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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY PROGRAM TO HOST TWENTY-FOUR
CANDIDATES AT THE 2007 DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY TESTING & EVALUATION
COMBINE CHARLOTTE,
N.C. (October 3, 2007) – Twenty-four drivers from different forms of racing all over the country
will showcase their skills in front of NASCAR team owners at the
fifth annual Drive for Diversity Testing & Evaluation Combine
October 15–16 at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Va. This
year’s candidates were selected from more than 200 applicants from
across the United States. “The number of minority and female drivers
interested in participating in the Drive for Diversity program continues
to grow each year in both quantity and quality,” said Malcolm Calhoun,
vice president of Access Marketing & Communications, which runs the
Drive for Diversity Program. “Our partnership with NASCAR allows us to
provide these up-and-coming drivers the opportunity to showcase their
talent and dedication to motorsports.” Since the creation of the Drive for Diversity
program in 2004, 17 competitors who are minorities or women have driven
in NASCAR’s developmental series, winning 11 races. The 24 drivers participating in the Combine,
including the seven members of the 2007 Drive for Diversity class, will
participate in on- and off-track evaluation. The on-track session will
be conducted in NASCAR Grand National Division cars and will include
testing, qualifying laps and intermediate runs. Drive for Diversity
affiliated team owners will select eight drivers to compete for their
teams in 2008 in either the NASCAR Grand National Division or the NASCAR
Whelen All-American Series. Four
drivers will compete in each series. The following drivers will participate in the 2007
Drive for Diversity Testing & Evaluation Combine:
About the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series is NASCAR’s
national championship program for short-track racing. Connecticut-based
Whelen Engineering, a leading manufacturer of automotive, aviation,
industrial and emergency vehicle lighting is the series sponsor. More
than 10,000 drivers compete at 49 NASCAR sanctioned short tracks
throughout the U.S. and Canada. The local racing program was founded in 1982. Since
its inception, the series has been a successful starting point for the
careers of many top drivers. NASCAR stars Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer,
Jeff Burton, Kurt and Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards,
Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Bobby Labonte, Jamie McMurray, Elliott
Sadler and Brian Vickers all began their careers in this series. * more * About the NASCAR Grand National Division The NASCAR Grand National Division is compiled of
the NASCAR West Series and the East Series. This division represents
NASCAR’s top regional touring series, where competitors will refine
their skills before making the jump to one of NASCAR’s three national
series. Many of today’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup stars trace their roots to
the Grand National Division, including drivers David Gilliland (2004
West Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year), Kevin Harvick (1998 West Series
champion), and Martin Truex Jr. (East Series), and crew chief Greg
Zipadelli (1997 East Series champion crew chief). About Drive for Diversity The Drive for Diversity Program, run by Access
Marketing & Communications, seeks to develop minority and female
drivers in the NASCAR Grand National Division and NASCAR Whelen
All-American Series. Drive for Diversity also supports 12 crew member
trainees each year. The Drive
for Diversity Program is committed to supporting and enhancing diversity
in all aspects of motorsports. The goal is to foster an environment that
enables people from diverse backgrounds to participate in all levels and
capacities of NASCAR. Much of the success of the Drive for
Diversity initiative is a result of support from key sponsors and
involved team owners. Contact:
Michelle Langley
Access Marketing & Communications
Phone: 704.998.6008 E-mail:
michellelangley@drivefordiversity.com ***
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