Development Drivers News and Links Page
Development drivers linked with Sprint Cup, Nationwide or Truck Teams
(See news below the driver lists)
(Note: Affiliations listed are what jayski.com has been made aware of)
Sprint Cup Development Driver Affiliations
- Bill Davis Racing [#22,#23,#36]
Michael Annett, ARCA
Bobby Santos, ARCA
- Dale Earnhardt Inc [DEI] [#01,1,#8,#15]
Aric Almirola, Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series
Trevor Bayne, Camping World East, USAR Pro Cup Series
Jeff Earnhardt [Kerry's son], Camping World East Series
Ricky Carmichael, Nationwide, ARCA, Camping World East Series
Jesus Hernandez (Drive for Diversity program),Camping World East Series
Matt Martin, Late Model
- Evernham Motorsports [#9,#10,#19]
Kevin Swindell, USAC
- Ganassi Racing [#40,#41,#42]
Brady Bacon, USAC Sprint Car, Midget Series
Bryan Clauson, Nationwide, Truck Series
- Joe Gibbs Racing [#11,#18,#20]
Marc Davis, Camping World East Series
Joey Logano, ARCA & Nationwide Series
- Haas CNC Racing [#47,#66,#70]
Blake Bjorkland, Truck Series
- Hendrick Motorsports [#5,#24,#48, #88]
Landon Cassill, Nationwide, ARCA Series
- Penske Racing [#2,#12,#77]
Billy Wease, Camping World West, USAC, ARCA Series
- Richard Childress Racing [#07,#29,#31,#33]
Austin Dillon, WoO, Camping World East Series
Ty Dillon, LMS Legends
Ryan Foster, Camping World West Series
Jessica Helberg (Drive for Diversity program), NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
David Mayhew, Camping World West Series
Tim McCreadie, Nationwide, Camping World West Series
- Robert Yates Racing [#28,#38]
Stephen Leicht, Nationwide Series
- Roush Fenway Racing [#6,#16,#17,#26,#50,#99]
Colin Braun, Truck Series
Ricky Stenhouse, ARCA Series
- Michael Waltrip Racing [#00,#44,#55]
Ken Butler III, ARCA Series
Michael McDowell, Nationwide Series
Josh Wise, Nationwide Series
- Wood Brothers/JTG Racing [#21]
Jonathan Cash [5 years deal], Camping World East Series
Keven Wood, Late Models
Nationwide Series Development Driver Affiliations
- CJM Racing [#11]
Ryan Fischer, ARCA Series
- Kevin Harvick Inc. [#33,#77]
Cale Gale, Nationwide, Truck Series
- JR Motorsports [#71,#73,#88]
Richard Boswell, USAR Pro Cup
Brad Keselowski, Nationwide Series
Curtis Truex, Late Models
Scott Young, late Models
- JTG Racing [#20,#47,#59]
Kelly Bires, Nationwide Series
Scott Lagassee, Truck Series
Coleman Pressley, ARCA, Late Model
- Rusty Wallace, Incorporated [#66]
Chase Austin, Nationwide, ARCA Series
- Team Rensi [#25,#35]
Chad Finley, ASA Late Model Series Northern Division
- Spraker Racing Enterprises
Peter Hernandez (Drive for Diversity program), NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
- STAR Motorsports [#06]
Brianne Cronrath, Whelen All American Late Model
Jorge Goeters, Nationwide Series
Lloyd Mack (Drive for Diversity program), Camping World West Series
Truck Series Development Driver Affiliations
- Billy Ballew Motorsports [#15,#51]
J.R. Norris
- Germain Racing [#30,#7,#9,#03]
Chrissy Wallace, ARCA & Truck Series
- Key Motorsports
Dustin Skinner, Truck Series
- Stroupe becomes youngest PASS Super Late Model winner: SPEED broadcaster Bob Dillner's short track development team, BDI Racing, and its driver Zach Stroupe made history on Saturday, May 10th, when the 15-year-old racer became the youngest-ever winner in Pro All Stars Series(PASS) Super Late Model history. Stroupe, in the MAC Tools #51Chevy Impala SS, qualified on the outside pole, started fifth after the re-draw, and quickly worked his way to the lead that he kept for much of the "Mom 150" PASS South event at Motor Mile Speedway in Virginia. Stroupe took the lead for the final time with 31 laps remaining and had to hold off the charges of the all-time PASS South wins leader Corey Williams and NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader Kyle Busch's development driver Alex Haase for the victory.(BDI Racing PR)(5-12-2008)
- Stenhouse scores first ARCA Series win; assumes points lead: In a caution-laden race at Kentucky Speedway, Roush Fenway Racing's up-and-comer Ricky Stenhouse Jr. emerged victorious in only his sixth career ARCA RE/MAX Series (and stock car) start. The 20-year old from Olive Branch, Miss. qualified a disappointing 15th for Saturday night's event, but picked his way through traffic picking off the competition one-by-one overtaking leaders Scott Speed and Michael Annett during three late-race cautions to cross the line first. Stenhouse's finish also launched him to first in the overall point standings six weeks into the 2008 season.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(5-11-2008)
- Logano wins ARCA race at Rockingham: Joey Logano, in the #25 Venturini Motorsports-prepared Joe Gibbs Racing Oil-Gresham & Associates Chevy, led 257 of 312 laps to conquer the "Rock" in his career-first ARCA RE/MAX Series start in the Carolina 500 at Rockingham Speedway. Logano also earned the Aaron's Lap Leader award for leading the most laps. Outside of a late-race wrestling match with Ken Schrader and mid-race battle with Michael Annett and Matt Hawkins, Logano had nary a challenger during the 500 kilometer/312-mile race.(more info and results at ARCARacing.com)(5-5-2008)
- Stenhouse successfully tackles "The Rock": Rockingham Speedway has sat dormant since 2004 when Roush Fenway Racing driver Matt Kenseth took the checkered flag for the final time at the one-mile oval but Sunday, the track came alive as the ARCAR RE/MAX Series marked the return of racing to "The Rock". Roush Fenway's newest driver took over the reigns and didn't disappoint behind the wheel of the #99 Ford. With good pit strategy, a little coaching, some tire management and patience, Development driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. captured the second starting spot and raced his way to a third place finish, his second top-five finish in a row.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(5-5-2008)
- Logano's Rockingham run to kick off biggest month of career: May 24th to be exact, means Logano's 18th birthday. Teenagers typically anticipate their 18th birthday for various reasons, but Logano's ability to make his first NASCAR Nationwide Series start one week later on May 31st is one of the most anticipated events not only in his life, but also for the many fans the youngster won over through his years on the short tracks of the country. To help tune up for his May 31st NASCAR Nationwide Series debut for Joe Gibbs Racing, Logano will team up with former ARCA RE/MAX Series winner Billy Venturini and the Venturini Motorsports team for the Carolina 500 ARCA event at Rockingham Speedway on May 4th.(JoeyLoganoRacing.com)(4-29-2008)
- Dillon finishes second; Carmichael sixth in Camping World debut: UPDATE Dillon declared winner: 17-year old [RCR development driver, Austin] Dillon looked ready to answer anybody questioning whether he was ready to make the jump from dirt racing to a NASCAR touring division. In his series debut, Dillon, the grandson of Sprint Cup Series team owner Richard Childress, led 75 of the 156 laps run after starting 5th at the Camping World East season opener at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in Easley, SC. Motocross legend Ricky Carmichael shined in his series debut at Greenville, bringing his Ken Schrader Racing entry home in 6th place.(Hartford Courant)(4-21-2008)
UPDATE: [Austin] Dillon who led 75 of 156 laps at Greenville-Pickens, settled for the runner-up spot to Sellers on Saturday. But, upon further review, Dillon, was awarded the victory. NASCAR informed Andy Santerre Motorsports on Tuesday that Sellers was being stripped of his victory for a rules infraction involving the shocks on the racing winning car. The record books will show Sellers finishing 30th in the 30 car field and Dillon as a winner in his Camping World East Series debut. Dillon is running full-time this season for Andy Santerre Motorsports in a #3 car similar to the one driven by the late Dale Earnhardt when he ran in the Sprint Cup Series for Childress.(Hartford Courant)(4-23-2008)
- Harraka claims first victory of season for Drive for Diversity: Drive for Diversity participant Paul Harraka claimed his first NASCAR Whelen All-American Series victory in the season opener at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. on Saturday night. Harraka started fourth in the #16 Ruth's Chris Steak House Toyota Camry after an invert of the top-six qualifiers. . Harraka took the lead on lap 45 of the 50-lap feature event and held on to win by 0.798 seconds. Harraka, of Fair Lawn, N.J., finished second in the 2007 All American Speedway Late Model point standings with 11 top fives and 14 top 10s in 17 starts. He was also earned Rookie of the Year honors. Harraka will return to the track at All American Speedway on Saturday, April 19.(NASCAR PR)(4-9-2008)
- Schiller-Pfeiffer to Serve as associate sponsor for JGR development driver Marc Davis in NASCAR Camping World Series: Schiller-Pfeiffer, Inc., a maker of outdoor lawn, turf care and gardening products, will sponsor Joe Gibbs Racing development driver Marc Davis in 15 NASCAR Camping World Series races in 2008. The Southampton, Pa.-based company will rotate its Little Wonder, Mantis and affiliated BOB-CAT brands on Davis' No. 18 Toyota Camry as the 17-year-old competes for a second season in the Camping World Series. Schiller-Pfeiffer and its brands will make their collective NASCAR debut April 10 at Phoenix International Raceway in the Camping World Series West division. The logos of Little Wonder, Mantis and BOB-CAT will rotate during Davis' entire 13-race Camping World Series East schedule, as well as during his return visit to the ranks of the Camping World Series West on June 21 when he competes at the Infineon Raceway road course in Sonoma, Calif.(Joe Gibbs Racing PR)(4-7-2008)
- King earns third-place finish for Drive for Diversity: Lindsey King, driver of the #59 High Point Racing Chevy, earned the first podium finish of her late model career Saturday night in the Auto Club Late Model event at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale. King finished third in the 40-lap main event after qualifying sixth out of 28 cars. King, a first-year participant in the Drive for Diversity program, is in her second year of competition at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale. Last season, King finished 12th in the Late Model point standings with four top-10 finishes. King, of Cherry Valley, Calif., will return to the track at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale Saturday, April 12 with High Point Racing.(NASCAR PR)(4-1-2008)
- Logano quickest in morning ARCA test session at Rockingham: ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie Joey Logano, in the #25 Venturini Motorsports Chevy, was the quickest in morning testing here Friday at Rockingham Speedway. The Middletown, Connecticut driver timed in at 25.195 seconds around the historic, high-banked mile oval for an average speed of 142.885 mph. Logano races under the Joe Gibbs Racing banner, and will be making his career-first ARCA RE/MAX Series attempt in the upcoming May 4th, Carolina 500 at Rockingham.(ARCA Racing PR)(3-21-2008)
- Logano's schedule taking shape: Joey Logano might be a phenom behind the wheel of a racecar, but he’s not a good racing fan. May 24 can’t come quick enough for the Joe Gibbs Racing developmental driver from Middletown. That’s the day he turns 18 and becomes eligible to race in the Nationwide Series. Logano will make his Nationwide Series debut May 31 at Dover. Until then he pretty much, grudgingly, has to play the part of racing fan. Logano will compete in all but three of the final 22 Nationwide Series events this season. He will miss the Nationwide Series events at New Hampshire International Motor Speedway (June 28), Daytona International Speedway (July 4) and Chicagoland Speedway (July 11). Logano said he does not have approval yet to run Daytona and that Tony Stewart has sponsor obligations to run Chicagoland and New Hampshire. Logano said missing out on the event at New Hampshire was a tough one to swallow considering it’s the track closest to home and a place where he swept the two Camping World East Series events in 2007.(Hartford Courant)(3-18-2008)
- Tiffany Daniels honored by Lyn St. James with Kara Hendrick Memorial Award: Tiffany Daniels participated in and completed Phase Two of the [Winners Circle Foundation 2007-2008 Driver Development Program and along the way was presented with a prestigious honor, the Kara Hendrick Memorial Award. The highlight of the two-day event for Tiffany was the presentation of the Kara Hendrick Memorial Award, an honor given in the past to midget racer Shannon McIntosh, stock-car racer Allison Quick, NASCAR Whelen Featherlite driver Renee Dupuis and open-wheel racer Danica Patrick. "The Kara Hendrick Memorial award is given out by Lyn St. James in memory of the late Kara Hendrick, a USAC driver who was killed the day she set a track record at one of her local tracks," explained Tiffany. "Lyn gives out the award when she sees someone that has similar spirit and talent to Kara Hendrick.(TiffDaniels.com)(3-18-2008)
- Key Motorsports working on development program for Dustin Skinner: Key Motorsports has established a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver development program for 22-year-old son Dustin Skinner - the youngest son of former NCTS driving champion Mike Skinner. That project entered the action phase recently whenthe parties tested for two days at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Florida - Dustin's home track. The game plan is to raise enough money from sponsors to continue the testing process and to run Dustin in a maximum of six NCTS races in 2008 beginning with half-mile venues. Upcoming NCTS races at the Mansfield Motorsports Park in Ohio, the Milwaukee Mile; Kentucky Speedway; the O'Reilly Motorsports Park in Indianapolis; the Gateway International Raceway outside of St. Louis, and the Texas Motor Speedway are the target venues. Key is committed to the program but needs sponsorship support to maintain it.The first priority for the program is to secure financial support for the program and Key's #44 race truck and to allow for more testing opportunities. As more money is secured, more races will be added to the schedule that will provide Dustin with the experience that will ultimately have NASCAR approving him for all tracks up to 2 miles in length.(Key Motorsports PR)(3-17-2008)
- New Scholarship Program for female race car drivers - Project Podium: Founder Lyn St. James Opens Online Application; Deadline March 31. Project Podium, founded by entrepreneur and former Indy 500 driver Lyn St. James, is the newest program of Women in the Winners Circle Foundation, and is designed to empower active young female race car drivers to help further their early professional careers. Up to $50,000 in scholarships are available to young women drivers who compete in all forms of motorsports: karting, quarter midgets, drag racing, sports car and oval track racing. Project Podium is unique in that an applicant will only be considered eligible if there is proof that funds equal to the scholarship amount requested have been raised from sponsorship for her racing. This approach exposes drivers to the business aspect of the racing industry. Drivers can apply for a scholarship by submitting their biography, racing resume, driver/team sponsorship information and a written request in 250 words or less. Applications can be downloaded from LynStJames.com.(3-14-2008)
- Twenty-three female drivers participate in Winner's Circle Foundation Driver Development Program: A full "field" of 23 female racing drivers, ages 12 to 26, completed Phase 2 of the 14th annual Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation Driver Development Program, held at the National Institute of Fitness and Sport in Indianapolis on March 1-2. Founded by Lyn St. James, the 1992 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year and a motivational speaker, the Women in the Winner¹s Circle Foundation Driver Development Program has graduated over 200 female race-car drivers since 1994. The drivers go through an intensive schedule of fitness and motivational programs, as well as seminars and instruction in the business of auto racing, including public relations, sponsorship, money management, and media training. Last week's program followed Phase 1, which was held in Phoenix, Ariz., in Nov. 2007, at Athlete's Performance, an elite athlete fitness facility. Each driver from Phase 1 was invited back to Phase 2. The 23 drivers who returned for the business programs in Phase 2 were also re-tested for allthe fitness and mental exercises they learned in Phase 1 by Dr. Jacques Dallaire of Prime Performance. All results will be reviewed and drivers will learn if they are invited to attend Phase 3, which will focus on the technical and on-track elements of racing. Phase 3 is scheduled for June of 2008. The drivers invited to the program come from a variety of disciplines, including stock-car racing, road-racing, open-wheel racing, quarter-midget and go-kart competition, among many others. The primary criteria for being invited to the Driver Development Program is that St. James personally looks at each resume and determines the person who has a lot of experience, has established some success and appears to have the ingredients and potential to be successful. For more information visit the Winner's Circle Foundation.(3-13-2008)
- Carmichael to run East series for Schrader: Motocross legend Ricky Carmichael will be running for a championship this season in the Camping World East Series for Ken Schrader Racing with backing from Hendrick Motorsports, his manager Scott Taylor said Thursday. Carmichael will be sponsored by Monster energy drink. Carmichael, 28, who retired from full-time motocross racing after 2006 is trying to make his way up the rungs of the stock racing ladder. Carmichael had been under contract as a driver last year with former Sprint Cup Series team owner Bobby Ginn and raced about 15 Late Model events around Florida last summer. Carmichael won 10 consecutive AMA national motocross championships from 1997 - 2006. Carmichael, who began competing in Motocross at age 5, said he was feeling unchallenged by Motocross when he made the decision to retire. He competed part time in 2007 but said his only interest now is as a test rider for Suzuki. The Camping World East Series runs 13 events this season. Carmichael may also run selected events in the Camping World West Series.(Hartford Courant) on ESPN2's NASCAR Now it was reported that DEI and Ricky Carmichael were trying to work on a deal to have Carmichael run the Camping World East Series, but they couldn't work out a deal and they parted ways.(2-29-2008)
- ASA creates new short track national championship; JGR test part of prize: The American Speed Association (ASA) is breaking new ground once again, by unveiling plans for an innovative Short Track National Championship. The new plan allows competitors in any ASA Member Track's premier division to compete against each other, regardless of geographical location. ASA will create East and West divisions, with an ASA Short Track Divisional Champion crowned in each. The one driver who accumulates the most points will be named the ASA Short Track National Champion. With the title comes a cash reward, and the ultimate dream - a test session with Joe Gibbs Racing.(ASA-Racing.com)(2-27-2008)
- Germain Racing adds Chrissy Wallace to NASCAR's diversity program: Mike Wallace's daughter Chrissy has been picked up by the team [Germain Racing] for NASCAR's diversity program. She'll start driving in ARCA and short-track races in June. "She's a good, real cute girl who will mix it up with the guys," [Bob] Germain said. "The first team that gets one female driver in the Cup will be helped from a marketing standpoint." (The News-Press)(2-19-2008)
- Bill Davis Racing's Annett wins Daytona ARCA race: Michael Annett survived a crash-heavy ARCA 200 to win the event Saturday at Daytona Int'l Speedway. Annett, driving for Bill Davis Racing, held off Frank Kimmel late in the race, then pulled away to take the win. He's debuted on two restrictor-plate tracks with victories - he won in his first ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway as well. Annett says that he's looking at doing 10 to 12 ARCA races with the team and that he could drive in the Nationwide Series with the team before the season ends.(SceneDaily.com)(2-10-2008)
- Goodyear announces diversity program: Company Offers At-Track-Experiences and $40,000 in Scholarships: As the exclusive tire supplier of NASCAR's three largest series, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company officially unveiled the Goodyear Racing and Diversity Program, an initiative the company started to provide High School students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the many career paths offered through the sport of NASCAR. The program, offered in six areas including Daytona Beach, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit and Dover (DE), will provide more than 60 interested minority students annually with a graduated program of at-track experiences, internships and ultimately, the opportunity to receive one of six scholarships to help continue their education. As part of the announcement, Goodyear introduced its first two race weekend internship recipients, Eboni Washington and Rodrigo "Rod" Bernal. Eboni and Rod, both seniors at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, will work in their fields of interest with established professionals on
Saturday, February 16th leading into the NASCAR Nationwide Series Race and on Sunday, February 17th leading into the 50th running of the Daytona 500. In its first year, the Goodyear Racing and Diversity program has already provided more than 60 high school students from across the country the chance to experience NASCAR first-hand and receive a behind-the-scenes look at a NASCAR race. Students participating in these events had to maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and be in good standing in their school and local community to become eligible to apply for race-weekend internships. Once selected, students are paired with one or more 'mentors' in career areas of interest to them for two, six-hour days of work. Those students who complete their race-weekend internships are then eligible to apply for one of six scholarships, including five $2,000 awards and one $30,000 scholarship to be used towards their continuing education. Over the last 50 years, Goodyear has worked to bring innovation to its racing products, which, in turn, has helped foster heightened competition on the track. Since it first began supplying tires to NASCAR, Goodyear tires have logged 1,446 Sprint Cup Series victories, and the number continues to rise. Goodyear consumer tires are inspired by the innovations and cutting-edge technology from the race track.(Goodyear Racing PR)(2-5-2008)
- Annett makes Daytona debut in ARCA 200: BDR development driver, Michael Annett will be making his debut at Daytona Int'l Speedway in the ARCA 200 this weekend. The only time he has ever driven on the 2.5-mile superspeedway was in a test session earlier this year. Pilot Travel Centers, LLC will serve as sponsor of Annett and his #28 Toyota Camry this weekend. Pilot Travel Centers is the nation's largest operator of travel centers and over-the-road diesel fuel stations.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(2-5-2008)
- IBEW sponsor teen driver's run at NASCAR history: The National Labor Management Cooperation Committee, a joint entity of the National Electrical Contractors Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), announced that it has signed on as sole sponsor of 19-year-old racing phenom Alli Owens, powering her quest to become the first woman to successfully climb the ladder in stock car auto racing. The sponsorship will run through the 2008 racing season featuring Alli in the ARCA RE/MAX Series.(PR Newswire)(1-29-2008)
- JGR's development driver, Marc Davis to ring closing bell at NY Stock Exchange: In what could be a prelude of things to come, Marc Davis, the 17-year-old development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), will travel to New York on Feb. 6 to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Davis is literally on the fast track to becoming a regular in NASCAR's top touring division. And while it's typically the Sprint Cup Series champion who rings the closing bell on the exchange, Davis will do it to ring in Black History Month. The driver development program was founded by Joe Gibbs, a winner of three Super Bowls as head coach of the NFL's Washington Redskins and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the late Reggie White. In partnership with White, a Hall of Fame defensive end who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers during a 15-year NFL career, JGR formed the driver development program in May 2003 to create a grassroots stock car team that would identify and assist minorities with the desire and talent to make a career in motorsports. In January 2004, the program became reality, thanks in large part to the support of JGR's sponsors. Davis is the latest driver to find success with JGR. He won multiple races at Hickory in the Limited Late Model and Late Model ranks, and when he won his first race on March 25, 2006, he became just the second African-American to win a stock car race at Hickory, joining Bristol. In 2008, Davis will continue in the Camping World Series East division, and continue his quest toward a full-time drive in NASCAR's pinnacle division - the Sprint Cup Series.(NASCAR Media)(1-22-2008)
- Eight-member D4D class announced for '08 season: The 2008 Drive for Diversity class was announced Monday by Access Marketing & Communications, marking the start of the fifth season for the NASCAR industry's on-track driver development program. The eight drivers on the 2008 roster, including three first time program participants, will compete in the Camping World Series and the Whelen All-American Series.
The Drive for Diversity program is entering its fifth season and is NASCAR's leading on-track diversity initiative. The program is designed to give minority and female drivers an opportunity to compete with established NASCAR teams. In 2008, four drivers will compete in the Camping World Series and four drivers will compete in the Whelen All-American Series. Over 200 drivers submitted resumes to participate in the program this year. Twenty-four of those drivers were selected to participate in the annual Drive for Diversity Testing & Evaluation Combine held at South Boston Speedway last October. At the Combine, drivers were evaluated based on their on- and off-track performance. The following eight drivers were selected by their respective team owners to compete in the program in 2008:
- Kristin Bumbera of Sealy, Tex., will race in the Whelen All-American Series for Golden State Racing. Bumbera is the first female to win a late model race at Houston Motorsports Park and the first female to lead the point standings in a Texas late model series.
- Michael Cherry of Valrico, Fla., will race in the Whelen All-American Series for FDJ Motorsports. Cherry won the 2007 Sportsman Division Championship at Hendry County (Fla.) Speedway with 17 wins and 19 top-fives in 19 starts.
- Michael Gallegos of Wheat Ridge, Colo., returns to the Drive for Diversity program for the fourth season and will race in the Camping World Series West for RTD Motorsports. Gallegos earned the D4D program's first pole position at Caraway (N.C.) Speedway in 2005.
- Paul Harraka of Fairlawn, N.J., returns to the Drive for Diversity program and will again race in the Whelen All-American Series for Bill McAnally Racing. Harraka finished second in the point standings at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. last season.
- Jesus Hernandez of Fresno, Calif., returns to the Drive for Diversity program for the fourth season and will race in the Camping World Series East for Dale Earnhardt Inc. Hernandez finished 15th in the Camping World Series East point standings last season.
- Lindsey King of Cherry Valley, Calif., will race for High Point Racing in the Whelen All-American Series at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway. Last season, King finished 12th in the Late Model point standings at Irwindale Speedway with four top-10 finishes.
- Lloyd Mack of Los Angeles, Calif., returns to the Drive for Diversity program for a second season and will race in the Camping World Series for Roadrunner Motorsports. Mack has won two national karting championships, a World Karting Association championship and five California state championships.
- Jonathan Smith of Beacon Falls, Conn., returns to the Drive for Diversity program for a second season and will race in the Camping World Series East for TW Motorsports. Last year, as a rookie, Smith finished 17th in the Camping World Series East point standings.(NASCAR Media)(1-21-2008)
- JTG Racing continues development program: JTG Racing will continue its productive Driver Development program. Scott Lagasse will pilot the #20 Craftsman Truck Series entry with guidance from veteran Crew Chief Gary Cogswell. JTG will again help field the burgeoning career of Coleman Pressley, son of former JTG and Winston Cup driver Robert Pressley. Comments co-owner Jodi Geschickter, "We will continue to watch Coleman's progress as he tours multiple tracks in his NASCAR Late Model and runs a limited ARCA schedule. Now that he is a High School graduate, he's at the race shop full time and it's great to have him around. It's early in his career, but his personality and multiple wins the past two seasons have the team convinced that he will be a winner for JTG Racing for years to come."(JTG Racing PR)(1-15-2008)
- Wise schedule cut back? Hearing that lack of sponsorship has Michael Waltrip Racing cutting back on development driver, Josh Wise. The plan was to run select Nationwide and Truck Series races and maybe even a Cup race or two in the #00 Toyota.(1-10-2008)
- Carmichael could drive for DEI in 2008: Mark Martin said DEI is negotiating to sign motocross star Ricky Carmichael to drive a full Camping World East Series (formerly Busch East) schedule this year. "Ricky has the fire, desire and talent to do this stuff,'' said Martin, who worked with Carmichael at Ginn Racing before the merger with DEI last season.(ESPN.com)(1-8-2008)
- Wease readies for West Series run with Penske: Billy Wease's dream of racing stock cars for a living are becoming a reality, as the Noblesville native packs up his helmet and heads out west to join the Grand National West Series [Camping World West Series] for the 2008 season. "Im really pumped about this venture. We will be looking to get tons of seat time as we chase the Rookie of the Year title as well as the overall Championship. This is a start up team with Penske Racing but we have a lot of resources coming from Mooresville and with the success we have in stock cars there we look to be competitive immediately." The Penske Developmental Driver will attempt his first stock car race since June of 2006 when he finished 2nd in the ARCA/ReMax Series at Michigan International Speedway.(Billy Wease PR)(1-3-2008)
- Camping World to sponsor developmental series: Camping World, the country's largest RV and outdoor retailer, will become the title sponsor for NASCAR's top developmental series -- the long-standing Grand National Division, East and West Series. As the new title sponsor, Camping World looks to continue the tradition of developing talented young drivers that aspire to go on and excel in the highest levels of NASCAR racing. Recent enhancements to the series included a schedule with an expanded geographic reach, new competition and cost-containment initiatives such as the new "spec engine" and composite body, and a lowered age-limit to 16 for drivers. Through the years the series has helped launch the careers of Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. and David Gilliland, along with two-time championship crew chief Greg Zipadelli.(NASCAR.com)(12-17-2007)
- Joey Logano earns Second Team All-American honors: Seventeen year old Middletown native Joey Logano has been named to the 2007 All-American Auto Racing Team by the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association. Logano was named to the second team in the touring series category. Logano, a developmental driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, captured the Busch East Series title this season, becoming the first rookie to accomplish the feat. In the process Logano became the youngest driver ever to win events in both the Busch East and Camping World West divisions, winning in his series debuts in both divisions. Logano won 5 Busch East series events and finished in the top-10 in 10 of 13 races. Logano is expected to make his Nationwide Series (formerly the Busch Series) debut next May at Dover International Speedway.(Hartford Courant)(12-12-2007)
- ESR announces Ken Butler III as fulltime driver in 2008: With veteran Formula One driver Scott Speed already secured as the driver of Eddie Sharp Racing's #2 Toyota Camry for 2008 with title sponsorship from Red Bull, Sharp announced that Ken Butler III would be the driver of his #22 ESR Toyota for the full 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series season. Butler made 11 starts in the #22 ESR car in 2007 posting one win at Toledo Speedway back in May.(arcaracing.com)(12-10-2007)
- Bourque to drive for ESR in Daytona ARCA event: Speed51.com has learned that Canadian Pierre Bourque [former Fitz Motorsports development driver] will drive a car fielded by Eddie Sharp Racing in February's ARCA RE/MAX Series event at Daytona International Speedway.(Speed51.com)(12-3-2007)
- UTI/Star Motorsports launch Scholorship Program at NTI: In an effort to promote diversity and multi-cultural inclusion throughout the motor sports industry, Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Foundation and STAR Motorsports LLC are launching Star Track Scholarship Program to provide scholarships throughout 2008 for students attending UTI´s NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech) in Mooresville, NC. Star Motorsports LLC is a worldwide comprehensive motor sports, entertainment and lifestyle company. Through its Educational and Developmental Division, Star Track, Star Motorsports is offering five scholarships to qualifying students starting in January 2008 at NASCAR Tech and five more throughout the year. NASCAR Tech, a division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc., has an exclusive educational alliance with NASCAR. NASCAR Tech is the only school of its kind that combines UTI´s automotive training and a NASCAR-approved technologies curriculum into one program. After completing the core curriculum, students can go on to learn the basics of engine construction, chassis fabrication, NASCAR racing theory principles, rules and regulations and Pit Crew. Applications will be available online at the UTI Foundation web site, www.utifoundation.net. Selections will be made by the UTI Scholarship committee.(PR)(11-9-2007)
- Driver Advancement Marketing Summit being held in Charlotte: Race car drivers looking to advance their careers but need backing in order to do so will have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of professional motorsports from industry leaders at the inaugural "Driver Advancement Marketing Summit" on January 26 - 27, 2008, at Victory Lane Karting Center in Charlotte. Performance PR Plus the motorsports marketing and public relations agency best known for representing DuPont Motorsports and four-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon over the last 15 years, is hosting the event in an effort to educate aspiring drivers on what it takes and what it means to be a professional race car driver in a sponsor-driven environment. Topics include the importance of the media and public relations; web site and proposal content; sponsor marketing and promotions, and what sponsors look to gain from their motorsports investment; driver development programs; and the importance of networking. For a complete list of speakers and to register, visit the Performance PR Plus website.(11-2-2007)
- Bill Davis Racing signs Michael Annett to Developmental Program: Bill Davis Racing has announced that Michael Annett will join the team in 2008 to drive a BDR entry in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Annett will compete in 10 ARCA races during the 2008 campaign and will also participate in a very intensive testing program, which competition director Tommy Baldwin will oversee. Annett made his first start for BDR at NASCAR's largest track, Talladega Superspeedway. Annett dominated the 250-mile race and became the first driver in the 55-year history of the ARCA RE/MAX Series to take the Toyota nameplate to victory lane. Annett qualified in the second position and led all but 19 laps en route to not only his first, but BDR's first ARCA win as well.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(11-1-2007)
- Following 18th birthday Logano full-time in '08: Busch East Champion Joey Logano will turn 18 next May 24th, reaching NASCAR's "legal" age to compete on their top three series. So, beginning the next week at Dover, Joe Gibbs Racing plans on running him in all the remaining 2008 Nationwide Series races.(Joe Gibbs Racing PR)(10-26-2007)
- Wise, McDowell preparing for Cup shot in '08: One is a two-time U.S. Auto Club champion following in the career footsteps of Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne. The other is an ARCA series runner-up who has competed in everything from stock cars to sports cars to Champ Cars. Together, Josh Wise and Michael McDowell represent the future of Michael Waltrip Racing -- a future that may become reality as soon as the sixth race of next year. Dale Jarrett' impending retirement from full-time Nextel Cup competition opened the door for teammate David Reutimann to succeed the 1999 series champion in the organization's No. 44 car. That leaves a vacancy in the #00 Camry for 2008 that the team hopes to fill with either Wise or McDowell, both Michael Waltrip Racing development drivers who have enjoyed success on smaller circuits, but have little seat time in the cars and trucks employed in NASCAR's national divisions. The two drivers spent this season as teammates, racing for ARCA car owner Eddie Sharp. McDowell, a career road racer competing in stock cars and on ovals for the first time, won nine poles and four races and finished second overall behind champion Frank Kimmel. Wise, sharing a ride with Ken Butler III, posted six top-10s in 12 starts in addition to an average finish of 17th in eight Truck Series races.(nascar.com)(10-18-2007)
- Drive For Diversity Combine Day 2: The fifth annual Drive For Diversity Testing & Evaluation Combine finished Tuesday with its second straight day of intense competition at South Boston Speedway Monday. The second half of the 24-driver pool from different forms of racing took the track for evaluation, while those who drove Monday participated in the media portion of the event. Michael Cherry was among the drivers who attended the combine last year but did not make the final cut. The 18-year-old from Valrico, Fla. returned with another year of seat time and ready to take the test. Jessica Helberg was part of the program last season in the Whelen All-American Series at All-American Speedway in California. The 20-year-old Rohnert Park, California driver knew that just getting back to South Boston was an achievement in itself. Other drivers who took part in the driving Tuesday included Chris Bristol (Columbus, Ohio), Tiffany Daniels (Smithfield, Va.), Mike Gallegos (Wheat Ridge, Colo.), Lindsey King (Cherry Valley, Calif.), Danny Martin (Sarasota, Fla.), Lloyd Mack (Los Angeles), Marisa Niederauer (Plainedge, N.Y.), Jose Luis Ramirez (Mexico City), Jonathan Smith (Beacon Falls, Conn.), and Michelle Theriault (Bristol, Conn.) It's the third straight year the combine has been held at the 4/10-mile NASCAR-sanctioned track.(NASCAR PR)(10-16-2007)
- NASCAR Drivers to help teach development drivers: Team Full Throttle´s NASCAR Driver Development Program would like to announce the first annual TFT Coaching and Evaluation Day on Tuesday, October 16th at the Hickory Motor Speedway. On this day, nearly 20 of Team Full Throttle´s racers from across the nation will be given exclusive on-track education by Chip Ganassi Racing NASCAR Nextel Cup racer David Stremme and Michael Waltrip Racing development driver Josh Wise as they gain valuable experience in a variety of cars including a Busch East Series car provided by Fitz Motorsports, a Limited Late Model provided by Tri-Star Motorsports, and a Team Full Throttle INEX Legends car. Team Full Throttle President and Driver Coach Mike Calinoff [Stremme's spotter] says this event will provide an energy filled start to the four day "TFT Week" where racers from the group will gain hands-on knowledge of driving and media skills along with enjoying the Driver Development Clinic and a special awards dinner just for TFT members. The dinner will wrap up this unprecedented week for the group and will give Calinoff and partner Tom Baker a platform from which to make some major announcements about the group´s 2008 plans. Team Full Throttle is the nation´s most comprehensive NASCAR Driver Development Program, and is represented by Driver Development Services, LLC of Charlotte, NC. For more information about Team Full Throttle, call 704-281-7699 or see them online at www.goteamfullthrottle.com.(10-16-2007)
- Roush Fenway Racing signs Stenhouse: Roush Fenway Racing has announced that they have signed Olive Branch, Miss. native Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. to a multi-year contract. Stenhouse will race full-time in the ARCA RE/MAX Series for Roush Fenway beginning in 2008. Stenhouse is currently racing in USAC's National Sprint Car and National Midget Car Series. Stenhouse has looked brilliant in both a Sprint and Midget car in 2007 racing for Tony Stewart Racing. In 22 Sprint car starts, Stenhouse has chalked up two wins, seven top-five and 14 top-10 finishes and currently sits fifth in the overall point standings. In the USAC National Midget Series, Stenhouse has looked just as strong claiming five wins in 23 starts along with 10 top-five and 15 top-10 finishes while occupying third in the overall point standings.(Roush Fenway PR)(10-11-2007)
- Kevin Hamlin expects to continue testing role in 2008: There was speculation that Hamlin would drive a full Nationwide Series schedule for Ganassi next year, but he said that probably isn't the case. "I don't think so," the Washington native said. "I have a role of testing and limited races here and there. Obviously, as a driver I want to go full-time, but I'm pretty lucky to be able to do this for a living. I have a lot of fun coming here with these test guys. Next year, we're going to be doing a lot of testing and hopefully, I'll get a handful of races and we'll see what happens."(Gateway Raceway PR)(10-9-2007)
- Joey Logano wins Busch East Series Championship: Joey Logano (#20 Joe Gibbs Driven Chevy) finished second in the Sunoco 150 at Dover International Speedway Friday afternoon but became the NASCAR Busch East Series' first rookie champion. Sean Caisse (# 44 Casella Waste Systems Chevy) took the race lead from Logano with just eight laps to go, and then withstood a final charge by Logano to win by a car length. Pole winner Jeffrey Earnhardt (#1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevy) gained new northern fans and turned heads with a contending run to finish third. It was the 18-year-old Earnhardt's best finish of the season and his fourth top-five finish over the last six races of the season. Jesus Hernandez (#4 Allstate Chevy) placed fourth, followed by Tim McCreadie (#31 Camping World/RVbank.com Chevy.)(NASCAR PR)(9-22-2007)
