The formula for judging talent, according to Andy Santerre, is a simple one. No complex algebraic equations necessary, no computer simulations crunching numbers the way “Moneyball” czar Bill James would have you believe to be paramount.

“I look at how fast they go,” said Santerre, the competition director for Revolution Racing and NASCAR’s Max Siegel-headed Drive For Diversity program.

Santerre ought to know. He’s a four-time champion of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East as a driver, and since stepping out of the seat he’s worked at developing some of the sport’s brightest young talent — including Austin Dillon, Brett Moffitt and Sean Caisse.

“If (a young driver) can get in and can go fast at any track, short track or speedway, that’s a big thing,” Santerre said. “Some drivers can run third-mile race tracks but really can’t run (well) on a mile track.

“I look at speed — and Darrell can run anywhere.”

Darrell Wallace Jr. enters the final three races of the season — including Saturday’s American Fence Association 150 at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Ga. — just 33 points behind defending series champion Ryan Truex. He’s a Joe Gibbs Racing development driver, and he’s the D4D program’s best shot yet at a NASCAR championship with five Top-5s and six Top-10s in seven races. Read more…

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