Author: matchbook

Gifford Strong at South Boston, Finishes Fourth

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Revolution Racing’s four NASCAR K&N Pro Series East teams headed to South Boston (Va.) Speedway this weekend for another round of short-track racing in the South Boston 150. Ryan Gifford was the highest finishing Revolution driver, piloting his No. 2 Distribution One Chevrolet to a fourth-place finish. Gifford’s teammates Sergio Pena, Darrell Wallace Jr., and Mackena Bell finished 14th, 20th and 23rd, respectively. “We had a fast car all day in practice and (Crew Chief) Lee McCall made some good calls to get this car dialed in for the race,” said Gifford. “We fought hard all day and I’m glad we were able to get Distribution One another top-five finish.” Gifford, who finished second in last year’s event at South Boston Speedway, paced the field in final practice before qualifying seventh in the No. 2 Distribution One Chevrolet. Once the race got underway, Gifford was able to keep his car up front for the long haul, settling into fifth for most of the race. With 50 to go, Gifford found himself battling for third and hung on for his second consecutive fourth-place finish. Pena rebounded after last weekend’s early race wreck at Greenville Pickens Speedway to finish 14th at South Boston. He qualified 10th in the No. 4 Chevrolet and ran solidly in the top 10 for most of the race. “I’m proud of all the hard work everyone at Revolution Racing put into getting this car ready to race this weekend,” said Pena. “The car felt really good all day and was capable of running up front. We just weren’t able to capitalize on it today.” Wallace qualified third in the No. 6 Chevrolet, but started 25th after a post-qualifying repair was made to the car. He worked his way through the field and into the top 15 by the half-way mark. By lap 109, Wallace found himself inside the top-10 with a car that could contend for the lead. Wallace’s charge to the front ended abruptly when he cut a tire battling for fifth with just six laps to go. He was forced to pit to repair the car and finished 20th, four laps down to the leaders. “It was a tough way to end a great run,” said Wallace. “The No. 6 Chevrolet was hooked up. I thought we were going to have something for them there at the end and at least come away with a top five. Unfortunately it didn’t end up that way.” Bell struggled to find speed on fresh rubber in practice but picked up nearly a half-second in qualifying to start the race inside the top 10. She ran solidly in the top 10 for most of the race before slipping to mid-pack two-thirds of the way through the race. Still faster than several of the cars in front of her, Bell was poised to break back into the top 15 when contact from the No. 39 of Dustin Delaney sent her No. 8 Chevrolet spinning hard into the inside frontstretch wall, ending her night with 30 laps to go in the race. She was credited with a 23rd-place finish. “It was a hard hit, probably one of the hardest I’ve ever had, and it’s a shame we had to tear up a good race car battling for a spot in the top 20,” said Bell. “I was learning a lot out there and I think we could have picked up some spots and come away with a solid finish. Now we’ll go back to the shop, regroup and get ready for Iowa.” The race broadcast from South Boston Speedway will air Thursday, April 15 at 6 p.m. ET on SPEED. Revolution Racing will return to the track May 23 when NASCAR K&N Pro Series East meets West at Iowa Speedway (Newton, Iowa).

Cherry Finishes Second in Tri-County Opener

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Michael Cherry made the most of a wreck-filled season opener at Tri-County Motor Speedway (Hudson, N.C.) Friday night to come away with a second-place finish in the No. 6 MBC Group Late Model. Cherry’s Revolution Racing teammates Becca Kasten and Megan Reitenour finished eighth and 11th after getting caught up in separate on-track incidents. “It was a pretty crazy night, but in the end we were in the right place at the right time,” said Cherry. “You can’t ever complain about a second-place finish, and I’m glad we were able to do it with our new sponsor, MBC Group, on board. They’re only going to be with us for a few races this season, so I’m glad we were able to go out there and run well for them and everyone at Revolution Racing.” Cherry qualified eighth in the No. 6 MBC Group Late Model. He was able to avoid the wrecks in the main event and keep his car in one piece throughout the night. With two laps to go, Cherry found himself running in the fourth spot when two cars in front of him made contact. Cherry avoided the wreck and moved into second-place, his best finish of the season. Kasten wasn’t as lucky as her teammate, despite a second-place qualifying effort earlier in the night. Kasten got caught up in an early race incident on lap 20 while running in the third position. Kasten brought her No. 5 Late Model in for repairs and was unable to beat the pace car off pit road, putting her one lap down for the remainder of the race. She still managed to hang on and avoid further damage, coming away with an eighth-place finish. Reitenour was also involved in a late race on-track incident that caused heavy front-end damage to her No. 1 Revolution Racing machine. She started the race sixth and was battling for a spot in the top five when the wreck occurred. She was credited with an 11th-place finish. Cherry and Kasten also raced at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C., on Saturday night. The race went green for nearly the entire 150 laps, with only two competition cautions thrown on lap 50 and lap 104. Cherry finished eighth after starting fifth, while Kasten finished 11th after starting the race 10th. Revolution Racing late model drivers Jessica Brunelli, Katie Hagar and Jason Romero will be in action Friday, April 9 at Tri-County Motor Speedway and Saturday, April 10 at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway. Cherry, Kasten and Reitenour will return to action April 17 at Hickory Motor Speedway.

MBC Group Joins Revolution Racing

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MBC Group, Digital Printing Division has joined Revolution Racing as an official partner for the 2010 season. MBC Group, Digital Printing Division, an Indianapolis-based, minority/veteran-owned firm that specializes in large scale, digital, point of purchase, retail, corporate and tradeshow graphics and signage solutions, has partnered with Revolution Racing in support of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity initiative. Revolution Racing is the premier team operator for the Drive for Diversity initiative, fielding six cars in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and four cars in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. “MBC Group strives to provide the best value for our clients while satisfying their diversity needs,” said Eric Holloway, President of MBC Group. “We’re confident that Revolution Racing’s diversity initiatives reflect our mission and we are proud to support their effort to develop female and minority drivers and crew members.” “MBC Group has made a great commitment to Revolution Racing and the Drive for Diversity initiative,” said Max Siegel, CEO of Revolution Racing. “It is extremely promising to have a minority-owned business partnering with Revolution Racing, and we hope this will open the door for more of the minority business community to get involved with NASCAR.” The No. 6 MBC Group Late Model, driven by Michael Cherry, will debut this weekend at Tri-County Motor Speedway (Hudson, N.C.) and Caraway Speedway (Asheboro, N.C.). MBC Group will serve as primary sponsor for five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model division events with Revolution Racing this season. About MBC Group, Digital Printing Division MBC Group, Digital Printing Division is a minority/veteran-owned small business that focuses on large-scale, digital, point of purchase, retail, corporate, and tradeshow graphics and signage solutions for industry and government. Our President is a 20-year Veteran whose background includes missile systems maintenance, warehouse and logistics systems, and defense contracting. MBC Group strives to provide the best value for our customers while satisfying their needs for diversity involvement. We have strategically partnered with, and are backed by other diversity companies who share our goals and ethics, thus forming an unbeatable team with flexibility and depth. MBC Group possesses unique abilities in the printing world by employing one of the largest single-pass digital printers in the world (one of four in the United States).

Weekend Preview: Late Models

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After two weekends off, Michael Cherry, Becca Kasten and Megan Reitenour are ready to get back to racing with this weekend’s late model double-header. Friday night the trio will head north to Tri-County Motor Speedway in Hudson, N.C., before moving over to Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C. for a Saturday night feature. Event Information: Late Model Stock 100 laps Tri-County Motor Speedway Friday, April 2 at 8 p.m. Late Model Stock 150 laps Caraway Speedway Saturday, April 3 at 8 p.m.   Michael Cherry Team: No. 6 MBC Group Late Model  Crew Chief: Brent Cusick Cherry on racing two different tracks in one weekend: “We’re going to be busy this weekend, that’s for sure, but I’m looking forward to getting back behind the wheel. We’ve got a new sponsor on board this week with MBC Group, so I’d like to go out there and get a couple of good finishes for them. I had a good run at Tri-County last year when we went up there and I’m looking forward to going back.” Fast Facts:
  • Cherry scored two top 10s (seventh and fourth) on opening night at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway on March 13. He looks to continue his top-10 streak this weekend. 
  • Cherry made one start at Tri-County Motor Speedway in 2009 with Addis Motorsports. He finished sixth in the race. 
  • This will be Cherry’s first trip to Caraway Speedway. 
  Becca Kasten Team: No. 5 Late Model Crew Chief: Lynn Martin Kasten on getting back to racing: “I’ve been learning a lot in the shop and I’ve enjoyed helping my Revolution Racing teammates at the track these last couple of weeks, but I’m ready to get back behind the wheel. I’ve never raced at either track we’re running this weekend, so that will be a new experience for me. I’ve turned some laps at Tri-County before, though, and I’m pretty comfortable there. I think if we can put together a good qualifying run, we’ll be solid in the race.” Fast Facts:
  • Kasten scored a pair of eighth-place finishes in her debut at Greenville Pickens Speedway on March 13.
  • Kasten has never raced at Tri-County Motor Speedway or Caraway Speedway. She has logged test laps in a late model at Tri-County in the past.
  • Kasten started her racing career just three years ago, but has made up for lost time by running more than 20 late model and super late model events a year.
  Megan Reitenour Team: No. 1 Late Model Crew Chief: Brandon Butler Reitenour on returning to Tri-County Motor Speedway:  “I had some good runs at Tri-County last year. We won the rookie of the year title and wound up fourth in the points at the end of the season. I’m excited to go back this year with Revolution Racing and contend for wins. It should be a good weekend for all three Revolution Racing drivers.” Fast Facts:
  • Reitenour finished 11th and 13th in her season debut at Greenville Pickens Speedway on March 13 after an engine change caused her to miss most of the day’s practice session.
  • Reitenour ran a full late model season at Tri-County Motor Speedway in 2009, earning rookie of the year honors and finishing fourth overall in the standings.
  • Reitenour has one pole at Tri-County Motor Speedway. Her best finish at the track is a third-place.

Weekend Preview: South Boston Speedway

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Darrell Wallace Jr. gave Revolution Racing its first win Saturday night in the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150 at Greenville Pickens Speedway. Wallace made history in the process, becoming the youngest driver and first African American to win in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Now Revolution Racing looks to make it two in a row when the series makes its annual stop at South Boston (Va.) Speedway. Event Information: South Boston 150 South Boston Speedway Saturday, April 3 at 3 p.m. ET (TV: SPEED, April 15, 6 p.m. ET)   Track Information: South Boston Speedway is a 0.4-mile asphalt oval.   Mackena Bell Team: No. 8 Chevrolet  Crew Chief: Jerry Babb Bell on making her first start at South Boston Speedway: “I’m looking forward to going to South Boston Speedway this weekend. I’ve turned a few laps there during the D4D Combine, but I don’t have any race experience there. I’m hoping I can take some of what I learned about these NASCAR K&N Pro Series cars at Greenville and put it to work this weekend. I know we’re capable of running better than what we showed in Greenville and I’m looking forward to going out there and putting together a good run for the No. 8 Revolution Racing team.” Fast Facts:
  • Bell finished 19th in her NASCAR K&N Pro Series East debut at Greenville Pickens Speedway last weekend. 
  • This will be Bell’s first career start at South Boston Speedway. She has turned laps at the historic 0.4-mile track during the annual Drive for Diversity Testing & Evaluation Combine presented by Sprint.
  • Bell is the only female driver on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East entry list for this weekend’s South Boston 150.
  Ryan Gifford Team: No 2 Distribution One Chevrolet Crew Chief: Lee McCall Gifford on returning to South Boston Speedway after finishing second in last year’s event: “I’m really pumped up about South Boston. I had a really good finish there last year driving for RCR. We ran second and actually got beat by an Andy Santerre car and Andy is now our Director of Competition here at Revolution Racing, so I know the car will be there for me this weekend. I think I’ve got a pretty good idea of how to get around that place and if we can put together a good qualifying run, I think we’ll be pretty good in the race.” Fast Facts:
  • Gifford rebounded from getting spun out twice to finish fourth in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season opener at Greenville Pickens Speedway last weekend.
  • Last season, Gifford finished second in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East event at South Boston Speedway.
  • 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 visiting South Boston Speedway for the first time: “I’m really excited to get to South Boston. I’m glad we’re going right back to racing this weekend after the night we had in Greenville. It’ll be good to get to South Boston and put that behind us.  I’ve never seen the track before, but I’ve been told it’s similar to Shenandoah (Va.) Speedway where I raced last year. I’m looking forward to going out there and putting together a good, solid run.” Fast Facts:
  • Pena was credited with a 27th-place finish in the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150, after an accident on lap 64 ended his night early.
  • 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.
  • Last season, in his first season of late model competition, Pena scored six wins in 11 starts at Shenandoah Speedway.
  Darrell Wallace Jr. Team: No. 6 Chevrolet Crew Chief: Robert Huffman Wallace carrying momentum into this weekend’s race: “I used to run Legends at South Boston and it’s one of my favorite tracks. It’s really fast and it’s pretty easy to drive. We know Andy (Santerre) has a good set up for South Boston and as long as we can get it dialed in and be there at the end, I think we’ll be pretty good and come out of it with a top five or hopefully another win to make it two in a row. Fast Facts:
  • Wallace made his NASCAR K&N Pro Series East debut one for the record books, becoming the youngest driver (16 years, 5 months and 19 days) and first African American to win in series history. He led three times for 22 laps.
  • 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.
  • Wallace has raced Legends at South Boston Speedway; he’s confident his experience at the track will help him in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series cars.

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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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.