Motovicity Distribution announced the appointment of Jason Wieczorek to the role of Purchasing Manager.
 
“Since joining our purchasing team, Jason has demonstrated an acute understanding of how to effectively inventory and supply the growing product demands of the performance aftermarket,” said Motovicity CEO, Brian Lounsberry. “And, having worked with Jason for more than 10 years, I am confident in his ability to help our customers prosper through his purchasing decisions,” Lounsberry continued.
 
Wieczorek began his career as an inside sales representative with the company in 2007. In 2011, he was promoted to a team lead position within the sales department where he was responsible for coaching his team towards their monthly and annual sales goals.
 
During his time in sales, Jason forged a series of longstanding business relationships with many of the industry’s most esteemed builders, fabricators, dealers and manufacturers. In 2016, Wieczorek leveraged his industry expertise and shifted his career to a brand manager position within Motovicity’s purchasing department, while also attaining a seat on the SEMA Young Executive’s Network Select Committee.
 
In his newest role as Motovicity’s Purchasing Manager, Wieczorek is responsible for managing the company’s current inventory of 180+ brands, the addition of new brands, as well as cultivating key relationships with manufacturers.
 
When asked about his new role, Wieczorek said, “I look forward to taking the same relationship- focused approach that I have utilized throughout my career, to continue strengthening the relationships that Motovicity has established over the last 15 years.” Jason continued, “Offering the greatest product selection for our customers by continuing to partner with the best brands in our industry will be my key focus.”

The 23rd annual HOT ROD Power Tour returns in 2017 with exciting new features for auto enthusiasts worldwide, as the highly anticipated seven-day, seven-city journey is expected to bring together more than 6000 vehicles and 100,000-plus spectators from June 10-16, 2017. Those interested in joining the excitement can register now at Hotrod.com/events.

Presented by Chevrolet Performance and driven by Continental Tire, HOT ROD Power Tour is a high-end hot rod-based automotive tour, bringing to life the pages of HOT ROD magazine as performance car lovers join HOT ROD editors and photographers cruising through small town America.

Enthusiasts from around the world celebrate as HOT ROD Power Tour welcomes all makes and models of hot rods, street rods, custom trucks, muscle cars, and performance machines of every vintage and nameplate. Those who travel from start to finish are considered the “Long Haulers,” a title they proudly boast. The 2017 HOT ROD Power Tour anticipates more than 2100 long-haul vehicles and more than 3500 “Long Haulers” on tour.

“HOT ROD Power Tour is the ultimate enthusiast experience,” said HOT ROD Editor-in-Chief Evan Perkins. “It is the ultimate amalgamation of vehicle brands, styles, and eras; one week of non-stop gearhead glory on some of the coolest roads the country has to offer.”

The 2017 HOT ROD Power Tour will kick off on Saturday, June 10 in Kansas City (venue TBA) and roll through seven cities over the course of seven days.

Following the kick-off event in Kansas City on June 10, additional Power Tour stops will include:
    •    Sunday, June 11: Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa
    •    Monday, June 12: Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport, Iowa
    •    Tuesday, June 13: University of Illinois (State Farm Center) in Champaign, Illinois
    •    Wednesday, June 14: Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois
    •    Thursday, June 15: Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Indiana
    •    FINALE EVENT on Friday, June 16: Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport in Bowling Green, Kentucky

At each stop, the 23rd annual HOT ROD Power Tour will feature a colorful midway of mobile display rigs from more than 50 performance manufacturers and aftermarket specialists with opportunities to view the latest innovations and get expert advice. The main stage will feature entertainment, celebrities, games, and dozens of giveaways. Select locations will also feature Drag Strip Fun Runs and Autocross action.

The HOT ROD Power Tour brings significant impact to the economies of each of its tour stops. Hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars play host to tour participants who are relaxed and enjoying the lifestyle of the ultimate hot rodding journey. The HOT ROD Power Tour annually attracts participants from around the world who plan for months or even years to make the trip, and they come prepared to make each stop a memorable experience.

Participants may register a vehicle for just one day, two days, or the entire event. Vehicle registration is open to any year, make, or model. Pre-registration is available now through June 1 online at Hotrod.com/events. Pricing is as follows:
    •    Multi-day pre-registration: $119/on-site registration: $150
*Includes vehicle entry at all venues, two credentials, one goody bag, Motor Trend OnDemand for 2 months, and a free Hot Rod magazine T-shirt!
    •    Single day pre-registration: $50/on-site registration: $60
*Includes vehicle entry at one venue, exclusive license plate, and Motor Trend OnDemand for 2 months.

The HOT ROD Power Tour is also open to spectators at no cost.

For more information, follow the HOT ROD Power Tour at hotrod.com, Facebook, Twitter, email powertour@hotrod.com, or call 310-363-4231.

For hotel information, contact Motor Sports Travel Service at motorsportstravelservice.com, 310-906-6194 or motorsportstravel@gmail.com. For vendor booth information, contact Martha Carrasco at 949-705-3135 or mcarrasco@enthusiastnetwork.com.

Gulf Racing Fuels announced that the Powerboat Nationals championship powerboat racing series and Gulf Racing Fuels has teamed up in a multi-year agreement, with the latter as a title sponsor.

The announcement was made at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show. Beginning in 2017, the Powerboat Nationals Top Formula class series will be known as "Gulf Cup Series." Gulf Racing Fuels will be the official fuel for all Powerboat Nationals "Gulf Cup Series" events. Gulf will provide track-side fuel delivery of Gulf’s MARINE ethanol-free gasoline.

The races will be held at iconic watersports locations such as Huntington and Ravenswood, West Virginia; Rising Sun, Indiana; Shreveport, Lousiana; Saskatoon, Canada and two new venues yet to be released.

Dan Bunting, President of Powerboat Nationals, Columbus, Ohio, said, "It's great to have Gulf Racing Fuels back onboard for our 2017 season. In 2016, we presented Gulf Racing Fuels to our race teams and asked them to do some testing and give us feedback. The feedback was so good that Powerboat Nationals has designated Gulf's Marine Racing Fuel as our Official Spec Fuel."

"Gulf has a very strong history in powerboat racing and it's an honor to partner, and bring them back into boat racing after nearly 40 years out of the sport. For 35 years, from 1939 to 1973, the best of the best APBA (American Power Boat Association) drivers were inducted into the Gulf Marine Hall of Fame each year. Due to the 1973 oil embargo, Gulf announced that it would be their last year as a sponsor. Now, the legend is back," Bunting said.

Gulf Racing Fuels pilot Steve Merleau appeared at the Gulf Racing Fuels exhibit at the PRI show in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Jeff Farmer, Vice President of Marketing of Gulf Racing, said, “This is such an exciting development! Reconnecting Gulf to powerboats and returning to our history with the Gulf Cup is something we’ve been working on for some time and are very proud.”

The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) announced that, for the first time ever, America’s vintage racing organization will host a hill climb near the historic “Tail of the Dragon,” one of the most heavily traveled sport bike and car enthusiast roads in America.

Called “Slaying the Dragon,” the new event will take place on one of the safest competition hill climb roads in America.

The exact course has yet to be defined but will be a portion of Joyce Kilmer Park’s 4.2-mile Maple Gap Road located in the area of Robbinsville, North Carolina. Like the legendary “Tail of the Dragon” just 11 miles away, this road presents a daunting array of curves that challenge even the most daring and skilled motorists.

Unlike the better-known stretch of pavement, Maple Gap is lined with guardrails and earthen walls that protect drivers and prevent cars from plunging down slopes. It has a long history of safe, successful sports car hill climb competitions. The innovative event is a late addition to the SVRA’s 2017 schedule and will take place October 6-8.

“Adventurous thrill-seekers have been drawn to this region’s roads for over 100 years, so it’s packed with history and heroic tales,” said Tony Parella, SVRA president and CEO. “We’re always looking to provide our drivers with exciting experiences and challenges. A hill climb conducted on public roads brings wonderful diversity to our schedule.”

Nestled in the area of North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest, Maple Gap’s twisting curves, blind sweepers, switchbacks, and varying running surfaces demand respect. SVRA officials expect the final course to present a mix of high-speed and tight, slow curves with steady elevation.

The Slaying the Dragon weekend will remain true to the SVRA’s festival brand reputation for motorsports events, according to the sanctioning body. Look for a variety of amusing activities with an abundance of images and models of dragons integrated with mountain culture well known for artistic expression as well as entertainment.

“Involving the community is not just important to the success of the event, but also to create opportunity for a region that experienced unemployment as high as 14% over the last year,” said Slaying the Dragon Hill Climb Director Ted Theodore. “This kind of event attracts thousands of spectators and participants from outside the area. That means an important, positive economic impact.”


Theodore, who has served as event director for seven sports car hill climb competitions, works for the win-win with the local community. Involving citizens in a family-friendly celebration creates fun and financial support. SVRA plans to work with area high schools to develop fund raising programs and involve students in fun and meaningful roles supporting the event. Local vendors also have opportunities to market their wares and services.

Theodore’s experience is essential to matters of a more immediately serious nature as well, such as emergency response teams. The team he has assembled has a detailed, proven plan for rapid response with Emergency Medical Service teams who have ambulances with airlift readily available if necessary.

“This is one event I will absolutely compete in, and I want to win,” Parella added. “This is truly a driver’s course, hugely challenging. I can’t tell you how excited I am to provide this for our drivers, teams and car owners. I include myself in that number. I can’t wait to take my Corvette roadster through those curves!”

After a nearly two-decade hiatus, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and ESPN have signed a multi-year agreement for the sports television company to resume its partnership with the IHRA. The agreement is effective immediately; broadcasts begin when the 2017 IHRA Drag Racing season opens Feb. 3-5 at Immokalee Regional Raceway in Immokalee, Florida.

ESPN will broadcast more than 200 hours of the 2017 IHRA Summit Sportsman National Championship via ESPN3, ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network. ESPN3 will stream as much as eight continuous hours of each event’s eliminations from 13 race weekends. Broadcasts will include on-track action, interviews, reports from the pits, features and more starting with this weekend’s event near Fort Myers, Florida. IHRA Drag Racing last appeared on one of the ESPN networks in 1999.

"This is a landmark opportunity for the IHRA to further advance its plans for all stakeholders in the Sportsman Racing Division,” said Chris Lencheski, vice chairman and CEO of IRGSE, the parent company of the IHRA. “This agreement highlights our sportsman racers and positions us to move into 2018 with a tremendous partner for our professional racing series with significant momentum behind the IHRA, its teams, tracks and sponsors.”

“We’re always looking for ways to serve sports fans and are very pleased to be able to offer IHRA racing to our viewers through streaming on ESPN3,” said Dan Ochs, ESPN Director Content Strategy & Acquisitions. “IHRA and ESPN have a history dating back to the 90’s, and it’s great to bring them back.”

This unprecedented agreement to cover sportsman racing in 2017 is a harbinger of things to come. When IHRA Drag Racing’s professional series resumes in 2018, the agreement will cover the professional IHRA national events in addition to the IHRA Summit Sportsman National Championship.  

“This announcement is really excellent news for the IHRA, our competitors and our sponsors,” IHRA president Mike Dunn said. “We’ve been working on this agreement for a long, long time, and it’s great to be able to make the announcement today – it’s a game changer. With ESPN’s help, we’re able to spotlight our sportsman racers like never before, and next year, we’ll add the professional component into the mix when our professional national events return. On a personal note, it’s gratifying for me to resume my 14-year relationship with ESPN.”

ESPN3 is a destination that delivers thousands of exclusive sports events annually. It is accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected devices through WatchESPN. The network is currently available nationwide at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider. It is also available at no cost to U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers, smartphones and tablets connected to on-campus educational and on-base military broadband and Wi-Fi networks.

“Drag racing belongs on ESPN which is the industry leader in television sports and has enormous reach and promotion power across all its distribution platforms,” Pilson Communications founder and president Neal Pilson said. “IHRA fans will be the main beneficiaries of the ESPN/IHRA partnership.”

The IHRA Summit Sportsman National Championship is a new national championship format for sportsman-class racers that will be determined using points claims from the best seven of the first 10 events in which a driver competes. Racers will accrue points based on a national points system and may race at whatever events they choose regardless of regional boundaries.

The Summit Sportsman National Championship is comprised of 30 races, two per weekend at each venue, on 15 weekends from February through September. On weekends with two venues on the schedule, only one will be available on ESPN3. Telecast times and additional details will be announced later. The 2017 IHRA Summit Sportsman National Championship schedule on ESPN3 is below:

Date/Race Location                                                           
Feb. 4-5/ Immokalee (Fla.) Regional Raceway
Feb. 11-12/ Palm Beach (Fla.) International Raceway
March 4-5/ State Capitol Raceway, Baton Rouge, La.
March 18-19/ San Antonio Raceway, Marion, Texas
March 25-26/ Darlington (S.C.) Dragway
May 6-7/ Maryland International Raceway, Budds Creek, Md.
June 3-4/ State Capitol Raceway, Baton Rouge, La.
June 10-11/ US 131 Motorsports Park, Martin, Mich.
June 24-25/ Piedmont Dragway, Julian, N.C.
July 8-9/ Keystone Raceway Park, New Alexandria, Pa.
Aug. 19-20/ Memphis International Raceway
Sept. 2-3/ Carolina Dragway, Aiken, S.C.
Sept. 23-24/ Dragway 42, West Salem, Ohio

S&W has promoted veteran sales representative, Randy Krause, to the position of car sales & service manager. Krause’s current responsibilities have been expanded upon to include: new race car and shop service quotations, sales and scheduling.

“Due to increasing and unwavering demand, it was time to seek an additional qualified person to assist with managing our car sales growth and service scheduling," S&W’s President, Michael Weney said. “Randy’s 32 years of drag racing experience, combined with his sales expertise and outgoing personality, made him the perfect candidate for the newly formed position. During the past 26 months, I’ve had the pleasure of planning customer car builds again, and look forward to sharing the experience with him. Our group is extremely pleased that Randy answered the call.”

Krause has been a drag racer for most of his life, and an S&W customer long before joining the company in 2008. He has appeared in many final rounds and even won prestigious races, such as, the Race of Champions, twice, and Fun In The Sun Florida tribute to Scott Weney race.

Krause is also a two-time Numidia Dragway track champion. His most recent on-track and personal accomplishment took place at the 2016 NHRA Division 1 Bracket Finals, where he won the Super Pro Championship and his daughter, Kaitlyn, won the High School Challenge Championship. In addition, they were awarded the ET Driver of the Year Award and Image of Youth Award, respectively.

For additional information, please call 1-800-532-3353 and/or visit S&W at www.swracecars.com.

Steve Gioia Jr. has been appointed as the Chief Technical Advisor at the Oswego Speedway. Gioia won a total of 26 Novelia Supermodified main events at the Steel Palace, including the 1976 International Classic and the 1985 Track Championship.

Working with the current Speedway technical team, Gioia will be called upon to interpret and enforce the current 2016-2017 Oswego Speedway Rulebook, along with any amendments sent to teams over the off-season.

A former co-owner of the Speedway from 2004-2010, Gioia is looking forward to once again being involved in his home track.

“The Speedway has been a part of our family for so many years,” said Gioia. “I am glad to be a part of it again and look forward to working with all involved to put our best foot forward in 2017.”

Oswego Speedway Race Director Chuck Handley, who will oversee all competition matters at the Speedway this season, says Gioia will be a great asset.

“We have faith in Steve to keep the best interest of our rules and teams in mind,” said Handley. “Steve and I have always worked well together in the past and I see that continuing in the future. We feel as though we have a progressive plan in place for the future under the ownership of the Torrese family and we’re looking forward to May.”

Part of that plan and structure will be the continued inclusion of Assistant Race Director Craig Tyrrell, who will again work alongside Handley in regards to competition.

Gioia will assume the role of Chief Technical Advisor immediately, fielding any questions or concerns in regards to the 2017 Speedway regulations.

For those in need of Gioia’s contact information, call the Oswego Speedway office at (315) 342-0646.

 For more information on Oswego Speedway, visit line at www.oswegospeedway.com.

The Sports Car Club of America announced that the 2018 SCCA National Championship Runoffs will be held at Sonoma Raceway, Oct. 16-21, 2018. It is the first time the Runoffs will be held at the Northern California facility.
 
“We’re excited to have the Runoffs again head west, continuing the Board of Directors’ initiative to move the event around the country to iconic and challenging racetracks,” SCCA VP and COO Eric Prill said. “With its deep heritage, dramatic setting and inspired layout, Sonoma Raceway is certainly right at home on the list of Runoffs host venues.”
 
With track activity scheduled an average of 340 days a year, Sonoma Raceway is one of North America's most complete and versatile motorsports complexes and home to one of the nation's only high-performance automotive industrial parks. The facility’s first official event at then-Sears Point Raceway was an SCCA Enduro on Dec. 1, 1968.
 
"In 2018, Sonoma Raceway will kick off its 50th anniversary year and will be very proud to feature the premier event in amateur road racing as part of that celebration,” said Steve Page, president and general manager of Sonoma Raceway. “We look forward to welcoming the SCCA community and the nation's best racers to the beautiful Sonoma Valley next year."
 
At the suggestion of participants, the 2018 Runoffs, including testing, qualifying and racing, will be shortened overall by two days from the 2015-2017 events. Paved paddock space is limited, so additional lots around the track will be utilized. A pre-reserved system for assigning paddock spots will be utilized just as it has been since the 2015 Runoffs at Daytona International Speedway.
 
Use of the circuit’s Carousel and Esses are expected, but the specific track layout has yet to be finalized for the 2018 Runoffs at Sonoma Raceway. However, the venue is undoubtedly a fantastic site for both racing and spectating.
 
The SCCA Runoffs has evolved into what is now commonly agreed to be the pinnacle of American motorsports. Since 1964, the SCCA has crowned Club Racing National Champions at the winner-take-all, single race Runoffs format through dozens of separate races over three days. As host of the 55th Runoffs in 2018, Sonoma Raceway will become the third California track to host the SCCA’s National Championship, joining Riverside International Raceway and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
 
While the SCCA looks forward to the 2018 Runoffs at Sonoma Raceway, racers are currently eyeing the 2017 Runoffs to be held Sept. 25-Oct. 1 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana. The layout at Indianapolis will be an exciting 15-turn challenge running 2.592 miles in a clockwise direction. The configuration includes portions of the track previously utilized by Formula One for the U.S. Grand Prix and currently used by the Verizon IndyCar Series for the Grand Prix of Indianapolis.

The Road Racing Drivers Club presented three awards at the annual RRDC members’ dinner at Daytona International Speedway, preceding the running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the season opener of the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

One of the honors presented was the Phil Hill Award, awarded to former racer and race team owner Chip Ganassi. RRDC President Bobby Rahal presented the award to Ganassi.  

The Phil Hill Award has been given out annually since 1993 to the person who the RRDC feels has rendered outstanding service to road racing. The recipient may be a driver, entrant or outstanding member of a sanctioning body.

The award is in honor of America’s first Formula 1 World Champion (in 1961), and is not only a tribute to his skilful accomplishments on the race track, it also recognizes his contributions as a great ambassador for the sport. Hill passed away in 2008.

Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for more than 30 years. Today his teams include two cars in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, two cars in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, four cars in the Verizon IndyCar Series, two cars in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and two cars in the FIA World Endurance Championship. In 2012, Complex Magazine named Ganassi as one of the “50 most influential people in the Auto Industry."

“Phil Hill represented everything that was great about the American spirit internationally,” said Rahal. “He was the first US Formula 1 champion and multi-time winner of Le Mans. He was a gentleman in the finest sense of the word.

"He was very much a class guy, and he let his driving speak for him. He wasn't a braggart. He just did his thing and he won a lot of races, including Le Mans in the '50s and '60s. He drove for Chaparral, and pretty much did it all.

"We think the Phil Hill Award represents something that's very special in motorsport. And Chip Ganassi clearly lives up to that example. He is indeed a worthy recipient of the Phil Hill Award."

Another one of the awards given at RRDC’s annual dinner was the Mark Donohue Award, awarded to 15-year-old high-school student Neil Verhagen.

Verhagen, who had been previously announced as the award winner, earned the honor for his dominating performance at the SCCA National Runoffs in 2016 to win the competitive Formula F class. He accepted the unique trophy from RRDC members Don Knowles, Dorsey Schroeder and David Donohue, Mark's son.

The trophy, an engraved glass top mounted on a special, racing-experienced wheel, was provided by RRDC member Roger Penske and Team Penske. It came from the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford driven by Joey Logano at the Nov. 13, 2016, Phoenix NASCAR race, where he shredded the tire performing a victory burnout.

"Neil Verhagen is a superstar," said Schroeder, of the young driver who was also named to the Red Bull Junior team this month. "He is a record setter and in doing so he is a record breaker. Quite an interesting young man at a very young age. He's raced one-third of his entire existence on this planet.

"He topped the sheets throughout the Runoffs weekend, and had a pretty good feel for the car. He's a thinking driver."

The last award given at the RRDC annual dinner was the Bob Akin Award, granted to event promoter and collector and driver of historic race cars, Murray Smith.

This honor is considered the top award in motorsports for amateur, vintage/historic or semi-professional drivers. Smith was presented the Bob Akin Award by Urciuoli, Bobby Akin and Rahal.

The distinctive trophy was conceived by the RRDC in 2003 to honor the memory of longtime RRDC member and past president Bob Akin, who lost his life in a racing accident in 2002.

The trophy, designed by Steuben Glass in Corning, N.Y., is given to a driver who best shows the extraordinary qualities and characteristics that Akin represented, including a passion for motorsports and automobiles, a high level of sportsmanship and fair play, and who has contributed to the sport of motor racing and the community at large.

The primary award, etched with the names of the recipients, is on display year-round at the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, N.Y. Each honoree receives a smaller replica.

His most significant contributions to amateur motorsports have been in the areas of event promotion. He has worked with Chrysler and Rolex supporting events at various US and international tracks, and helped organize the Louis Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center and the Lime Rock Historic Festival, now in its 35th year. He is one of the sport’s leading masters of ceremonies at various events honoring historically prominent race-car drivers.

Smith has also has served on the motorsports committee of Chrysler to develop the Viper GTSR, on the FIA Formula 1 Commission, and as Chairman of BMP, the organizer of the British Touring Car, Formula Three and Motorcycle Racing Championships.

"The winner of this year's award I've known pretty much all of my life," said Akin. "I remember at an early age at Lime Rock asking my dad, Who's that scrappy guy with the funny accent?

"One thing that that scrappy guy had, I learned over many years, was a passion for motorsport, specifically for Le Mans, for sports cars, for historic racing and driving. Not to date him, but our winner has been driving at the top end of vintage and historic racing pretty much since the beginning of historic and vintage racing, or at least the '70s.

"His passion and his gift for marketing and promotion came when he was a top executive at a massive advertising company, and he's dedicated much of his life to bringing attention to road racing. He worked for many years with Steve Earle at the Monterey (Calif.) Historics, and at Lime Rock (Conn.), and that continues today. He helped guide Rolex, and Chrysler as part of the committee that brought the original Viper to road racing, and other world-class brands to see the value in road racing.

"He has played a big part in the growth of the sport that we all love and that he loves so much."

The Road Racing Drivers Club, formed in 1952 to give champion drivers a say in their sport, particularly in the areas of safety, has evolved to serve the future of road racing by mentoring new drivers on both amateur and professional levels. The Club’s membership includes leading industry professionals, race officials and motorsports journalists, as well as prominent racing names.

The RRDC presents three annual awards: the Phil Hill Award, the Mark Donohue Award, and the Bob Akin Award, and supports the Team USA Scholarship, which has assisted young Americans in the early stages of their careers since 1990.

Membership in the RRDC is by invitation only. For more information, visit www.rrdc.org.

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.