DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 8, 2012) – NASCAR announced today the 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East schedule that features 15 points races at 13 different tracks across the eastern United States.
The 27th season of K&N Pro Series East competition will see NASCAR’s top developmental division visit 10 states highlighted by six national series companion events including a pair of first-time visits to Florida.
“The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East features the stars of tomorrow, a very diverse entry list, and some of the most compelling racing action in the sport,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president, regional and touring series. “The 2013 calendar provides an excellent mixture of local short tracks, NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide companion events, speedways, and a new high-profile event on a renowned road course. These are all the right ingredients for another outstanding season of racing excitement in NASCAR’s stepping stone to the national series.”
The season will commence with the inaugural UNOH Battle at the Beach exhibition event on the .4-mile track at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Feb. 19 in which the K&N Pro Series East and K&N Pro Series West will compete in combination. The K&N Pro Series East will then return to The Sunshine State on April 13 for its first appearance at the half-mile Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola.
In another debut event, NASCAR returns to Road Atlanta, the 2.54-mile road course located in Braselton, Ga., on Oct. 18. The stock-car series will join the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón for the Petit Le Mans weekend.
Following Daytona, the 2013 regular season will begin at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, on March 16 as part of the spring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend.
Iowa Speedway again will welcome both the K&N Pro Series East and K&N Pro Series West for combination contests. This year the first date is set for June 7 while the return date is Aug. 2. Both events will be held in conjunction with the NASCAR Nationwide Series at the Newton, Iowa track.
In addition to Bristol and the two Iowa races, the K&N Pro Series East will have three more companion events in 2013 with NASCAR’s national series. The East will return to Richmond (Va.) International Raceway on April 25, New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., on Sept. 21, and Dover (Del.) International Speedway on Sept. 27.
Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway will host the series with dates on March 23 and Sept. 2. Short tracks Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. on June 1, Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va. on June 22 are featured dates on the slate as are a July 13 date at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway and a visit to CNB Bank Raceway Park in Clearfield, Pa. on July 20.
The 2013 season will conclude at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway on Nov. 2.
2013 NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST SCHEDULE
Date Track (Length) Location
Tue., Feb. 19 *^ Daytona International Speedway (.4-mile) Daytona Beach, Fla.
Sat., March 16 Bristol Motor Speedway (.533-mile) Bristol, Tenn.
Sat., March 23 Greenville Pickens Speedway (.5-mile) Greenville, S.C.
Sat. April 13 Five Flags Speedway (.5-mile) Pensacola, Fla.
Thu., April 25 Richmond International Raceway (.75-mile) Richmond, Va.
Sat., June 1 Bowman Gray Stadium (.25-mile) Winston-Salem, N.C.
Fri., June 7 * Iowa Speedway (.875-mile) Newton, Iowa
Sat., June 22 Langley Speedway (.396-mile) Hampton, Va.
Sat., July 13 Columbus Motor Speedway (.333-mile) Columbus, Ohio
Sat., July 20 CNB Bank Raceway Park (.52-mile) Clearfield, Pa.
Fri., Aug. 2 * Iowa Speedway (.875-mile) Newton, Iowa
Mon., Sept. 2 Greenville Pickens Speedway (.5-mile) Greenville, S.C.
Sat., Sept. 21 New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1.058-mile) Loudon, N.H.
Fri., Sept. 27 Dover International Speedway (1-mile) Dover, Del.
Fri., Oct. 18 Road Atlanta (2.54-mile road course) Braselton, Ga.
Sat., Nov. 2 Rockingham Speedway (1-mile) Rockingham, N.C.
* Combination race with NASCAR K&N Pro Series West
^ Non-points event
Subject to Change
Concord NC, (November 6, 2012) Rev Racing and Bryan Ortiz will make their series debut with Putinka Vodka this weekend in the Talking Stick Resort “50” NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at Phoenix International Raceway.
“It is such and honor to have the support from Russian Roulette, distributor of Putinka Vodka its owner Ramon Abad and general manager Monseratte Flores who want to help me to continue to excel in my racing career, ” said Ortiz. “This endeavor has created a lasting friendship and this is just the beginning of our business relationship. I can’t wait to see the car, not only is it going to look great but it is going to handle even better”.
This is the first motorsport event for Russian Roulette distributor of Putinka Vodka. “I am proud to sponsor and be associated with such a great driver,” said Ramon Abad. “His team has welcomed me into their family and has been involved in helping Putinka Vodka become part of the Puerto Rican landscape. I hope to be a part of his success as he moves up towards the Nationwide Series.”
Tune in to Speed Channel on November 10 at 6pm for a live broadcast from Phoenix International Raceway. For more information about Bryan Ortiz visit www.bryanortizracing.com or follow Bryan on Twitter @BryanORacing. For more information on Ortiz’s sponsor visit http://russianroulettepr.com/.
CONCORD, NC (November 4, 2012) The 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Championship was won by Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 6 Rev Racing and L&M Ethanol Maintenance & Contracting, Inc. Toyota Camry. Saturday’s Classic 3 Championship Presented by RCR Racing Museum, at Rockingham Speedway, came down to the final lap where Larson was able to avoid a crash on the backstretch for a sixth place finish and brought the trophy home for Rev Racing.
With his top-10 finish, Larson, also claimed the 2012 Sunoco Rookie of the Year crown by a small margin over teammate, Bryan Ortiz who finished the year fifth in points.
“We have worked hard and been pretty lucky this season,” said Larson. “I didn’t get all that nervous in Saturday’s race until the final laps and I knew that I needed to have a top place finish. Then when the last lap wreck happened and I was able to avoid it, I knew that we had a good shot at winning this championship as well as the Rookie of the Year title. I have to thank my team as well as NASCAR Diversity and great partners, like Toyota, UTI/NTI, 3M, Mobil 1, and L&M Ethanol for making this possible.”
After lining up for his final race of the 2012 season in 21st, Rev Racing veteran, Ryan Gifford, fought back for a seventh place finish, right behind teammate, Kyle Larson.
“Qualifying didn’t quite go as we had hoped,” said Gifford, who would finish the season 11th in points. “Fortunately, my hard working team was able to get the No. 2 Universal Technical Institute/NASCAR Technical Institute Toyota Camry where it needed to be for this race and we were able to end this season on a high note. I can’t thank my team and sponsors enough for all their support this season.”
Rev Racing driver Jorge Arteaga and his DogHouse Systems Toyota would get caught up in an accident on Lap 79 that would the end his day and season 16th in series points.
Derik Crotts, Rev Racing general manager, said that he couldn’t have imagined a more successful season.
“All of our teams and drivers have worked very hard this season,” said Crotts. “I couldn’t be more proud of this entire Rev Racing team and what they have accomplished this year. To bring on a championship for this program and its partners is truly special.”
Larson will be crowned the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion at the NASCAR Touring Awards, on Dec. 10, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
CONCORD, NC (November 1, 2012) Rev Racing along with rookie driver, Kyle Larson, will be competing for its first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship during the Classic 3 Championship Presented by RCR Racing Museum weekend, this Saturday, at Rockingham Speedway.
After an impressive rookie season, including two wins, eight top five’s and 11 top-10’s; Larson makes his first visit to “The Rock” as the current series point leader. With a season average finish of 3.6 at track’s .75 miles or larger, Larson said that he is hoping to continue this successful streak and bring his team home its first series championship.
“This is a great opportunity for me and my team to show the results of all the hard work for this year. Rev Racing, Toyota, my team and teammates have helped me to be in this position and I look forward to an exciting event this weekend.”
Larson will also be battling for another series title at this one-mile speedway. Lurking 5 points behind him in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings is teammate Bryan Ortiz.
This season, Ortiz has 9 top 10’s with a best finish of 3rd at Bowman Gray. He also has an average finish of 8th in speedway starts this year and is looking to add to these positive results in the final race of the season.
“Kyle and I are teammates but we are both very competitive and it is an honor to be battling with him for the Sonoco Rookie of the Year title. I know my crew chief and team will give me a car capable of making a great run this weekend and I will do my best to reward their hard work with my best effort”
With a goal to develop the skills and capabilities of its drivers seeking opportunities in this competitive sport, Rev Racing’s General Manager, Derik Crotts, said that he has been impressed with this season’s talent.
“Our drivers continue to prove that they have what it takes to be some of this sport’s next group of young stars,” said Crotts. “ Regardless of the outcome this weekend, this has been a very successful season for this team and I am extremely proud of all they have accomplished this year.”
CONCORD, NC (October 28, 2012) Good finishes in Saturday night’s Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140, at Greenville Pickens Speedway, weren’t enough to keep Rev Racing’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East team at the top of the championship point standings. However, Kyle Larson remains in good position heading into the series final race at Rockingham Speedway, six points out of the championship.
Starting the night in the second position, Larson continued to hold off the remaining field before being shuffled back to sixth on lap 105. After falling back as far as ninth, Larson was able to weave his No. 6 Rev Racing and L&M Ethanol Maintenance & Contracting, Inc. Toyota back into the top five as the laps began to wind down. Avoiding a collision on lap 136, Larson was shuffled back in the field. Not letting this stop him from the best finish possible, Larson quickly wove his way into the top five narrowly avoiding the pile up in Turn 4 on the final lap and crossed the finish line in fourth.
“I’ll take a fourth place finish after getting slammed around a few times,” said Larson. “I am pretty happy with the way the points are going into the Rock.”
Bringing home this team’s second top-10 of the night, Larson’s teammate Bryan Ortiz was also forced to overcome several challenges for his sixth place finish. Starting the night off in sixth, Ortiz moved his No. 4 Toyota Racing Development / Breast Cancer Awareness Camry, into the top three during the opening laps of the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140. Holding this position as this race approached the half way point, a broken shifter forced Ortiz to fall back in the field. After clawing his way back to 12th, Ortiz was forced to the rear of the field after a pit road speeding penalty.
Refusing to quit, Ortiz was able to race his way back into the top-10 with 16 laps remaining. Also avoiding the wild finish under the checkered flag, Ortiz’s No. 4 crossed the finish in sixth.
“This was not our night,” said Ortiz. “Not sure how I made it back into the sixth position. Fortunately, we have a good car for next weekend’s final season race.”
Larson and Ortiz, along with their teammates Ryan Gifford and Jorge Arteaga, will wrap up their 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season in next Saturday’s Classic 3 Championship, presented by RCR Racing Museum, at Rockingham Speedway.
CONCORD, NC (October 25, 2012) Rev Racing Racing Rookie, Kyle Larson, will continue to battle for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship in this Saturday’s Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140 at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway.
Originally scheduled to be the 11th event on the 14-race schedule, the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140 will now be a major factor in shaping the championship picture. Originally to be contested, Sept. 3, Brett Moffitt had a 20-point lead on Larson with four races to go before rain washed out everything but practice and this race was rescheduled. Now, following a win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and a top-five finish at Dover International Speedway, Larson holds a slim points lead heading into one of the final two races of the season and is eyeing this program’s first NASCAR touring series championship.
“We’ve been pretty consistent all year and you’ve got to be consistent to win,” said Larson. “My No. 6 Rev Racing and L&M Ethanol Maintenance & Contracting, Inc. Toyota has been pretty strong this season and while we really haven’t had the best car all year, or on any (single) night, we’ve always been there at the end and I am hoping that this continues in the last two races of the season.”
While keeping their eyes on the prize, Rev Racing will also be honoring those who battle a much more difficult challenge, defeating breast cancer. The No. 4 Toyota Racing Development Camry, driven by Rookie of the Year contender, Bryan Ortiz, will be adorned in hot pink and pink ribbons to remember and commemorate two very special breast cancer survivors.
“My mom is a two time breast cancer survivor and I try to do everything I can to promote breast cancer awareness,” said Ortiz. “I am so thankful to have the opportunity to celebrate my mom in this way and can’t wait to race and have a great run, hopefully a win, for her.”
This hot pink No. 4 Toyota Camry is also a special salute to the mother of Jefferson Hodges, Rev Racing’s director of competition.
“I am proud to be associated with a team and sponsors who are willing to change their identity to honor such a great cause as Breast Cancer Awareness,” said Hodges. “Nothing makes me happier than knowing that because of all the research and advancements in the cure for this horrible disease that my mom is still around to see our hot pink No. 4 Toyota Camry.”
Additionally, the hood features a design by Rev Racing’s own Mackena Bell, one she submitted into a T-shirt design contest sponsored by Toyota to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Dylan Smith peeled off the track following his practice laps at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va., Wednesday morning and keyed the radio: “Hey guys, I just want to say ‘thank you’ for this opportunity.”
It’s a sentiment that was shared among the 17 candidates that took part in the on-track portion of the 2012 NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) Combine put on by Rev Racing.
After the combine kicked off with fitness evaluations and iRacing simulations Tuesday, the drivers got to show what they could do Wednesday in three identically prepared Late Models on the .4-mile NASCAR Whelen All-American Series track.
For some, like Annabeth Barnes, from Hiddenite, N.C., it was redemption.
“This is a really great experience for all of us here,” said Barnes. “Everybody is really, really talented, so it’s great to be put in this group of drivers. We’re all given this great opportunity to show what we have that you wouldn’t get anywhere else.
“I came here last year – my first time here – and I was disappointed in myself. Coming to a different track that you’ve never raced before is hard. I traveled around a lot racing this year, trying to get prepared for this. So coming in, I was a lot more confident and I was a lot more prepared.”
The day was divided into a morning and afternoon session, with each of the drivers getting an opportunity to make 10-lap runs.
Headquartered in Concord, N.C., Rev Racing, owned by Max Siegel, operates the NASCAR Drive For Diversity program, which is the industry’s leading developmental program for multicultural and women drivers and pit crew members. Rev Racing fields cars in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
The 2013 Rev Racing team will be selected from among the 2012 Rev Racing drivers and the Combine participants. This year’s Combine class included drivers from 12 U.S. states as well as Canada and Mexico, and a variety of racing experience from sprint cars to Late Models.
Their common goal of making their way up the NASCAR ladder brought them to Virginia.
“I love this place,” said Smith. “This is a great opportunity. You get to hang around people that can relate to you, and know some of the struggles and some of the things you’ve gone through. That’s really cool.”
The Combine will conclude Wednesday with additional on-track testing sessions.
The NASCAR D4D program created in 2004 is now executed by Rev Racing. Currently the top two rookies in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Kyle Larson and Bryan Ortiz are in the 2012 D4D class, while Larson and Rev Racing graduate Darrell Wallace Jr. made their national series debuts this year. Earlier this season, Wallace became the first African-American to win a pole award in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, while Larson has been impressive in several NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts.
Drivers at the Combine include:
Devon Amos, Rio Ranch, N.M.; Dustin Ash, Las Vegas; Annabeth Barnes, Hiddenite, N.C.; Collin Cabre, Thonotosassa, Fla.; Kayla Cazares, Goffstown, N.H.; Amber Colvin, Mooresville, N.C.; Jessica Dana, Olympia, Wash.; Paige Decker, Eagle River, Wis.; Cassie Gannis, Phoenix, Ariz.; Lindsay Katz, Kalmazoo, Mich.; Jack Madrid, San Clemente, Calif.; Kate McCall, Port Orange, Fla.; Dallas Montes, Bakersfield, Calif.; Hannah Newhouse, Twin Falls, Idaho; Dylan Smith, Randolph, Vt.; Daniel Suarez, Monterrey, Mexico; Erica Thiering, Sherwood Park, Alberta.
By: Mike Petteway for Triadsportscoverage.com
The 2012 Late Model campaign closed out for the two Rev Racing drivers, Mackena Bell and Trey Gibson, with the running of the Pepsi Fall Brawl presented by Gold King at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday night.
After the grueling 200+ laps behind the wheel, Gibson picked up a fourth place finish while Bell crossed the stripe in eighth. Bell had been battling a case of bronchitis the past few days but that didn’t deter her performance.
Rain showers delayed the evening’s schedule but the track crew quickly dried the racing surface and qualifying took place for the 22 Late Model cars entered in the 200 Lap Feature.
Mackena Bell wins her first ever Late Model Pole at Hickory
It was Bell capturing her first ever Late Model pole and Gibson sliding into the eighth starting spot. “We were in Dover all day on Friday and we drove all night to be here (Hickory) and I was in the infield care center at Dover with bronchitis, it’s been crazy,” said Bell. Her Rev Racing crew had prepared a great car for this final race of the year. “We ran twenty laps in practice and the car didn’t need any changes, we were just really good right off the trailer,” Bell said.
Mackena held the lead for the first 28 laps, “I didn’t really want to over do it so I just let them go and thought that it would all come back to me.” Bell said her car got tight in the middle of the first 100 lap segment and then it became loose in the final 100 laps. “I was racing really hard and on the green white checker I had moved up to fourth place on the white flag lap but coming out of turn two it was four wide and I was in the middle, some place that you never want to be,” explained Bell.
“It was a really good year and I’m thankful for the opportunity, thanks to Rev Racing, Max Siegel, TRD, Toyota, Good Year, Jefferson and all the guys on my team,” Bell said. She added that she is “super bummed” that the year is over but is looking forward to many more years in her racing career.
Bell’s team mate, Trey Gibson brought his #2 Toyota home in fourth in the season finale. Gibson said that he drove conservatively in the first 100 laps trying to save his tires. “I was careful not to use up my left side tires since we had to keep those on the car for the last 100 laps of the race.”
Gibson said his car was a little too tight in the first segment but his crew chief, Mardy, made the correct adjustments at the break to free him up to make him more competitive. “We had a fast car and I was running laps times faster than the leaders at the end, but we just started too far back to catch them,” Gibson said. “The last 30 laps I gave it all I had, and overall it was a good night.”
Trey Gibson awaits the start of the final race of 2012
Trey said it was a good solid run and a good way to end the season with a strong fourth place finish. “I couldn’t do this without Rev Racing, my crew chief Marty and all the guys that work on my Toyota,” said Gibson, “I want to thank all my sponsors, Lithium Pro Batteries, Toyota, and NASCAR Diversity for this amazing opportunity.”
CONCORD, NC (October 1, 2012) Following a toughly contested battle at the “Monster Mile,” Rev Racing Rookies, Kyle Larson and Bryan Ortiz, are now first and fifth in the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East points chase. With his fifth place finish in Friday’s American Real TV 150, at Dover International Speedway, Larson moves into the series points lead with teammate, Ortiz, following in fifth after his sixth place finish in the race.
Despite being sent to the rear of the 28-car field after a transmission change prior to this race, Larson was able to put his No. 6 Rev Racing and L&M Ethanol Maintenance & Contracting, Inc. Toyota Camry, into the top-10 by the midway break, on lap 75.
As the second half of this race began, Larson made a hard charge into the top-five with 60 laps remaining. Continuing to battle and avoid many of the issues that plagued his competitors, Larson was able to hold on to a top-five with the wave of the checkered flag.
“Although I was hoping for another win after last week, I am thankful for this top-five after some difficult restarts,” said Larson. “I am also glad to take over the points lead and hope to continue this through the last two races of the season.”
Following a sixth place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, teammate and Rookie of the Year contender, Ortiz, continued to maintain his top-five position in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series points standings with another excellent finish in the American Real TV 150.
Rolling off the grid in ninth, Ortiz was able to maintain this position, before moving his No. 4 Puerto Rico Does It Better Toyota into the top-six, on lap 60. Avoiding a stalled car on the frontstretch on lap 73, Ortiz fell back to seventh going into the halfway break.
After encountering continued handling issues throughout the second half, Ortiz continued to fall back in the field before finding his stride in the closing laps of this race where he would cross the finish line in sixth.
“This isn’t exactly the finish that we wanted,” said Ortiz. “We had to deal with several issues out of our control during this race and because of my great team we came back and finished strong and I am looking forward to the last two races.”
Ready for an exciting end to the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Season, Derik Crotts, General Manager, Rev Racing said that these teams and drivers continue to work hard for a successful season.
“The Rev Racing team faced several challenges at the Monster Mile, but did some great work to finish where we did,” said Crotts. “It is nice to have first and fifth place standings in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Championship Chase with only two races remaining. This is going to be an exciting finish to the season, no doubt.”
Larson and Ortiz, along with their teammates Ryan Gifford and Jorge Arteaga, will make their return to the track in the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140, at Greenville Pickens Speedway, in Greenville, SC, on Saturday, October 27.
CONCORD, NC (September 22, 2012) Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 6 Rev Racing and L&M Ethanol Maintenance & Contracting, Inc. Toyota Camry, won a drag race to the finish line for his second race win of the season in Saturday’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East G-Oil 100 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
After starting the race in third, Larson proved that his No. 6 Camry was strong and would be a factor as he remained inside the top-five at the 1.058-mile oval for the first half of the race. Battling an ill handling car, Larson began to lose ground on the race leaders prior to the midway break on lap 50.
Jumping into action, the No. 6 team was able to make the necessary adjustments to put Larson back into contention for the race win. With 35 laps remaining, Larson was able to make his move around points leader, Brett Moffitt, for second and closed in on race leader, Corey LaJoie.
As the laps ticked down in the G-Oil 100, Larson pushed his way to the race lead with only 14 laps remaining. Though he began to drive away from the field, Larson would be forced into a shootout with Lajoie for the finish after the red flag was thrown following a multi-car accident on the backstretch on lap 90 of this 100 lap race. With the wave of the green flag, on lap 95, Larson was able to hold off a hard charging LaJoie for the win of this exciting race, which now puts him just three points outside of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East points lead.
“It was a lot of fun racing Corey to the checker today. It took five or six laps for the tires to really come in so I could roll around the bottom (of the corners) better,” said Larson. Luckily, we had enough for the win and made up some more points on Brett (Moffitt). I am lucky to have a great team and sponsors, including Toyota and L&M Ethanol Maintenance & Contracting, Inc., who make wins like this possible.”
Starting this weekend with a new sponsor, the Puerto Rico Board of Tourism, Rookie of the Year contender and Larson’s teammate, Bryan Ortiz, also had a memorable day at the Magic Mile. After a rough start to his weekend, which lead to an accident in qualifying, Ortiz was forced to start this race in the 36th position.
Having one of the best cars in the field, Ortiz battled his way into the top-10 by the midpoint of this race. Working hard to keep their driver in contention, the No. 4 team made the necessary adjustments to put Ortiz in the top-five with only 25 laps to go. However, after a caution on lap 88, Ortiz was forced back to the seventh position. Fighting back, though, Ortiz was able to put his No. 4 Puerto Rico Does It Better Toyota into sixth by the wave of the checkered flag.
“ What an amazing race! We had the best car,” said Ortiz. “To start this race in dead last and finish sixth, I am one lucky driver to have the crew, sponsors and quality race team to compete.”
Larson and Ortiz, along with their teammates Ryan Gifford and Jorge Arteaga, will return to action at Dover International Speedway, in the American Real TV 150, next Friday, September 28.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 20, 2012) As the NASCAR season hits the home stretch, preparations for 2013 are already underway. That process will begin in earnest for select drivers Oct. 16-18 with the 2012 NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) Combine at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va.
NASCAR and Rev Racing today announced 17 candidates invited to take part in the three-day evaluation.
“We are excited to see the continued interest in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program as evidenced by the increased breadth and depth of applicants for the evaluation,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR vice president of public affairs and multicultural development. “The NASCAR Drive for Diversity program provides opportunities for female and minority drivers and crew members, and we are proud to be working with Rev Racing to foster great talent that will continue to enrich our sport.”
The NASCAR D4D program created in 2004 is now executed by Rev Racing and the team is competing in their third season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Currently the top two rookies in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Kyle Larson and Bryan Ortiz are in the 2012 D4D class, while Larson and Rev Racing graduate Darrell Wallace Jr. made their national series debuts this year. Larson has top 10s in both starts in the NASCAR Camping World Series and Wallace has a top 10 in all three of his NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
The 2012 Combine will be a three day driver evaluation of on-track performance, marketing and media aptitude, and physical fitness. Langley, a .4-mile asphalt oval, is the NASCAR sanctioned track hosting the event for the second consecutive year.
“Langley truly challenges those who take part in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine,” said Derik Crotts, general manager of Rev Racing, the executing partner for the program. “Participants will have several on track sessions to present their racing abilities. This will include some unique challenges that we will throw at them to make sure that they are on their game.”
The 2013 Rev Racing team will be selected from among the 2012 Rev Racing drivers and the Combine participants.
The 2012 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine participants include:
DRIVER HOMETOWN AGE
Devon Amos Rio Ranch, N.M. 21
Dustin Ash Las Vegas 24
Annabeth Barnes Hiddenite, N.C. 17
Collin Cabre Thonotosassa, Fla. 18
Kayla Cazares Goffstown, N.H. 16
Amber Colvin Mooresville, N.C. 17
Jessica Dana Olympia, Wash. 17
Paige Decker Eagle River, Wis. 19
Cassie Gannis Phoenix, Ariz. 21
Lindsay Katz Kalamazoo, Mich. 21
Jack Madrid San Clemente, Calif. 17
Kate McCall Port Orange, Fla. 16
Dallas Montes Bakersfield, Calif. 18
Hannah Newhouse Twin Falls, Idaho 15
Dylan Smith Randolph, Vt. 20
Daniel Suarez Monterrey, Mexico 20
Erica Thiering Sherwood Park, Alberta 22
Concord, NC (September 19, 2012) Rev Racing is excited to announce the new partnership between its driver Bryan Ortiz and the Puerto Rico Board of Tourism. Ortiz, a native of Puerto Rico, and driver of the No. 4 Rev Racing Toyota, will be displaying this new sponsor during the upcoming NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Dover International Speedway.
Puerto Rico Board of Tourism is the official source of information for all those traveling to the island destination. “Puerto Rico Does It Better” will be displayed on the hood of Ortiz’s car for this weekend’s G-Oil 100 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
“I am happy and proud to have the support of the Puerto Rico Board of Tourism on my car for the upcoming K&N races,” said Ortiz. “It will be the first time that they have been involved with NASCAR and I’m hoping for a good run in both of the upcoming races with them on board. Hopefully we can continue this partnership for years to come.”
“Through its athletes, Puerto Rico has gained a place of honor in the global sports panorama, with Bryan Ortiz being an outstanding example of the quality of our sportsmen and women. At the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, we fully support him and believe his participation in NASCAR will provide Puerto Rico with an opportunity to show car racing fans that Puerto Rico Does It Better”, said Luis Rivera-Marin, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
For more information on Ortiz’s new sponsor visit www.seepuertorico.com and continue to follow Bryan Ortiz at Bryan Ortiz Racing on Facebook or Twitter @BryanORacing.
Concord, North Carolina (September 18, 2012) Rev Racing would like to thank DogHouse Systems for their continued support over the past three years. Jorge Arteaga, driver of the No. 8 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR K&N series, will be sporting the DogHouse Systems wrap on his car for this weekend’s G-Oil 100 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and the following race at Dover International Speedway.
“DogHouse Systems has been a great partner in our driver simulator program for the past three years,” said Derik Crotts, General Manager, Rev Racing. “They have provided computers and monitors for our in-house simulators as well as our mobile simulator used with the Fueling Your Dreams tour. Their continued support enhances our outreach and development efforts, while at the same time bring awareness to the NASCAR Drive For Diversity Program within the gaming community.”
DogHouse Systems, established in 2008, produces elite desktop computers for the most discriminating PC gamers. The company’s love for gaming and Rev Racing’s unique outreach program have combined to create a realistic and interactive simulator that allows participants to virtually experience what it is like to be in a race car and on the track.
“We have NASCAR fans here at DogHouse SystemsTM and when we learned about Rev Racing, we knew we wanted to be a part of their outreach program. They are doing such great things for the activity and we applaud them for their efforts,” said John Pryor, President, DogHouse Systems.
For more information on DogHouse Systems check out their website at doghousesystems.com and continue to follow @RevRacin on Twitter for updates on this weekend’s NASCAR K&N race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
CONCORD, NC (September 17, 2012) Rev Racing’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series drivers, Mackena Bell and Trey Gibson, proved that they were championship contenders on Saturday night with two top-five finishes in the 100-lap championship race for the Bojangles Late Model Series at Hickory Motor Speedway. Although not competing in the entire 2012 season, Bell’s top-three finish earned her an eighth place finish in Late Model point standings at Hickory Motor Speedway while Gibson ended the season in sixth, 150 points ahead of his teammate.
Starting this race in fifth, Bell quickly fell back to 12th after being spun on the first lap, causing right front damage to her No. 4 Toyota Racing Development Camry. Not letting this stop her from a top finish, Bell quickly maneuvered her way through the field, cracking the top-five with 40 laps remaining. Nearing the end of this championship race, Bell proved no one would stop her from ending the 2012 season on a high note when she made her way up to third place in the 15 car field with 10 laps remaining, which is where she would cross the finish.
Also bringing his 2012 NASCAR Whelen All-American season to a successful end, Gibson started this race in seventh and quickly made his way into the top three within the first two laps. Continuing to keep his No. 2 Lithium Pros Toyota Camry in the top-five, Gibson was forced to make a late race pit stop, for a track bar adjustment. Starting in eighth with only 24 laps remaining, Gibson found that this was just the handling adjustment that he needed to stay competitive. Making his way through the field, Gibson was able to put the No. 2 Lithium Pros Toyota Camry back in the top-five with 10 laps remaining and crossed the finish in fifth.
“It was an honor to finish in the top-three considering the competition I had tonight,” said Bell. “It was unfortunate to have gotten caught up in a wreck on the first lap, but we made a great recovery. This team has made a lot of improvements from the beginning of the season and I would like to thank Mike Bartlett, Josh Berdnt, Keith Young and Jefferson Hodges for all their hard work and support as well as my amazing sponsors, Toyota and Toyota Racing Development for making this dream possible.”
“This weekend was better than the past couple of weeks and I am thankful to have a strong fifth place finish,” said Gibson. “The No. 2 Lithium Pros Toyota Camry was really good the first 70 laps, but after making a track bar adjustment the car seemed to handle even better. Due to this late pit stop we weren’t able to get the finished we had hoped for, but am still happy for this strong finish. I would like to thank my sponsors Lithium Pros and Toyota as well as my hard working team Mardy Lindley, Ryan Salomon, Dylan Smith and Steve Mann for their dedication this season.”
Bell and Gibson will also have an opportunity to compete in one of Hickory Motor Speedway’s largest racing events of the year – the Fall Brawl 200 lap Late Model race, on Saturday, September 29th.
CONCORD, NC (September 10, 2012) Rev Racing’s Mackena Bell comes home with a top-five finish in the 100-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series feature race this weekend, moving her into the top-10 in Late Model point standings at Hickory Motor Speedway.
After spending most of Saturday at this legendary short track, Bell and her teammate, Trey Gibson, had to await their chance to race against the competitive Late Model field until Sunday due to dangerous storms in the area.
In a race that was slowed by only one caution, Bell as able to battle back from an 11th place starting position into the top seven by the mid-point of this event. Bell continued to hold this position before laying the hammer down and moving her No. 4 Toyota Racing Development Camry into the top-five with just four laps to go, resulting in her second top-five finish of the 2012 season.
Hoping to compete with his teammate, Gibson wasn’t as fortunate. Starting this race in the top-five, Gibson’s No. 2 Lithium Pros Toyota Camry looked like the car to compete with before experiencing engine problems on lap 43. Unable to return to the race track, Gibson was forced to settle with a last place finish.
“This was a great race weekend,” said Bell. “Although our qualifying effort wasn’t what I was hoping, the changes that we made for the race as well as saving our tires until the end of this race paid off. A special thanks goes out to my team for their hard work as well as my sponsors, Toyota and Toyota Racing Development, for giving me the opportunity to have a great car.”
“Sometimes you lose more than you win in this sport, but I am really happy for my teammate today,” said Gibson. “We had a good run going for the 100 lap feature before experiencing motor problems, which forced me to end the day early. Fortunately, we have two more races to go to get another win this season and this is definitely possible with this hard working team.”
Both drivers will return to the track for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Championship Night this Saturday night at Hickory Motor Speedway, followed by the Fall Brawl 200 lap Late Model race on Saturday, September 29th.
By: Mike Petteway, Triad Sports Coverage.com
Hickory, NC (September 2, 2012) Rev Racing’s Mackena Bell and Trey Gibson maintained their poise throughout the 150 lap Bobby Isaac Memorial Late Model race Saturday night at Hickory Motor Speedway and crossed the finish line in sixth and tenth place respectively.
“Everybody preached all day about being smooth and straight off the corner and let the other drivers wear their stuff out,” said Mackena. Bell drove a great race and patiently waited for her opportunity to move up. It was apparent in the final 30 laps that the #4 Toyota Camry had plenty left for the competition.
“We fell back to about 20th at one point, but is was impressive to run with so many good drivers and come out with a sixth place finish,” Bell said. Mackena also did a great job to avoid several late race wrecks. “Those late race cautions were crazy, I could see things about to happen and I guess the “female instinct” took over and I was able to back down and get around the crashes,” said Bell.
Gibson salvaged a tenth place finish after some late race incidents, not of his making. Trey ran in the top 8 and was destined for an even better finish, but racing luck wasn’t riding in his #2 Camry. “On a restart I was put in behind some lapped cars and got hung out on the top lane, I dropped from eighth the thirteenth before I was able to find my way back to the bottom,” Gibson said.
Trey had a great Toyota under him, and like Mackena, he just rode around and conserved his equipment for the first 100 or so laps. As he made his way to the front he suffered a right front flat after contact with another car coming out of turn two and his hopes of a top five were dashed. He made his way down pit road with just 15 laps to go and quickly returned to the action and fought his way from the rear of the field to a solid tenth place finish.
“It was really unfortunate that we didn’t get the finish that we should have, but we’ll come back and go at it next time,” Trey said. “My crew and the guys back at the shop gave me a great hot rod tonight,” added Gibson.
Bell and Gibson are scheduled to return to Hickory Motor Speedway next Saturday night, September 8th for the 100 lap Late Model race.
CONCORD, NC (August 30, 2012) Rev Racing’s K&N Pro Series East team will celebrate Labor Day Monday by saluting NASCAR Technical Institute’s 10 year anniversary at Greenville-Pickens Speedway.
Featuring NASCAR Tech’s 10th anniversary celebration logo on the No. 2 Toyota Camry of Ryan Gifford in Monday’s Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140, General Manager, Derik Crotts said that this team is proud to support this valuable partner of Rev Racing.
“Since 2011 NASCAR Technical Institute has been an integral part of Rev Racing’s success,” said Crotts. “Not only by producing top performing engines for our NASCAR K&N Pro Series East teams, but also supplying us with knowledgeable graduates who play key roles as members of our race team.”
One decade ago, NASCAR Technical Institute — a branch of Universal Technical Institute — became the first exclusive educational partner of NASCAR. The 146,000-square-foot training facility located in Mooresville, N.C., opened in July 2002 as the first technical school of its kind to combine automotive training and a NASCAR-approved technologies curriculum into one program. The campus has received many awards including the 2010 NASCAR Diversity Affairs Award and 2010 Motorsports Industry Award from the North Carolina Motorsports Association. Since 2011, NASCAR Tech students have built engines for NASCAR Drive for Diversity and Rev Racing, producing a total of seven NASCAR K&N Pro Series East victories in 22 races.
“We are fortunate to have such exceptional partnerships with NASCAR and teams like Rev Racing that offer our graduates opportunities to wake up every day and work in industries that they love and are passionate about,” said Jennifer Waber-Bergeron, campus president for NASCAR Technical Institute.
Trying to make this team’s partner proud, Ryan Gifford, driver of the No. 2 Universal Technical Institute/NASCAR Technical Institute Toyota Camry, said that he hopes to feature this celebratory design in victory lane on Monday.
“My team has been working hard this season and I believe this design might be just the good luck charm that we need for a strong finish in the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140,” said Gifford.
Gifford will join his Rev Racing teammates, Bryan Ortiz, Kyle Larson, and Jorge Arteaga in Monday’s, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140 at Greenville-Pickens Speedway. Media opportunities are available with all four drivers.
The 10th Anniversary NASCAR Technical Institute logo will be featured on a Rev Racing NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Toyota Camry throughout the remainder of the 2012 season.
Concord, NC (August 24, 2012) Toyota Racing NASCAR drivers’ wives, girlfriends, sisters and moms have put their fashion expertise to work. As our own “Fashion Stars.”, they have designed T-shirts to help raise money for breast cancer awareness, and the one with the most votes wins.
Rev Racing’s own, Mackena Bell, submitted a design which you can vote on here:
http://www.toyotaracing.com/racing-for-awareness/shirts.html?TS5-Mackena-Bell
When asked about her inspiration to participate in the campaign, Bell stated, “Since I started racing, I have always used the slogan ‘Don’t Stop Believing.’ A favorite Journey song of mine growing up, I have always ‘Believed’ that a female can make it in the world of NASCAR. Coincidently, having the last name BELL and being a third generation driver with the race number 11, the word came together for me perfectly. I even have it tattooed on my wrist, ‘Be11eve’! So when I was asked to help design a shirt, there was no question in my mind what my ‘word’ would be. And when the breast cancer ribbon created the perfect ‘L’, I knew it was meant to be!”
Remember to Vote!
CONCORD, NC (August 24, 2012) Rev Racing’s Dylan Smith capped off his first season in the Jack in the Box Summer Shootout Series, at Charlotte Motor Speedway, with a top-10 finish in the NOS Energy Legend Car Semi-Pro feature as well as a top-10 finish in the overall point standings on Tuesday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
After receiving damage to the left front side of his legendary No. 34 during the opening heat race, Smith was forced to start the 20-lap feature race at the back of the field.
Proving that the Max Siegel, Inc., Toyota and Langley Speedway No. 34 was one of the strongest in the 18 car field, Smith was able to move into the top-10 by the midpoint of this race.
Continuing to push his way through the field, Smith was running in the top five before receiving a tap, causing the No. 34 to fall back to 10th with only eight laps remaining. Not letting this stop him, Smith drove back into the top-10 where he finished his final race of the season in ninth, leading to a top-10 finish in the Semi-Pro Division point standings.
“We had a great car tonight,” said Smith. “We had some of the fastest practice times of the season on Monday night and this car just continued to improve thanks to my hard working crew chief, Ryan Salomon. I hope to compete with the same hard working team again next season.”
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 17, 2012) – For the fifth consecutive year, fans can vote online for the Most Popular Driver of the Year Award in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (Twitter hashtag: #KNEast).
The link to the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Most Popular Driver ballot will be hosted on www.nascarhometracks.com. Fans may vote once per day and are encouraged to vote throughout the season. Voting continues through Nov. 18.
Last year, Chase Elliott was voted by the fans as the Most Popular Driver in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.
Voting for all regional touring series will be available on www.nascarhometracks.com.
The winner will be honored at the NASCAR Night of Champions Awards on Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Charlotte Convention Center’s Crown Ballroom in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
