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11th Annual Drive for Diversity Combine to be held in October

Twenty multicultural and female racers will compete.

Kyle Larson, Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

Action Sports Photography

Darrell Wallace Jr. announced as driver of Kyle Busch's Toyota Car truck with Joe Gibbs
Kyle Larson, Ganassi Racing Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, Ganassi Racing Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, Ganassi Racing Chevrolet
Race winner Darrell Wallace Jr. with Tony Stewart
Race winner Darrell Wallace Jr.
Kenzie Ruston
Kenzie Ruston

Twenty multicultural and female race car drivers from the United States, Canada and Latin America will participate in the 11th Annual NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) Combine Oct. 13-15 with hopes of earning a spot in the 2015 NASCAR D4D Class in partnership with Rev Racing. 

The NASCAR D4D Combine – being held at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Virgina, for the fourth consecutive year – has been the proving ground for several current NASCAR national series drivers, including NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Kyle Larson (in photo above), NASCAR Camping World Truck Series three-time race winner Darrell Wallace Jr. and NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series driver Daniel Suarez, who recently announced a full-year NASCAR Nationwide Series ride with Joe Gibbs Racing for 2015. 

“The NASCAR Drive for Diversity program has seen significant success in recent years with several standout drivers who have consistently exceled and put on their best performance on the race track,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR vice president of racing operations. “It is important for us to provide development opportunities for young female and diverse drivers who have the talent, but may lack the resources or guidance to find an entry point in our sport.”

Siegel in charge 

Under the leadership of Max Siegel, owner of Rev Racing and CEO of U.S. Track & Field, NASCAR D4D has evolved to an academy-style development program which will compete under one umbrella in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKPSE) and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series (NWAAS). Rev Racing provides drivers with equipment, mentoring and competition experience throughout the season. 

“This year’s Combine applicant pool was among the strongest the program has seen, and we continue to see that year over year,” said Siegel. “The program’s visibility and reputation for developing young, female and diverse drivers with talent and growth potential has increased across the board, and we are seeing steady recognition and support from key stakeholders across the motorsports industry.” 

Suarez, a rising star in the U.S. and Mexico, is the third and most recent NASCAR D4D driver to transition into one of NASCAR’s three national series after competing in full seasons in Mexico’s NASCAR Toyota Series and the NKPSE. Several drivers are attempting to follow in his footsteps, including 18-year-old Ruben Garcia Jr., a member of the NASCAR Next class. 

Also returning to defend their spot in the program are current NWAAS drivers Devon Amos and Paige Decker. Current Rev Racing drivers in the NASCAR K&N East Sergio Peña and Jay Beasley also are under consideration to return to the team in 2015, but will not compete at the Combine.  

The drivers will be individually evaluated on at-track performance, including their instinctive positioning at different places on the track, proficiency and comfort level in providing in-car feedback to the crew chief, overall speed and the ability to shift during assessments. 

Visit FansChoice.TV for the live streaming schedule of the Combine.

 

Below are invitees to the 11th annual NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine:

Devon

Amos

23

Rio Rancho

New Mexico

Jairo

Avila

19

Alhambra

California

Amber

Balcaen

22

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Canada

Nicole

Behar

16

Otis Orchards

Washington

Collin

Cabre

20

Thonotosassa

Florida

Abraham

Calderon

25

Monterrey

Mexico

Madeline

Crane

16

Meansville

Georgia

Claire

Decker

19

Eagle River

Wisconsin

Paige

Decker

21

Eagle River

Wisconsin

Natalie

Decker

16

Eagle River

Wisconsin

Juan Esteban

García Duarte

17

Bogotá

Colombia

Rubén

Garcia, Jr

18

Naulcalpán

Mexico

Ryan

Glenski

21

Mooresville

North Carolina

Ali

Kern

21

Fremont

Ohio

Katlynn

Leer

15

Moulton

Iowa

Michael

Lira

17

Port Orange

Florida

Hannah

Newhouse

17

Twin Falls

Idaho

Emily

Packard

17

East Montpelier

Vermont

Kenzie

Ruston

22

Mooresville

North Carolina

Dylan

Smith

22

Concord

Vermont

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