Drivers

What is the Driver Development Program?

The Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program supports drivers in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. The program is designed to give minority and female drivers the opportunity to compete with a NASCAR team. Since its inception in 2004, the program has supported over 30 different drivers in NASCAR’s grassroots series.

What does the Driver Development Program do?

The program does the following:

• Provides driving opportunities for minority and female participants with an established race team in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
• Seeks opportunities for program graduates to advance within various NASCAR series
• Provides media training and marketing guidance to developing drivers
• Exposes participating drivers to media opportunities outside of the sport

How are drivers selected for the Driver Development Program?

Interested drivers are invited to apply for the Driver Development Program each year. An open application period is typically held from June through August. A panel of motorsports experts reviews application materials submitted from interested drivers and selects drivers to showcase their talent in front of NASCAR executives and team owners at the annual Testing & Evaluation Combine.

What is Drive for Diversity looking for in a driver?

Drive for Diversity is looking for marketable minority and female drivers with racing experience at the grassroots level. Drivers invited to attend the Combine have had experience competing on asphalt or dirt in go-karts, sprint cars, legends cars and/or stock cars (late model, modified, super stock, etc). Over 200 drivers submitted applications to participate in the program for the 2010 race season. Just 30 of those drivers were selected to take part in the Testing & Evaluation Combine held in October 2009. At the Combine, drivers were evaluated on their on-track performance and off-track interactions with sponsors and media.

How many drivers get picked for the program?

Ten drivers will be selected to compete with Revolution Racing in either the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East or the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series for the 2010 season.

Is the program successful?

The Driver Development Program creates meaningful opportunities for minorities and females to compete in NASCAR’s developmental series. Since its inception in 2004, 31 drivers have competed for the Drive for Dviersity program, winning a total of 34 races.