Rest In Peace J.D. Gibbs

Co-Founder of Joe Gibbs Racing, Dies at 49

 

J.D. Gibbs, who followed his famous father’s path from football to stock-car racing, died Friday evening. He was 49.

Gibbs’ passing was announced by Joe Gibbs Racing, the family’s racing team, citing “complications following a long battle with a degenerative neurological disease.” Gibbs had undergone treatment for symptoms impacting areas of brain function in recent years.

Gibbs served as president and later co-chairman of Joe Gibbs Racing. Before joining the organization’s senior management, Gibbs was an over-the-wall crewmember and a part-time driver, making 13 NASCAR national series starts from 1998-2002. 

“We were privileged to watch J.D. Gibbs grow within the sport, displaying an endearing personality, a keen eye for talent and the strong business acumen that helped grow Joe Gibbs Racing into a pre-eminent NASCAR team,” NASCAR Chairman & CEO Jim France said in a statement. “The NASCAR family has lost a truly special member. On behalf of NASCAR and the France family, I extend my deepest condolences to Joe Gibbs, Pat, Melissa, Coy and the entire Gibbs family.”

“I wasn’t really stellar from an athletic standpoint,” J.D. Gibbs told the Richmond Times-Dispatch in 2006. “So for me to go into business, starting a family business with my dad, was really great. I’m glad we had a chance to do that together.” 

J.D. Gibbs’ competitive spirit translated into his management style, fueling a period of dramatic growth for Joe Gibbs Racing. The organization expanded to a two-car team in 1999 and quickly snared its first two championships — with Bobby Labonte in 2000 and Tony Stewart in 2002.

The younger Gibbs was also instrumental in forming the JGR Diversity Program in conjunction with his father and the late Reggie White, an NFL Hall of Famer. That initiative groomed Aric Almirola for a career in NASCAR’s big leagues and continued with the ascension of Mexican-born standout Daniel Suarez to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series ranks.

Source

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joe Gibbs Racing Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, J.D. Gibbs, who passed away earlier tonight at the age of 49 from complications following a long battle with a degenerative neurological disease. pic.twitter.com/kmyKRHupeq

— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) January 12, 2019

Heartbroken for the entire Gibbs family. J.D. was a great person – a family man who loved sports & racing in particular. He played a big part in my career, both as a driver & as a team owner. When he asked how you were doing, he genuinely cared. I'll miss that the most. https://t.co/fnYndYp3uy

— Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) January 12, 2019

During difficult times, one guy was flourishing and that was Stewart, who had his greatest season and arguably, the best summer stretch in NASCAR history with J.D. running day-to-day operations in 2005. Stewart scored five wins and had career-highs in top-fives (17) and top-10s (25), good enough to bring home his second Cup Series title. It was JGR’s third title in six years and J.D.’s first and only Cup title as a sole owner.

Saddened by the loss of J.D. Gibbs. J.D. made @NASCAR better and was a great leader. Offering my condolences to the Gibbs family and @JoeGibbsRacing.

— Doug Yates (@Yates_Doug) January 12, 2019

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Gibbs and @JoeGibbsRacing family 🙏💔 https://t.co/L8KvNwgWKh

— KylePettyCharityRide (@KPCharityRide) January 12, 2019

His car. His number. His signature above my door. I will always be grateful for what His family did for mine and the opportunity he gave me 14 years ago. Now more than ever #doitforJD

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) January 12, 2019

On J.D.’s 47th birthday in 2016, Hamlin eked out future teammate Martin Truex, Jr. by 0.010 seconds in the closest Daytona 500 finish in history. Known for crediting J.D. as the guy that gave him his big break in NASCAR, Hamlin dedicated the victory to him. “It’s the pinnacle of my career, for sure. I haven’t got a championship yet. This is obviously the biggest win for myself,” said Hamlin. “It’s just the circumstances, J.D. Gibbs, who found me about 12, 13 years ago, it’s his birthday today, he’s been so pivotal to myself and my team and supporting me for the past 11 years.”

Say no more...The logo on the @JoeGibbsRacing site says it all. There was not a Victory Lane interview that I did..not one.. @SiriusXMNASCAR after JD got sick that Joe Gibbs didn't stop and mention JD. I feel for Joe and JD's family. #heartbreak. #RememberJD pic.twitter.com/gZ49kbDKNq

— Claire B Lang (@ClaireBLang) January 12, 2019

Heartbreaking news for the NASCAR world. J.D. Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, died Friday night following a long battle with a degenerative neurological disease. He was 49 years old. pic.twitter.com/PVjgJp7R80

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) January 12, 2019

The NASCAR community remembers @JoeGibbsRacing co-founder, J.D. Gibbs. https://t.co/eqWs3It2ma

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 12, 2019

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of JD Gibbs. He and the entire JGR organization were key to my career in NASCAR and will forever be in my heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family at JGR during this very difficult time. pic.twitter.com/yQ42OFHAwZ

— Daniel Suárez (@Daniel_SuarezG) January 12, 2019

🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

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2. Job Opportunity at Charlotte Motor Speedway
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5. Jefferson Hodges Joins Penske As NASCAR Team Manager

NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine

Participants Range in Age from 15-Year-Old Macy Causey to 23-Year-Old Collin Cabre.

Update:

When it's 🌧 sideways, you know you've lost the track.#D4DCombine on hold, for now. pic.twitter.com/gY4zBj0Ec7

— NASCAR Home Tracks (@NASCARHomeTrack) October 18, 2017

The Drive for Diversity Combine invites 12 of the country’s best up-and-coming minority or female racers. This year there were four females, six Hispanics, a Haitian-American and an African-American comprising the group and looking to seize this opportunity.

2017 Participants:

• Chase Cabre of Tampa, Florida
• Collin Cabre of Tampa, Florida
• Macy Causey of Yorktown, Virginia
• Madeline Crane of Meansville, Georgia
• Ernie Francis Jr. of Dania, Florida
• Ruben Garcia Jr. of Mexico City, Mexico
• McKenna Haase of Carlisle, Iowa
• Nicholas Sanchez of Homestead, Florida
• Ryan Vargas of La Mirada, California
• Fabian Welter of Mexico
• Armani Williams of Grosse Pointe, Michigan
• Brittney Zamora of Kennewick, Washington.

Another successful day at the 2017 #NASCARD4D Combine. Stay tuned to see what’s next for these 12 drivers! #D4DCombine pic.twitter.com/pvfrBXs7IC

— NASCAR Diversity (@NASCARDiversity) October 17, 2017

Out of this dozen, four drivers will be chosen to have full season, fully funded rides for Rev Racing — three of them in the NASCAR K&N Series and another in the Whelen All-American Series. The winners are typically announced in January during NASCAR’s national media tour.

2017 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine participants at NASCAR
headquarters on October 16, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Max Seigel, CEO of Rev Racing speaks to participants of the NASCAR
Drive for Diversity Combine at NASCAR headquarters

2017 NASCAR Drive for Diversity participants Fabian Welter (l),
Ryan Vargas (c) and Armani Williams at Bethune Cookman University

2017 NASCAR Drive for Diversity participants at Bethune Cookman
University on October 16, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

2017 NASCAR Drive for Diversity participants workout at Bethune
Cookman University on October 16, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

2017 NASCAR Drive for Diversity participants pose for photos
at Daytona International Speedway on October 16, 2017

2017 NASCAR Drive for Diversity participants Brittany Zamora (l),
Colin Cabre (c) and Ernie Francis Jr. at Bethune Cookman University

Brent Dewar, NASCAR president (l) Max Siegel, CEO of Rev Racing (c)
and Jusan Hamilton, NASCAR Racing Operations at the NASCAR
Drive for Diversity Combine at NASCAR headquarters

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#NASCAR D4D Announces 2017 Driver Class

After a season of milestones for NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduates competing across NASCAR national series, the industry’s flagship development program for multicultural and female drivers has announced that six drivers will join its 2017 class. The drivers were selected after a competitive combine held last October at New Smyrna Speedway and will compete for Rev Racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

The 2017 class features a former NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series champion, the granddaughter of one of the sport’s female pioneers, and NASCAR Drive for Diversity’s first sibling teammates. The drivers will attempt to follow in the footsteps of program graduates and current national series drivers Kyle Larson, Darrell Wallace Jr., and 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion Daniel Suárez.

"Now more than ever, we’re seeing the impact of NASCAR’s development program in producing drivers who excel at the highest echelons of our sport," said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. "There’s a great deal of talent and potential in this year’s class. With the strong foundation that NASCAR Drive for Diversity provides, these drivers will have the opportunity to develop the skills needed to elevate their racing careers."

The 2017 class is led by four returning drivers, Collin Cabre, Jay Beasley, Madeline Crane and Rubén García Jr., who first competed in stock car racing in his native Mexico. Collin’s younger brother, Chase Cabre, joins 16-year-old Macy Causey as this year’s NASCAR Drive for Diversity newcomers. Causey’s grandmother, Diane Teel, was the first woman to compete in a NASCAR XFINITY Series race in 1982.

Rev Racing, the operational arm of NASCAR Drive for Diversity, will field four teams in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and two in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

The 2017 NASCAR Drive for Diversity roster features:

Collin Cabre: An impressive second year in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program was highlighted by four top-five and six top-10 finishes and a sixth-place finish in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship standings. After winning the 2015 season finale at Dover International Speedway, Cabre was named to the 2016-2017 NASCAR Next class. The 23-year-old from Tampa, Florida, will compete in his third season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East with Rev Racing.

Chase Cabre: Cabre, 20, registered 12 race wins in 21 starts in a 600 Mini Sprint Car and is a two-time Fall Brawl Champion at Florida’s Ocala Bullring. In 2016, he averaged a fourth-place finish in races at Hickory Motor Speedway and set two poles during the season. Chase will compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East in his rookie season with Rev Racing.

Rubén García Jr.: At age 20, the Mexico City native became the youngest NASCAR PEAK Mexico driver to win the series championship in 2015. García was also part of the NASCAR Next program in both 2015 and 2016. He returns to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East after finishing 10th in the series last season.

Jay Beasley: Beasley, 24, made history in 2013 by becoming the first African-American driver to win a Super Late Model race at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In his first season with the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program in 2014, he earned two top-five and five top-10 finishes in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. He returns to the series for his third season with Rev Racing.

Macy Causey: Causey was honored with the NASCAR Young Racer Award in 2016. The year prior, she won the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Virginia Rookie of the Year Award and earned top rookie honors at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Virginia, where in 1978 her grandmother became the first woman to win a NASCAR-sanctioned race at the track. Causey will compete for Rev Racing in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series.

Madeline Crane: The Georgia native began her career racing Bandoleros at Atlanta Motor Speedway at age 10. Crane, 19, moved into Legend cars, and by the time she was 14 had garnered 59 top-five finishes in 82 starts. Returning for a second season with NASCAR Drive for Diversity, she will compete in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series following two top-five and 12 top-10 finishes in 2016.

NASCAR Drive for Diversity aligns drivers with a team of executives, athletic directors, crew chiefs and mentors tasked with helping them achieve career successes, and thus improving their goal of reaching one of the three NASCAR national series.

Since it began fielding NASCAR Drive for Diversity cars in 2010, Rev Racing has been one of the most consistent teams in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, registering 17 wins, 65 top-five and 124 top-10 finishes with drivers finishing in the top-10 in points each season.

"Each year the applicant pool and talent level rises and our program continues to evolve and create more opportunities for advancement," said Max Siegel, CEO and owner of Rev Racing. "NASCAR Drive for Diversity and Rev Racing are proud of the impact that we have had in the sport and we look forward to graduating the next generation of athletes to the national series."

The 2016 NASCAR season was a historic year for NASCAR Drive for Diversity alumni. Larson, who is Asian-American, became the first program graduate to win a race and reach the playoffs in the sport’s premier series, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

With his NASCAR XFINITY Series victory at Michigan International Speedway, Suárez was the first Mexican-born driver to win a national series race, and last November he became the first foreign-born driver to win a national series championship. Suárez will make his debut in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series racing for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2017.

The 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season opener will take place on Feb. 19 at New Smyrna Speedway, where Rev Racing scored a win with Suárez in 2014.

For more information on NASCAR Drive for Diversity, visit NASCARDiversity.com.

🏁 pic.twitter.com/GeNOqMpIdG

— Macy Causey (@MacyCausey) January 25, 2017

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit http://www.NASCAR.com and http://www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

About Rev Racing

Headquartered in Concord, North Carolina, Rev Racing is owned by Max Siegel and operates the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program, which is the industry’s leading developmental program for ethnic minorities, women drivers, and pit crew members. For more information about Rev Racing visit www.revracing.net and follow us on Twitter @RevRacin.

Source: Official NASCAR Release

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#NASCAR 'Drive for Diversity' to Host First National Pit Crew Combine (#NASCARD4D)

Following a national talent search, 18 multicultural and female athletes earned invitations to compete in the first-ever national NASCAR Drive For Diversity® (D4D) Crew Member Development Combine today in Concord, North Carolina.

Former college football, basketball, softball and track and field athletes will be evaluated based on a series of fitness, agility and pit crew drills at the NASCAR Research & Development Center.

The 10 top-performing participants will be invited to join the NASCAR D4D Crew Member Development Program, operated by Rev Racing, and receive expert training as tire changers, carriers and jackmen, with the goal of gaining full-time employment with NASCAR national series race teams. 

“As NASCAR Drive for Diversity continues to grow and benefit from national exposure, we’re seeing more and more athletes want to be involved,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. "This is a great way to introduce top competitors to NASCAR and provide the opportunity to one day shine in our sport's biggest events."

Earlier this year, NASCAR and Rev Racing hosted tryouts at six universities spanning coast to coast – from Norfolk State University to San Diego State University – as part of a revamped crew member scouting process.

Twelve men and six women hailing from 12 states and one U.S. territory are now one step closer to a career in NASCAR and will look to impress during today’s four-hour skills competition.

“We are extremely excited about the continued growth and evolution of the Crew Member Development Program,” said Max Siegel, CEO of Rev Racing. “Our expanded college recruitment and outreach efforts have attracted some of the most talented and promising athletes our program has seen yet.”

Most D4D participants begin with no motorsports background and learn to apply athletic prowess from their primary sport to the skills required on NASCAR’s pit road. Joshua Tate, an All-American football player at Clark Atlanta University, recently tried out for the Chicago Bears and is now hoping to go professional in motorsports.

Former Norfolk State point guard Brehanna Daniels could follow in the footsteps of Emily Cox, a D4D alum who now pits regularly in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Jeremy Kimbrough, a former Washington Redskins linebacker, will attempt to join fellow NFL veteran Andre Neblett in the D4D crew member program, which has a 100 percent job placement rate for graduates. Neblett played for the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots and was accepted to D4D as part of the program’s ongoing open enrollment.

There are 35 current and former D4D crew members working in NASCAR, including 23 graduates in the sport’s top series – the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. In November, Roush Fenway Racing team members Mike Russell and Raphael Diaz became the first D4D graduates to win a national series championship when No. 60 driver Chris Buescher clinched the NASCAR XFINITY Series title.

NASCAR D4D pit crew member combine participants include: 

First	Last	Hometown	Primary Sport
Robert	Clay	Nashville, Tenn.	Football
Kasuela	Cooper	Charleston, Mo.	Basketball
Paris	Cotman	Richmond, Va.	Track & Field
Brehanna	Daniels	Norfolk, Va.	Basketball
Mykael	Dixon	Baltimore, Md.	Track & Field
Branden	Dozier	Topeka, Kan.	Football
Kapil	Fletcher	Fort Lauderdale, Fla.	Football
Quinta	Funderburk	Chesapeake, Va.	Football
Jemond	Hazely	Corona, Calif.	Football
Tedarian	Johnson	Jackson, Miss.	Football
Jeremy	Kimbrough	Decatur, Ga.	Football
Corey	King	Boca Raton, Fla.	Football
Toto'a	Leilua	Leloaloa, AS	Football
Lamar	Neal	Virginia Beach, Va.	Football
Breanna	O’Leary	Amarillo, Texas	Softball
Jorden	Paige	Buffalo, N.Y.	Football
Diedra	Smith	Aurora, Colo.	Basketball
Joshua	Tate	Memphis, Tenn.	Football

Following today’s event, the D4D combine participants will attend the Hisense 4K TV 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 28 (2:30 p.m. ET on FS1).

NASCAR D4D also offers a driver development program, operated by Rev Racing, and each year fields six drivers in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Successful graduates now competing in a national series include NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Larson and NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers Darrell Wallace Jr. and Daniel Suárez.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ Coca-Cola 600 will be broadcast live from Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 29 at 6 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Additional live coverage can be found on NASCAR.com.

About Rev Racing

Headquartered in Concord, NC, Rev Racing, owned by Max Siegel operates the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program, which is the industry’s leading developmental program for ethnic minorities and women drivers and pit crew members. For more information about Rev Racing visit http://revracing.net or follow us on Twitter @RevRacin.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. 

For more information visit http://www.NASCAR.com and http://www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’). 

NASCAR Release

NASCAR Drive for Diversity Unveils 2016 Driver Roster

Six Drivers Will Compete for Rev Racing in Top Development Program

After a competitive Combine event last October, six drivers were selected to the 2016 NASCAR Drive for Diversity® (D4D) class and will join the industry’s premier development program for multicultural and female drivers, and pit crew members. 

Enrique Baca and Daniel Suarez of Mexico talk during the NASCAR Drive For Diversity
Combine at Langley Speedway on October 20, 2015 in Hampton, Virginia.

Talented drivers from across the Americas will compete for Rev Racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, and attempt to follow in the footsteps of D4D graduates and current NASCAR national series drivers Kyle Larson, Darrell Wallace Jr. and Daniel Suárez.

The 2016 class will be formally introduced to the industry as part of the Charlotte Motor Speedway NASCAR Media Tour on Jan. 19.

“NASCAR remains steadfast in its mission to develop multicultural and female athletes and we believe this class has the potential to compete at the highest levels of our sport,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “The talent pool from which these drivers were selected was unprecedented for NASCAR Drive for Diversity – a testament to the program’s growth and success.”

Rev Racing will field four teams in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and two in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. The 2016 class is led by returning driver Collin Cabre and newcomer Rubén Garcia Jr., fresh off his NASCAR Mexico Series championship last fall.

The 2016 D4D roster includes:

Collin Cabre

 After an impressive first year with D4D in which he won the season finale at Dover International Speedway and finished in the top 10, the 22-year-old from Tampa will again compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.

Rubén Garcia Jr. 

At age 20, the Mexico City native won four races in the NASCAR Mexico Series en route to his first NASCAR championship. He brings his talents to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East for his rookie season with Rev Racing.

Jairo Avila

The 20-year-old Colombian-American from Alhambra, California, made his NASCAR K&N Pro Series West debut in 2014 and achieved four top-10 finishes in five starts with his family-run team. He will compete in the K&N Pro Series East.

Ali Kern

The 22-year-old from Fremont, Ohio, had her best NASCAR D4D Combine last year after turning in strong performances in previous combine events. A second-place finisher in the ARCA/CRA Super Series, Kern will compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.

Enrique Baca

Following an impressive showing at the Combine, Baca, 24, will race in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Baca is from Monterrey, Mexico, and competed in his native country’s Super Copa Telcel series in 2015.

Juan Garcia

Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Garcia, 18, earned the 2015 Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award for his competitiveness in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. He will return to the series with Rev Racing following a strong performance at the Combine last fall. 

Under Rev Racing owner and CEO Max Siegel’s leadership, NASCAR D4D aligns drivers with a team of executives, athletic directors, crew chiefs and mentors tasked with helping drivers achieve career successes; thus, improving their goal of reaching one of NASCAR's three national series.

“This year's NASCAR Drive for Diversity class is so talented. We are excited to get the season started, to develop and showcase the drivers’ abilities to our fans and partners,” Siegel said. “Our ultimate goal is to prepare these minority and female drivers for the national series. Every year presents new opportunities for growth and we look forward to carrying over last season’s momentum into 2016.”

Since it began fielding D4D cars in 2010, Rev Racing has been the most consistent team in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, registering 17 total wins with six different drivers and at least one victory in each season. The 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season opener will take place on Feb. 14 at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where Rev Racing scored a win with Suárez in 2014.

The 2015 NASCAR season featured a series of firsts and milestones for D4D alumni. Suárez and Wallace Jr. were in close contention to win Sunoco Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, with Suárez becoming the first Mexican driver to earn top rookie honors.

In 2015, more than 25 graduates of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program, also run by Rev Racing, pitted for national series teams. Mike Russell, jackman for the No. 60 Roush Fenway Racing team in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, became the first African-American D4D graduate to win a national series championship.

NASCAR Media Release 

Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/NASCAR via Getty Images 

2015 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Youth Combine

For its 5th consecutive year, the NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) Combine will take place in Hampton. A NASCAR-sanctioned initiative, the success of the Drive for Diversity Combine is largely contributed to the support of its partners and year-round sponsors.

D4D partner, Langley Speedway, will host the combine, drivers and officials on October 19th – October 21st. Langley Speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned track that hosts more than fifty percent of Rev Racing’s Whelen All-American Series races throughout the year. The track currently hosts 11 divisions which alternate running during their Saturday night program: Late Models, Grand Stock, Modifieds, K&N Pro Series East, Legend Cars, Super Street, UCAR, Pro Six, Super Trucks, HRKC Pro Winged Champ Karts, Bandoleros, Enduros, and the Whelen Southern Modified Tour.

In addition to the on-track performance evaluations that will take place at Langley Speedway, the participants will be evaluated on physical fitness conducted by pit crew coach Phil Horton at Hampton University.

“Langley Speedway is pleased to continue their relationship with NASCAR Drive for Diversity and Rev Racing for the fifth consecutive year,” said Bill Mullis, owner of Langley Speedway. “We again welcome the opportunity to partner with the City of Hampton and Hampton University to showcase these stars of tomorrow,”

Rev Racing’s partnership with Hampton University has extended outside just the use of their facilities. Management at Rev Racing has worked year-round with students in the sports management program as well as the school of business at Hampton. Students and faculty have worked jointly with Rev Racing on research projects, strategies and distribution tactics of the team’s social media platform.

Rev Racing and #NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program Announce Driver Combine

Each year NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity initiative and its competition arm, Rev Racing, seek to obtain the highest quality of applicants representing the most diverse backgrounds and develop them into successful NASCAR drivers. This selection process begins with the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine.

This year’s application process will open May 15. The application process will close for submission on August 15, 2014.

Drivers who already participate in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program and are demonstrating progress, though a combination of consistent top finishes in their respective series and positive evaluations, may be offered the opportunity to continue in the program without participating in an additional Combine.

“I am very excited to see this year’s class. Each year, we have seen the applicant pool grow with experience and talented drivers. This class should be no different,” said Max Siegel, Rev Racing team owner.

Potential drivers can access the participant application at revracing.net/combine-application. Additional information and criteria can be found on supplied link. Additional support and technical assistance for the application process can be found by emailing info@revracing.net. Please allow for a 24-hour turn around response.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet the following requirements: Between the ages of 15 and 26 (as of October 15, 2014)

• A U.S. citizen or resident alien

• Legally allowed to work in the US

• A member of one of the following ethnic minorities classifications:

African-Americans: Having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa

Asian-Indian Americans: Having origins in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh 

Asian-Pacific Americans: Origins are from Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas

Hispanics: Having Hispanic heritage from any of the Spanish-speaking areas of Latin America or the following regions: Mexico, Central America, and South America (including Brazil) and the Caribbean basin.

Native Americans: Persons who are American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian, and regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be a part. Native Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band or otherwise organized group of native people who are indigenous to the United States.

OR

A female of U.S citizenship (or resident alien)

• All drivers must demonstrate their skill and have experience in grassroots/local/regional racing

@NASCARDiversity Selects 2014 Class (#kneast)

NASCAR And Rev Racing Name Six Promising Drivers To Team

Jay Beasely (top left), Devon Amos (top center), Paige Decker (top right),
Sergio Peña (bottom right), Daniel Suarez (bottom left), and
Ryan Gifford (bottom center)  (Getty Images for NASCAR)

NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D), the leading youth development program for multicultural and female drivers, will head into the 2014 season with one of the most well-rounded and accomplished rosters in program history.

The 2014 class is led by Daniel Suarez, who contended for two NASCAR touring series championships last year, and Ryan Gifford, who is coming off a successful 2013 that saw him earn his first NASCAR win and make his NASCAR national series debut. They will be joined by a group of talented newcomers looking to make their mark in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

“NASCAR is committed to providing training, competition experience and mentoring to drivers who without a doubt demonstrate the potential to compete at the highest levels of our sport through the academy-style program,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR vice president of public affairs and multicultural development. “We look forward to another successful racing season with the Drive for Diversity team.”

In addition to Suarez and Gifford, Sergio Peña returns to the program in which he earned three wins and finished fifth in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East points in 2011. They’ll be joined in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series ranks by Jay Beasley. Beasley won the 2013 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model track championship at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the series’ Nevada championship.

Devon Amos, who drove with Rev Racing’s Legends program last year, and Paige Decker will compete for the team in Late Models in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

“Our goal is to keep building upon our successes with every new class we select,” said Max Siegel, CEO of Rev Racing. “We are excited with the momentum built in 2013 with several D4D career milestones. This year’s class has a tough job ahead of them and we look forward to providing them with all the tools necessary to reach individual and collective successes across the board.”

D4D saw one the strongest pool of applicants the program has ever seen this year. Nearly 100 drivers, representing 14 states and Mexico, applied for an opportunity to try out for a spot with Rev Racing at the annual D4D Combine – a three-day tryout where drivers’ undergo physical assessments and are evaluated on on-track abilities by executives across the industry.

In 2013, D4D saw the impressive rise of graduates Kyle Larson and Darrell Wallace Jr. Wallace became the first African-American to win a national series victory in nearly 50 years at Martinsville in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. And Larson, whose meteoric rise through the ranks solidified D4D as a driving powerhouse for developmental athletes at NASCAR, earned the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award in the NASCAR Nationwide Series as well as became the first D4D participant to secure a full-time ride in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Larson was also the first D4D driver to secure a national series victory.

Rev Racing drivers in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series include:

Daniel Suárez: The Monterrey, Mexico, native is a member of the NASCAR Next program and joins Rev Racing for the second season. The 22-year-old finished third in the 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship standings and was the championship runner-up in the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series in 2013. He recorded his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East win last July at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway.

Ryan Gifford: Another member of the NASCAR Next program, the 24-year-old from Winchester, Tenn., garnered his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East win last season at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. In 2010 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, he became the first African-American driver to win a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East pole position. Additionally, he made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut last August at Iowa Speedway, finishing ninth driving for Richard Childress Racing.

Jay Beasley: This 21-year-old from Las Vegas won the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model track championship at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the series’ Nevada championship on the strength of eight victories in 14 starts. He also earned the 2013 Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award as a result of his early success on the track.

Sergio Peña: With three career NASCAR K&N Pro Series East wins to his credit, the 21-year-old from Winchester, Va., has a pair of top-10 finishes in points for 2011-12 while collecting 19 top 10s in 39 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East career starts.

Drivers competing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series include:

Paige Decker: From Eagle River, Wis., the 20-year-old driver competed in her Super Late Model at tracks throughout the Midwest.

Devon Amos: Competing mostly in a Legends car in 2013, the 22-year-old from Rio Rancho, N.M., scored a seventh-place finish in his stock car debut last summer at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East kicks off its 2014 season at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 16. Two days later, on Tuesday, Feb. 18, the UNOH Battle At The Beach will take place on the .37-mile short track situated on the Superstretch at Daytona International Speedway. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series drivers will compete primarily at Hickory Motor Speedway, where the season is scheduled to get underway on March 8.

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Love K1 Speed

Founded in 2003 in Carlsbad, California, K1 Speed now boost of being the premier karting company in America. Indoor karting has grown into a large industry over the last several years, not only within California, but across the nation. K1 Speed was one of the first companies to bring electric karts and indoor go kart tracks to Southern California, and they have witnessed an explosion in the market.

“The premise behind the creation of K1 Speed was to offer enthusiasts and amateurs alike an authentic and genuine racing experience in a safe, comfortable, accessible and perhaps most importantly, unique environment. Utilizing advanced European electric karts and indoor asphalt tracks, K1 Speed quickly developed a reputation as being fun and exciting, and our growth has been continuous since we first opened our doors. (from their website)”

Since Reef Indy’s cousin, Sofia surpassed the 48” height requirement, Uncle Moses decided it was time for her first trip to K-1 Speed. Sofia had driven a go-kart before; however, this would be the first time she took to the track with fellow racers!

As you can witness from the photos below Ms. Sofia loved her first visit to K1 Speed!

Just like real racing – K1 Speed’s first stop is registration.

Six-Year-Old Sofia is proud to show off her K1 Speed’s Driver’s License.

Opa and Sofia go over both the K1 Speed race flags and track rules.

Opa and Sofia watch Uncle Moses in his first K1 Speed race of the day.

Sofia gears-up in preparation of her first K1 Speed race of the day.

Sofia’s K1 Speed Kart gets foot extender.

Uncle Moses and Sofia discuss her race stats as Opa observes.

Sofia’s first spin out did not detour her racing enthusiasm.

Sofia’s K1 Speed race experience helped her become more race ready.

The end of a perfect K1 Speed experience!

Sofia expressed an interest in K1 Speed's Junior league.   The Junior League is designed for children who are 4′ to 4’9″ in height. The five-month series is affordable, safe and accessible, and is intended to serve as an introduction to racing.

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As a blogger, integrity is one of the most valuable commodities NASCAR Race Mom possesses. Therefore, reviews will contain both positive and negative aspects as is appropriate. To put it in a simpler manner, this review is meant to help my readers (editorial) more than to help a brand (advertising).

This review was done without compensation.