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
Tim Southers
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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