Category: News

RIF Partners with NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity to Bring Racing Excitement to Charlotte Schools

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On June 1 and 3, Reading Is Fundamental partnered with Revolution Racing’s Drive for Diversity to bring NASCAR excitement to book distributions at Amay James Pre-K and Plaza Road Pre-K in Charlotte, N.C. RIF could find no better partner in Charlotte, N.C. to support our Multicultural Literacy Campaign than the Drive for Diversity initiative, which shares RIF’s goal of reaching out to young people in minority communities. Drive for Diversity is NASCAR’s top corporate initiative bringing minority and female drivers to the racing circuit. The goal of the initiative is to diversify NASCAR’s competitor and audience base, introducing a new generation of race fans to the sport. Read more…

Cherry Follows up Win with Runner-Up Finish at Hickory, Kasten Finishes Fourth

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Michael Cherry followed up his historic first late model win at Tri-County Motor Speedway with a second-place finish at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday night. This was Cherry’s best finish at Hickory Motor Speedway in the No. 2 MBC Group Late Model. His Revolution Racing teammate Becca Kasten also scored her best finish of the season at Hickory, a fourth-place, on Saturday night. Megan Reitenour finished 11th. “I can’t thank everyone at Revolution Racing enough for giving me this opportunity,” said Cherry. “We had to earn this one tonight and I think it shows how far this program has come. It’s no secret we’ve struggled a little bit at Hickory this season, but we had two cars finish in the top five tonight and that really says something about this team.” Cherry qualified sixth for the 50 lap feature and started the race in front of his teammates Kasten and Reitenour, who qualified eighth and 10th, respectively. By lap 10, Cherry had moved comfortably into third and was distancing himself from the rest of the pack. Nine laps later, Kasten was able to work her way to fourth in the No. 5 AirTight Mechanical Late Model. Cherry continued to distance himself from Kasten and the rest of the field, catching the second-place car of Josh Wimbish on lap 35. After a three lap, side-by-side battle, Cherry was able to nose ahead into the second spot. With five to go, Cherry had no pressure from behind and was on his way to a second-place finish. Kasten, who was still running for fourth, was feeling pressure from the fifth-place car of Dexter Canipe, Jr. The two ran side-by-side for the final five laps, with Kasten maintaining her advantage at the line for her best finish of the season at Hickory. “I can’t complain about a fourth-place finish,” said Kasten. “This is the best this No. 5 AirTight Late Model has been at Hickory all season. We didn’t qualify as well as we’d hoped, but the car was hooked up for the race. Overall it was a really great weekend for us, with a second and third at Tri-County last night, and a fourth here tonight.” Revolution Racing Late Model drivers Jessica Brunelli, Katie Hagar and Jason Romero will take over driving duties next weekend, racing at Tri-County Motor Speedway Friday night and Hickory Motor Speedway Saturday night.

Cherry Adds His Name to the Record Books

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Michael Cherry won his first career late model race at Tri-County Motor Speedway Friday night, becoming the first African American to win a late model race at the 0.4-mile speedway. Cherry won the pole and led all 35 laps of the race en route to his first career NASCAR Whelen All-American Series victory. “Man this has been a long time coming,” said Cherry, who is in his third season with Drive for Diversity. “I can’t thank everyone at Revolution Racing enough for believing in me and making this happen. A big shout out to my crew chief, Brandon Butler, John Story, Max Siegel and everyone else at Revolution Racing who had something to do with this win tonight.” Cherry started on the pole in the No. 2 MBC Group Late Model for both segments of the Twin 35 event after posting qualifying laps of 16.284 and 16.287 seconds. Cherry lost the lead on the first lap of the first 35 lap race, and was unable to retake the position from the No. 27 of Grant Wimbish. Cherry finished the race second, his third runner-up finish of the year at Tri-County Motor Speedway, but knew he had a car that was capable of winning. “I just wasn’t able to get back around the No. 27,” said Cherry. “He had a heck of a motor in that thing, but I think if we could have gotten by him we would have pulled away. Unfortunately we just couldn’t get back out front.” In the second 35 lap race, Cherry got that opportunity. He led the field to the green, and this time he didn’t relinquish the lead. He led all 35 laps on the way to his first career late model win, taking the checkered flag with a half of a straightaway lead over his Revolution Racing teammate Becca Kasten, who crossed the line second in the No. 5 AirTight Mechanical Late Model. The win also marks the first NASCAR Whelen All-American Series win for Revolution Racing, a team that has been making history all season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Darrell Wallace Jr., became the youngest driver and first African American winner in series history with his win at Greenville Pickens Speedway earlier this year. Last weekend, Ryan Gifford became the first African American pole winner in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East history. It is also the first win for crew chief Brandon “Chuck” Butler. “I’m just tickled to death to be a part of this team,” said Butler. “I think I wore out the bottoms of my shoes pacing back and forth in the pits during those 35 laps. I was confident we had the car to beat, but I also know how bad Michael wanted, and needed, this win. I was a nervous wreck for him. I’m just so glad we were able to get this first win for everyone at Revolution Racing.” Revolution Racing looks to continue its winning ways tonight at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway. Cherry, Kasten and teammate Megan Reitenour will compete in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model division. Photos Courtesy of L&D Photography

Weekend Preview: Late Models

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The Revolution Racing Late Models head back to Tri-County Motor Speedway Friday night, looking for the first win of the season for the driver development program. Revolution will also compete at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday. Becca Kasten, who has qualified on the front row for each of her three starts at Tri-County Motor Speedway this season, will pilot the No. 5 AirTight Late Model this weekend. Michael Cherry, who qualified third last weekend at Hickory Motor Speedway and was running second before a mechanical issue took him out of contention for the win, will drive the No. 2 Late Model this weekend. Jessica Brunelli and Megan Reitenour will split duties in the No. 1 Late Model this weekend for Revolution Racing. Brunelli will compete in the Twin 35s at Tri-County Motor Speedway Friday night before Reitenour takes over driving duties for the 50 lap race at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday.   Event Information: Late Model Twin 35s (2 races, 35 laps each) Tri-County Motor Speedway Friday, June 11 at 8 p.m.   Late Model Stock 50 laps Hickory Motor Speedway Saturday, June 12 at 7 p.m.   Jessica Brunelli Team: No. 1 Late Model Crew Chief: David Flynn Brunelli on the weather and racing: “I hope it doesn’t rain this weekend! I’m the only Revolution Racing late model driver who hasn’t had the opportunity to race at Tri-County yet, and I’d really like to get in that first start. It’s disappointing when we come out to the track and work all day only to end up getting rained out. I’ve raced in Formula cars before, and we have rain tires, so I’m not used to rain delays… I’m used to going out there and racing in the rain.”  Fast Facts:
  • Brunelli will be making her first start at Tri-County Motor Speedway this weekend after rain washed out her first two attempts earlier this year.
  • After just five starts this season, Brunelli has one top five and two top 10s, and is looking to add to that tally this weekend.
  • At just 17 years old, Brunelli is the youngest of Revolution Racing’s late model drivers. She is completing her junior year of high school via online college prep independent study.
  Michael Cherry Team: No. 2 Late Model Crew Chief: Brandon Butler Cherry on Tri-County Motor Speedway: “All three of the Revolution Racing late models have been fast at Tri-County Motor Speedway this year. I think any one of us has the ability to go out there and win races. As long as we can keep the weather on our side this weekend, I think we’ll have a shot at brining home two trophies.” Fast Facts:
  • Cherry qualified third for last weekend’s race at Tri-County Motor Speedway. He has two second-place finishes at the track this season.
  • Cherry qualified third at Hickory Motor Speedway last weekend and was running second at the half-way point before a mechanical issue ended his night early.
  • After nine races this season, Cherry has three top fives and eight top 10s. He’s competed at Caraway Speedway (Asheboro, N.C.), Hickory Motor Speedway and Tri-County Motor Speedway.
  Becca Kasten Team: No. 5 AirTight Late Model Crew Chief: Danny Johnson Kasten on racing at Tri-County and Hickory: “It seems like every time we’ve gone out to Tri-County we’ve been the fastest or second fastest car in the field. I think we have the right stuff to go out there and contend; we just need to get Mother Nature on our side so we can actually race. When we go over to Hickory, we’re still struggling a bit with the AirTight Late Model, but as a whole Revolution Racing is getting better. We can the fastest qualifying laps we’ve ever run out there last week, and we’re only going to continue to improve.” Fast Facts:
  • Kasten won the pole at Tri-County Motor Speedway earlier this year in the No. 5 AirTight Late Model. She qualified on the outside pole her other two trips to the track this season.
  • Kasten has four top 10s in seven starts this season. She has competed at Caraway Speedway (Asheboro, N.C.), Hickory Motor Speedway and Tri-County Motor Speedway.
  • 2010 is Kasten’s first season competing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Models. She previously competed in an ASA touring series.
  Megan Reitenour Team: No. 1 Late Model Crew Chief: David Flynn Reitenour on Hickory Motor Speedway: “The No. 1 Late Model has struggled a little bit at Hickory this season, but I think my crew chief, David Flynn, and teammate, Jessica Brunelli, hit on something with the set-up last week in the race that should help us a lot this weekend. Hickory is a tough race track, but I’m confident we’ll get it figured out and get back to running up front where we need to be.” Fast Facts:
  • Reitenour has had success at Hickory in the past, winning the Extreme Trophies 100 (Super Cup Stock Car Series) in 2008.
  • Reitenour has one top five and two top 10s this season in eight races.
  • When she’s not racing, Reitenour enjoys supporting charitable causes. She recently participated in the Jeff Gordon Foundation Ultimate Speed Event and the CARA Charities Fashion Show.

Disappointing End to Strong Run for Cherry

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Revolution Racing’s Michael Cherry put up his best qualifying effort of the year at Hickory Motor Speedway Saturday night, qualifying third for the 100 lap feature. Unfortunately for Cherry, a brush with the wall midway through the race knocked the exhaust loose on the No. 2 MBC Group Late Model and ended his night early. “It’s a shame. We had such a good run going and we knocked ourselves out of contention battling for the lead,” said Cherry. “It was a disappointing end, but we’ve definitely hit on something here that we can bring back next week and hopefully make another run at it.” Cherry was credited with a 10th-place finish. Cherry’s Revolution Racing teammates Jessica Brunelli and Becca Kasten also competed Saturday night. Kasten qualified eighth and finished seventh in the No. 5 AirTight Late Model. Brunelli qualified 11th and finished ninth, despite an ignition box issue on the No. 1 Late Model early in the race. The Revolution Racing Late Models were also at Tri-County Motor Speedway on Friday night, but the race was cancelled due to inclement weather. Brunelli, Cherry and Kasten will race Twin 35’s at Tri-County Motor Speedway Friday, June 11 before returning to Hickory Motor Speedway for a 50 lap event on Saturday, June 12.

Gifford Claims Martinsville Pole (MartinsvilleSpeedway.com)

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When Mike Stefanik first raced at Martinsville Speedway, Ryan Gifford hadn’t been born. But Saturday the oldster and the youngster were the fastest in qualifying for Sunday’s Made In America Whelen 200 and the UNOH Performance 200. Stefanik is the defending champion in the Made In America 200 NASCAR Modified Tour race and has five Martinsville wins to his credit. So it was no surprise when the Coventry, RI, driver turned in a fast lap of 19.053 seconds (99.386 mph) to capture the pole. Todd Szegedy qualified second at 19.128 (98.996) and Ron Silk was third at 19.135 (98.960). George Brunnhoelzl III and Bobby Santos rounded out the top five. The Made In America Whelen 200 takes the green flag at 1 p.m. Sunday followed by the UNOH Performance 200 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race. “I’ve been coming to Martinsville since 1986 and right from the get-go we were pretty good. I think we finished second that first year,” said Stefanik. “Martinsville has been very good to me over the years.” The top 10 qualifiers for the Made In America Whelen 200 redrew for starting position following time trials. Frank Fleming and Ted Christopher will start on the front row, while the second row will be made up of Eric Beers and Bobby Santos. Stefanik redrew ninth and Szegedy 10th. Gifford is just 21 years old, born three years after Stefanik’s first Martinsville race. This was his first trip to Martinsville, but he handled it like a old pro. The Winchester, TN, driver turned a lap of 20.561 seconds (92.097) to edge Brett Moffitt for the pole. It was Gifford’s first career East Series pole. Sergio Pena of Winchester will start third Sunday, followed by Ryan Truex and Darrell Wallace. Read the rest on Maritinsvillespeedway.com

Gifford Gets First Pole (NASCARHomeTracks.com)

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Ryan Gifford continued Revolution Racing’s historic first-year in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. The 21-year-old from Winchester, Tenn., earned his first career Coors Light Pole Award Saturday with a lap of 20.561 seconds (92.097 mph) in qualifying for Sunday’s UNOH Performance 200 at Martinsville Speedway. It was the first series pole for Revolution Racing and the NASCAR-supported Drive for Diversity initiative, and Gifford became the first African-American pole winner in series history. Read more at NASCARHomeTracks.com

Weekend Preview

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This weekend will mark the first stand-alone NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, and will also mark the first start at the historic speedway for all four Revolution Racing drivers. Coming off of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East/West Challenge at Iowa Speedway two weeks ago, the Revolution Racing team is ready to get back to short track racing. Event Information: UNOH Performance 200  Martinsville Speedway (Martinsville, Va.) Sunday, June 6 at 3 p.m. ET (TV: SPEED, June 10, 6 p.m. ET)   Track Information: Martinsville Speedway is a 0.526-mile, paperclip-shaped oval with flat straightaways and 12 degree banking in the turns.   Mackena Bell Team: No. 8 Chevrolet  Crew Chief: Jerry Babb Bell on turning her luck around at Martinsville Speedway: “Hopefully we left the bad luck out in Iowa and we can turn things around with a successful run at Martinsville Speedway. We’ve had good cars every week, but we just haven’t been able to put together the finishes we need. A solid run this weekend would go a long way for this No. 8 team.” Fast Facts:
  • This is a season of new tracks for Bell, who raced primarily on the West coast before relocating to North Carolina earlier this year. This will mark her first career start at Martinsville Speedway. 
  • Bell qualified 15th of 49 cars at Iowa Speedway. She blew a right front tire with 20 laps to go, hitting the turn four wall before the car caught on fire and came to rest in the tri-oval grass. 
  • Bell is the only female driver on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series entry list for this weekend’s UNOH Performance 200 at Martinsville Speedway. 
  Ryan Gifford Team: No 2 Chevrolet Crew Chief: Lee McCall Gifford on Martinsville Speedway: “Martinsville has so much history, it’s just crazy. I’ve always wanted to race at places like Martinsville; it’s the Mecca of short track racing. I’m big on short-track racing and the go-kart track I learned on was shaped a lot like Martinsville, but just a smaller version. It had long straights and tight turns.” Fast Facts:
  • Gifford’s string of top five finishes in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East came to an end last weekend at Iowa Speedway after pitting under green for a flat tire took him out of contention. 
  • Gifford has five top-five finishes in seven NASCAR K&N Pro Series East starts. 
  • After three races, Gifford is fifth in the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East points standings. 
  Sergio Pena Team: No. 4 Chevrolet Crew Chief: Mark McFarland Pena on short track racing: “I love short track racing. To me, short track racing is real racing for a driver. It’s hard to pass and you have to work for every position. I’ve never raced at Martinsville, but I’ve been told that I’m going to love it. I’m looking forward to racing on Sunday.” Fast Facts:
  • Pena is currently 15th in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East standings after three races. 
  • 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. 
  • On his off weekends from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, Pena has been racing late models at Shenandoah Speedway where he has won three consecutive races and leads the points standings. 
  Darrell Wallace Jr. Team: No. 6 Chevrolet Crew Chief: Robert Huffman Wallace on Martinsville Speedway: “We turned some laps at Martinsville Speedway last fall in the late model, but unfortunately we didn’t make the big show up there. I’m looking forward to getting up there in these East cars against the competition in this series and seeing what we can do. We’ve had a great start to the season and we’re ready to keep it rolling.” Fast Facts:
  • Wallace finished third at Iowa Speedway two weeks ago, earning his second top-three finish in three races.
  • 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.
  • After three NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races, Wallace is third in the overall standings and second in rookie points.
  Three of Revolution Racing’s  late model drivers will also compete this weekend on the short tracks of North Carolina. The trio of Jessica Brunelli, Michael Cherry and Becca Kasten will have a double-header weekend, racing at Tri-County Motor Speedway (Hudson, N.C.) on Friday night and Hickory Motor Speedway Saturday night. Event Information: Late Model Stock 50 laps Tri-County Motor Speedway Friday, June 4 at 8 p.m.   Late Model Stock 100 laps Hickory Motor Speedway Saturday, June 5 at 7 p.m.   Jessica Brunelli Team: No. 1 Late Model Crew Chief: David Flynn Brunelli on getting her first start at Tri-County: “I think I’m the only Revolution Racing late model driver who hasn’t had the opportunity to race at Tri-County yet. We’ve had a series of circumstances that has kept us from getting in that first start, but I know we’ll be good when we get to racing. We’ve tested and qualified well out there, and my teammates have all had good runs there. Hopefully the weather will hold off this week and I’ll get to see what I can do in a 50 lap race.”   Fast Facts:
  • Brunelli will be making her first start at Tri-County Motor Speedway this weekend after rain washed out her first attempt on May 14 after a fourth-place qualifying effort.
  • After just four starts this season, Brunelli has one top five and is looking to add to that tally this weekend.
  • At just 17 years old, Brunelli is the youngest of Revolution Racing’s late model drivers. She is her junior year of high school via online college prep independent study.
    Michael Cherry Team: No. 2 Late Model Crew Chief: Brandon Butler Cherry on rebounding after a wreck: “Man we had a tough day at Hickory last weekend. We had a good car and we were just in the wrong place at the wrong time and got caught up in someone else’s mess. The guys worked hard this week to get the car put back together and we’ll go out there this week and race like nothing happened. Last week is history and we’ve got to go out there and race as hard as we can.” Fast Facts:
  • Cherry qualified fifth at Hickory Motor Speedway last weekend, but was involved in an on-track incident that sent him to the garage early.
  • Cherry has finished second in both of his starts at Tri-County Motor Speedway this season.
  • After eight races this season, Cherry has three top fives and seven top 10s. He’s competed at Caraway Speedway (Asheboro, N.C.), Hickory Motor Speedway and Tri-County Motor Speedway.
    Becca Kasten Team: No. 5 AirTight Late Model Crew Chief: Danny Johnson Kasten on last weekend’s top 10 at Hickory: “We battled with a loose race car all day at Hickory, and it showed in the race. Fortunately we were able to avoid the big wrecks and come away with a solid sixth-place finish. We learned what worked, what didn’t work and what we need to do to make the car better for this weekend. I think we’ll be able to run strong at both tracks this weekend with the No. 5 AirTight machine.” Fast Facts:
  • Kasten scored her best finish of the season last weekend at Hickory Motor Speedway, finishing sixth.
  • Kasten has four top 10s in seven starts this season. She has competed at Caraway Speedway (Asheboro, N.C.), Hickory Motor Speedway and Tri-County Motor Speedway.
  • 2010 is Kasten’s first season competing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Models. She previously competed in an ASA touring series.

Gifford Gunning for East Win (Martinsville Speedway.com)

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Ryan Gifford’s grandfather was a drag racer. But when it came time for Gifford to choose a path, he opted for straightaways that had a turn at the end. It seems like it was a pretty good decision. The 21-year-old Gifford has finished in the top five in two of the first three races of the season on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and headed into the Made In America Whelen 200/UNOH Performance 200 at Martinsville Speedway on June 6, he is fifth in the series points standings. “My grandfather used to be a drag racer. I had a big interest in either racing junior dragsters or go karts. There was a go-kart track about 15 minutes down the road from us,” said the Winchester, TN driver, who was eight years old at the time. “He took me down there and I fell in love with it. “ He conquered the World Karting Association and moved to dirt late models in 2005 and immediately started winning races. He caught the eye of Sprint Cup team owner Richard Childress and signed on as a developmental driver for RCR in 2009. He remains an RCR driver, but is also a member of the 2010 Drive For Diversity Class, racing for Revolution Racing. Read the rest…

Wild Night at Hickory for Late Models

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It was a wild night at Hickory Motor Speedway Saturday, with two of the three Revolution Racing late models getting caught up in the on-track wreck fest. Becca Kasten was the only Revolution driver able to finish the 50 lap race, wheeling her wounded No. 5 AirTight Mechanical Late Model to a sixth-place finish. “We were able to avoid the big wrecks and finish the race,” said Kasten. “Now we have a good baseline and we know what we need to do to make the car better. The No. 5 AirTight Mechanical car should be pretty good next week.” The Revolution Racing team showed improvements in qualifying this week, with Michael Cherry starting fifth, Kasten starting eighth and Megan Reitenour lining up 10th for the 50 lap feature. After a wreck-filled night in the support divisions, the late model feature went green until lap 27, when Kasten, who was battling a loose racecar, got tangled with the No. 36 car and both went spinning down the backstretch. Kasten avoided major damage and kept the No. 5 car in the race. The race went green for 10 more laps, until a three car wreck involving the No. 19, No. 88 and No. 2 of Cherry brought the yellow out again. Kasten was able to avoid the wreck, but Reitenour wasn’t so lucky. The breaks on the No. 1 car locked up while she was trying to avoid the incident, sending her car sliding into the outside wall. The night ended early for both Cherry and Reitenour. “It’s a shame we got caught up in the mess between the No. 19 and the No. 88,” said Cherry. “We had a good car and we were just in the wrong place at the wrong time and got caught up in someone else’s mess.” After a red-flag for another wreck at lap 39, Kasten’s goal was to bring the car home in one piece. Another spin nearly ended her night, but she hung on after the fourth and final caution, and picked up two spots to finish sixth. The Revolution Racing late model team will make repairs to the three cars and prepare for a double-header weekend, with Cherry, Kasten and teammate Jessica Brunelli racing at Tri-County Motor Speedway on Friday and again at Hickory Speedway on Saturday night. The Revolution Racing NASCAR K&N Pro Series East drivers will also be in action this weekend, racing at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

Wallace Third in Iowa Debut

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Darrell Wallace, Jr., rebounded from a disappointing run at South Boston Speedway last month to finish third in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East/West Goodyear Dealers of Iowa 200 at Iowa Speedway Sunday afternoon. It was Wallace’s debut race at the 0.875-mile speedway. “It was pretty crazy; I’ll tell you that,” Wallace said. “I told myself not to give up too much in three coming to the checkered flag. I held them down there, and was able to pick off (David) Mayhew and (Corey) LaJoie and get a third-place finish.” Wallace, one of the youngest competitors in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, raced in the top 10 for most of the day after qualifying fifth in the No. 76 Duck Creek Tire Chevrolet. Wallace was fourth on the final restart, and was able hold off Mayhew who restarted fifth. He pulled past LaJoie before the checkered flag and into his second top-three finish of the season. Wallace jumped three spots to third in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East standings. His Revolution Racing teammates Sergio Pena, Ryan Gifford and Mackena Bell finished 20th, 24th and 36th, respectively. Mackena Bell qualified 15th for the Goodyear Dealers of Iowa 200, but battled a tight racecar for most of the race. On lap 180, she cut a right front tire and hit hard into the wall in turn four. The hit broke an oil line which sent flames from the No. 8 Freedom Tire Chevrolet. Bell brought the car to a stop in the tri-oval grass and climbed from the car unharmed. Bell is currently 18th in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East standings. Sergio Pena finished 20th after struggling with handling problems all day with the No. 4 McAtee Tire Chevrolet. Pena started the race 10th and ran in the top 15 for much of the day, running as high as seventh just past half-way. Pena moved to 14th in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East standings. Ryan Gifford’s streak of top-five finishes came to an end this weekend after a pitting for a flat tire trapped him laps down at Iowa. Gifford qualified seventh and was running in the top five before going a lap down. Gifford’s 24th-place finish caused him to slip from second to fifth in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East standings. The Goodyear Dealers of Iowa 200 can be seen on SPEED Thursday, May 27 at 1 p.m. ET. Revolution Racing will return to the track June 6 when NASCAR K&N Pro Series East heads to Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

Romero on Pole for Rained out Race at Tri-County

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Jason Romero had another strong showing in the No. 2 MBC Group Late Model this weekend, setting the pole at Tri-County Motor Speedway (Hudson, N.C.) and finishing fifth at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway. Romero set fast-time at Tri-County Motor Speedway Friday night for the second consecutive week and was set to start the race fourth after the invert. Unfortunately for Romero and teammates Jessica Brunelli and Katie Hagar, who qualified fourth and fifth, inclement weather moved in cancelling the evening’s 50 lap late model race. Weather didn’t slow Romero at Hickory, however. With storms threatening, track officials moved up the start time for the 50 lap late model feature Saturday night. Romero, who qualified ninth, drove his way to a fifth-place finish in the event, crossing the line side-by-side with fourth-place finisher Ty Dillon. “We had a great run tonight,” said Romero. “The MBC Group late model was hooked up tonight and we were going to the front. Unfortunately we ran out of laps there at the end, but we’ve had two solid runs in a row here now. We’re getting better and I’m looking forward to coming back in a few weeks.” Romero’s Revolution Racing teammates Hagar and Brunelli finished 10th and 12th, respectively. The Revolution Racing Late Model program will take a weekend off before returning to Hickory Motor Speedway on May 29 with drivers Michael Cherry, Becca Kasten and Megan Reitenour.

Weekend Preview: Late Models

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As the weather heats up, so does Revolution Racing’s late model program. This weekend drivers Jessica Brunelli, Katie Hagar and Jason Romero head to Tri-County Motor Speedway and Hickory Motor Speedway with their sights set on a race win. Last weekend Romero set fast-time at Tri-County Motor Speedway, leading a one-two-three qualifying effort. His teammates, Megan Reitenour and Hagar qualified second and third respectively. With two late model poles at Tri-County, Revolution Racing is now ready for its first late model win of the season. Event Information: Late Model Stock 50 laps Tri-County Motor Speedway Friday, May 14 at 8 p.m. Late Model Stock 50 laps Hickory Motor Speedway Saturday, May 15 at 7 p.m.   Jessica Brunelli Team: No. 3 Late Model Crew Chief: David Flynn Brunelli on getting back in the car for Revolution Racing: “It’s been a while since I’ve raced the No. 3 Late Model. We got a new crew chief, David Flynn, since the last time I raced, so I’m excited to get to work with him this weekend. The Revolution Racing Late Model program has been getting better every week, and, even though I’ve had limited seat time this season, I’m excited to go out there and contend for wins.” Fast Facts:
  • Brunelli finished third in her first late model race at Hickory Motor Speedway on March 20; she has just three starts in the No. 3 Late Model this season, all coming at Hickory.
  • 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 just 17 years old, Brunelli is the youngest of Revolution Racing’s late model drivers.
  Katie Hagar Team: No. 5 AirTight Late Model Crew Chief: Danny Johnson Hagar on her first top fives of the season: “As a team we’ve made huge progress over the last few weeks, and it’s showing in our results across the board. I was out of the car for almost a month, so it was great to jump back in and come away with two top fives, especially coming from the pack of the field at Hickory.” Fast Facts:
  • Hagar finished fourth at Tri-County Motor Speedway last Friday night. She went on to finish fifth at Hickory Motor Speedway after starting 15th.
  • Hagar has two top fives and five top 10s in six starts this season. She’s competed at both Tri-County and Hickory Motor Speedway this season.
  • 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 MBC Group Late Model Crew Chief: Brandon Butler Romero on being ranked 35th in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national standings: “We’ve had some good runs this season and we’re only getting better and that shows in our national ranking. There’s still a lot of season left to go, and we have goals that we’ve yet to accomplish. We won the pole at Tri-County last week, and now it’s time to go out there and win races.” Fast Facts:
  • Romero finished fifth at Tri-County Motor Speedway last week after setting fast-time and starting third in the main event. He finished eighth at Hickory after being spun out on lap 6 and restarting from the tail end of the field.
  • Romero tied for fast-time at Tri-County Motor Speedway earlier this season.
  • 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.

AirTight Mechanical Joins Revolution

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AirTight Mechanical, Inc., a critical site HVAC service contractor in Charlotte, N.C., has joined Revolution Racing as an official partner for the 2010 season. Revolution Racing, owned by Max Siegel and John Story, is the premier team operator for NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity initiative, fielding six cars in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model division and four cars in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. The No. 5 AirTight Late Model, driven by Becca Kasten, will debut this weekend at Tri-County Motor Speedway (Hudson, N.C.) and Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway. “We are very proud to have formed this partnership with Revolution Racing,” said Greg Crumpton, President of AirTight. “It speaks to the core of what AirTight was founded upon. Supporting young people in the pursuit of their passions, that is what Revolution Racing and AirTight are all about.” “AirTight has shown a commitment to Revolution Racing and our goal of developing young talent in NASCAR,” said Story, President of Revolution Racing.  “We are proud to partner with AirTight this weekend and throughout the 2010 season.” AirTight Mechanical will serve as primary sponsor of the No. 5 AirTight Late Model driven by Kasten for six races. Katie Hagar will pilot the No. 4 AirTight Late Model for five events this season. About AirTight Mechanical AirTight is a high-quality, mission-critical focused HVAC service provider that prides themselves on utilizing highly trained technicians and state of the art technology to reduce your costs.  Routine practices include providing up to the minute status updates on your account as well as accurate, timely invoices.  AirTight employees are good people that you can trust in secure environments where trust isn’t a luxury, it’s essential. For more information visit: www.myairtight.com

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

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.

NASCAR Honors Wendell Scott’s First NASCAR Sprint Cup Start

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In honor of the anniversary of African-American racing trailblazer Wendell Scott making his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start, vehicles competing this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway had a commemorative decal baring the image of Scott. Scott made his first start in NASCAR’s premier series on March 4, 1961 at Spartanburg, S.C. On Dec. 1, 1963 in Jacksonville, Fla., Scott became the first African-American to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup event, a distinction he still holds. To further recognize the occasion this weekend at AMS, Sybil Scott, daughter of the late Scott, was in attendance as were NASCAR Drive for Diversity competitors Michael Cherry, Ryan Gifford, Jason Romero and Darrell Wallace Jr. Romero was last season’s winner of the Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award, given annually to a female or minority driver in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series who personifies excellence on and off the race track. Above: Drive for Diversity competitors Michael Cherry, Ryan Gifford, Jason Romero and Darrell Wallace Jr. with Sybil Scott.