Chase Elliott wins Snowball Derby: Chase Elliott had a firm grip on the huge Snowball Derby trophy. "I don't think I'm ever gonna let it go," the 16-year-old son of former NASCAR champion Bill Elliott said as he stood next to his late model on the frontstretch of Five Flags Speedway. Elliott, who is from Dawsonville, Ga., had just won one of the most prestigious short track races in the country and -- for a driver who has already won many short track races around the Southeast -- one of the biggest of his young and promising career. Elliott held off D.J. VanderLey, a 19-year-old from Mobile, to win by 0.229 seconds [closest in Snowball history]. But the crucial call came with about 30 laps left during a caution when his crew chief, 2002 Snowball Derby winner Ricky Turner, kept him on the track while others on the lead lap pitted for fresh tires. Grant Enfinger of Fairhope was running second at the time and pitted for tires. He restarted 12th and was only able to finish eighth. Elliott also had to overcome a red flag with just five laps left when a huge pileup in Turn 2 left the car of Derek Thorn on its roof and several other cars twisted up. On the restart with cold tires Elliott and VanderLey battled door to door with Elliott controlling the inside lane before Elliott pulled away. He said there was no way he was going to get around Elliott on the outside, but that he wasn't tempted to rough Elliott up to grab the win. "Any time he wanted to Chase could have turned us," VanderLey said. "So I wasn't going to turn him since he raced me clean. It was just hard racing." Another son of a NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, 18-year-old Ross Kenseth, finished third. Another NASCAR driver, Landon Cassill, finished fourth followed by Heath Hindman, Cale Gale of Mobile and Boris Jurkovic driving a car for Kyle Busch Motorsport. NASCAR Sprint Cup driver David Ragan competed but problems with a loose wheel set him back and he finished 18th. NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Steve Wallace, the 2004 Snowball Derby winner, had motor problems and needed a past champion's provisional to start last on Sunday. He was penalized two laps for intentionally causing a caution and finished 35th.(al.com)(12-5-2011)

Ryan Blaney scores first NASCAR win at Phoenix: Ryan Blaney started fourth in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race Saturday night at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR). He fell back to 11th in the first half of the 125-mile event and struggled with a tight-handling #11 Accell Construction/Heavy Duty/Ruston Transport Chevrolet. The crew made significant changes to the DB Racing car during the five-minute break, and Blaney quickly drove to the lead for 44 of the final 45 laps. He took the checkered flag for his first NASCAR victory in his third start. Blaney extended his lead by 2.4 seconds and crossed the finish line for his first NASCAR win in just his third start. In his previous NASCAR starts, Blaney tallied an eighth- and 10th-place finish in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races at Richmond International Raceway and Iowa Speedway, respectively. Blaney will compete for the point championship in the Pro All Stars Series November 26th at Concord Speedway in North Carolina. He is six points behind the point leader Jay Fogleman going into the final race of the season.(Ryan Blaney PR)(11-14-2011)

Talent search launches for fall shoot-out: UPDATE 2: Star Racing to award sponsorships to young drivers in shoot-out: The annual driver talent search conducted by Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle launches today. The nationally acclaimed driver development program is focused on finding top young drivers and developing them towards professional Stock Car careers. Talented drivers from across the United States and Canada will be selected to participate in an extensive, three day driver try out event, known as “The Shoot-Out.“ Day one includes a fitness test, problem solving test, shop tours and workshops for parents and drivers, including, "The Real World Good, Bad & Ugly of Driver Career Development" and “Strategies to succeed in The Shoot-Out.” Days two and three are on track. Drivers get 100 laps, over five sessions, in one of three types of race cars to show their talent. Race cars include USAC Young Guns Midgets, Focus Midgets and NASCAR Modifieds. Driver Coaches and Judges evaluate the drivers on 45 points, with the key areas being coachability, accurate feedback, focus, motivation, training retention, communication skills, personality, learning rate, confidence and lap times. The staff expects to receive hundreds of resumes, as they have in the past, and narrow it down to 40 drivers to test this Fall on the All American Speedway 1/3 mile paved oval track. Young drivers, 11 to 20 years of age, with race winning backgrounds in race cars and/or youth racing series are encouraged to apply.
The drivers selected for the RSWC development program through the Shoot-Out will have a stock car career focused training program designed specifically for them, their age, experience and development stage, then be placed with a top team in the racing series that fits the driver best, including road racing, USAC Midgets, Sprint Cars, NASCAR Modifieds & Late Model Stock Cars various classes in USAC and NASCAR series. The program consists of 12 veteran driver coaches, 26 classroom training topics, well known trainers and six racing organizations fielding 30 race teams, all dedicated to develop talented drivers to professional Stock Car racing. The teams are a balance of Open Wheel, Stock Car and Road Racing to develop highly versatile and accomplished winning drivers. Families of young, winning drivers, ages 11 to 20, are encouraged to get detailed information from the web-site and submit their resume before the October 15th, 2011 deadline. More information is available at Winners-Circle-Racing.com.(Winners-Circle PR)(8-30-2011)
UPDATE: Star Racing Supply, a top race parts retailer based in California, announces a powerful sponsorship program for young race drivers. The sponsorship program offers up to 18 young drivers from $6,000 to $18,000 each in sponsorship for the 2012 racing season. The Shoot-Out is focused on finding top talented, young drivers to be developed towards Professional Stock Car careers with RSWC. Selected drivers joining the RSWC development program will be groomed, coached, trained and raced in USAC and NASCAR oval track series. “This $268,000 in driver development racing sponsorships is just the next step in goals achieved for Star Racing Supply,” stated Susan Kinnicutt, Marketing Manager. “As a sister company to Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle, Star Racing Supply was started to serve racers and give back to the sport by helping young, upcoming, talented drivers. Now that we have achieved solid growth over the past few years, we’re in a financial position to give back."(Winners-Circle PR)(9-21-2011)
UPDATE:Star Racing Supply recently announced a sponsorship program to provide up to 18 young drivers $6,000 to $18,000 each for the 2012 racing season. Working in alliance with Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle, 40 talented young drivers from across the United States and Canada will be selected to participate in the extensive, three day driver try outs known as "The Shoot-Out." Matt Gilbert, age 20, from Kansas, 16 year old Tripp Gaylord from Colorado and Derek Demartino, 20, from New Mexico are each talented dirt racers chosen to compete in this years RSWC talent search. Many successful Stock Car racers today, honed their skills driving dirt before moving to asphalt. Families of young, winning drivers, ages 11 to 20, are encouraged to get detailed information from the web-site and submit their resume before the newly extended November 15th, 2011 deadline.(Winners Circule Racing PR.(10-27-2011)

Elliott crowned CRA National Super Late Model Champion: Chase Elliott had a big enough point lead that all he needed to do was start the event [North/South Shootout 100 at Caraway Speedway] to be crowned the inaugural CRA National Super Late Model Champion, which combined a drivers best four event finishes in the four CRA Super Series Southern Tour events and their best four finishes in the CRA Super Series Northern Tour events during the 2011 season. CRA first reported Saturday night that Blaney had claimed the Drivers’ Championship for the CRA Super Series Southern Tour, but upon further review of the points on Monday, it was determined that Bubba Pollard was actually the 2011 CRA Super Series Southern Tour Drivers Champion. WearCrete Racing, owned by Curtis Venable, won the CRA Super Series Southern Tour Owners Championship with drivers Jeff Fultz and Daniel Hemric.(CRARacing.net)(11-8-2011)

RCR's Ty Dillon wins 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Championship: Richard Childress Racing's rookie driver Ty Dillon and the #41 Bass Pro Shops/Hemelgarn Enterprises Chevrolet team claimed the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Championship at the drop of the green flag in Sunday afternoon's 200-lap season finale race at Toledo Speedway. During his roookie season, Dillon and the #41 team earned seven wins, seven poles, 13 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes in 19 starts. The Lexington, NC, native claimed his first Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell at the season opener at Daytona International Speedway and in the following race, made his first trip of the season to Victory Lane at Talladega Superspeedway. At 19 years old, Dillon is the 29th champion and the youngest champion in the history of the ARCA Racing Series. The RCR driver joins a long list of competitors who have earned the title of ARCA Champion since the series' inception in 1953, including Frank Kimmel, Benny Parsons and Iggy Katona, to name a few. The 2011 ARCA Racing Series Championship Awards Banquet is scheduled for December 10 in Covington, KY.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(10-17-2011)

Darrell Wallace to run some races for Gibbs in 2012: Alabama native Darrell Wallace Jr. will get the chance in 2012 to show what he can do in NASCAR's Nationwide Series. Joe Gibbs Racing President J.D. Gibbs said Thursday at Charlotte Motor Speedway that the team plans to run Wallace in the NASCAR K&N Pro East Series next year and in some Nationwide starts. "We really want to him get entrenched and do some more K&N East and some Nationwide," Gibbs said. Wallace, who is from Mobile, won three K&N races this year and finished second in the standings driving for Revolution Racing as part of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program.(Alabama Live)(10-14-2011)

Sunoco Driven Challenge to reward up-and-coming drivers: In a unique competition to reward grassroots racing drivers, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and Sunoco have teamed up to form the Sunoco Driven Challenge. The new concept will take drivers from five grassroots racing series and give them the opportunity to earn points. The winner will get an opportunity to test with a Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR K&N Pro Series race car following the 2012 racing season. In making the announcement, JGR President J.D. Gibbs noted, “We are looking to find the next up-and-coming drivers and also showcase our products. We see a lot of value in it, and they see a lot of value in it. It’s really a good opportunity for someone to test with our guys.” The drivers will come from the PASS North, PASS South, CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest and SRL Southwest series. Drivers who finish in the top 10 in each race will earn points. The points will accumulate throughout the season based on the number of races in each series. The driver with the highest average number of points at the end of the season will be named the Sunoco Driven Challenge champion. The winner will receive a testing session with JGR, a tour of JGR’s headquarters and a meeting with Gibbs.(Charlotte Motor Speedway PR)(10-14-2011)

Roush Fenway Development Driver, Chris Buescher, wins ARCA 2011Superspeedway challenge: Roush Fenway development driver Chris Buescher won the coveted Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge award, edging out ARCA points leader Ty Dillon. The Superspeedway Challenge award is based off the best average finish at all speedway races during the ARCA season. Buescher went into the final speedway race of 2011 for the ARCA Series at Kansas Speedway tied with Dillon for the award, but edged him out by finishing second. There are seven races on the 2011 ARCA Series schedule that qualify a driver to win the Superspeedway Challenge award and Buescher never finished outside the top five in any of the qualifying events. Buescher earned the title with the following finishes; Daytona – second, Talladega – fifth, Chicago – second, Pocono – second, Pocono – third, Michigan – fifth and then brought it all home in Kansas with a second-place finish. Buescher heads into the final race of the 2011 season this weekend at Toledo Speedway second in the point standings. This season Buescher has earned back-to-back wins in September at DuQuoin State Fair Grounds and Salem Speedway, while also earning 13 top-five and 15 top-10 finishes in 18 starts.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(10-12-2011)

D4D announces Combine invitees:A life-changing opportunity could one day evolve into a sport-shaping career for 24 young men and women come the middle of next week. Contested from Oct. 18-20, the eighth consecutive Drive for Diversity Combine will be held at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va., where drivers will vie for spots in one of NASCAR’s most successful initiatives. Aspiring drivers of diverse backgrounds ranging from ages 16 to 24, and representing 10 U.S. states, Mexico and Puerto Rico, are prepared to showcase their skills in the hopes of securing a ride with Revolution Racing in 2012. Revolution Racing will enter its third year fielding teams for NASCAR’s Drive 4 Diversity initiative, in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Grandstands at Langley will be open to the public from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET, Oct. 19-20 during on-track testing. The past two seasons of the D4D initiative have enjoyed unparalleled success. In 2010, Darrell Wallace Jr. became the youngest winner and first African-American winner in series history en route to winning the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Sunoco Rookie of the Year. This year’s Revolution Racing team eclipsed that success by placing three drivers in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East top 10 (Wallace had three victories and finished second in points; Sergio Pena also won three races and finished fifth; and Ryan Gifford finished 10th). Overall in 2011, Revolution Racing had six wins, 12 top fives and 22 top 10s in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. The drivers attending the Drive for Diversity Combine will be evaluated by a select committee on multiple fronts including on-track performance, marketing and media aptitude, physical fitness and personality.
Driver       Age     Hometown
Ryan Gifford, 22, Winchester, TN
Angelique Bell, 17, Roseville, CA
Jessica Brunelli, 18, Hayward, CA
Sergio Pena 18, Catharpin, VA
Mackena Bell, 19, Carson City, NV
Michael Cherry, 20, Valrico, FL
Jorge Arteaga, 23, Agualcalientas, Mexico
Jack Madrid, 16, San Clemente, CA
Kyle Larson, 19, Elk Grove, CA
Frank Young, 19, Fontana, CA
Dylan Smith,17, Randolph, VT
Devon Amos,18, Rio Rancho, NM
Annabeth Barnes, 20, Hiddenite, NC
Bryan Ortiz, 21, Bayamon, PR
Amber Colvin, 18, Tallahassee, FL
Ruben Garcia, 16, Mexico City, Mexico
Lindsey Holman, 23, Abingdon, VA
Ryan Reed, 17, Bakersfield, CA
Trey Gibson, 18, Easley, SC
Dallas Montes, 17, Bakersfield, CA
Juan Carlos Blum, 16, Guadalajara, Mexico
Enrique Contreras, 18, Cuernavaca Morelos, Mexico
Tayla Orleans, 17, Randleman, NC
Alexis Wilson, 16, Hamburg, NY
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications)(10-12-2011)

Chrissy Wallace makes history – again – in clinching ASA West Region Championship: For the second time in 30 days, Chrissy Wallace has earned another historic credit to her growing racing resume. This time, in addition to her previously announced ASA Track Championship in the Late Model division at Lebanon I-44 Speedway in Missouri, she has now become the first female driver to earn the 2011 West Region ASA Member Track Championship. The 23-year old, daughter of NASCAR driver Mike Wallace, earned the West Region championship once all the other participating ASA tracks and drivers completed their seasons. Her achievement was based off the six victories, 12 top-five and 16 top-10s she earned in 19 starts at I-44 in Missouri. She is also the first female to win a Late Model feature at the track. Hoping to utilize this achievement to open up other doors in racing, Wallace has already been asked to drive for Cunningham Motorsports in the ARCA season finale at Toledo (OH) Speedway on October 16. That race will be shown live on SPEED TV. “I’m currently seeing what opportunities are out there in the NASCAR ranks; especially the Camping World Truck Series. Everyone said to go show them what I could do, so I did, said Wallace.”(Chrissy Wallace PR)(10-1-2011)

Darrell Wallace earns win at Dover; Gresham crowed NASCAR K&N Series East Champion: With five laps to go in Friday’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season finale, a whole bunch was hanging in the balance. Brett Moffitt was leading Darrell Wallace Jr. If he won the race, he might win the championship. But he was losing the grip, lap by lap. Meanwhile, series leader Max Gresham was trying to hold off Dale Quarterly, because if he fell too far back, he’d lose the championship. But by the time there were four laps left, everything changed. Moffitt’s right front tire let go and he crashed into the wall, sending Wallace on his way. Meanwhile, Gresham’s parameters switched from “drive for your life” to “just finish.” He did, and Gresham took the 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship, while Wallace picked up the race win, becoming the first African American to ever win the pole and a race at Dover. Meanwhile, Gresham celebrated his series championship alongside Wallace. Leading by just 21 points following Moffitt’s win in last week’s race, Gresham had no room for error – at least, not until Moffitt gave him some. Gresham drives in the Joe Gibbs Racing developmental program, and his crew chief, Bryant Frazier, was Tony Stewart’s first crew chief when Stewart joined the team in 1998. Frazier was extremely proud of his latest young driver. At age 18, Gresham is now a NASCAR champion, and he’ll be right there with the big names at NASCAR’s awards banquet later this fall.(Dover International Speedway PR)(10-1-2011)

Chrissy Wallace to run Toledo ARCA event for Cunningham Motorsports: Fresh off her ASA Late Model championship at Lebanon I-44 Speedway, Chrissy Wallace has been tabbed to run the ARCA season finale at Toledo Speedway next month. The Toledo ARCA 200, presented by Federated Car Care, will be held on Sunday, October 16 to wrap up the 2011 season for the ARCA Series. The 200-lap event on the half-mile paved oval will be shown live on SPEED TV. Wallace, 23 and the daughter of NASCAR driver Mike, is the first female to clinch an ASA championship, which she did earlier this month at I-44 Speedway. She is currently in a tight battle for the ASA Joe Gibbs Driven Oil National championship and the ASA West Series championship awaiting outcomes from other tracks. Paul Andrews will be the crew chief. In addition to her two previous ARCA starts, Wallace also has two NASCAR Nationwide Series starts and seven in the Camping World Truck Series.(Chrissy Wallace/Cunningham PR)(9-29-2011)

Pena scores another win in K&N Pro Series East event at Greenville: Sergio Pena turned in a dominating effort in rolling to his third win of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season Saturday in the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140. Pena qualified second and took the lead from pole winner Corey LaJoie on Lap 58. He finished 4.633 seconds ahead of runner-up Brett Moffitt, who picked up the win in the season opener at Greenville. Rookie Chase Elliott was third. The two previous wins for the 18-year-old Winchester, Va., driver came at his home state tracks of South Boston Speedway and Langley Speedway in Hampton. Pena's blistering pace Saturday in a race slowed by just three cautions resulted in just 10 cars finishing on the lead lap. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will run its second-to-last event of the season Friday, Sept. 23 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH.(HomeTracks.nascar.com)(9-13-2011)

Frank Kimmel II to team with Cunningham Motorsports at Salem: Frank Kimmel II, son of nine-time ARCA Racing Series champion Frank Kimmel, has had Saturday, September 17th circled on his calendar for a long time. The third-generation driver will take the green flag at Salem Speedway for the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic by Federated Car Care piloting the Cunningham Motorsports No. 77 Ford Fusion to the first full ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race of his career. While Kimmel II will be considered a rookie in the ARCA Racing Series, the 21-year-old driver is by no means a rookie when it comes to racing on Salem Speedway's famed high-banks. As the home track to the Kimmel family, Salem has played host to several of Kimmel II's early-career wins, including a season championship at the .555-mile oval in the street stock division (2008) and two super stock championships (2009, 2010). In addition to the help from his Cunningham Motorsports team, Kimmel II has several local Salem-area sponsors jumping on board to make his dream a possibility.(Kimmel/Cunningham Motorsports PR)(9-8-2011)

Applications being accepted for 2012 Diversity internship Program: The application for the 2012 NASCAR Diversity Internship Program is now available and can be accessed at nascar.teamworkonline.com. Students interested in the summer 2012 program can apply until February 20, 2012. This past summer, 20 lucky students from across the country were selected for the ten week program. We are eager to influence additional young professionals lives next summer, and have a goal of placing 40 students in internships across the industry. On September 7th, we will be hosting two information sessions in Charlotte for all NASCAR departments and companies in the industry who are interested in having an intern next summer. We would love to have you come out and learn about our program and the intern selection process. Please RSVP to Briana at bbuzali@nascar.com if you are interested in attending. We will also be hosting an information session in Daytona in September, details to follow.
NASCAR information session:
Where: NASCAR Plaza, 20th floor, Boardroom
When: Wednesday, September 7th, 2011, 9:00am- 10:00am
Industry Motorsports information session:
Where: NASCAR R&D Center Training Classroom
When: Wednesday, September 7th, 2011(NASCAR/Diversity.com Newsletter)(9-6-2011)

NASCAR Diversity Affairs launching Hispanic Market Test: NASCAR Diversity Affairs is launching a Hispanic Market Test in partnership with Chicagoland Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway, and Homestead-Miami Speedway. The first segment of the test programs will be in Chicago and will launch in conjunction with the start of The Chase and Hispanic Heritage Month. The Hispanic Market Test is a two-step program in each of the three markets. The first step of the program consists of marketing and promotional initiatives to drive awareness of the sport and encourage ticket sales within the Hispanic market. The second step consists of at-track elements to enhance a first time visitor experience at the track.
*NASCAR has produced a TV spot that features Latin American drivers from NASCAR National series. Participants in the commercial include team owner, Felix Sabates, and drivers Juan Pablo Montoya, Aric Almirola, Miguel Paludo, and Sergio Peña. Each of the tracks added a custom tag at the end encouraging fans to attend their race weekend and experience the sport first hand. In addition to the TV spot, NASCAR also produced a Spanish language radio spot.
*Each of the tracks has created a dedicated Spanish language phone line and landing page.
*In an effort to create a more welcoming, fan friendly environment at track, bilingual brand ambassadors will be available throughout each of the race weekends. We have created booths with the “Bienvenidos a NASCAR” logo in order to make the stations easy to spot.
*For the first time ever, NASCAR fans will be able to gain inside access to the garage and pit row through a virtual tour. Fans will be able to pick up a booklet that will include copy in both English and Spanish. Each booklet will have QR codes that can be scanned using a smart phone. The tour has 9 stops that you can access by scanning the QR codes in the book, or by walking through the garage and using the map as a guide to find the booths with the codes. Once you scan the QR codes, you will be taken to a landing page where you have the option to watch the video in English or Spanish.
*Spanish speaking fans will be able to hear the race broadcast in Spanish through the race scanners. There will be a dedicated channel for fans to tune in and hear the live broadcast during the race.(NASCAR/Diversity.com Newsletter)(9-6-2011)

Diversity Mentorship Program host three markets: After a short recess for summer, we are anxious to once again host NASCAR Diversity Mentorship participants at track. Atlanta was the first of the three markets we will host mentees in for the remainder of the 2011 season. We have selected ten eager young men and women to participate. We are also proud to announce an added component specifically for faculty members to our program this year. For the first time through this program, we will be hosting local college and university professors during the NCWTS races in Atlanta and Dallas. These professors have been invited as VIP guests during the race. They will have the opportunity to meet D4D driver, Bryan Ortiz, have pit and garage tours, meet previous internship participants, and enjoy the race from a suite. Our hope is that these professors will in return become advocates for the Mentorship and Internship programs and help us recruit the best possible candidates. If you would like to have a mentee job shadow you during the Richmond or Texas race weekend, or want more information about the program, please email Briana at bbuzali@nascar.com.(NASCAR/Diversity.com Newsletter)(9-6-2011)

Chase Elliott picks up two wins over weekend: Chase Elliott and his Aaron’s Dream Machine team headed north for the weekend and came home with winner’s trophies from both Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run, Mich., and Winchester Speedway in Indiana. Elliott had never seen the .4-mile Birch Run track before the first laps of practice on Friday but took an immediate liking to it. The Dixie Draper 125, a race that included NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader, also was the first time the CRA Super Series had been to the speedway. With the Dixie winner’s trophy safely stowed in the hauler, the Aaron’s team headed to historic Winchester Speedway for the CRA JEGS All-Star Tour 100. It was his debut with the series but not his first time at Winchester. Last year he won the 39th annual Winchester 400, becoming the youngest driver ever to win the prestigious event. He also was pleased with his run at venerable Winchester. “The race at Winchester was a blast, and I am really excited to get back up there for the 400,” he said. “Our car needed a little work but that's why we went.”(Chase Elliott PR)(8-22-2011)

Jim Caudill Jr. added to JRM late-model program: JR Motorsports co-owner and general manager Kelley Earnhardt announced today the addition of Jim Caudill Jr. to the team’s late model driver lineup for races at Motor Mile Speedway (Radford, Va.) on Aug. 13th and 20th with sponsorship from iRacing.com. Caudill will pilot the No. 88 iRacing.com Chevrolet and join teammate Josh Berry in the No. 72 R & B Chevrolet for those two events. A native of Whitesburg, Ky., Caudill has experience in multiple racing levels, including the World Karting Association where he earned 85 feature wins, Legends Cars and street stocks. He was a 2007 Legends Car Champion at Lonesome Pine Raceway (Coeburn, Va.) and Newport Speedway (Newport, Tenn.), and owns six feature victories in the series. The 22-year-old Caudill is also a frequenter of iRacing.com, an online motorsports simulation that connects racers around the world in virtual races at 47 of the world’s most famous racing venues in 25 different vehicles. Caudill has been racing competitively with iRacing since 2008, notching 87 wins and 241 top-five finishes in 357 starts. It was through iRacing.com that Caudill met JRM owner Dale Earnhardt Jr.(JR Motorsports PR)(8-10-2011)

Truex signs with JGR to drive in Nationwide Series: Joe Gibbs Racing announces today that it has signed Ryan Truex to drive in six races this season in the organization's NASCAR Nationwide Series program. Truex will drive the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing beginning in Atlanta on September 3. In addition Truex will be behind the wheel of the No. 20 in Richmond, Chicago, Dover, Kansas, and Phoenix.(Joe Gibbs Racing PR)(8-9-2011)

PIT awards four full scholarships: Performance Instruction and Training (PIT) based in Mooresville, North Carolina has awarded four full scholarships to students in four different North Carolina counties including Iredell, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Cleveland. 2011 marks the first year that the institution has offered monetary assistance to incoming students. PIT offers students a curriculum rich in leadership and team building skills as well as a training course for individuals interested in a career in the motorsports industry as an over-the-wall pit crew athlete. In addition to learning pit stop choreography and each of the six positions on a pit crew, students become proficient in race day preparation, equipment maintenance and selection, and pit road rules and regulations. In June, PIT began its 83rd Pit Crew University session which included their first scholarship recipient Allen Tucker from Mt. Pleasant High School. Scholarship recipients applied within their high schools and were chosen by coaches at the school. Tucker served as a high school athlete on his school's football team as did fellow scholarship winners Ethan Winkler from Burns High School and Connor Osborne from Mooresville High School. The fourth scholarship recipient Robert Cook was a Lacrosse player at Mallard Creek High School. Cook and Winkler will be a part of the 85th Pit Crew University session beginning in September. While, Osborne has yet to decided which class he will be a part of. Since the program began in 2001 PIT has registered 681 students, of those graduates 60 percent have gone on to become full-time pit crew members on NASCAR teams throughout the NASCAR Camping World Truck, Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series'. Thus far in 2011 of the 56 races that have been run across all three of NASCAR's elite series a pit crew university graduate has been standing in victory lane with the winning team 50 times or 89 percent. The four scholarships awarded this year are the first in an effort to grow the program which intends on awarding five to 10 scholarships in 2012.(VisitPIT PR)(7-26-2011)

Gresham wins New England 125: Max Gresham started his day out front and ended it in the same position, capturing the checkered flag at the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East's New England 125 event. Behind the wheel of the No. 18 World Crown 300 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing the 18-year old from Griffin, Ga., scored his second win of the 2011 season, fighting his way from the back to the front because of a pit stop gaffe. Two-time NHMS pole winner Brett Moffitt finished second in his No. 00 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota.Behind the wheel of the No. 07 Riverside Precision Sheet Metal Ford, Corey LaJoie also had to race his way through the field to finish third.(New Hampshire Motor Speedway PR)(7-16-2011)

KBM's Josh Richards wins Deer Creek Speedway WoO late model race:Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., made a spectacular surge to the front on the opening lap and never looked back en route to capturing Wednesday night's 32nd annual NAPA Auto Parts Gopher 50 Charity Late Model Race at Deer Creek Speedway. The 23-year-old vaulted from the fourth starting position to the lead at the initial green flag, capping the explosion by splitting front-row starters Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and Rick Eckert of York, Pa., rounding turns three and four. He turned back a late challenge from Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, to register his third victory of the 2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series season and first-ever at the Queensland family's three-eighths-mile track in southern Minnesota. Richards now stands second in the WoO LMS standings, 26 points behind Rick Eckert who faded to seventh at the finish after starting from the pole position.(Josh Richards PR)(7-15-2011)

Drive for Diversity accepting applicants for 2012: As the NASCAR Drive for Diversity initiative is enjoying unparalleled success, led by the accomplishments of Darrell Wallace Jr. and Sergio Peña in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, the process has begun to find the next talented female and minority drivers. Applications for the 2012 season are now being accepted by NASCAR Drive for Diversity, which creates meaningful opportunities for drivers and crew members. The application form can be accessed at drivefordiversity.ning.com. Top applicants will be invited to the annual NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine in the fall. The Combine will be used to determine the roster of drivers to compete for Revolution Racing in the 2012 season. Deadline for applying is July 30. The program is open to female and minorities ages 15-25 (as of Oct. 15, 2011). In 2010, NASCAR converted the Drive for Diversity program into an academy-style training model where all the drivers would race under one team, Revolution Racing. Last year’s Combine produced a stellar roster that includes all four Revolution Racing drivers in the top 20 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship point standings this season, including three in the top 12. Revolution Racing drivers have won three of the first seven races. Wallace, who won the 2010 Sunoco Rookie of the Year while driving for Revolution Racing, picked up his third career series win in May at Richmond International Raceway and is among three drivers within 27 points of the championship lead. Peña is sixth in points after his second win of the season on June 18 at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va. Peña also won earlier this season at South Boston (Va.) Speedway. Ryan Gifford is 12th in points, and Michael Cherry, in his first full season in the series after moving up from Late Models, is 17th. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races next at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Friday, July 15. “The success of Darrell Wallace, Sergio Peña, Ryan Gifford and the rest of the team, is a tribute to the academy-style format and the support surrounding Revolution Racing that provides female and minority drivers with an opportunity to really showcase their abilities. In addition to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series drivers, Revolution Racing fields Late Models for drivers Jorge Arteaga, Mackena Bell, Jessica Brunelli, Trey Gibson, Tayla Orleans and Bryan Ortiz. The NASCAR Drive for Diversity initiative currently supports drivers in two of NASCAR’s development series – the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Drive for Diversity also supports crew member candidates through a year-long pit crew training program, the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Crew Member Program presented by Sprint.(Hometracks.nascar.com)(7-7-2011)

Ryan Blaney wins PASS race at Ace Speedway: Ryan Blaney won the Pro All-Stars Series (PASS) race at Ace Speedway (N.C.) and set the Super Late Model track record at the 4/10-mile facility Friday night. The victory is the 17-year-old’s second of the 2011 PASS season and comes fresh off of a strong debut performance in the ARCA Series race in Winchester, Ind. two weeks ago in which he earned the pole and led 154 of 200 laps en route to a sixth-place finish. (Spire Sports + Entertainment) (7-5-2011)

Armstrong wins ARCA Winchester 200: Dakoda Armstrong needed no more inspiration to win at Winchester Speedway than that which was provided by over five dozen friends and family members seated just above the start/finish line, standing and cheering throughout the Winchester ARCA 200 presented by Federated Auto Parts. Armstrong stuck in the top five for most of his first start in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards since May 15 at Toledo Speedway, and pounced upon the lead with 10 laps to go after moving into position because of a key pit decision by veteran crew chief Paul Andrews. Andrews had elected to give the No. 22 Cardinal Ethanol/ICM, Inc./Murex Dodge just two fresh tires and less than a full load of fuel on a Lap 170 pit stop, the move that the New Castle, Ind. driver said helped him to the third win of his ARCA career. Armstrong's start was his fifth of the year for Cunningham Motorsports. In three weeks - on his 20th birthday - Armstrong will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Iowa Speedway for ThorSport Racing.(ARCARacing.com)(6-27-2011)

RCR's Ty Dillon wins RainEater Wiper Blades 200 at MIS: Ty Dillon took advantage of a late-race wreck by leader Cale Gale with six laps remaining, and brushed leader Max Gresham aside with one lap to go and posted his fourth victory of the season in the RainEater Wiper Blades 200 on Friday at Michigan International Speedway. Gale, who had led a total of 72 laps in the 100-lap event, was the victim of a blown right tire that sent him into the wall, giving the lead to Gresham on a green-white, one-lap restart. But Dillon jumped Gresham for the lead just after the start-finish line on the wild last lap and held off Gresham for the victory and a commanding lead in the ARCA driver points standings. Dillon, driving the Richard Childress Racing Development Chevrolet, now holds a 210-point advantage over veteran Frank Kimmel, who finished ninth.(Michigan Int'l Speedway PR)(6-17-2011)

JGR's Gresham wins thrilling NASCAR K&N Classic at GMP: Max Gresham had the fastest car all day, but it took a three-wide, mad dash green-white-checkered flag finish to give the driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota a victory in the Slack Auto Parts 150 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Gresham Motorsports Park Saturday evening. “The late-race green-white-checkered flag finish and Darrell Wallace, Jr. definitely put some pressure on us, but we prevailed off of Turn 2,” said Gresham. “To win here at my home track – the track owned by my grandfather – is a surreal moment for me.” Gresham will next pull double duty making his career superspeedway debut in this Friday’s RainEater Wiper Blades 200 at Michigan International Speedway. Gresham and his No. 25 Venturini Motorsports Toyota were fastest in testing for the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) event at MIS on June 17th.(Joe Gibbs Racing PR)(6-13-2011)

RCR's George earns first career ARCA win: Tim George Jr. and the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet team made all the right moves at Pocono Raceway to take home the win in Saturday's fog-shortened Pocono ARCA 200. As the green flag flew on lap 57, the fog was so dense that spotter Kevin Hamlin informed his driver that he was unable to see him as he drove towards the end of the frontstretch. George made the pass for the point position in turn one and as the field continued around the racetrack, ARCA officials again displayed the yellow flag due to the poor visibility. With the fog thickening and track conditions worsening, officials declared the shortened 59-lap event complete and George the race winner. The win marks his first career ARCA Racing Series victory and his third top-five finish of the 2011 season.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(6-13-2011)

DiBenedetto dominates at Bowman Gray: Matt DiBenedetto made getting around the tight oval at historic Bowman Gray Stadium look easy. The 19-year-old from Grass Valley, Calif., led every lap of the Army Strong 150 Saturday night en route to his first win of 2011 and third of his NASCAR K&N Pro Series East career. DiBenedetto started on the outside pole alongside Coleman Pressley and was able to out-duel his teammate on the first lap. Corey LaJoie briefly moved in front DiBenedetto in the closing stages of the race, but was never able to officially take the lead and settled for second on the green-white-checkered finish. The runner-up effort tied LaJoie’s career best. DiBenedetto delivered the first win for X Team Racing in his No. 15 Gear Wrench Toyota. A newcomer to the series in 2011, X Team’s three-car effort has now netted 10 top-10 finishes through the season’s first five races. His career wins have come at each of the three types of tracks the series currently competes at: a bullring (Bowman Gray), a short track (Tri-County) and a speedway (New Hampshire).(Hometracks.NASCAR.com)(6-06-2011)

NASCAR Diversity Internship Program enters 12th year: Eighteen students from across the United States have been selected to participate in the 2011 NASCAR Diversity Internship Program that starts today and gives minority college students the opportunity to complete 10-week, paid summer internships within the NASCAR industry. Since its inception in 2000, interns have gained experience working in marketing, engineering, public relations, licensing, diversity and public affairs. Participation in the program has led to full-time positions in the industry for a number of past interns.
The program features internships offered by NASCAR offices, sponsors, licensees, teams, tracks and broadcast partners. In addition to NASCAR and GRAND-AM corporate offices in Daytona Beach, Fla., Charlotte, N.C. and New York, the following companies are participating in 2011: SPEED, Revolution Racing, International Speedway Corporation (ISC), Daytona International Speedway, Catalyst Public Relations and Octagon. The current intern class began their NASCAR experience with an orientation session during the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. The group visited the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NASCAR Media Group offices, the Sam Bass NASCAR Art Gallery, Revolution Racing headquarters, attended the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, and the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. In addition, the group met with a number of key people in the NASCAR industry including NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew members, drivers and NASCAR executives.
Each year, the internships are available to college sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students across the country. To be eligible, students must be in good standing with their school and community and have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average. In addition to the internship program, NASCAR awards diversity scholarships in tribute to NASCAR legend Wendell Scott, has an at-track diversity mentorship program and a college tour that visits historically black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions.Attached is a list of the students and their colleges. More information on the internship program is available at NASCARdiversity.com.

2011 NASCAR Diversity Internship Class: [Student / Hometown / School / Internship]
Leah Berry (Tinton Falls, NJ), University of Virginia, SPEED Channel (Charlotte)
Carrington Chambliss (Richmond, VA), Johnson and Wales University,NASCAR Automotive Group (Charlotte)
Matthew Esqueda (Houston, TX), Texas Tech University, NASCAR Developmental Series-Ops (Daytona Beach)
Jarett Gerald (Atlanta, GA), University of South Carolina, NASCAR Corporate Marketing (New York)
Carrington Gilbert (Las Vegas, NV), Texas A&M University, Catalyst Public Relations (Charlotte)
Casey Haimes (Weston, FL), University of Central Florida, Octagon Marketing (SPRINT) (Charlotte)
Ade Herbert (New Orleans, LA), Fordham University, Revolution Racing (Charlotte)
Aaron Hernandez (El Paso, TX), University of Notre Dame, NASCAR Legal (Daytona Beach)
Kavolshaia Howze (Fairfield, AL), Grambling State University, NASCAR Broadcasting (Charlotte)
Perron Jones (Augusta, GA), Georgia Institute of Technology, NASCAR IT Services (Daytona Beach)
Brian Lee (Alexandria, VA), Purdue University, NASCAR Research & Development Center (Concord)
Brittel Lloyd (Orange Park, FL), University of Central Florida, NASCAR Diversity Affairs (Daytona Beach)
Brittany Meyer (New Braunfels, TX), Washington University in St. Louis, NASCAR Public Affairs (Daytona Beach)
Elizabeth Miranda (Miami, FL), Florida State University, ISC Public Affairs (Daytona Beach)
Pedro Mojica (Kileen, TX), University of Texas at San Antonio, GRAND-AM Competition (Daytona Beach)
Jessica Neal (Washington, DC), Howard University, NASCAR Foundation (Charlotte)
Erica Wilkerson (Winter Haven, FL), University of Central Florida, Daytona International Speedway (Guest Services)
Jerry Xie (Dallas, TX), Emory University, NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications (Daytona Beach)
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications)(6-1-2011)

Moffitt wins K&N Pro Series race at Iowa: Brett Moffitt made sure the 17,281 hometown fans went home happy. The 18-year-old from nearby Grimes, Iowa, dominated the Pork Be Inspired 175 at Iowa Speedway Saturday night. The win comes a year after he led 54 laps but wrecked after contact while leading in the race's closing laps, and follows his misfortune in his last race out when he was collected by a lapped car while leading at South Boston (Va.) Speedway. It was the second win of the season for the Michael Waltrip Racing Development Driver. With the win, Moffitt unofficially edged ahead of Wallace in the season standings by one tally, 646-645.(Iowa Speedway PR)(5-25-2011)

Presnell signs with X Team Racing: Dylan Presnell of Sevierville has been in control behind the wheel at racetracks across the United States since he was seven years old, when he first began racing Quarter Midgets in 2003. And from that point until now he’s raced Bandolero, Mini Cup, Legends and Late Model cars. He’s competed with the Allison Legacy Series, United Auto Racing Association - Southern Touring Asphalt Racing Series, Pro All Stars Series, Champion Racing Association Super Series, and United Speed Alliance Racing Pro Cup Series. As of last week, he and his father (Ken Presnell) have signed a contract with X Team Racing for Dylan to drive Toyotas for the operation and run six NASCAR K&N Pro Series East events this season, and then compete full-time with the series in 2012.(Hometracks.NASCAR.com)(5-24-2011)

Stremme Racing tabs Anderson to drive: David Stremme Racing announced today that 20-year-old Jordan Anderson will serve as the team’s flagship development driver for the 2011 racing season. Veteran racer Bobby Gill will act as a crew chief and a driving coach to Anderson. The City of Forest Acres, South Carolina, a longtime sponsor of Forest Acres native Anderson, will serve as the team’s primary sponsor of the team’s No. 19 Hamke chassied Super Late Model. Anderson has previously competed in Dirt Late Models, accumulating 15 wins across North Carolina since 2009. He has twice won the Charlotte Motor Speedway Summer Shootout Legends Pro Division championship (2007 and 2008) and has amassed over 150 wins in Legends Cars. Gill brings to the team four USAR Pro Cup Series championships and two wins in the Snowball Derby, one of Late Model racing’s most prestigious races. (David Stremme Racing/Spire Sports PR) (05-17-2011)

Elliott gets first USAR Pro Cup victory: Chase Elliott and his Aaron’s/HendrickCars.com crew took a page from the same playbook that propelled Regan Smith to victory at Darlington and Matt Kenseth at Dover and used it to win the Carolina 200 presented by Black's Tire and Auto Service at Rockingham Speedway on Saturday. It was Elliott’s first win in the USAR Pro Cup Series and the second of his career at Rockingham Speedway, the track where his father Bill Elliott made his first Sprint Cup start and where he got the most recent of his 44 Cup victories. Elliott’s next event will be the NASCAR K & N series in Newton, Iowa Speedway May 21st.(Chase Elliott PR)(5-16-2011)

NASCAR announces College Scholarship Program: NASCAR today announced the return of the NASCAR Wendell Scott Scholarship Program and the University of Central Florida, DeVos School of Management Scholarship. For a second consecutive year, the NASCAR Wendell Scott Scholarship Program is funded in part by long-time NASCAR partner UPS. The program was established to provide financial support to deserving African-American and Hispanic students currently enrolled in college who are pursuing degrees in areas of study related to motorsports, including marketing, engineering and public relations. The scholarship program is part of NASCAR Diversity Affairs’ integrated initiative that includes a scholarship program, mentorship program and summer internship program. The NASCAR Wendell Scott Scholarship Program provides annual scholarships administered by the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). In addition, NASCAR and UPS support a scholarship program for students attending the University of Central Florida, DeVos School of Management which offers a master’s program in sports management. The scholarships are based on the following award criteria:
*3.0 GPA requirement
*Documented financial need
*College juniors, seniors and graduate students with majors in: business, communications, engineering, mass media, public relations or technology
*Participation in the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program (NDIP) is encouraged but not required
(NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications)(5-12-2011)

Fueling Dreams Tour Set For 2011 - program aim to provide career opportunities for Nation's youth: NASCAR announced today the 2011 Fueling Dreams Tour, a creative and multifaceted program whose aim is to identify talented drivers and provide them with the tools and opportunities to fulfill their dreams of becoming race car drivers. Additionally, Fueling Dreams introduces a cross-section of young fans to NASCAR through resources, tools, experiential engagement and career opportunities within motorsports to help develop the next generation of motorsports executives. Over the course of 10 months, the Fueling Dreams Tour will blanket the nation, touching youth and families through racing simulators, show cars, contests, giveaways and online racing. High school students can enjoy the NASCAR Fan Experience High School Outreach program brought to their schools exclusively. Among some of the other Fueling Dreams Tour programs:
*Children ages 8 to 13 can test their driving skills through Youth Karting experiences.
*Career Panels will reveal the depth of career opportunities in NASCAR specifically, and the motorsports industry in general.
*Opinion leaders in tour cities will learn more about NASCAR initiatives at Influencers Dinners
*Mega-churches throughout the South will have NASCAR integrated into Sunday services during Faith-Based Outreach days.
*Continued support for NASCAR’s history-making Drive for Diversity team.
The Fueling Dreams Tour hauler is a traveling display which is anchored by tour assets such as show cars, street cars, interactive displays, music, racing simulators and giveaways. The Fueling Dreams Tour sponsors are NASCAR, Revolution Racing, the U.S. Army and iRacing and stops include: Atlanta, Ga., Charlotte, N.C., Miami, Fla., Greenville, S.C., Dover, Del., New Orleans, La., Hampton, Va., Dallas, Texas, Richmond, Va., South Boston, Va., Gresham, Ga., Sparta, Ky.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications)(5-2-2011)

Poole wins at Salem with Venturini Motorsports: Brennan Poole fought back from one lap down in the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 at Salem Speedway to do in one race what many ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards drivers try week after week to achieve: win. Poole, who drove the No. 55 Renton Coil Spring/Midas Chevrolet for Venturini Motorsports in his ARCA Racing Series debut, gave Venturini a second consecutive spring win on Salem's high-banked, 0.555-mile oval. Steve Arpin won in the team's No. 55 car last season; that car was turned over to Max Gresham and the No. 25 Venturini team today. Poole is the first driver to win his first ARCA Racing Series start since Patrick Long at New Jersey Motorsports Park on September 13, 2009. He passed Tom Hessert on Lap 176, and held the lead over the final 31 laps in a race that was extended to 206 laps because of a late caution period.(Brennan Poole PR)(5-2-2011)

Darrell Wallace wins K&N Pro Series East race at RIR: After a tight battle at the front, Darrell Wallace Jr. wrestled the lead away from Max Gresham for the final time on Lap 79 and held on to win the inaugural Blue Ox 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Richmond International Raceway. Wallace, from Mobile, Ala., gained the third victory in just his 13th career start in the K&N Pro Series East. He took the lead from Gresham for the first time on Lap 55, and the two later swapped it following a restart on Lap 78, and for the decisive time on Lap 79. Wallace pilots the No. 6 U.S. Army Toyota for Revolution Racing and Drive for Diversity. He gained two wins as a rookie in 2010, and has finished in the top 10 in all but three of his career starts. Brett Moffitt wound up second with Corey LaJoie, Gresham and Alex Bowman in the top five. For LaJoie, it was his fifth career top-10 finish, all of which have come at tracks in which NASCAR’s national series compete. With the win, Wallace now leads the season standings after three races by 26 points on teammate Peña. Wallace ended up leading a race-high 55 laps with Gresham the other 45.(Revolution Racing PR)(4-30-2011)

U.S. Army Racing joins forces with Revolution Racing: The U.S. Army has announced a partnership with Revolution Racing and NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity (D4D) program for the 2011 season. During the upcoming racing campaign, the Army will serve as one of the primary sponsors for Revolution Racing in NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series races and as an associate sponsor for the entire roster of Revolution Racing drivers in both the K&N Pro Series and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. As part of the new partnership, Revolution Racing leadership and drivers will join the Army’s efforts in reaching young Americans and their influencers about the many education and leadership opportunities available in the Army. The Army will be a part of NASCAR’s Fueling Dreams Tour presented by Revolution Racing, an interactive display area that visits NASCAR and K&N Pro Series races, local high schools and colleges, and other multicultural events across the country. The interactive assets and speaker panels provide young Americans an opportunity to learn more about the career options and leadership opportunities within both NASCAR and the Army. Revolution Racing, owned by former Dale Earnhardt, Inc. executives Max Siegel and John Story, exists to provide opportunities in NASCAR for minorities and females, fielding four teams in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, six teams in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, multiple youth racing teams and a NASCAR pit crew development program. It brings together championship caliber executives, competition staff and equipment in a unique, academy-style environment. The Drive for Diversity program has been successful in creating meaningful opportunities for minority and female competitors. The program helps to further diversify NASCAR’s participant and audience base. The program has seen continuous growth since its inception in 2004.(US Army Racing/Revolution Racing PR)(4-30-2011)

Ryan Blaney to make NASCAR debut at Richmond K&N Pro Series race: Ryan Blaney will make his NASCAR debut this Thursday night at Richmond International Raceway in a 100-lap contest for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. Blaney will pilot a Toyota owned by Dave Blaney and Ohio businessman Jim Weller. Trent Owens, regularly the crew chief for Reed Sorenson in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will serve in the same role for the 17-year-old. Blaney has enjoyed success at the Super Late Model level, having captured five victories across three different states since 2010. Blaney’s father Dave is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competitor and was the 1995 World of Outlaws champion. Seal Wrap, Heavy Duty Industrial Services, and NOS Energy Drink will serve as sponsors.(Ryan Blaney PR)(4-26-2011)

Sergio Pena captures first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East victory: Just more than a year after exploding onto the NASCAR scene with a second-place finish in his NASCAR K&N Series debut in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale, Sergio Pena grabbed his first series victory in the South Boston 150. Pena, driving the Freightliner Toyota as part of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program, won the second race of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season. It marked the third victory in 12 NASCAR K&N Series races for Revolution Racing over the last two seasons. Teammates Ryan Gifford, driving the TRD Toyota Camry, and Darrell Wallace Jr., driving the U.S. Army entry, took home fifth- and sixth-place finishes respectively, giving Revolution Racing three of the top-six positions in the tightly contested race. Sergio Pena Captures First NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Victory.(RevolutionRacing.net)(4-19-2011)

Blaney wins at Dillon Motor Speedway: Ryan Blaney, son of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dave Blaney, captured the victory Saturday night in the South Carolina Clash Pro All-Stars Series race at Dillon Motor Speedway. The win is Blaney’s fifth in Super Late Models in the last two years. Blaney is scheduled to make two NASCAR K&N Series starts this year, his debut being at Richmond International Raceway on April 28. (Spire Sports + Entertainment) (4-4-2011)

Berry gears up for second seaon in JRM late model: Josh Berry will kick off his second season with the JR Motorsports late model program this Saturday when he races the No. 72 R&B Chevrolet at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va. The 20-year-old native of Hendersonville, Tenn., is slated to compete in 20 late model races for JR Motorsports this year at Motor Mile Speedway. Last year, Berry participated in 10 events with the team, earning four top-10 finishes. L.W. Miller, a long-time competitor in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, will serve as crew chief and team manager for the No. 72 R&B team this season. Miller will partner with program director Willie Jackson in leading the program in 2011.(JR Motorsports PR)(4-1-2011)

Coulter development program set to debut Crum: Nineteen-year-old Jake Crum has joined the driver development program at Coulter Motorsports and will enter his first race for the team this weekend. Coulter Motorsports, well known for its No. 16 team in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and its development of current NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Joey Coulter, has grown from its beginning in 2009 to a viable team with entries in the ARCA Racing Series and UARA-STARS Series, in which Crum will race at Concord Motorsports Park Saturday. Crum has amassed 350 wins and 53 championships across 10 racing series, and has experience in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, and the ARCA Racing Series. Crum's lone ARCA start came at Mansfield Motorsports Park in 2009; he finished sixth. This January, Crum tested for Hixson Motorsports at Daytona International Speedway. In 2011, Coulter Motorsports plans on entering their No. 16 Chevrolet in the entire ARCA Racing Series schedule, along with a partial schedule with the No. 16 Chevrolet in the UARA-STARS Series. Fpr updates on Coulter Motorsports and their Driver Development Program follow @CoulterMtrsprts on Twitter.(ARCARacing/Coulter Motorsports PR)(3-24-2011)

BDI selects Kasten as driver in 2011: BDI Racing owner Bob Dillner announced today that 20-year-old Becca Kasten will drive for the team in 2011 in a rigorous schedule that includes events in the Blizzard Series, CRA Super Series, JEGS All-Star Tour, the Pro All Stars Series and UARA. Kasten will also drive for the Toby Nuttleman (crew chief) led team in several ASA Midwest Tour races and the Slinger Nationals. After an impressive Florida Speedweeks, which included a win and three, second-place finishes in Super Late Model competition at New Smyrna Speedway with a Toby Nuttleman prepared car, Kasten will compete under the BDI banner in the UARA season opener at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 12th. The Wisconsin native will return to Super Late Model racing when she competes in the BDI #51 in “The Race” at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Saturday April 9th and in the “Easter Bunny 150” at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 23rd. Becca Kasten spent the 2010 season as part of the NASCAR Diversity program with Revolution Racing, but decided to explore other avenues in 2011. The entire Becca Kasten racing schedule will be released shortly.(BDI Racing/Becca Kasten PR)(3-8-2011)

Ambrose starts development team; Miedecke to drive Based in the motorsport hub of North Carolina, Marcos Ambrose Motorsport has been set up to field Late Model stock cars in the UARA Stars Touring Series, with the team set to field 24 year old Australian George Miedecke in the Jeld-Wen Australia sponsored #9 racer. The program has been developed to equip drivers with the best possible race machinery, give exclusive access to Ambrose’s advice, guidance and industry connections, as well as to his marketing and public relations team. Ambrose will not only act as a mentor through his own team. This year, he will also use his story and career path to motivate and encourage apprentices and young trades people in his homeland of Australia on behalf of team sponsor Jeld-Wen’s Housing Industry Association (HIA) Build Your Future Program. andidates can register online for a scholarship at http://hia.com.au/buildyourfuture. Managing the technical side of the Marcos Ambrose Motorsport program is team manager Jamie Yelton, whose cars have won a total of 12 races in the past year, and crew chief Lee McCall, who has previously been to NASCAR Sprint Cup victory lane with famed drivers Sterling Marlin and Jamie McMurray. Season 2011 will see Miedecke race in 16 events at 11 tracks, with additional marquee races to be added later in the season. Miedecke turned his attentions Stateside in 2010, competing in the NASCAR Whelen All American Late Model Series, with his 14 starts providing 12 top-ten finishes, two pole positions, and two race wins. Prior to moving into oval track racing, Miedecke was a star in the ultra-competitive world of Australian V8 Utes Racing, as well as a champion in the Production Car Racing ranks. George Miedecke debuts the Marcos Ambrose Motorsport Late Model racer at Hickory Motor Speedway on March 12, with support from primary partner Jeld-Wen Australia, as well as Blundstone Footwear, braaap USA, Miedecke Motorgroup, ONE HD, Stanley Tools, and the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.(OzRacingWrap.com)(3-6-2011)

NASCAR and Ten80 Education's Student Racing Challenge announce partnership: NASCAR and Ten80 Education’s Student Racing Challenge announced today a partnership focusing on attracting youth into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Increased national focus on student scores in math/science testing prompted NASCAR to seek a high-performance educational initiative. The program had to be research-based, compelling for youth participation and reach a widely underserved audience, making the Ten80 Student Racing Challenge the right fit for NASCAR. The Ten80 Student Racing Challenge uses a NASCAR-themed curriculum for students in grades 6-12, paralleling student activity to the arduous preparation of real NASCAR teams. Students will be challenged to optimize performance of a 1:10 scale race car just like the NASCAR professionals in track garages all across the country. Mini-race teams composed of students will earn points between October and May and points leaders will then compete in the National Finals held at a NASCAR track each May. Teams can earn points in various categories including sanctioned races, aerodynamic design, creative engineering and alternative energies and sustainable design. Marketing and graphic design are rewarded as teams seek sponsorship and media presence. The Ten80 Student Racing Challenge will use the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. as a key resource for its curriculum. From direct communication with some of the sport’s top engineers and researchers to access to the sanctioning body’s R&D facility, the Ten80 Student Racing Challenge will have a “home base” of sorts unlike any other STEM project nationwide. According to Terri Stripling, president of Ten80 Education, with more than 14 million possible setup combinations for the car, Ten80 Student Racing Challenge offers a wide range of subjects for investigation. From basic scientific method to upper level calculus, the program works to bring real-world math modeling to students of all backgrounds and talents, including a focus on underserved student populations. Ten80 Education is a team of engineers, scientists, teachers, professors and parents all dedicated to a single mission of educating students on STEM subjects, STEM careers and how they affect the world around us. The core of Ten80 Education was founded in the 1990s when a team of teachers spearheaded by Simmons reached out into their community looking for ways to develop authentic classroom applications for math and science. Though they didn’t know it at the time, the engineers, technicians and professors who answered the questions were forming the first Ten80 Engineer-Educator teams. Since then, Ten80 Education has continued to pair STEM professionals with educators to provide professional development for K-12 teachers and to develop innovative and effective supplemental K-12 programs.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications)(3-4-2011)

KHI celebrates ten years of competition; establishes driver development program:This season marks the 10th year of competition in NASCAR for Kevin Harvick Inc. Team co-owner Kevin Harvick made KHI's first start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Richmond International Raceway in 2001, narrowly missing the win by inches to series veteran Jack Sprague. Ten years later Kevin and DeLana Harvick have two Truck Series championships to their credit and multiple wins in both the Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series with a host of drivers. With the support of long-time and new sponsor partners, KHI has grown to three full-time Truck Series teams and two full-time Nationwide Series teams which will compete for both the Driver and Owner championships in the two series this season. As another step forward in the company's growth, KHI announced today the establishment of a driver development program and has signed Gray Gaulding, a 13 year old up-and-coming talent, to a multi-year contract as the first participant in this development program. Through a partnership with Robert Hamke, Gaulding will compete in the southern division of the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Model Touring Series. The 2011 PASS season opens March 12 at Anderson Motor Speedway in Williamston, S.C. In 2010 Gaulding competed in the Legends Division. He ran in 47 events and posted 16 wins, 8 top-five and 25 top-10 finishes. He also made his way into the Legends record books as he became the youngest driver to compete in the Legends Million race at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. During 2011 all KHI vehicles will carry a commemorative decal as the company celebrates their accomplishments over the last 10 years.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(2-18-2011)

Hendrick Motorsports signs Chase Elliott: Hendrick Motorsports has signed Chase Elliott to a multi-year driver agreement. Elliott, the son of 1988 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Bill Elliott, will continue to compete for his family-owned team until meeting age requirements for entering NASCAR national series events. Bill Elliott Racing, based in Dawsonville, Ga., will field Chevrolets with support from Hendrick Motorsports. A 15-year-old freshman in high school, Elliott already has competed against some of the best short-track racers in the United States. In 40 late model starts last season, he posted 13 victories, 27 top-five finishes and 37 top-10s. In 2010, Elliott became the youngest driver to win the Blizzard Series at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., the Miller Lite Series at Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway and the overall Sunoco Gulf Coast championship. The Dawsonville native also posted victories in the prestigious Winchester 400 and at the re-opening of historic North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway. Elliott already is two-for-two in 2011 after sweeping the Speedfest late-model features last month at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, Ga. This season, he plans to enter a combination of super late model, pro late model and NASCAR regional touring series events.(Chase Elliott PR)(2-16-2011)

NASCAR celebrates diversity accomplishments at annual luncheon: The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing today celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of pioneering individuals and organizations in the area of diversity at the fourth annual NASCAR Diversity Luncheon. "Teams, tracks, sponsors and other stakeholders play a vital role in our efforts to further diversify our sport," said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR managing director of public affairs. "The NASCAR Diversity Awards are a small way to say thank you and recognize a few special people who create awareness and opportunity in NASCAR." At a ceremony held at The DAYTONA 500 Club at Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR recognized the following individuals and organizations across the industry for their outstanding impact:

Drive for Diversity Participant: Darrell Wallace Jr.
Darrell Wallace Jr. became the first African American and youngest driver in history to win a race in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Darrell was also crowned rookie of the year and became the first African American to achieve the honor. Wallace Jr., 17, who lives in Concord, N.C., started racing when he was 9 years old and has found plenty of success along the way. In 2009, Wallace was named a development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing. With support from JGR, he competed with his family?operated team in a number of late model events throughout the Southeast. He won his first late model race at Franklin County Speedway (Callaway, Va.) in 2008, becoming the youngest driver to win a late model race at the historic speedway, at age 14. He graduated last month from North West Cabarrus High School in Concord, N.C., on the honor roll.

Young Racer Award: Elijah Bacon
Elijah Bacon, 12, hails from Mooresville, N.C., where an interest in auto racing blossomed. Bacon, who is African American, was identified for the Revolution Racing Youth Driver Program last year after a community auto racing event at the New Birth Church in Huntersville, N.C. Last year marked his first year in racing, driving Bandoleros for Revolution Racing where he had three podium finishes. His most memorable experience came when he finished second in just the third race of his career.

NASCAR Diversity Internship Program Award: Kathryn Lee and Brittani Parker
Kathryn Lee, 20, of Jacksonville, Fla., interned last summer in the NASCAR Human Resources department in Daytona Beach, Fla. She's currently a senior at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Some of the projects she worked on included "Bring Your Kids to Work Day," NASCAR University, and creating the framework for the new NASCAR employment website. Lee also did administrative research, including employee reference and background checks, and researching job posting databases.
Brittani Parker, 22, of Winston-Salem, N.C., was an intern last summer with The NASCAR Foundation in Charlotte where she performed a number of key duties. She's a graduate of Winston-Salem State University. Parker also served as lead coordinator for a NASCAR Foundation-sponsored event at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, where 3,000 inner city youth and 1,000 business community members came together at the Hall of Fame to celebrate summer learning and the Freedom Schools program. She Assisted with NASCAR Day projects, including event planning and project coordination of the Ronald McDonald playground built in Kansas City, and coordinated donor receipts and gift records for events such as the Rusty Wallace Roast in Iowa.

Educational Institutional Award: Virginia State University
Virginia State University is awarded this prestigious honor because of their role in shaping tomorrow's industry leaders. The school has set a high standard of excellence in the motorsports industry, and it is a prime example of the level of involvement and passion its students portray in regard to NASCAR and the entire motorsports industry. The institution has inspired and raised the student body's interest and appreciation of motorsports. Professor Dr. Leon Bey received the award on behalf of Virginia State University, who has made great contributions to the advancement of the motorsports program at the school.

NASCAR Partner Award: Toyota
Toyota is recognized for their exemplary effort to incorporate diversity and inclusion within the motorsports industry. Toyota will be a vital component of Revolution Racing, the team all NASCAR Drive for Diversity racers will drive for this coming season. They have recognized the value and accomplishments of the team's mission and will play a major role in the success of Revolution Racing. Revolution Racing will be the only team in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East without an affiliation to a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team that will receive Toyota Racing Development support. Toyota was the primary sponsor to Darrell Wallace Jr.'s No. 6 car at the Toyota All-Star Showdown last month, and they will have a year-long primary sponsorship of one car in both the NASCAR K& Pro Series East and NASCAR Whelen All American Series.

Industry Ambassador Award: Phil Horton
Phil Horton is the strength and conditioning coach for Revolution Racing, and is a 10-year veteran in NASCAR. Horton is a former pit crew coach for Chip Ganassi Racing, and driver Juan Pablo Montoya. He has accumulated 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup, 11 NASCAR Nationwide Series and five NASCAR Camping World Truck Series wins with notable drivers such as Rick Crawford, Jason Keller, Dale Jarrett, and Juan Pablo Montoya. Horton is honored for being an outstanding figure in this industry for his commitment to diversity in the motorsports industry, growing the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development Program, and his ability to bring talented people to the program. A total of 40 athletes have participated in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Crew Member Development Program since its inception in 2004, and last year program participants competed in 160 races, including 34 at the NASCAR Camping World Truck or NASCAR Nationwide Series levels. Horton is from Lenoir, N.C.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications)(2-16-2011)

Chase Elliott starts 2011 with Speedfest sweep: Chase Elliott will have to win a lot of races this year to outdo his breakout season in 2010. On Sunday, he got off to a good start. Elliott swept the Champion Racing Association and Pro Late Model races that made up SpeedFest at Lanier National Speedway. For his efforts, the 15-year-old earned two trophies and more than $10,000. Elliott first won the Pro Late Model 150-lap feature, but he had to move a NASCAR driver out of the way to do it. Elliott hounded Sprint Cup Series veteran David Ragan for the lead in the closing laps, but Ragan would not budge from the preferred racing line. The race ended with two attempts at green-white-checkered-flag runs, and Elliott, using the outside line, prevailed both times to get his second win of the day. Elliott and the Aaron's team resume their 2011 season on March 6 at South Alabama Speedway for the second event in the CRA Southern Six Pak Tour at "The Rattler".(OnlineAthens.com)(1-31-2011)

Drive For Diversity Introduces 2011 Driver Lineup: NASCAR and Revolution Racing announced the 2011 driver lineup – the eighth season for the Drive for Diversity (D4D) program – tonight during NASCAR’s annual Charlotte Media Tour at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C. This year, the D4D initiative looks to build upon its success in 2010. Ten drivers will participate in the 2011 Drive for Diversity Program – four in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and six in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Last year, former Dale Earnhardt Inc. President Max Siegel created the Revolution Racing team along with former DEI and Robby Gordon Motorsports executive John Story. All 10 drivers will race for the team, which is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East teams are operated under the direction of four-time K&N Pro Series champion Andy Santerre, and the six NASCAR Whelen All-American Series teams are led by former Greenville-Pickens (S.C.) Speedway track champion Blair Addis. Revolution Racing is a minority owned NASCAR franchise whose mission is to develop minority and female drivers, pit crew members and mechanics through an “academy-style” training model. All D4D competitors relocated to Mooresville and entered the development program under the single team ownership structure.

This year’s class represents drivers from across North America. Six drivers will return from 2010. Last year, the eleven drivers combined for five wins. African-American driver Darrell Wallace Jr., who will return for his second year, earned rookie-of-the-year honors. He became the youngest to ever win the award in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Hispanic driver Sergio Peña won the pole for the Toyota All-Star Showdown at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, Calif., then finished second to 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year Joey Logano. Over 200 minority and female drivers applied to be part of the 2011 Drive for Diversity class. Thirty-six of those applicants were invited to tryout at the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine presented by Sunoco last October at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va. Drivers were selected by Revolution Racing and NASCAR officials based on their on-track performance and off-track interviews.

NASCAR and Revolution Racing selected the following 10 drivers to compete in the program:

Jorge Arteaga of Aguascalientes, Mex. will race in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Arteaga made three starts in the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series including a 10th-place finish in his debut at Lee USA Speedway on July 30th. He won the 2010 NASCAR Mexico Series Most Popular Driver Award.

Mackena Bell of Carson City, Nev. returns to the Drive for Diversity Program for a second season, and will race in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. In 2010, three of her five starts in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series were top fives, while her best finish came on Aug. 20 where she finished second.

Jessica Brunelli of Hayward, Calif. will race in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Her 2010 season included six top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. She returns to the Drive for Diversity program for a second season.

Michael Cherry of Valrico, Fla. returns to the Drive for Diversity Program for a third season and will race in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Last year he competed in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, becoming the first African-American to win a late model race at Tri-County Motor Speedway in Hudson, N.C. The win also was his first career late model stock car victory.

Trey Gibson of Easley, S.C. will race in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. In 2010, Gibson ran a full schedule of late model stock cars at Greenville-Pickens Speedway where he had two poles, two wins, 11 top fives and 20 top 10s. He made history by becoming the youngest driver to win a late model race at the historic Greenville-Pickens Speedway.

Ryan Gifford of Winchester, Tenn. returns to the Drive for Diversity Program for a second season, racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Last year, Gifford became the first African-American in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East history to win a pole position, on June 6. Gifford ran 10 races for Revolution Racing in 2010 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, recording four top-five finishes, one pole and a 10th-place finish in season points.

Tayla Orleans of Randleman, N.C. will race in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. From age 7, in her first 120 races she recorded 31 wins and 92 top fives. Since that time, she has won numerous karting championships and honors that include becoming the youngest stock car winner in the history of Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl history.

Bryan Ortiz of Bayamon, Puerto Rico will race in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. In 2010, Ortiz drove for Sterling Marlin Racing in the Sunoco National Tour, recording a pole and four top-three finishes in seven races. He won rookie-of-the-year honors after capturing rookie of the race awards in all seven starts.

Sergio Peña of Winchester, Va. returns to the Drive for Diversity Program for a second season, and will race in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. He entered his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series race at last season’s Toyota All-Star Showdown at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, Calif., winning the pole, and finishing second to 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year Joey Logano.

Darrell Wallace Jr. of Mobile, Ala. will race in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, and returns to the Drive for Diversity Program for a second season. Wallace was the youngest and first African-American to win a race and rookie-of-the-year honors in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. He captured two victories in the series last season – the most of any Drive for Diversity driver last year.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications)(1-26-2011)

Ten young drivers win K&N Sponsorships in Shoot-Out: The national talent search conducted by Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle has concluded with 14 talented drivers being awarded spots in the NASCAR focused driver development program along with sponsorships from K&N Filters to assist their 2011 racing efforts. Following strong performances in the Shoot-Out track tests, the 14 winners include Ricky Bowers, Alejandro Capin, Steve Cote, Jarrett Crouch, Fritz Croy, Sheldon Didinger, James Eden, Paul Graham, Trevor Hunt, Brodie Kostecki, Brandon Martinez, Collin Milroy, Paden Phillips and Trevor Snow. With sponsorship support from K&N Filters, these talented young drivers will race in USAC & NASCAR series this coming season. The race season begins in March and April for these 14 talented drivers but the off-season has been busy already with testing and classroom training sessions.(Winner's Circle Racing)(1-26-2011)

Hessert moving to Ken Schrader Racing: om Hessert, who finished in third place in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards in 2010, will have a new home for 2011. Hessert, who drove the No. 77 Cunningham Motorsports Dodge to one win, 10 top-fives, and 15 top-10 finishes in 2010, informed Cunningham Motorsports owner Kerry Scherer last week that he will drive in 2011 for Ken Schrader Racing. Dakoda Armstrong, Hessert's teammate in 2010, has not yet informed Cunningham Motorsports of his plans for 2011, according to a team press release.(ARCA Racing.com)(1-3-2011)