Drive for Diversity

The Drive for Diversity program is a development system instituted by NASCAR in 2004 in order to attract minorities and women to the sport in positions such as ownership, driving and crew members. Before an applicant is accepted into the program, their resumes are checked by NASCAR officials. The system is similar to the driver development program where applicants slowly progresses through minor-league racing organizations. This program came about during the 2004 season by NASCAR marketing executives in order to attract minority fans and drivers to the sport.

Contents

2011 roster

  1. Jorge Arteaga - Whelen All-American
  2. Mackena Bell - Whelen All-American
  3. Jessica Brunelli - Whelen All-American, ran four K & N West races in 2011
  4. Michael Cherry - K&N Pro Series East, 14th in points
  5. Trey Gibson - Whelen All-American
  6. Ryan Gifford - K&N Pro Series East, tenth in points
  7. Tayla Orleans - Whelen All-American
  8. Bryan Ortiz - Whelen All-American
  9. Sergio Pena - K&N Pro Series East - Won races at South Boston, Hampton, and Greenville, fifth in series points
  10. Darrell Wallace, Jr. - K&N Pro Series East - Won at Richmond International Raceway, Columbus, and Dover International Speedway; pole positions at South Boston, Loudon, and Dover, second in series points

Past drivers

2010

  1. Mackena Bell - K&N Pro Series East
  2. Jessica Brunelli - Whelen All-American Series
  3. Michael Cherry - Whelen All-American Series
  4. Ryan Gifford - K&N Pro Series East - First African-American to win a pole position in series (June 6 at Martinsville Speedway)
  5. Katie Hagar - Whelen All-American Series
  6. Paul Harraka - K&N Pro Series West
  7. Rebecca Kasten - Whelen All-American Series
  8. Sergio Pena - K&N Pro Series East
  9. Megan Reitenour - Whelen All-American Series
  10. Jason Romero - Whelen All-American Series
  11. Darrell Wallace, Jr. - K&N Pro Series East - In March 2010, he won the race at Greenville-Pickens Speedway and became the first African-American and the youngest driver to win in the series. [1] He also won the Lee USA Speedway event in July. Overall, Wallace finished third in points and earned series Rookie of the Year honors [2]. Per NASCAR rules, Wallace will not be eligible to compete in a national touring series event until October 18, 2011.

2009

  1. Mackena Bell
  2. Kristin Bumbera
  3. Michael Cherry
  4. Jonathan Gomez
  5. Katie Hagar
  6. Paul Harraka - The first member to win a race in a NASCAR regional touring series event (Camping World West Series event at Colorado National Speedway in August 2009) [3]. He won the September event at All-American Speedway en route to series Rookie of the Year honors and fourth in the standings.
  7. Laura Hayes
  8. Juan Pitts
  9. Megan Reitenour
  10. Natalie Sather
  11. Jonathan Smith
  12. Emily Sue Steck

2008

  1. Kristin Bumbera
  2. Michael Cherry
  3. Michael Gallegos
  4. Paul Harraka
  5. Jesus Hernandez
  6. Lindsey King
  7. Lloyd Mack
  8. Jonathan Smith

2007

  1. Michael Gallegos
  2. Paul Harraka
  3. Jessica Helberg
  4. Jesus Hernandez
  5. Peter Hernandez
  6. Lloyd Mack
  7. Jonathan Smith

2006

  1. Chris Bristol
  2. Brianne Cronrath
  3. Marc Davis
  4. Allison Duncan
  5. Paul Harraka
  6. Jessica Helberg
  7. Jesus Hernandez
  8. Peter Hernandez

2005

  1. Brianne Cronrath
  2. Allison Duncan
  3. Sarah Fisher
  4. Michael Gallegos
  5. Joe Henderson III
  6. Jesus Hernandez
  7. Tommy Lane
  8. Terri Williams

2004

  1. Morty Buckles
  2. Bruce Driver
  3. Allison Duncan
  4. Joe Henderson III
  5. Reggie Primus

Invited drivers by year

2004- at Hickory Motorspeedway--First Class 18 total

  1. Morty Buckles
  2. Bruce Driver
  3. Allison Duncan
  4. Joe Henderson III
  5. Reggie Primus
  6. Darin Martinez-Stahl
  7. Ricky Gonzalez
  8. Tommy Lane
  9. Sondie Eden
  10. Woody Pitkat
  11. Reggie Primus

Teams currently involved in the Drive for Diversity

Former minority-owned teams

See also

External links