Drive For Diversity Combine Participants Announced

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 Truck 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 ofon-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 are all between 15 and 24 years of age, and include Amber Colvin of Mooresville, NC; Devin Amos of Rio Ranch, NM; Las Vegas native Dustin Ash; Annabeth Barnes of Hiddenite, NC; Collin Cabre of Thonotosassa, FL; Goffstown, NH’s Kayla Cazares; Jessica Dana of Olympia, WA; and Eagle River, WI’s Paige Decker. Also chosen for the combine were Cassie Gannis of Phoenix, AZ: Lindsay Katz of Kalamazoo, MI; San Clemente, CA driver Jack Madrid; Kate McCall of Port Orange, FL: Dallas Montes of Bakersfiled, CA; Twin Falls, ID native Hannah Newhouse and Dylan Smith of Randolph, VT. Two foreign drivers were also chosen for this year’s combine; Daniel Suarez of Monterrey, Mexico and Erica Thiering of Sherwood Park. Alberta, Canada.