D4D Combine Candidates Selected
17 Drivers To Compete For Spot On Next Year’s Roster
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – As the NASCAR season hits the home stretch, preparations for 2013 are already underway. That process will begin in earnest for select drivers Oct. 16-18 with the 2012 NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) Combine at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va.
NASCAR and Rev Racing today announced 17 candidates invited to take part in the three-day evaluation.
“We are excited to see the continued interest in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program as evidenced by the increased breadth and depth of applicants for the evaluation,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR vice president of public affairs and multicultural development. “The NASCAR Drive for Diversity program provides opportunities for female and minority drivers and crew members, and we are proud to be working with Rev Racing to foster great talent that will continue to enrich our sport.”
The NASCAR D4D program created in 2004 is now executed by Rev Racing and the team is competing in their third season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Currently the top two rookies in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Kyle Larson and Bryan Ortiz are in the 2012 D4D class, while Larson and Rev Racing graduate Darrell Wallace Jr. made their national series debuts this year. Larson has top 10s in both starts in the NASCAR Camping World Series and Wallace has a top 10 in all three of his NASCAR Nationwide Series races.
The 2012 Combine will be a three day driver evaluation of on-track performance, marketing and media aptitude, and physical fitness. Langley, a .4-mile asphalt oval, is the NASCAR sanctioned track hosting the event for the second consecutive year.
“Langley truly challenges those who take part in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine,” said Derik Crotts, general manager of Rev Racing, the executing partner for the program. “Participants will have several on track sessions to present their racing abilities. This will include some unique challenges that we will throw at them to make sure that they are on their game.”
The 2013 Rev Racing team will be selected from among the 2012 Rev Racing drivers and the Combine participants.
The 2012 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine participants include:
DRIVER HOMETOWN AGE
Devon Amos Rio Ranch, N.M. 21
Dustin Ash Las Vegas 24
Annabeth Barnes Hiddenite, N.C. 17
Collin Cabre Thonotosassa, Fla. 18
Kayla Cazares Goffstown, N.H. 16
Amber Colvin Mooresville, N.C. 17
Jessica Dana Olympia, Wash. 17
Paige Decker Eagle River, Wis. 19
Cassie Gannis Phoenix, Ariz. 21
Lindsay Katz Kalamazoo, Mich. 21
Jack Madrid San Clemente, Calif. 17
Kate McCall Port Orange, Fla. 16
Dallas Montes Bakersfield, Calif. 18
Hannah Newhouse Twin Falls, Idaho 15
Dylan Smith Randolph, Vt. 20
Daniel Suarez Monterrey, Mexico 20
Erica Thiering Sherwood Park, Alberta 22
For more information on NASCAR diversity initiatives visit NASCARDiversity.com or follow @NASCARDiversity on twitter. Rev Racing’s official website and Twitter is RevRacing.net and @RevRacin.
Sources: NASCAR PR