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NASCAR to host college athletes in diversity combine in Concord, N.C.

NASCAR Drive for Diversity program looks to add new members to team this season.

NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew group photo

NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew group photo

Tim Southers

Jusan Hamilton and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew press conference
NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew press conference

Seventeen college athletes from six universities across the United States will be at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C, on Friday to participate in the second annual pit crew combine to earn a spot on the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew team.

The participants were selected through a nationwide talent search where they competed in tryouts at their respective universities.

They will be evaluated based on a series of fitness, agility and pit crew drills and competitions at the NASCAR R&D Center.

Top-performing participants will be invited to join NASCAR Drive for Diversity’s crew member development program, operated by Rev Racing, and will receive expert training as tire changers, carriers and jackmen as they pursue full-time employment with NASCAR national series race teams.

“As we saw with last year’s inaugural national combine, the caliber of athletes now competing for opportunities to train with NASCAR Drive for Diversity is stronger than ever,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. "As the program grows, it’s attracting top-quality talent and competitors who we believe have the potential to excel at the highest levels of NASCAR.”

Last year was the first year for the national combine and Lamar Neal, who attended the 2016 combine and a former linebacker at Norfolk State University, has already joined Richard Childress Racing and is now pitting for the team in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

A total of 35 NASCAR Drive for Diversity pit crew graduates are working in NASCAR, including 25 graduates participating in NASCAR’s top level – the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

Three graduates of the program, Raphael Diaz, Kevin Richardson and Mike Russell, helped Roush Fenway Racing driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to his first career Cup Series win at Talladega Superspeedway in May. 

 Thirteen men and four women will take part in Friday’s four-hour skills competition led by Phil Horton, Rev Racing director of athletic performance.

 For Horton, who also serves as director of the NASCAR Diversity Pit Crew Program, seeing graduates enjoy success in NASCAR is one of the most satisfying aspects of the program.

“We’re inviting people to change their lives and try do something totally new for them,” Horton said. “It’s very fulfilling to help these young people learn something new and help them try and start a new career. I look for athletes who can make the transitional moves in life and still compete at a high level with is required for them to make it to the Cup level in this sport.” 

NASCAR Drive for Diversity National Pit Crew Combine presented by Goodyear participants include: 

Name

Hometown

University

Primary Sport

Charles

Beatty

Phoenix, Ariz.

Arizona State University

Football

Marcell

Blair

Charlotte, N.C.

N/A

Football

Bryce

Bradley

Richmond, Va.

Virginia State University

Football

Devin

Byrd

Fayette County, Tenn.

N/A

Baseball

Trevon

Byron

Newport News, Va.

Virginia State University

Football

Sandy

Chapman

Raleigh, N.C.

Norfolk State University

Football

Kendra

Cooper

Spring, Texas

Bethune-Cookman University

Basketball

Torian

Henderson

Silver Spring, Md.

Norfolk State University

Football

Gerard

Johnson

Richmond, Va.

Norfolk State University

Football

Jalen

Jones

Indianapolis, Ind.

Vincennes University

Football/Track & Field

Sherry

Lewis

Dinwiddie, Va.

Virginia State University

Bowling/Lacrosse

Ryan

Nantuna

Elk Grove, Calif.

Arizona State University

Wrestling

Sophia

Ortega

Highland, Calif.

Bethune-Cookman University

Softball

Ezell

Ruffin

Los Angeles, Calif.

San Diego State University

Football

Tramel

Topps

Milwaukee, Wis.

Arizona State University

Football

Kevin

Walcott

Los Angeles, Calif.

San Diego State University

Softball

Alisha

Williams

Mississauga, Ont.

Virginia State University

Track & Field

 

 

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