NASCAR's "Drive for Diversity" hosts 26 candidates at Combined Racing Event October 13-14

Twenty-six drivers from different forms of racing all over North America will showcase their skills in front of NASCAR team owners and executives at the sixth annual Drive for Diversity Testing & Evaluation Combine presented by Sunoco.

The 2008 Drive for Diversity Combine presented by Sunoco allows selected minority and women drivers an opportunity to showcase their skills before established NASCAR team owners in an attempt to earn the opportunity to compete as part of the 2009 Season's "Drive for Diversity" program. This amazing event, run by Access Marketing & Communications, presents a huge opportunity for minority and women drivers to gain exposure in the NASCAR Camping World Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

The scouting event will take place October 13-14 at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Virginia. This year's candidates were selected from more than 200 applicants from across North America. Fourteen of the drivers will earn a ride in NASCAR's developmental series for the 2009 season.

"Over the past five years we have seen the skill level and experience of our applicants increase exponentially," said Malcolm Calhoun, vice president of Access Marketing & Communications, which runs the Drive for Diversity Program. "We are excited to again provide the opportunity for this talented group of young, minority and female drivers to showcase their motorsports skills."

The 26 drivers participating in the 2008 combination event, including seven members of the 2008 Drive for Diversity class, will participate in both on- and off-track evaluation.  Drive for Diversity affiliated team owners will select 14 drivers to compete for their teams in 2009 in either the NASCAR Camping World Series or the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Four drivers will compete in the Camping World Series, 10 will compete in the Whelen All-American Series.

The on-track session will be conducted in NASCAR Camping World Series cars provided by Richard Petty Driving Experience and will include testing, qualifying laps, and intermediate runs. Off the track, the drivers will be evaluated as they participate in media and sponsor relations activities.

The following drivers will participate in the 2008 combination event:
* Mackena Bell (Carson City, Nev.)
* Kristin Bumbera (Sealy, Tex.)
* Michael Cherry (Valrico, Fla.)
* Tiffany Daniels (Smithfield, Va.)
* Phil Dugan (Meridian, Idaho)
* Mike Gallegos (Wheat Ridge, Colo.)
* Cassie Gannis (Phoenix, Ariz.)
* Jonathon Gomez (Twin Falls, Idaho)
* Katie Hagar (Nobleboro, Maine)
* Paul Harraka (Fair Lawn, N.J.)
* Laura Hayes (Wilton, Calif.)
* Rebecca Kasten (Mequon, Wis.)
* Lindsey King (Cherry Valley, Calif.)
* Kortney Kosiski (Ralston, Neb.)
* Ashlee Lancaster (Columbia, Mo.)
* Amanda Lynch (Piedmont, S.C.)
* Ruben Pardo (Mexico City)
* Juan Pitta (Galt, Calif.)
* Megan Reitenour (Miamisburg, Ohio)
* Jason Romero (Cameron Park, Calif.)
* Natalie Sather (Fargo, N.D.)
* Caitlin Shaw (Albuquerque, N.M.)
* Jonathan Smith (Beacon Falls, Conn.)
* Emily Sue Steck (Holman, Wis.)
* Trista Stevenson (Pocahontas, Ill.)
* Jessica Wood (Newport News, Va.)
To find out more about these racers, be sure to read NASCAR's complete press release

The Drive for Diversity program is in its fifth season and is NASCAR's leading on-track diversity initiative. Since its inception in 2004, the Drive for Diversity program has supported 22 different drivers in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and NASCAR Camping World Series. The 2008 driver class has experienced tremendous on-track success this season, with the nine drivers having earned a combined 14 wins, 41 top-five,s and 81 top-10s. Driver Paul Harraka also clinched the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Track Championship at All American Speedway; he is the first driver to win a championship as part of the Drive for Diversity program. The Drive for Diversity program is committed to supporting and enhancing diversity in all aspects of motorsports in an environment that enables people from diverse backgrounds to participate in all levels and capacities of NASCAR.

For more information about this very special program, please visit the official program web site at www.drivefordiversity.com


Jody DeVere
President
www.askpatty.com
www.carblabber.com

 

"Over the past five years we have seen the skill level and experience of our applicants increase exponentially," said Malcolm Calhoun, vice president of Access Marketing & Communications, which runs the Drive for Diversity Program. "We are excited to again provide the opportunity for this talented group of young, minority and female drivers to showcase their motorsports skills."

The 26 drivers participating in the 2008 combination event, including seven members of the 2008 Drive for Diversity class, will participate in both on- and off-track evaluation.  Drive for Diversity affiliated team owners will select 14 drivers to compete for their teams in 2009 in either the NASCAR Camping World Series or the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Four drivers will compete in the Camping World Series, 10 will compete in the Whelen All-American Series.

The on-track session will be conducted in NASCAR Camping World Series cars provided by Richard Petty Driving Experience and will include testing, qualifying laps, and intermediate runs. Off the track, the drivers will be evaluated as they participate in media and sponsor relations activities.

The following drivers will participate in the 2008 combination event:
* Mackena Bell (Carson City, Nev.)
* Kristin Bumbera (Sealy, Tex.)
* Michael Cherry (Valrico, Fla.)
* Tiffany Daniels (Smithfield, Va.)
* Phil Dugan (Meridian, Idaho)
* Mike Gallegos (Wheat Ridge, Colo.)
* Cassie Gannis (Phoenix, Ariz.)
* Jonathon Gomez (Twin Falls, Idaho)
* Katie Hagar (Nobleboro, Maine)
* Paul Harraka (Fair Lawn, N.J.)
* Laura Hayes (Wilton, Calif.)
* Rebecca Kasten (Mequon, Wis.)
* Lindsey King (Cherry Valley, Calif.)
* Kortney Kosiski (Ralston, Neb.)
* Ashlee Lancaster (Columbia, Mo.)
* Amanda Lynch (Piedmont, S.C.)
* Ruben Pardo (Mexico City)
* Juan Pitta (Galt, Calif.)
* Megan Reitenour (Miamisburg, Ohio)
* Jason Romero (Cameron Park, Calif.)
* Natalie Sather (Fargo, N.D.)
* Caitlin Shaw (Albuquerque, N.M.)
* Jonathan Smith (Beacon Falls, Conn.)
* Emily Sue Steck (Holman, Wis.)
* Trista Stevenson (Pocahontas, Ill.)
* Jessica Wood (Newport News, Va.)
To find out more about these racers, be sure to read NASCAR's complete press release

The Drive for Diversity program is in its fifth season and is NASCAR's leading on-track diversity initiative. Since its inception in 2004, the Drive for Diversity program has supported 22 different drivers in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and NASCAR Camping World Series. The 2008 driver class has experienced tremendous on-track success this season, with the nine drivers having earned a combined 14 wins, 41 top-five,s and 81 top-10s. Driver Paul Harraka also clinched the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Track Championship at All American Speedway; he is the first driver to win a championship as part of the Drive for Diversity program. The Drive for Diversity program is committed to supporting and enhancing diversity in all aspects of motorsports in an environment that enables people from diverse backgrounds to participate in all levels and capacities of NASCAR.

For more information about this very special program, please visit the official program web site at www.drivefordiversity.com


Jody DeVere
President
www.askpatty.com
www.carblabber.com