Concord, NC (Feb. 19, 2014) – Daniel Suarez has swept the first two races of the 2014 K&N Pro Series East season.
Suarez’s performance at the UNOH Battle at the Beach was nothing short of dominant as he led the pack for the final 119 laps of the 150-lap circuit.
After starting the race in 6th place, Suarez moved up to 4th place after only 4 laps. Insatiable in his effort to increase his standing, Suarez moved into 3rd place 15 laps into the race. By lap 31, Suarez maneuvered into first and the rest is history.
“It’s crazy, man. We have been working so hard to make this happen and for us to come through is amazing,” said Suarez who opened the season with back-to-back wins.
Tuesday night’s win marked the 3rd victory for Suarez and the 14th victory for Rev Racing since 2010. Additionally, the Monterrey, Mexico, driver’s win makes this the first season since Sean Caisse’s 2006 campaign that a driver has won the first two K&N Pro Series East races.
The remaining members of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program, Sergio Peña, Ryan Gifford, and Jay Beasley finished the race 13th, 16th, and 20th, respectively.
Mackena Bell, pilot of the #21 Special Smiles Toyota Camry, came in 17th.
The UNOH Battle At The Beach doubleheader, which also included a NASCAR Whelen Modified/NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour special event, aired live on Fox Sports 2. The K&N portion of the event will rebroadcast on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. on Fox Sports 1. Suarez’s New Smyrna win will air on FOX Sports 1 on Saturday at 9 a.m.
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will resume with the PittLite 125 on March 15 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.
NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST-UNOH Battle At The Beach
Unofficial Results
Tuesday
At Daytona International Speedway (.37-mile)
Daytona Beach, Fla.
Lap length: 0.37 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (6) Daniel Suarez, Monterrey, Mexico, Toyota, 150 laps, 48.121 mph.
2. (2) Austin Hill, Winston, Ga., Ford, 150.
3. (19) Brandon McReynolds, Mooresville, N.C., Toyota, 150.
4. (11) Nick Drake, Mooresville, N.C., Toyota, 150.
5. (9) Lee Pulliam, Semora, N.C., Toyota, 150.
6. (10) Kenzie Ruston, El Reno, Okla., Chevrolet, 150.
7. (3) Gray Gaulding, Colonial Heights, Va., Chevrolet, 150.
8. (18) Patrick Staropoli, Plantation, Fla., Toyota, 150.
9. (12) Scott Heckert, Ridgefield, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.
10. (21) Kaz Grala, Westborough, Mass., Chevrolet, 150.
11. (15) Brandon Gdovic, Yorktown, Va., Toyota, 150.
12. (23) Jesse Little, Sherrills Ford, N.C., Chevrolet, 150.
13. (17) Sergio Pena, Winchester, VA, Toyota, 150.
14. (13) Cameron Hayley, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Chevrolet, 150.
15. (1) Ben Rhodes, Louisville, Ky., Chevrolet, 150.
16. (14) Jay Beasley, Las Vegas, Nev., Toyota, 150.
17. (20) Mackena Bell, Carson City, Nev., Toyota, 149.
18. (7) Brodie Kostecki, Perth, Australia, Toyota, 148.
19. (22) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass., Chevrolet, 148.
20. (16) Ryan Gifford, Winchester, Tenn., Toyota, 147.
21. (8) David Garbo, Jr., Stonington, Conn., Toyota, 145.
22. (5) Brennan Newberry, Bakersfield, Calif., Chevrolet, 143.
23. (4) Ronnie Bassett, Jr., Winston Salem, NC, Toyota, 143.
24. (26) Brandon Jones, Atlanta, Ga., Toyota, 143.
25. (25) Jerry Dawson, Saugus, Mass., Chevrolet, 81.
26. (24) Cory Joyce, Gilford, NH, Chevrolet, 74.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 9 minutes 12 seconds
Margin of Victory: .596 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: B. Rhodes * (71.655 mph, 18.589 seconds)
Caution Flags: 8 for 54 laps.
Lead Changes: 1 among 2 drivers.
Lap Leaders: G. Gaulding 1-31; D. Suarez 32-150.
Standings: 1. D. Suarez, 96; 2. L. Pulliam, 78; 3. K. Ruston, 77; 4. G. Gaulding, 76; 5. C. Hayley, 73; 6. B. McReynolds, 71; 7. B. Rhodes, 69; 8. N. Drake, 69; 9. P. Staropoli, 69; 10. B. Gdovic, 68.
Mackena Bell wasted no time adding to her list accomplishments with an 8th place finish at the New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS Saturday night at New Smyrna Speedway.
After two successful practices, Bell qualified 18th out of 30 drivers. “We were fast in practice and the car did pretty much whatever I wanted it to do,” Bell stated. “I just needed to find a little more speed in qualifying.” Despite being displeased with her qualifying time, Bell kept her head high and remained determined to make up for lost ground.
In the first 20 laps, Bell moved up 5 positions. By lap 42, she was in 12th place, and moved into 11th place by the halfway break. Once the drivers returned to the track Bell continued to move up in the field until she positioned herself in eighth where she would ultimately finish the race.
“From an 18th starting position, what we were able to accomplish tonight was awesome. [Tonight’s race] makes me very optimistic about this year and thankful for all the guys on my team.”
Last night’s top 10 finish gave Bell her fifth top 10 finish since moving up to the K&N Pro Series.
The K&N Pro Series East will have a quick turn around as the series will also be a part of Tuesday’s UNOH Battle At The Beach on the backstretch at Daytona International Speedway.
The New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS will air on FOX Sports 1 on Saturday at 9 a.m.
ABOUT SPECIAL SMILES PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY: Special Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is a woman-owned business located in Indianapolis, IN. Special Smiles saw the chance to jumpstart happy healthy smiles through partnering with fellow leading woman Mackena Bell. With victory in sight, and Bell behind the wheel, the Bell/Special Smiles team hopes to make successful, memorable smiles wherever they turn.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST-New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS Results
Sunday
At New Smyrna Speedway
New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
Lap length: 0.48 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (11) Daniel Suarez, Monterrey, Mexico, Toyota, 150 laps, 65.587 mph.
2. (1) Cameron Hayley, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Chevrolet, 150.
3. (10) Brandon Jones, Atlanta, Ga., Chevrolet, 150.
4. (2) Ben Rhodes, Louisville, Ky., Chevrolet, 150.
5. (5) Lee Pulliam, Semora, N.C., Toyota, 150.
6. (6) Kenzie Ruston, El Reno, Okla., Chevrolet, 150.
7. (8) Gray Gaulding, Colonial Heights, Va., Chevrolet, 150.
8. (18) Mackena Bell, Carson City, Nev., Toyota, 150.
9. (17) Brandon Gdovic, Yorktown, Va., Toyota, 150.
10. (21) Kaz Grala, Westborough, Mass., Chevrolet, 150.
11. (24) Patrick Staropoli, Plantation, Fla., Toyota, 150.
12. (15) Matt Tifft, Hinckley, Ohio, Dodge, 150.
13. (16) Brennan Newberry, Bakersfield, Calif., Chevrolet, 150.
14. (3) Brandon McReynolds, Mooresville, N.C., Toyota, 150.
15. (14) Nick Drake, Mooresville, N.C., Toyota, 150.
16. (12) David Garborcauskas, Jr., Stonington, Conn., Toyota, 150.
17. (22) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass., Chevrolet, 150.
18. (13) Jesse Little, Sherrills Ford, N.C., Chevrolet, 150.
19. (23) Ronnie Bassett, Jr., Winston Salem, NC, Toyota, 150.
20. (4) Brodie Kostecki, Perth, Australia, Toyota, 150.
21. (9) Scott Heckert, Ridgefield, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.
22. (20) Sergio Pena, Winchester, VA, Toyota, 149.
23. (25) Ryan Gifford, Winchester, Tenn., Toyota, 149.
24. (29) Jay Beasley, Las Vegas, Nev., Toyota, 149.
25. (19) Nathan Russell, Curwensville, PA, Chevrolet, 148.
26. (28) Clint King, Denton, N.C., Chevrolet, 135, off track.
27. (7) Austin Hill, Winston, Ga., Ford, 116, off track.
28. (27) Sam Hunt, Midlothian, VA, Toyota, 104.
29. (30) Rusty Skewes, Bluefield, Va., Chevrolet, 66, accident.
30. (26) Jerry Dawson, Saugus, Mass., Chevrolet, 58, handling.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 5 minutes 52 seconds
Margin of Victory: .083 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: C.Hayley (93.522 mph, 18.477 seconds)
Caution Flags: 3 for 16 laps.
Lead Changes: 5 among 6 drivers.
Lap Leaders: C. Hayley (grid), A. Hill 1-3; K. Ruston 4-7; G. Gaulding 8-12; B. Jones 13-47; D. Suarez 48-150.
Standings: 1. D. Suarez, 48; 2. C. Hayley, 42; 3. B. Jones, 42; 4. B. Rhodes, 40; 5. L. Pulliam, 39; 6. K. Ruston, 39; 7. G. Gaulding, 38; 8. M. Bell, 36; 9. B. Gdovic, 35; 10. K. Grala, 34.
Concord, NC (Feb. 17, 2014) – It didn’t take long for Daniel Suarez to capitalize on the momentum built in his 2013 campaign. After an offseason of hard work and rigorous preparation, Suarez kicked off the 2014 season in heroic fashion, earning his second career victory at the New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS Saturday night at New Smyrna Speedway. With the margin of victory being 0.083 seconds, Sunday’s K&N Pro Series East season opener proved to be an exciting spectacle.
Starting the race in 11th place, Suarez wasted little time moving up in the field. By lap 28, Suarez maneuvered into fourth place and continued his ascension through the pack until ultimately taking a three-car-length lead 51 laps into the race. From this moment forward, Suarez’s lead would diminish, but was never lost.
With four laps to go, Cameron Hayley muscled his way alongside Suarez, setting the stage for what was eventually a photo finish. The two drivers rubbed and stayed side-by-side, but Suarez was able to hold on to the lead just long enough to beat Hayley to the white flag by mere inches.
Behind the wheel of the No. 6 Toyota Camry, Suarez humbly attributes his success to his supporting team. When asked about his victory he stated, “First I want to say thank you to everybody at Rev Racing, and more importantly the No. 6 Toyota Camry Sunoco team. Since early Saturday morning they’ve been working very hard.” He continued with, “I also would like to thank NASCAR for the opportunity to be apart of the [Drive for Diversity] program for a second year. This is an awesome win for everyone involved.”
Saturday’s victory marks Suarez’s sixth top-three finish in his last eight NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races dating back to last year. Driving for Rev Racing and NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program, the 22-year-old gave Rev Racing its 13th first place finish since 2010. The Monterrey, Mexico, driver is also a member of the NASCAR Next program that spotlights NASCAR’s young and talented rising stars.
With Daniel Suarez and Cameron Hayley finishing first and second, Brandon Jones, Ben Rhodes, and Lee Pulliam rounded out the top five. Kenzie Ruston finished sixth, followed by Gray Gaulding, Mackena Bell, Brandon Gdovic and rookie Kaz Grala. Additionally, Hayley was awarded the 21 Means 21 Pole Award presented by Coors Brewing Company.
The remaining members of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program, Sergio Peña, Ryan Gifford, and Jay Beasley finished the race 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, respectively.
“We closed the 2013 strong and we opened the 2014 on the same way, but now we need to stay focused as we head into Daytona’s Battle at the beach” said Suarez.
The K&N Pro Series East will have a quick turnaround, as the series will also be a part of Tuesday’s UNOH Battle At The Beach on the backstretch at Daytona International Speedway.
The New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS will air on FOX Sports 1 on Saturday at 9 a.m.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST-New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS Results
Sunday
At New Smyrna Speedway
New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
Lap length: 0.48 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (11) Daniel Suarez, Monterrey, Mexico, Toyota, 150 laps, 65.587 mph.
2. (1) Cameron Hayley, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Chevrolet, 150.
3. (10) Brandon Jones, Atlanta, Ga., Chevrolet, 150.
4. (2) Ben Rhodes, Louisville, Ky., Chevrolet, 150.
5. (5) Lee Pulliam, Semora, N.C., Toyota, 150.
6. (6) Kenzie Ruston, El Reno, Okla., Chevrolet, 150.
7. (8) Gray Gaulding, Colonial Heights, Va., Chevrolet, 150.
8. (18) Mackena Bell, Carson City, Nev., Toyota, 150.
9. (17) Brandon Gdovic, Yorktown, Va., Toyota, 150.
10. (21) Kaz Grala, Westborough, Mass., Chevrolet, 150.
11. (24) Patrick Staropoli, Plantation, Fla., Toyota, 150.
12. (15) Matt Tifft, Hinckley, Ohio, Dodge, 150.
13. (16) Brennan Newberry, Bakersfield, Calif., Chevrolet, 150.
14. (3) Brandon McReynolds, Mooresville, N.C., Toyota, 150.
15. (14) Nick Drake, Mooresville, N.C., Toyota, 150.
16. (12) David Garborcauskas, Jr., Stonington, Conn., Toyota, 150.
17. (22) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass., Chevrolet, 150.
18. (13) Jesse Little, Sherrills Ford, N.C., Chevrolet, 150.
19. (23) Ronnie Bassett, Jr., Winston Salem, NC, Toyota, 150.
20. (4) Brodie Kostecki, Perth, Australia, Toyota, 150.
21. (9) Scott Heckert, Ridgefield, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.
22. (20) Sergio Pena, Winchester, VA, Toyota, 149.
23. (25) Ryan Gifford, Winchester, Tenn., Toyota, 149.
24. (29) Jay Beasley, Las Vegas, Nev., Toyota, 149.
25. (19) Nathan Russell, Curwensville, PA, Chevrolet, 148.
26. (28) Clint King, Denton, N.C., Chevrolet, 135, off track.
27. (7) Austin Hill, Winston, Ga., Ford, 116, off track.
28. (27) Sam Hunt, Midlothian, VA, Toyota, 104.
29. (30) Rusty Skewes, Bluefield, Va., Chevrolet, 66, accident.
30. (26) Jerry Dawson, Saugus, Mass., Chevrolet, 58, handling.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 5 minutes 52 seconds
Margin of Victory: .083 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: C.Hayley (93.522 mph, 18.477 seconds)
Caution Flags: 3 for 16 laps.
Lead Changes: 5 among 6 drivers.
Lap Leaders: C. Hayley (grid), A. Hill 1-3; K. Ruston 4-7; G. Gaulding 8-12; B. Jones 13-47; D. Suarez 48-150.
Standings: 1. D. Suarez, 48; 2. C. Hayley, 42; 3. B. Jones, 42; 4. B. Rhodes, 40; 5. L. Pulliam, 39; 6. K. Ruston, 39; 7. G. Gaulding, 38; 8. M. Bell, 36; 9. B. Gdovic, 35; 10. K. Grala, 34.
On Sunday, the K & N Pro Circuit East begins down in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. And if the track and pit look a little more diverse than they have in the past, that’s because of a NASCAR program designed to entice different communities to try out the sport.
Read more at OPB
Concord, N.C. (Feb. 13, 2014) – This weekend Mackena Bell heads to Florida as a contender, but hopes to return to North Carolina as a winner. For Bell, the forthcoming races in New Smyrna and Daytona are not only two opportunities to win a race, but also two opportunities to make a statement. In a sport that has traditionally been dominated by men, Bell looks to disprove the notion that gender plays a role in one’s ability to compete in motorsports. Backed by the woman-owned pediatric dentist office, Bell will be piloting the Special Smiles # 21 Toyota Camry, looking to make a strong start to her 2014 campaign and established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.
Mackena Bell (No. 21 Special Smiles Toyota) – Bell, 23, is competing in her fifth season with Rev Racing. In 2013, Bell made the transition from the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. During her 2013 campaign she earned her first top 5 finish in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East at Richmond International Speedway. Additionally, she became the highest qualifying female in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East history with a fourth place qualifying effort at the Iowa Speedway.
Qualifying for the New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS will be Sunday, February 16 at 5:30pm with the race beginning at 7:30pm. Follow @RevRacin on twitter for live race updates.
Qualifying for the UNOH Battle at the Beach will be Tuesday, February 18 at
4:00pm with the race beginning at 8:45pm. Follow @RevRacin on twitter for
live race updates.
ABOUT SPECIAL SMILES PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY: Special Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is a woman-owned business located in Indianapolis, IN. Special Smiles saw the chance to jumpstart happy healthy smiles through partnering with fellow leading woman Mackena Bell. With victory in sight, and Bell behind the wheel, the Bell/Special Smiles team hopes to make successful, memorable smiles wherever they turn.
Concord, N.C. (Feb. 13, 2014) – With a revamped roster and veteran leadership, Rev Racing is looking to make the 2014 season one for the record books. Leading the charge will be Ryan Gifford and Daniel Suarez; two drivers who earned their first career win in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East last season. In addition to their K&N Pro Series East victories, Suarez finished the season third in the series point standings, while Gifford competed in his first NASCAR Nationwide Series race.
The team has another strong driver lineup this year, including Drive for Diversity drivers Daniel Suarez, Ryan Gifford, Sergio Peña, and Jay Beasley.
Daniel Suarez (No. 6 Sunoco Toyota) – Suarez, 22, joined Rev Racing and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program in 2013. Suarez ran a full season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, garnering a team-high six top 5, and nine top 10 finishes. The highlight of his 2013 season was his win at the Columbus Motor Speedway, marking his first ever K&N Pro Series East victory. Additionally, Suarez earned five 2nd place finishes in his final four races, propelling him to 3rd in the final season rankings.
Ryan Gifford (No. 2 Sunoco/Langley Speedway Toyota) – Ryan Gifford, 24, is competing in his fifth season with the Rev Racing Team and NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program. Gifford’s 2013 season consisted of 14 starts, earning four top 5 and six top 10 finishes; one of which was his first K&N Pro Series East win at Richmond International Raceway. 2013 also proved to be a milestone year for Gifford as he was invited to race in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In his Nationwide Series debut, Gifford started 23rd and finished ninth. He finished the 2013 season 11th in the rankings.
Sergio Peña (No. 4 Technical Institute Toyota) – Sergio Peña returns to Rev Racing for the 2014 season after a two year absence. In 2013, Peña switched to the K&N Pro Series West. In his lone season, he accumulated two top 5 and three top 10 finishes.
Jay Beasley (No. 42 Langley Speedway Toyota) – In his first season with Rev Racing’s Drive for Diversity Program, Beasley will be competing in the K&N Pro Series East after racing super late models last season. In 2013, Beasley accumulated seven wins from 11 starts, one of which was the 2013 Bullring NASCAR Super Late Model Series. Additionally, he earned one pole. Beasley also made history in 2013 by becoming the first African American to win a race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
2013 was a historical year for Rev Racing and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program. The season saw four past and current program participants make starts at the national level of the sport with Paulie Harraka in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Kyle Larson and Ryan Gifford in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and Darrell Wallace Jr. in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. From the Drive for Diversity Program’s start, Rev Racing has had 12 wins, 48 top 5, and 85 top 10 finishes in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, with drivers finishing among the top three in points every season.
Qualifying for the New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS will be Sunday, February 16 at 5:30pm with the race beginning at 7:30pm. Follow @RevRacin on Twitter for live race updates.
Qualifying for the UNOH Battle at the Beach will be Tuesday, February 18 at 4:00pm with the race beginning at 8:45pm.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 30, 2014) – NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D), the leading youth development program for multicultural and female drivers, will head into the 2014 season with one of the most well-rounded and accomplished rosters in program history.
The 2014 class is led by Daniel Suarez, who contended for two NASCAR touring series championships last year, and Ryan Gifford, who is coming off a successful 2013 season, in which he earned his first NASCAR win and made his NASCAR national series debut. They will be joined by a group of talented newcomers looking to make their mark in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
“NASCAR is committed to providing training, competition experience and mentoring to drivers who without a doubt demonstrate the potential to compete at the highest levels of our sport through the academy-style program,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR vice president of public affairs and multicultural development. “We look forward to another successful racing season with the Drive for Diversity team.”
In addition to Suarez and Gifford, Sergio Peña returns to the program in which he earned three wins and finished fifth in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East points in 2011. They’ll be joined in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series ranks by Jay Beasley. Beasley won the 2013 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model track championship at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the series’ Nevada championship.
Devon Amos, who drove with Rev Racing’s Legends program last year, and Paige Decker will compete for the team in Late Models in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
“Our goal is to keep building upon our successes with every new class we select,” said Max Siegel, CEO of Rev Racing. “We are excited with the momentum built in 2013 with several D4D career milestones. This year’s class has a tough job ahead of them and we look forward to providing them with all the tools necessary to reach individual and collective successes across the board.”
D4D saw one the strongest pool of applicants the program has ever seen this year. Nearly 100 drivers, representing 14 states and Mexico, applied for an opportunity to try out for a spot with Rev Racing at the annual D4D Combine – a three-day tryout where drivers’ undergo physical assessments and are evaluated on on-track abilities by executives across the industry.
In 2013, D4D saw the impressive rise of graduates Kyle Larson and Darrell Wallace Jr.
Wallace became the first African-American to win a national series victory in nearly 50 years at Martinsville in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. And Larson, whose meteoric rise through the ranks solidified D4D as a driving powerhouse for developmental athletes at NASCAR, earned the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award in the NASCAR Nationwide Series as well as became the first D4D participant to secure a full-time ride in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Larson was also the first D4D driver to secure a national series victory.
Rev Racing drivers in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series include:
§ Daniel Suárez: The Monterrey, Mexico, native is a member of the NASCAR Next program and joins Rev Racing for the second season. The 22-year-old finished third in the 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship standings and was the championship runner-up in the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series in 2013. He recorded his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East win last July at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway.
§ Ryan Gifford: Another member of the NASCAR Next program, the 24-year-old from Winchester, Tenn., garnered his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East win last season at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. In 2010 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, he became the first African-American driver to win a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East pole position. Additionally, he made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut last August at Iowa Speedway, finishing ninth driving for Richard Childress Racing.
§ Jay Beasley: This 21-year-old from Las Vegas won the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model track championship at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the series’ Nevada championship on the strength of eight victories in 14 starts. He also earned the 2013 Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award as a result of his early success on the track.
§ Sergio Peña: With three career NASCAR K&N Pro Series East wins to his credit, the 21-year-old from Winchester, Va., has a pair of top-10 finishes in points for 2011-12 while collecting 19 top 10s in 39 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East career starts.
Drivers competing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series include:
§ Paige Decker: From Eagle River, Wis., the 20-year-old driver competed in her Super Late Model at tracks throughout the Midwest.
§ Devon Amos: Competing mostly in a Legends car in 2013, the 22-year-old from Rio Rancho, N.M., scored a seventh-place finish in his stock car debut last summer at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East kicks off its 2014 season at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 16. Two days later, on Tuesday, Feb. 18, the UNOH Battle At The Beach will take place on the .37-mile short track situated on the Superstretch at Daytona International Speedway. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series drivers will compete primarily at Hickory Motor Speedway, where the season is scheduled to get underway on March 8.
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) governs the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information, visit www.nascar.com and follow NASCAR at www.facebook.com/NASCAR and Twitter: @NASCAR.
CONCORD, NC (January 23, 2014) – Rev Racing is proud to announce a new partnership with Driven Steering Wheels, who will supply all steering wheels for the 2014 racing season.
Driven Steering Wheels was founded in 2013 by racecar driver and entrepreneur Zack Skolnick. The vision behind Driven Steering Wheels is to combine quality and durability into an affordable product. Their product line ranges from karts, formula and touring cars to legend and stock cars.
Driven Steering Wheels is looking forward to sponsoring the Rev Racing team stating, “We are really excited about the partnership and ready to see our wheels in Victory Lane with NASCAR’s rising stars!”
Rev Racing operates the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program, which is the industry’s leading developmental program for the ethnic minorities and women drivers and pit crew athletes.
Jefferson Hodges, Director of Competition, said “I am pleased that our drivers will be able to showcase their talents in 2014 for Driven Steering Wheels and know that those wheels will be in good hands. I look forward to helping Driven Wheels grow their company and to be able to grow this relationship with them.”
Driven Steering Wheels, a start-up company, has experienced success early in its development, becoming NASCAR-approved after only one year of operation. As Rev Racing is also a relatively new team, we are looking forward to growing our brands together.
For more information e-mail Rev Racing at [email protected] or follow Rev Racing on Twitter @RevRacin.
CONCORD, NC (January 23, 2014) – To compete with the best, you have to partner with the best. Thus, Rev Racing has partnered with Racing Radios, who will supply all two-way communication products for the 2014 season.
Racing Radios is the leading developer for two-way communications in the racing industry. They carved their niche by utilizing Motorola equipment designed to enhance the quality of racing communications. Racing Radios is also the official two-way supplier for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), and now Rev Racing.
“Racing Radios has been my go to source for years, I am just glad to be able to call them an official sponsor of Rev Racing now. The trackside support provided by Racing Radios is second to none and I look forward to growing this relationship for years to come,” said Jefferson Hodges, Director of Competition.
Rev Racing operates the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program, which is the industry’s leading developmental program for ethnic minority and women drivers and pit crew athletes.
For more information e-mail Rev Racing at [email protected] or follow Rev Racing on Twitter @RevRacin.
CONCORD, N.C. (November 5, 2013) – 2013 has been a historical year for Rev Racing and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity (#NASCARD4D) program. This season saw four past and current program participants make starts at the national level of the sport, with Paulie Harraka in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Kyle Larson and Ryan Gifford in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and Darrell Wallace Jr. in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
In October, Wallace became the first African-American driver to win in a NASCAR national series in nearly 50 years with a victory in the Kroger 200 Camping World Truck Series race, a victory that was monumental for both the sport and the program. The success doesn’t stop there, Wallace and Larson are currently leading the Rookie of the Year race in their respective series with two races to go.
“We want to continue to give women and minorities the best training possible in order to be successful as they move up in the sport.” said Max Siegel, Owner of Rev Racing. “I think the success that both Darrell and Kyle have had this season proves that our model is working.”
Since opening its doors in 2010, Rev Racing has had 12 wins, 48 top-five, and 85 top-10 finishes in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, with drivers finishing in the top-three in points every season. Last year, Kyle Larson won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Championship, making Siegel the first African-American owner in the history of the sport to win a championship.
Siegel is proud of the success the program has had, but realizes that there is still plenty of work to be done.
“We want to see more of our drivers graduate from the program and move up through the ranks.” said Siegel, “Our goal is for the field of drivers to represent the demographics of this country, which means having more minorities competing at every level of the sport.”
This past season two Rev Racing drivers earned their first win in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Daniel Suarez and Ryan Gifford, and Suarez finished third in the series points standings.
“Both of these drivers have what it takes to be competitive at the next level, and it’s our hope that they get that opportunity.” said Siegel.
The team just wrapped up the annual NASCAR Drive for Diversity combine after screening a record 90 applicants. 20 drivers were selected to compete for a spot on the 2014 Rev Racing roster, and the increased talent pool at the combine this year means the future is bright for Rev Racing and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program.
RICHMOND, Va. (Oct. 17, 2013) – HCA Virginia’s Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital has teamed up with Rev Racing and the American Lung Association to present “Rev Up for Lung Health,” an educational event to raise awareness about lung health.
The program will feature remarks by Mackena Bell, professional NASCAR Drive for Diversity driver for Rev Racing, and Pablo Gonzalez, M.D., medical oncologist with Virginia Cancer Institute, who will discuss lung health, lung cancer and preventable risk factors. In addition, an outdoor photo opportunity with Bell and her NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race car will follow.
The free event will be held Thursday, Oct. 24 at the Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital, Johnston-Willis Hospital, 1401 Johnston-Willis Drive, Richmond. The presentation will take place at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by the photo session with Bell and her race car from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
“I feel so honored to be partnering with the American Lung Association and HCA Virginia for this great event,” said Bell. “As an athlete and the granddaughter of a lung cancer victim, spreading awareness of lung health and smoking cessation is a cause that’s very near to me.”
“The most important issue dealing with lung health relates to the need to encourage smoking cessation or more importantly, to never start,” said Gonzalez. “We are excited to partner with Rev Racing and the American Lung Association in this unique opportunity to raise awareness about lung disease prevention.”
Seating is limited for the seminar. Seminar attendees will receive a speed pass through the photo session, which also is open to the public. For more information, visit HCAVIRGINIA.COM, or call 804-320-DOCS (3627).
The Rev Racing NASCAR K&N Pro Series East drivers will take to the track for the final time this year at Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA on Friday, Oct. 18. This will also mark the final race on the 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series (NKNPS) East schedule. It has been a season to remember for Rev Racing, with Daniel Suarez and Ryan Gifford both earning their first career win, and all four Rev Racing drivers heading into the final race inside the top-15 in points.
Bryan Ortiz (No. 4 Rev Racing Toyota) – Ortiz is looking forward to competing at Road Atlanta due to his experience racing road courses. He finished second at Virginia International Raceway earlier this season, the first of two road courses on the schedule, and is looking to capture his first career win this weekend.
Daniel Suarez (No. 6 Visit Acapulco Toyota) – Suarez, who’s moved up to third in points after a string of top-five finishes, has found success at road courses. The Mexico native led over half the race at Virginia International Raceway before engine failure, but is confident he can come out ahead this time at Road Atlanta.
Mackena Bell (No. 21 Toyota Racing Development Toyota) – The race at Virginia International Raceway was Bell’s first time racing on a road course since 2010. She earned a 17th place and gained valuable seat time. She’s looking forward to racing at Road Atlanta with her first road course of the season behind her, and valuable experience to rely on.
Ryan Gifford (No. 2 Sunoco/NASCAR Technical Institute/UTI Toyota) – Gifford had a great showing at Virginia International Raceway, where he led a lap and ran consistently in the top five. Unfortunately engine failure late in the race ended his day with a 21st place finish. Gifford is tied for 10th in points and is looking to gain a few spots this weekend.
There will be two practice sessions on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 8 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. followed by qualifying at 4 p.m. The Road Atlanta 115 will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. It will air on Fox Sports 2, Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. ET.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 3, 2013) — As the NASCAR Drive for Diversity (#NASCARD4D) program approaches its 10-year anniversary, NASCAR and Rev Racing have selected the participants for the 2013 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine. The drivers will participate in a rigorous on- and off-track evaluation process for the opportunity to join the NASCAR D4D program and compete for Rev Racing during the 2014 season. The combine will be held at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va., from Oct. 21-23.
The annual Combine is the first step in identifying and developing the future stars of the sport. Kyle Larson and Darrell Wallace Jr. are among the drivers who have graduated from the NASCAR D4D program after attending the annual combine and driving for Rev Racing. Ryan Gifford, who currently drives for Rev Racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut driving for Richard Childress Racing on Aug. 3.
“The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program has contributed to the success of some of the most promising young drivers and crew members in our sport,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR vice president, public affairs and multicultural development. “The drivers announced today will have an opportunity to compete at the 2013 D4D Combine and earn a place on the 2014 NASCAR Drive for Diversity/Rev Racing roster.”
NASCAR officials and Rev Racing representatives chose the 20 up-and-coming drivers from 95 applicants representing the United States, Canada and Latin America.
“We are excited about this year’s group of Combine participants,” said Max Siegel, owner/CEO of Rev Racing. “They represent a great cross-section of talent and experience, and any one of them would make a great addition to the 2014 Drive for Diversity team.”
The 2013 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine participants include:
Devon Amos, 22 Rio Rancho, N.M.
Annabeth Barnes, 18 Mooresville, N.C.
George Beasley, 21 Las Vegas, Nev.
Nicole Behar, 15 Otis Orchards, Wash.
Ryan Bernal, 19 Hollister, Calif.
Collin Cabre, 19 Thonotosassa, Fla.
Meagan Creech, 20 Ashland, Va.
Claire Decker, 18 Eagle River, Wis.
Paige Decker, 20 Eagle River, Wis.
Natalie Decker, 16 Eagle River, Wis.
Ruben Garcia, Jr., 17 Mexico City, Mexico
Blake Kisner, 18 Chanute, Kan.
Katlynn Leer, 14 St. Moulton, Iowa
Jack Madrid, 18 San Clemente, Calif.
Hannah Newhouse, 16 Twin Falls, Idaho
Sergio Pena, 20 Catharpin, Va.
Dylan Smith, 21 Randolph, Vt.
Kenny Stewart II, 16 Carson, Calif.
Cody Thompson, 20 Fremont, Calif.
Sam Wright, 18 Vancouver, Wash.
An additional eight young drivers will join these 20 drivers on Oct. 23 and compete for the opportunity to drive for Rev Racing during the 2014 Summer Shootout Series in INEX Legends and Bandoleros.
Jairo Avila, 17 Alhambra, Calif.
Austin Geer, 11 Johns Creek, Ga.
Kylin Hammer, 11 Meadowview, Va.
Ryleigh Lemonds, 10 Yorktown, Va.
Enrique Limon, 15 Mexico City, Mexico
Jaiden Reyna, 7 Newport News, Va.
Ashley Rogero, 15 Naples, Fla.
Walter Thomas, 15 Indianapolis, Ind.
All of the drivers attending the Combine will be mentored and coached by the Rev Racing staff, along with the team’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East drivers Mackena Bell, Ryan Gifford, Bryan Ortiz and Daniel Suarez.
The Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau and Langley Speedway have partnered with Rev Racing and NASCAR to support the 2013 NASCAR D4D Combine. Langley Speedway will host the Combine for the third consecutive year. The paved 0.395-mile short track is one of the flattest tracks in the region with six-degree banked corners and four degrees of banking on the straightaway. Langley Speedway is an ideal track to test the abilities of NASCAR’s up-and-coming talent.
Rev Racing heads to Dover (Del.) International Speedway for the Drive Sober 150 on Friday, Sept. 27, race 13 out of 14 on the 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series (NKNPS) East schedule. The team is looking to tame the track historically known as “The Monster Mile”, and Daniel Suarez could be the driver to do it. Suarez has finished on the podium in five of the last six races, and is eager to capture his second win of the season after coming up short at New Hampshire Motor Speedway the last time out.
Ryan Gifford (No. 2 Sunoco Racing Fuel Toyota) –Gifford currently ranks eighth in points with six top 10s in 12 outings, highlighted by his first career win at Richmond. Has an average finish of 11th and a best result of second (2009) in four career starts at Dover. He Led 32 laps there in 2009 and 43 in 2011.
Bryan Ortiz (No. 4 Rev Racing Toyota) – Ortiz has one top-five and five top-10 finishes this season. He has one previous start at Dover where he qualified sixth and finished ninth. His season is highlighted by a second place finish at Virginia International Raceway.
Daniel Suarez (No. 6 Visit Acapulco Toyota) – Suarez currently Ranks fifth in points with seven top 10s in 12 outings, highlighted by his first career victory at Columbus Motor Speedway. He’s finished on the podium in five of the last six races, and this will be his first Dover race.
Mackena Bell (No. 21 Toyota Racing Development Toyota) – Bell is currently 12th in points with two top-five and four top-10 finishes this season. Her season is highlighted by top-five finishes at Richmond and Greenville, and a fourth place qualifying effort at Iowa.
Qualifying for the Drive Sober 150 will be at 10am followed by the race at 4:45pm on Friday, Sept. 27.
It was an eventful weekend in Loudon, NH for Rev Racing as they competed in the North American Power 100, race 12 of 14 on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series (NKNPS) East this season.
Daniel Suarez and Mackena Bell both scored top-five qualifying spots, starting third and fifth respectively. Suarez made his way to the front and took over the lead on lap 47. He battled up front but wasn’t able to pass the race leader on a green-white-checkered finish and came home second. This was his fifth top three finish in his last six races. Bell was the highest qualifying female of the race, and put on an impressive show, running in the top-three for much of the race and coming home ninth. This was her fourth top-10 finish of the season.
It was an unfortunate day for both Ryan Gifford and Bryan Ortiz. Gifford had to start at the rear of the pack after changing an engine that blew during his qualifying lap. He was making his way up the field when he was caught up in a multi-car wreck, ending his day early and finishing 23rd. Ortiz started 22nd but was penalized a lap for jumping the start. He was working on gaining positions when he was caught up in the same wreck as Gifford, ending his night early and coming home 28th.
Ryan Gifford (No. 2 NASCAR Technical Institute/UTI Toyota) – Gifford has one win, four top-five and six top-10 finishes this season. He’s currently eighth in points. His season is highlighted by his first career victory at Richmond International Raceway earlier this year.
Bryan Ortiz (No. 4 Rev Racing Toyota) – The Bayamon, Puerto Rico native has one top-five and five top-10 finishes this season. His best finish this season was a second place result at Virginia International Raceway.
Daniel Suarez (No. 6 Visit Acapulco Toyota) – Suarez has one win, five top-five, and seven top-10 finishes this season. He’s moved up to fifth in points and has had five top-three finishes in his last six races. He’s in contention to capture a Championship in both the NASCAR Toyota Series Mexico and the NKNPS East.
Mackena Bell (No. 21 Toyota Racing Development Toyota) – Bell, competing in her rookie season in the NKNPS East, has four top-10 and two top-five finishes this season. She captured the best qualifying effort by a female in series history at Iowa Speedway earlier this year with a fourth place qualifying effort.
The North American Power 100 will air on Fox Sports 1 on Friday, Oct. 4
The next race for the drivers in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will be the Drive Sober 150 at Dover international Speedway this Friday, Sept. 27.
Rev Racing is headed to New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) to compete in the North American Power 100 on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 2:30 p.m. ET, where Kyle Larson took the team to victory lane last season.
Bell and Suarez are ready to race after both earning top-five finishes the last time out at Greenville Pickens Speedway. The second place finish marked the fourth podium finish in the last five races for Suarez, and the fifth place finish by bell matched her best finish to date, previously at Richmond International Raceway.
Ryan Gifford (No. 2 Universal Technical Institute/NTI Toyota) – Gifford who’s currently fifth in points has six top 10s in 11 starts. His season is highlighted by his first career win at Richmond. He has an average finish of 13th and a best result of fourth in six career starts at NHMS.
Bryan Ortiz (No. 4 Rev Racing Toyota) – Ortiz is anxious to return to NHMS where he finished sixth last season. The Bayamon, Puerto Rico native has one top-five and five top-10 finishes this season with a best finish of second at Virginia International Raceway.
Daniel Suarez (No. 6 Visit Acapulco Toyota) – Suarez ranks sixth in points with six top 10s finishes in 11 races. He captured his first career victory at Columbus Motor Speedway and has finished on the podium in four of the last five races. He has a best result of seventh in three starts at NHMS.
Mackena Bell (No. 21 Toyota Racing Development Toyota) – Bell finished fifth the last time out at Greenville Pickens Speedway, matching her best effort to date, a fifth place finish at Richmond earlier this season. The rookie driver has two top-five, and three top-10 finishes this season.
Our thoughts this week are with all those affected by the Tropical Storm Manuel which hit Acapulco, Mexico, as well as the victims of the Navy Yard shooting and floods in Colorado.
Practice is from 8:30-10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 20 followed by qualifying at 2 p.m. The North American Power 100 will air on Fox Sports 1, Oct. 4, 11:30 a.m. The drivers will return to the track next Friday, Sept. 27 for the Drive Sober 150 at Dover International Speedway.
Rev Racing had high expectations for The Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140 at Greenville Pickens Speedway, after all four teammates qualified in the top-10 for the first time this season. Daniel Suarez (@DnlSuarez) qualified second, Bryan Ortiz (@BryanORacing) sixth, Ryan Gifford (@RyanGifford2) eighth, and Mackena Bell (@MackenaBell) 10th, putting them in a great position to finish ahead.
Suarez, who led a race-high 64 laps, took over the lead on lap 3. He surrendered the lead to preserve his tires before making a late-race effort for the win. He didn’t have enough time to catch up to the race leader but was able to drive his No. 6 Visit Acapulco Toyota to a second place finish, his fourth top-five finish of the season.
Bell had an outstanding performance all day, qualifying 10th and racing in the top-five throughout the race. The rookie driver scored her second fifth place finish of the season, matching her best effort to date, a top five finish at Richmond earlier this year. She was the highest qualifying and highest finishing female of the day.
Gifford and Ortiz had fast cars at the start of the race but chose to drop towards the back in order to preserve tires. Unfortunately their strategy didn’t pan out as there was only one caution during the race and not enough time for either driver to rally back to the front. They finished the night 19th and 13th respectively.
The Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140 will air on FS1 on Sunday, Sept. 22 at noon. The next race for Rev Racing will be the North American Power 100 this Saturday, Sept. 21 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
CONCORD, NC (August 30, 2013) – Rev Racing returns to action this Monday, Sept. 2, for the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140 at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway (GPS). This is the second of two NASCAR K&N Pro Series (NKNPS) East races at the track on the 2013 schedule, and the team is looking forward to improving on their results from the last visit there.
Mackena Bell (@MackenaBell) was the highest qualifier for the team, with a seventh place qualifying effort, and Daniel Suarez (@DnlSuarez) was the high finisher for the team, coming home eighth. Bryan Ortiz (@BryanORacing) is looking to carry momentum from his career best finish of second at VIR last weekend, with him to GPS. Ryan Gifford (@RyanGifford2) who is currently fifth in points, is looking to capture his second win of the season.
Ryan Gifford (No. 2 NASCAR Technical Institute/UTI Toyota Camry) – Gifford is currently fifth in series points with one win, four top-five, and six top-10 finishes. He scored his first series career victory at Richmond International Raceway earlier this season.
Bryan Ortiz (No. 4 Rev Racing Toyota Camry) – Ortiz had his career best finish of second the last time out at VIR. He has one top-five and five top-10 finishes this season, and is looking to capture his first career win.
Daniel Suarez (No. 6 Visit Acapulco Toyota Camry) – Suarez is currently eighth in points with one win, three top-five, and five top-10 finishes this season. The Monterrey, Mexico native is also in contention to capture the NASCAR Toyota Mexico Series Championship this season.
Mackena Bell (No. 21 Toyota Racing Development Toyota Camry) – Bell who is competing for Rookie of the Year honors has one top-five and two top-10 finishes this season. Her career best finish was at Richmond International Raceway earlier this season where she came home fifth.
Qualifying will begin at 4 p.m. followed by an autograph session at 4:45 p.m. and the green flag at 6 p.m. ET.
The Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140 from Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway will air on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 12 p.m. on Fox Sports 1. Follow @RevRacin on twitter for live updates throughout the day.
CONCORD, NC (August 30, 2013) – The Rev Racing Late Model program is gearing up for a weekend full of racing. On Friday night, August 30, the team will be competing in the Twin 125s at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, VA. Jack Madrid will be piloting the No. 4 Toyota, Devon Amos will be in the No. 6 Toyota, and Annabeth Barnes will be in the No. 21. This will be the second NASCAR Whelen All-America Series (NWAAS) for Amos this season, and his first time racing at Motor Mile Speedway. Barnes and Madrid both competed in twin 125s at Motor Mile Speedway in August, and are looking forward to returning. Qualifying is set to begin at 5pm and racing will start at 8pm.
After competing at Motor Mile Speedway the team will head south to Hickory Motor Speedway where Barnes and Madrid will compete in the NWAAS race on Saturday, August 31. Barnes has one top-five and two top-10 finishes at HMS this season, and Madrid has on top-five and two top-10s. Qualifying will begin at 5pm and racing is set to start at 7pm.
The next race for Barnes and Madrid will be on Saturday, September 7, at Hickory Motor Speedway. Follow @RevRacin on twitter for live updates.
CONCORD, N.C. (August 26, 2013) – Bryan Ortiz (@BryanORacing) went into the race weekend at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) with confidence unmatched at any track he’s raced at in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series (NKNPS) East. The driver from Puerto Rico has experience racing at VIR in the Grand-AM series, and was looking forward to the first NKNPS East race at a road course since 2010. Ortiz ran near the front of the field all day, and relied on his road course background to bring his No. 4 Rev Racing Toyota Camry to a second place finish.
It was a tough day for the other three Rev Racing drivers. Daniel Suarez (@DnlSuarez) took the lead on lap 10 and battled up front the rest of the race before engine failure ended his night early on lap 50. Ryan Gifford (@RyanGifford2) raced his way up front after qualifying 12th, he ran in the top-five and even led a lap before engine failure ended his day. This was Mackena Bell’s (@MackenaBell) first race on a road course. The rookie driver ran consistent all day and came home 17th.
Ryan Gifford (No. 2 NASCAR Technical Institute/UTI Toyota Camry) – It was an unfortunate night for Gifford who raced his way to the front after qualifying 12th. He ran in the top-five and even led a lap, before engine failure ended his night early. He’s currently fifth in points.
Bryan Ortiz (No. 4 Rev Racing Toyota Camry) – Ortiz ran near the front of the field all day after qualifying second, and relied on his road course background to bring his No. 4 Rev Racing Toyota Camry to a second place finish. This was his career best finish and qualifying effort.
Daniel Suarez (No. 6 Visit Acapulco Toyota Camry) – Suarez was fast all weekend, and put himself in position to battle for the lead early on by qualifying third. He was able to pass the race leader on lap ten. Suarez led the next 17 laps and battled up front the rest of the race before his night ended early due to engine failure on lap 50. He’s currently eighth in points.
Mackena Bell (No. 21 Toyota Racing Development Toyota Camry) – This was Bell’s first time competing on a road course. The rookie driver was patient throughout the race and valuable experience brining her car home with a 17th place finish. She is currently 13th in points.
The next race for the drivers in the NKNPS East will be next Monday, September 2, at Greenville-Pickens Speedway.
RICHMOND, Va. (Oct. 17, 2013) – HCA Virginia’s Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital has teamed up with Rev Racing and the American Lung Association to present “Rev Up for Lung Health,” an educational event to raise awareness about lung health.
The program will feature remarks by Mackena Bell, professional NASCAR Drive for Diversity driver for Rev Racing, and Pablo Gonzalez, M.D., medical oncologist with Virginia Cancer Institute, who will discuss lung health, lung cancer and preventable risk factors. In addition, an outdoor photo opportunity with Bell and her NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race car will follow.
The free event will be held Thursday, Oct. 24 at the Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital, Johnston-Willis Hospital, 1401 Johnston-Willis Drive, Richmond. The presentation will take place at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by the photo session with Bell and her race car from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
“I feel so honored to be partnering with the American Lung Association and HCA Virginia for this great event,” said Bell. “As an athlete and the granddaughter of a lung cancer victim, spreading awareness of lung health and smoking cessation is a cause that’s very near to me.”
“The most important issue dealing with lung health relates to the need to encourage smoking cessation or more importantly, to never start,” said Gonzalez. “We are excited to partner with Rev Racing and the American Lung Association in this unique opportunity to raise awareness about lung disease prevention.”
Seating is limited for the seminar. Seminar attendees will receive a speed pass through the photo session, which also is open to the public. For more information, visit HCAVIRGINIA.COM, or call 804-320-DOCS (3627). 
