and Tuesday with on-track testing scheduled for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. [frame_toggle title=”Participating Drivers”]
  • Jorge Arteaga – Agualcalientes, Mexico, Age 24
  • Kelsey Bauer – Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, 21
  • Mackena Bell – Carson City, Nevada, 20
  • Juan Carlos Blum – Miami, Florida, 16
  • Brandy Bower – Marysville, Ohio, 23
  • Jessica Brunelli – Haywood, California, 17
  • Katrina Canney – Charlotte, North Carolina, 20
  • Cole Carbrera – Exeter, California, 16
  • Michael Cherry – Valrico, Florida, 21
  • Enrique Contreras – Mexico, 18
  • Heather DesRochers – Granby, Massachusetts, 21
  • Brittany Finley – Ardmore, Alabama, 24
  • Cassie Gannis – Phoenix, Arizona, 19
  • Trey Gibson – Easley, South Carolina, 18
  • Ryan Gifford – Winchester, Tennessee, 21
  • Katie Hagar – Damariscotta, Maine, 24
  • Sloan Henderson – Franklin, Ohio, 17
  • Rebecca Kasten – Mequon, Wisconsin, 20
  • Ali Kern – Fremont, Ohio, 17
  • Julia Landauer – New York, New York, 18
  • Amanda Lynch – Greenville, South Carolina, 21
  • Clinton Mills – Indian Trail, North Carolina, 23
  • Dallas Montes – Bakersfield, California, 16
  • Jeff Oleen – Bethesda, Maryland, 20
  • Tayla Orleans – Randleman, North Carolina, 17
  • Bryan Ortiz – Bayamon, Puerto Rico, 21
  • Sergio Pena – Winchester, Virginia, 17
  • Matthew Piercy – Conover, North Carolina, 16
  • Troy Rave – Westby, Wisconsin, 21
  • Ryan Reed – Bakersfield, California, 16
  • Jason Romero – Cameron Park, California, 26
  • Dylan Smith – Randolph, Vermont, 17
  • Lacey Tuttle – Elmwood, Nebraska, 21
  • Darrell Wallace Jr. – Concord, N.C., 17
  • Kristen Wallace – Jasper, Georgia, 17[/frame_toggle]
[frame_toggle title=”ABOUT DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY”]Drive for Diversity is the industry’s leading development program for minority and female drivers and crew members.  The Drive for Diversity program currently supports drivers in two of NASCAR’s development series – the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.  Drive for Diversity also supports crew member candidate through a year-long pit crew training program.  Crew members have gone on to compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Diversity is NASCAR’s top corporate initiative.  The Drive for Diversity program has been successful in creating meaningful opportunities for minority and female competitors.  The program helps to further diversity NASCAR’s participant and audience base.  The program has seen continuous growth since its inception in 2004.[/frame_toggle]

Wallace Earns K&N East Rookie Honors

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[callout_left]Revolution Racing Teen Edges Red Bull’s Whitt For Season Award[/callout_left]DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR announced today that Darrell Wallace Jr. has earned 2010 Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Wallace compiled five top fives and seven top 10s in 10 races and finished third in the overall season standings. His rookie campaign was highlighted by wins at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway and Lee (N.H.) USA Speedway. The Greenville win in his series debut marked the first victory in the 24-year history of the K&N Pro Series East for an African-American driver. Wallace edged Red Bull Racing development driver Cole Whitt in one of the closest Sunoco Rookie of the Year competitions in series history. A Mobile, Ala., driver who will not turn 17 until early October, Wallace drove for Revolution Racing in 2010 as part of Drive for Diversity. Wallace joins drivers such as Joey Logano, Austin Dillon and Ryan Truex that have won Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in recent seasons in the K&N Pro Series East. As a 2010 race winner, Wallace has a guaranteed starting position in January’s NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown in Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.). The 2010 K&N Pro Series East season concluded on Sept. 24 when Brett Moffitt won the Sunoco 150 at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. Truex earned his second consecutive championship.

Darrell Wallace Jr Comes Home Third in Series Championship

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Photo Credit: Wade Leaphart
Four D4D Drivers Excel in 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series Season Dover, Del. (Sept. 24, 2010) – Darrell Wallace Jr.’s impressive rookie season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East ended on a down note Friday at Dover International Speedway when a cut tire on lap 34 put his No. 6 Castle Packs Power car into the third turn wall and ended his season. Wallace finished 25th in the 150-lap race and wrapped up his season third in NASCAR K&N Series East points. Race winner Brett Moffitt got past Wallace to finish second in series’ points, while Ryan Truex, who finished the race in third, captured his second consecutive NASCAR K&N Series East championship. Wallace’s season ended with two wins, five top-fives and seven top-10s. The 16-year-old Revolution Racing driver, who in the season’s first race at Greenville-Pickens Speedway made history when he became the NASCAR K&N Series’ youngest and first African American to win a race, finished the season 195 points behind Truex and 61 points behind Moffitt. Wallace’s second win came at Lee USA Speedway in New Hampshire. Sergio Pena, 17, driving the No. 4 Changing Lanes on BET car, was the highest finishing Revolution Racing driver in the Sunoco 150 at Dover with an eighth-place finish, while teammates Michael Cherry finished 13th and Ryan Gifford finished 19th. Pena ended his season with three top-10 finishes in his rookie campaign, not including an exciting duel in his series debut in January at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale with Joey Lagano, where the Winchester, Va., driver won the pole and finished second to the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year. Gifford, 21, finished ninth in points and recorded four top-five NASCAR K&N Series finishes and a pole at Martinsville Speedway. That historic accomplishment marked the first time an African American driver won a NASCAR K&N Pro Series pole position.
Michael Cherry and the No. 8 Playseat Chevy
Cherry, 21, of Valrico, Fla., only made three series starts, but recorded two top-10 finishes and one top five. Cherry started the season at Revolution Racing in one of the team’s six NASCAR Whelen All-American Series late models and became the first African-American to win a race at Tri-County Motor Speedway before making the transition to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Three Revolution Racing driver’s finished the season in the top 15 of NASCAR K&N Pro Series points (Wallace third, Gifford ninth and Pena 12th). All four Revolution Racing cars completed the season in the top 15 in NASCAR K&N Pro Series owner’s standings – No. 6 (Wallace) third, No. 2 (Gifford) 10th, No. 4 (Pena) 13th and No. 8 (Cherry) 14th. Revolution Racing fields 10 teams for the Drive for Diversity program, four in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and six NASCAR Whelen All-American Series teams. In addition, Revolution Racing fields youth racing programs in Bandolero and Legend cars. Among the historic accomplishments of Revolution Racing drivers in 2010 include:
  • March 27, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Darrell Wallace, Jr. became the youngest and first African-American driver to win in NASCAR K&N Pro Series history;
  • On June 5, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Ryan Gifford became the first African-American driver in NASCAR K&N Pro Series history to qualify on the pole;
  • On June 11, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Michael Cherry became the first African-American to win at Tri-County Speedway (Hudson, N.C.);
  • On July 2, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Megan Reitenour became the first female driver to win at Tri-County Speedway (Hudson, N.C.).

Playseat to Sponsor Michael Cherry and the No. 8 Team at Monster Mile

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Mooresville, N.C. (Sept. 20, 2010) – Playseat, the premier manufacturer of gaming furniture worldwide, has signed on as a primary sponsor of Revolution Racing’s No. 8 car driven by Michael Cherry in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Sunoco 150 at Dover International Speedway. Cherry, from Valrico, Fla., will be making his third start in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series.  In his previous two starts he recorded a fourth-place finish in his series debut at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Ga., on Aug. 28 and an eighth-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 17.  Cherry made the transition from Revolution Racing’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series team last month where earlier in the season he become the first African-American driver to win a race at Tri-County Motor Speedway in Hudson, N.C. Playseat’s relationship with Revolution Racing began earlier this year as they joined forces to bring the Revolution Racing Technology and Training Lab to life.  In addition to driver development and training, the Revolution Racing Training and Technology Lab offers opportunities for educational and youth groups to get an inside look at the world of motorsports.  Revolution Racing exclusively uses the Playseat Evolution racing chassis.  Additional technology partners include Doghouse Systems, iRacing.com and Logitech, who are currently finalizing the details for the official Revolution Racing Sim Training Rig.

NASCAR D4D Drivers Salvage Top-10 Finishes at New Hampshire

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LOUDON, N.H. (Sept. 17, 2010) – Two NASCAR Drive for Diversity drivers – Michael Cherry and Darrell Wallace Jr. – battled to hard-fought top-10 finishes in the New Hampshire 125 NASCAR K&N Series East race Friday afternoon at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, while Sergio Pena finished 16th and Ryan Gifford finished a distant  28th after blowing an engine on lap 79. All four Revolution Racing drivers were disappointed with their finishing positions, but none more than Wallace, whose Castle Packs Power car got turned on a late restart and now finds himself 118 points behind race winner and defending series champion Ryan Truex in championship standings with only one race remaining.  Wallace still has the slimmest of opportunities next Friday at Dover International Speedway to become the first African American driver in NASCAR history to win a national touring series championship.  The 16-year-old high school senior made history in the first race of the season when he became the NASCAR K&N Series’ youngest and first African American to win a race. Cherry, from Valrico, Fla., driving the ASM Graphics / Changing Lanes on BET car followed up his 4th-place debut in the NASCAR K&N Series East race at Gresham Motorsports Park with another impressive top-10 finish.  Cherry made the transition from Revolution Racing’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series team last month where earlier in the season he become the first African-American driver to win a race at Tri-County Motor Speedway in Hudson, N.C. Gifford fell to eighth in series standings while Pena slid one spot to 12th. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will wrap up its season Friday at Dover International Speedway in the Sunoco 150. The New England 125 can be seen on Speed TV Thursday at 6 p.m. (ET).  Changing Lanes, a docu-reality show chronicling Revolution Racing’s selection process of its current driving corps, airs Wednesday night at 10 p.m. (ET) on BET. ABOUT REVOLUTION RACING Revolution Racing fields 10 teams for the Drive for Diversity program, four in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and six NASCAR Whelen All-American Series teams.  In addition, Revolution Racing fields youth-racing programs in Bandolero and Legend cars. Among the historic accomplishments of Revolution Racing drivers in 2010 include:
  • March 27, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Darrell Wallace, Jr. became the youngest and first African-American driver to win in NASCAR K&N Pro Series history;
  • On June 5, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Ryan Gifford became the first African-American driver in NASCAR K&N Pro Series history to qualify on the pole;
  • On June 11, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Michael Cherry became the first African-American to win at Tri-County Speedway (Hudson, N.C.);
  • On July 2, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Megan Reitenour became the first female driver to win at Tri-County Speedway (Hudson, N.C.).
ABOUT DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY Drive for Diversity is the industry’s leading development program for minority and female drivers and crew members.  The Drive for Diversity program currently supports drivers in two of NASCAR’s development series – the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.  Drive for Diversity also supports crew member candidate through a year-long pit crew training program.  Crew members have gone on to compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Diversity is NASCAR’s top corporate initiative.  The Drive for Diversity program has been successful in creating meaningful opportunities for minority and female competitors.  The program helps to further diversity NASCAR’s participant and audience base.  The program has seen continuous growth since its inception in 2004. ###

Darrell Wallace Jr Aims to Add to Historic Season

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Wallace celebrates second win of season
D4D Driver Looks to Capture Championship LOUDON, N.H. (Sept. 16, 2010) – Darrell Wallace Jr.’s hunt for a historic NASCAR Championship is still in play at New Hampshire Motor Speedway as NASCAR K&N Series East teams qualified today for the New Hampshire 125. The 16-year-old Revolution Racing driver, who made history in the first race of the season when he became the NASCAR K&N Series’ youngest and first African American to win a race, is in second place 66 points behind defending series champion Ryan Truex with two races remaining. Wallace qualified eighth for tomorrow’s race which is slated for 5 p.m. Truex qualified 5th. Joe Gibbs Racing development driver Brett Moffitt won the pole. Should he overcome the points’ deficit in the final two races, Wallace would become the first African-American to win a NASCAR touring series championship. “Obviously it would be a historic accomplishment,” said Wallace, who along with his teammates is a NASCAR Drive for Diversity participant. “Not since Wendell Scott’s only NASCAR Cup Series win in 1963 has there been an African American to make a huge mark on the sport and it would be an honor to be the next.” Wallace’s win at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in March was his first of two wins this season; the second came at Lee Speedway in July. Revolution Racing qualified four cars for the New Hampshire 125, with Ryan Gifford lining up seventh, Sergio Pena 14th and Michael Cherry 22nd. Gifford stands fifth in NASCAR K&N Series East points; Pena 11th and Cherry is making only his second series start. Cherry’s debut at Gresham Motorsports Park on Aug. 28 was a huge success for the rookie, where he started and finished the race in the fourth position. Revolution Racing fields 10 teams for the Drive for Diversity program, four in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and six NASCAR Whelen All-American Series teams. In addition, Revolution Racing fields youth racing programs in Bandolero and Legend cars. Among the historic accomplishments of Revolution Racing drivers in 2010 include:
  • March 27, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Darrell Wallace, Jr. became the youngest and first African-American driver to win in NASCAR K&N Pro Series history;
  • On June 5, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Ryan Gifford became the first African-American driver in NASCAR K&N Pro Series history to qualify on the pole;
  • On June 11, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Michael Cherry became the first African-American to win at Tri-County Speedway (Hudson, N.C.);
  • On July 2, 2010 Revolution Racing driver Megan Reitenour became the first female driver to win at Tri-County Speedway (Hudson, N.C.).

Statistical Advance: Analyzing The New Hampshire 125 At The “Magic Mile”

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The penultimate race of the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season will take place on Friday, Sept. 17 with the New Hampshire 125 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. At New Hampshire Motor Speedway: History • Groundbreaking for New Hampshire International Speedway was Aug. 13, 1989. • The official opening was June 5, 1990 and the first NASCAR event was a NASCAR Nationwide Series race on July 15, 1990. • The first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race was held on Sept. 2, 1990. • The track was renamed New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2008. • The largest racing oval – and the largest sports facility overall – in New England. Notebook • There have been 53 NKNPS East races all-time at NHMS, more than at any other track. • There have been 23 different race winners, led by Brad Leighton’s eight. • There have been 27 different pole winners, led by Kelly Moore’s six. • Eddie MacDonald has won three of the last five NKNPS East races at NHMS, and is the defending race and pole winner of this event. • Ryan Truex earned his first NHMS win this past June while Brett Moffitt captured the pole. • Among all entrants for the 2010 New Hampshire 125, only MacDonald (3) and Truex (1) have won at NHMS. New Hampshire Motor Speedway Data Race: #9 of 10 overall, #2 of 2 at NHMS Track Layout: 1.058-mile oval Banking: Variable between 2-7 degrees in the turns Race Length: 125 laps/132.25 miles Qualifying/Race Data 2009 pole winner: Eddie MacDonald (127.079 mph, 29.972 sec.) 2009 race winner: Eddie MacDonald (80.296 mph, 1:18.16) Track qualifying record: Brian Hoar (127.141 mph, 28.892 sec., 7-18-02) Up to Speed: • Darrell Wallace Jr. won the season-opener at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway on March 27. • Max Gresham was victorious on April 3 at South Boston (Va.) Speedway and in the East/West combination race at Iowa Speedway on May 23 in Newton, Iowa. • Brett Moffitt was the winner of the inaugural stand-alone NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on June 6. • Defending champion Ryan Truex captured his first win of 2010 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 25 in Loudon, N.H. • Andrew Ranger earned his first NKNPS East pole and race wins in the K&N 100 at Lime Rock Park on July 3 in Lakeville, Conn. • Wallace reached Victory Lane in the first race for the NKNPS East at Lee (N.H.) USA Speedway since 2004 … Kevin Swindell earned his first career pole prior to the race. • Ty Dillon registered his first career win last time out as the NKNPS East made its inaugural visit to Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Ga.. • Truex leads Wallace in the season standings by 66 points. • The 2010 NKNPS East season will close on Friday, Sept. 24 with the Sunoco 15 in Dover (Del.) International Speedway. Selected Driver Highlights: Michael Cherry (No. 8 Changing Lanes Chevrolet) • Made NASCAR K&N Pro Series East debut last time out at Gresham Motorsports Park and registered a fourth-place finish. • Has taken over the seat of the No. 8 Revolution Racing Chevrolet – previously driven by Mackena Bell – for the balance of the season. • Part of the Drive for Diversity program, he was competing in Revolution Racing’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model program prior to the promotion. Ty Dillon (No. 3 Mom ‘N’ Pops Country Ham Chevrolet) • Has a win and six top 10s in nine career NKNPS East starts. • Earned first career win last time out at GMP. • Has four top 10s in six starts this year. • Has finishes of 17th and sixth in two career starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Ryan Gifford (No. 2 Changing Lanes Chevrolet) • Has seven top fives in 12 career NKNPS East starts … Best career finish is second, twice. • Won his first career Coors Light Pole Award at Martinsville Speedway to become the first African-American driver in NKNPS East history to earn a pole. • Is fifth in points with four top fives in eight starts this year. • Has finished fourth in both of his previous starts at NHMS. • Is competing out of the Revolution Racing garage as part of the Drive for Diversity program. Max Gresham (No. 18 Gresham & Associates Toyota) • Has two wins, a pole and five top 10s in 11 career NKNPS East starts. • Won the second and third races this year at South Boston Speedway and Iowa Speedway. • Is seventh in points … Has three podium efforts, but the other five finishes are 12th or worse. • Has finishes of ninth and 21st in two previous starts at NHMS. • Is a teammate to Brett Moffitt at Joe Gibbs Racing. Matt Kobyluck (No. 40 Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino Chevrolet) • The 2008 NKNPS East champion. • Has seven poles, 16 wins and 95 top 10s in 176 career NKNPS East starts. • Has wins at 11-different tracks, but still seeks his first at NHMS. • Is sixth in points after eight races with four top 10s and a best finish of fourth at Martinsville. • Has nine top 10s, an average finish of 21st and a best finish of third in 29 career starts at NHMS. Eddie MacDonald (No. 71 NEMO/Grimm Construction Chevrolet) • Has six wins, two poles and 54 top 10s in 129 career NKNPS East starts. • Is ninth in points after eight races with best finish of fourth at Lee USA Speedway. • Has won three of the last five races at NHMS, including this event last year … Has eight top 10s and an average finish of 19th in 20 career starts at NHMS. • Will also attempt his first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at NHMS, as well as defend his 2009 win in the ACT Invitational. Corey LaJoie (No. 07 LaJoie Auto Wrecking Ford) • Will look to make his third start of the year, and sixth of his career overall. • Has finishes of 31st and eighth in two starts at NHMS. • Best career finish was third last year at Dover International Speedway. Brett Moffitt (No. 20 Game Plan for Life Toyota) • Has three wins, two poles and 14 top 10s in 19 career NKNPS East starts. • Is fourth in points with five top 10s this year. • Has finishes of 27th, second and fifth in three career starts at NHMS. • Competes as a teammate to Max Gresham in the JGR development program. Sergio Pena (No. 4 Changing Lanes Chevrolet) • Is 11th in points with two top 10s in eight starts as a rookie this year. • Best career finish – sixth – came last time out at GMP. • Is competing out of the Revolution Racing garage as part of the Drive for Diversity program. Andrew Ranger (No. 35 Waste Management Recycling Chevrolet) • Has a win and three top fives in five NKNPS East starts during his rookie season. • Finished ninth in his debut at NHMS in June. • Was the 2007 and 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 champion. • Has three wins and top 10s in all five NCATS starts this year … Has 12 wins in 42 career races. D.J. Shaw (No. 60 Precision JLM Chevrolet) • Has four top 10s in 10 career starts … Debuted in the series with two starts at NHMS in 2009. • Is eighth in points with four top 10s and a best finish was fifth in the season opener. • Has finishes of 24th, 21st and 13th in three career starts at NHMS. Kevin Swindell (No. 9 Curb Records/NOS Energy Drink Chevrolet) • Has two poles and five top 10s in 13 career starts. • Is 10th in points with three top 10s. • Has finishes of third, 10th and second in three career starts at NHMS … Runner-up effort this past June is his best career finish overall. • Has made three NASCAR Nationwide Series starts in 2010 for Baker-Curb Racing. Ryan Truex (No. 00 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota) • The 2009 NKNPS East titlist … Has four wins, two poles and 15 top 10s in 20 career starts. • Leads Darrell Wallace Jr. by 66 points atop the standings … Has six top fives in seven races. • Has a win (June 2010), a pole (June 2009) and podium finishes in each of his three NHMS starts. • A development driver for Michael Waltrip Racing … Has three NNS starts for MWR this year. Darrell Wallace Jr. (No. 6 Revolution Racing Chevrolet) • Trails Ryan Truex by 66 points in the standings … Has two wins and six top 10s in eight races. • With his win at Greenville Pickens Speedway, he became the youngest race winner in series history, and also became the first African-American driver to win in the series’ 24 years. • Is the leading candidate for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors. • Competes out of the Revolution Racing garage as part of the Drive for Diversity program. Cole Whitt (No. 84 Red Bull Toyota) • Has six top 10s in eight starts in the series and is third in points as a rookie. • Best finish was second at South Boston, Lime Rock and Gresham. • Earned the pole and finished third in his debut at GPS … Also won the East pole at Iowa. • A highly-decorated open wheel racer, he is a development driver for Red Bull Racing.