Score Motorsports, a partnership formed in October by the former Cavaliers star and Emporia native Hermie Sadler, has committed to becoming a charter member of NASCAR’s “Drive for Diversity” in 2004. The new initiative will place minority drivers in Late Model cars in the Dodge Weekly Series. Sadler and Stith will field a car at South Boston Speedway. Sadler said he and Stith agreed to the program after being sought out by NASCAR Chief Operating Officer George Pyne at the season finale at Homestead. “We were talking about trying to search out minority candidates to put in the cars and train as mechanics,” Sadler said. “Shortly after that, I started getting calls from George Pyne about our willingness to participate in this program. It all fell into place.” Sadler still is planning to drive at least a dozen Busch Series races and a few Nextel Cup events for Score Motorsports but also is adding help at his South Hill-based shop to crew the new Late Model car.
“We’ll treat it just as serious as our Winston Cup and Busch programs,” said Sadler, whose team has run limited Busch and Cup schedules since 2001 while struggling to find sponsorship. “We want to be successful with that because it could lead to bigger and better things. This program we’re doing will go a long way toward giving us credibility as a team supporting the diversity initiative. It’s another feather in our cap.” Sadler and Stith will select their Late Model driver from a “combine” at Hickory Motor Speedway on Jan. 5. About 12 to 15 prospective minority drivers will showcase their on-track skills during the event, which will be attended by other teams interested in the diversity initiative, such as Bobby Hamilton Racing.
“Our driver is going to work in the shop during the week and race on weekends,” Sadler said. “By midseason, he’ll be a vital part of preparing his own car by our training.” The team has been assured by NASCAR and Access Communications, the company spearheading the “Drive for Diversity,” that the car will have a full primary sponsor. The price tag for a full short-track season ranges from $100,000-$300,000 annually – far less than the $3 million-$15 million needed to run in NASCAR’s top three series. “It gives you a good feeling that NASCAR is really behind the program,” Sadler said. “They’re working to secure enough money to compete in top-notch equipment and not cut any corners. Everything will be new, and we’ll treat it like we’re competing for the Late Model championship at South Boston.” Access Communications General Manager Darryl Stewart said there are enough sponsors for about four Late Model teams. The first officially to sign is the National Guard, which also is the primary advertiser of the #16 Ford driven by Greg Biffle in the Nextel Cup Series. The Hickory combine also will provide minority crew members with the chance to join a Craftsman Truck Series team. Several Truck teams, including HT Motorsports, Morgan-Dollar Motorsports and Innovative Motorsports, will be present. Access has extended its deadline for applications [see next story or more info on my Racing Schools/Jobs page.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(12-16-2003)
