Posted on by Staff Report

ORLANDO, FL. — If one championship celebration is sweet, then a repeat celebration is even sweeter. Such was the case for 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion, Tyler Reddick, who enjoyed his second Xfinity Champion’s Tour in as many years on Wednesday at Universal Orlando Resort.

Reddick, accompanied by his longtime girlfriend and guests from Xfinity, spent the day taking in the awesome sights and breathtaking thrills of the Universal parks.

“It’s a blast to be back,” said Reddick . “To get to have this experience again and to have the support of a sponsor like Xfinity, it’s awesome.”

The repeat Xfinity Series Champion ended his day with an autograph session and a parade through the streets of Universal Studios.

Reddick, who has piloted the No. 2 for Richard Childress Racing for the past three seasons, will transition to the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 8 car for the same team in 2020.

Asked if his championship momentum will carry over to the Cup level, Reddick was optimistic but not complacent.

“There’s a lot of work to do between now and Daytona.”

Posted on by Staff Report

Doug Coby continued his historic run, Justin Bonsignore made a late run, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour announced not one, but two, big venues for 2020, and the Modified community lost a legend.

The 2019 season was one to remember, for a lot of reasons.

As the NASCAR Awards are set to culminate the championship season Saturday night at the Charlotte Convention Center at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, we take a look back at the 35th season of the Whelen Modified Tour.

Hall of Fame Résumé

What Doug Coby has accomplished in his Whelen Modified Tour career is incredible. When you consider that the Milford, Connecticut, driver has put together a resume worthy of the NASCAR Hall of Fame despite having just one tour win prior to turning 32, it’s even more impressive.

All Coby has done in the last eight years is win 26 times with 72 top fives in 120 starts. That’s a win every 4.6 races. And his 2019 championship meant he became just the 13th driver in NASCAR history to win six or more national or touring series championships. That’s a list that includes the likes of Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Richie Evans and Mike Stefanik.

“It‘s really just hard to put into words,” Coby said. “We try to come out here to win every race and try to come out to have the best season of anyone, and our team just finds a way to do it. I don‘t talk about numbers, and think about numbers — I have a long way to go in my career, and this could be it. I always try to remember that my last win could be my last win, and my last championship could be my last championship. Well earned by my team, I will tell you that much.”

What comes next is up in the air, as Coby’s long-time car owner, Mike Smeriglio III, announced in the offseason that he was stepping away from the sport to spend more time with his family. Suffice to say, though, wherever Coby lands in 2020, he’ll be a threat for title No. 7.

Losing A Legend

As Coby was moving closer to what is considered one of the most untouchable records in NASCAR – the nine championships won each by Evans and Stefanik — the Modified community mourned the sudden loss of Stefanik in September.

Stefanik, who retired from racing in 2014, passed away from injuries suffered in a small single-seat plane crash at the age of 61.

The all-time winningest driver in history of the Modified Tour, Stefanik won seven Whelen Modified champions as well as two in the former NASCAR Busch North Series.

“He recorded achievements in this sport that are likely untouchable, and his legacy as a champion will endure,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France as part of a statement following Stefanik’s passing. At the Full Throttle Fall Weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway later in September, Max McLaughlin (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East) and Timmy Solomito (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) ran tribute paint schemes on the cars to honor Stefanik.

Prior to the start of the Musket 250, the Modified drivers had another tribute to the legend.

Stefanik is also a six-time nominee for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Oh, The Places You’ll Go

When the 2020 schedule was announced, it contained many of the key dates and venues that have made the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour a vital part of the fabric of the northeast racing scene. There’s the annual Icebreaker and World Series of Asphalt Racing stops at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, and the Spring Sizzler and Fall Final at Stafford Motor Speedway. Add in the Full Throttle Fall Weekend and a summer date at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, include return trips to tracks like Seekonk, Riverhead, Wall and Oswego, and the new addition of Jennerstown, the 2020 championship is sure to be decided on the region’s top short tracks.

The season will again open with a southern race: Saturday, March 21 at historic South Boston Speedway.

The biggest news, though, came during the season when two road trips were unveiled: Something old and something new.

In May, it was announced that first time since 2010, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will return to Martinsville Speedway in 2020 for the MaxPro Window Films 200. The modifieds, which were a fixture at Martinsville for decades, will race the 200 lap race on Friday Night May 8, 2020 as part of the spring race weekend.

In July, Iowa Speedway announced that the “Fastest Short Track In The World” will host the tour for first time during NASCAR Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250 weekend.

Following his championship run, Coby participated in a Hoosier tire test at Iowa, officially becoming the first Whelen Modified Tour car to hit the high banks in the Heartland.

Almost A Repeat

Bonsignore didn’t have the start to his Whelen Modified Tour championship defense he has hoped for.

After five races, he was seventh in the standings – a distant 37 points behind Coby.

Nowhere was Bonsignore’s mastery behind the wheel and will to win more evident than the tour’s two races at his home track, Riverhead Raceway on Long Island.

In the first race, Bonsignore got the best of track regular John Beatty Jr. in a wild overtime scrum that saw Bonsignore spin across the finish line to grab the win.

In the return trip, Bonsignore again got the best of late-race restart to claim yet another Riverhead checkered.

New Faces & Old Favorites

Craig Lutz came up short in the NAPA Spring Sizzler 200 in May, leaving him one spot shy of Victory Lane for the second straight race at Stafford. When the tour made its annual Fall stop at the historic half-mile, though, Lutz finally got that elusive win.

“The first win is always special,” Lutz said. “Everyone kept on asking me when it was coming. To finally knock one off, it‘s an amazing feeling.”

Lutz finished fourth in the championship standings, one spot behind a resurgent Ron Silk. Silk, the 2011 tour champion, ran just his second full season since 2014. His pairing with car owner Kevin Stuart resulted in three wins, including the second race of the season at South Boston.

Sam Rameau took home the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award; Jon McKennedy was once again a threat to win every race he entered with five top fives in eight starts; Modified veteran Chris Pastereyak won his first career pole award; and Bobby Santos III (NHMS) and Woody Pitkat (Wall) rounded out the winner’s list.

In February, Mayhew Tools became the title sponsor for the pole award. The Massachusetts-based company that produces tools that serve the industrial, automotive and hardware industries, took the race award presentation a step further: in addition to the check and the plaque for the driver, Mayhew produced a “Big Stick” to each crew chief who turns the wrenches on a pole winning car. The “Big Stick” is the largest pry bar that Mayhew has ever created.

In addition to the championship trophy, Coby took home a tour-high eight “Big Sticks.”

LOUDON, NH - SEPTEMBER 20: Ron Silk, driver of the #85 Stuarts Automotive Chevrolet, during practice for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Musket 250 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 20, 2019 in Loudon, New Hampshire. Photo by Adam Glanzman/NASCAR

Posted on by Team Release

RALEIGH, N.C., November 21, 2019 – Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider, and Team Penske today announced a new multi-year partnership beginning with the 2020 NASCAR season. Advance will be featured as the primary sponsor on the No. 12 Ford Mustang driven by Ryan Blaney for four races in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Blaney will compete in the No. 12 Advance Auto Parts Ford for Team Penske in 2020 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 15, Richmond Raceway on April 19, Watkins Glen International on August 16 and the night race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 19. Advance also will be an associate sponsor on the No. 12 Ford Mustang for the full NASCAR Cup Series season.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be sponsoring Ryan Blaney, one of NASCAR’s top drivers, and partnering with one of the most prestigious teams in racing,” said Jason McDonell, Advance’s Chief Marketing Officer. “For years Team Penske has been known for executing with excellence in everything they do on and off the track. We are proud to be joining this successful team and look forward to a winning and productive partnership with Ryan and Team Penske.” 

One of NASCAR’s brightest young stars at just 25-years-old, Blaney produced another solid season in 2019. The High Point, N.C. native and third-generation racer earned a spot in the Cup Series playoffs for the third-consecutive year and qualified for the Round of 8 by winning at Talladega Superspeedway in October – his third career Cup Series victory. Blaney ended the year seventh in the Cup Series point standings with career-bests in both top-five (11) and top-10 (18) finishes.

“We welcome one of the most established and innovative companies in the automotive aftermarket parts industry to Team Penske,” said Roger Penske. “Advance focuses on executing with excellence in their business and we bring those same goals and principles to the race track every weekend. We are excited to have Advance on board with Ryan and the No. 12 Ford team next season and look forward to growing our partnership for the future.”

Blaney will be kicking off the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season at The Clash at Daytona on Sunday, February 9 (3 p.m. ET on FS1).

“Everyone at Team Penske is excited to have Advance Auto Parts join the team as a new partner in 2020,” said Blaney. “We’re honored to carry their brand on the No. 12 Ford Mustang next season and hopefully this is the start of a great partnership both on and off the track.”

Posted on by H.A. Branham

(Note: Today is the third installment of a four-part series on the four finalists for The NASCAR Foundation’s Ninth Annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. Today, Todd Smith of Perris, California is featured.)

One trip to a NASCAR race. That’s all it took for Todd Smith to become hooked – and in the process, start connecting the sport with his commitment to serving at-risk students.

That’s the abridged description of what led to Smith founding Fuel for Success, a program that strives to give students meaningful experiences centered on mentorship, education and recreation, experiences that take place at a NASCAR event weekend.

Creating better relationships between students and police officers is another goal of the program, as is bolstering students’ STEM knowledge. Fuel for Success started in California but has expanded into 20 police departments throughout the nation, positively impacting thousands.

VIDEO: Meet Todd Smith

Smith, a police officer from Perris, California, is one of four 2019 finalists for The NASCAR Foundation’s Ninth Annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. The award, named in honor of the foundation’s late founder and chairwoman, honors NASCAR fans who are accomplished volunteers working for children’s causes in their communities throughout the United States.

The winner of the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award will be determined via an online fan vote that is ongoing through Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. (ET) at NASCARfoundation.org/Award. The winner will be announced on Dec. 5 during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards in Nashville, Tennessee. The NASCAR Foundation will donate $100,000 to the charity represented by the award winner, with $25,000 donations awarded to the other finalists.

Smith has been volunteering for Fuel for Success for 11 years; he started the program after attending a race at Auto Club Speedway. He quickly felt a compulsion to start a youth program that could utilize the undeniably thrilling at-track experience.

“When I went to the speedway, I didn’t know what to expect,” Smith said. “And I think that’s a key to the success of our program; the kids we take to the races have no idea what to expect.

“NASCAR has placed a footprint on my life. It has allowed me to reach thousands of kids and adults.”

The $100,000 award winner’s donation would help expand further grow the Fuel for Success, with an estimated 300 students benefiting immediately via creation of new police department partners and new at-track experiences at NASCAR events.

“NASCAR and its people have been and will always be special to me,” Smith said, “because they have made it so easy for me to reach so many kids over the years.”

Other nominee profiles: Joe Vaughn | Bob Behounek | Angela Hamby

Posted on by Terrin Waack

Kyle Busch is a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, and neither championship run came without its struggles.

The driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota may have dominated the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway last weekend, leading a race-high 120 of 267 laps and the final 45 circuits to the checkered flag, but he entered as the underdog. Admittedly so, too. The other Championship 4 drivers advanced thanks to a playoff win, while Busch made it through on points alone.

RELATED: Busch’s second title | All of Busch’s wins

Prior to the green flag at the 1.5-mile track in South Florida, Busch found himself stuck in a 21-race winless drought. He won at Pocono Raceway in June and then not again until the Miami event in November. That’s more than half the season without a trip to Victory Lane – odd for someone who has 56 victories in the sport’s premier league.

Busch was last triumphant at Miami in 2015, when he secured his first career title. That year featured even more uncertainty than this most recent.

For starters, Busch sustained injuries to his right leg and left foot in a crash during the opening race for the Xfinity Series, in which he competed as a part-timer, at Daytona International Speedway. This setback sidelined him for the first 11 Cup Series events. It wasn’t until May’s All-Star race Busch returned behind the wheel and began his delayed title quest. He did, however, wind up having a 15-race winless skid that started after his July victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and ended in Miami.

Both championship seasons still finished with Busch hoisting the ultimate trophy after his five total wins. He also had one pole in each year, coming during their respective winless streaks.

Upon first glance, this last season looks stronger overall. Busch busted out an 8.9 average finish in 2019 through 36 races, while managing a 10.8 average finish in 2015 through 25 races. Even during the winless period, Busch averaged a 9.9 finish through the 15 races in 2015 and an 11.1 finish through the 21 races in 2019. Keep in mind, though, the different sample sizes for those comparisons.

During the playoffs – specifically the nine races broken up into three rounds before the final event – 2015 had better marks. En route to his first title, Busch averaged a 10.8 pre-Miami finish. His second title run saw a 12.1 pre-Miami average finish. (See table below for results.)

Then, while at Miami, Busch had the best running position of the Championship 4 – which ultimately determines the title winner – for 206 laps in 2015 and for 120 in laps in 2019.

Either season can be argued as the better of the two when looking at the numbers. Regardless, Busch now joins Jimmie “Seven-Time” Johnson as the only active drivers with more than one title.

Busch in the NASCAR Playoffs during title seasons

2015 2019
Chicagoland Speedway: 9th Las Vegas Motor Speedway: 19th
New Hampshire Motor Speedway: 37th Richmond Raceway: 2nd
Dover International Speedway: 2nd Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval: 37th
Charlotte Motor Speedway: 20th Dover International Speedway: 6th
Kansas Speedway: 5th Talladega Superspeedway: 19th
Talladega Superspeedway: 11th Kansas Speedway: 3rd
Martinsville Speedway: 5th Martinsville Speedway: 14th
Texas Motor Speedway: 4th Texas Motor Speedway: 7th
ISM Raceway (Phoenix): 4th ISM Raceway (Phoenix): 2nd
Homestead-Miami Speedway: 1st Homestead-Miami Speedway: 1st
Posted on by Staff Report

Jimmie Johnson speaks publicly for the first time since revealing that 2020 will be the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion’s final season of racing. Watch it live on NASCAR.com starting at 4 p.m. ET from Hendrick Motorsports.

Bookmark this page and check back later to hear from Johnson and stay tuned to NASCAR.com throughout the day for coverage of Johnson and his historic decision.

Posted on by Staff Report

On Wednesday, Jimmie Johnson announced the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season will be his last behind the wheel as a full-timer. The driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet — better known as “Seven-Time” for his series-high-tying seven titles — will go down as one of the most decorated champions in stock-car racing. For that reason, a number of people in the NASCAR community and elsewhere took their reactions to Twitter.

RELATED: Johnson’s news | Johnson through the years

This story will be updated with any further posts.

Posted on by Staff Report

Jimmie Johnson, one of the most decorated champions in stock-car racing, announced the endpoint of his full-time driving career Wednesday, indicating 2020 will mark his final season in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Johnson has spent his entire career with the Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet operation, which he has called home since his premier series debut in 2001. He announced the news with a heartfelt video on Twitter and is expected to address the media Thursday afternoon.

“I’m so thankful for 18 incredible years of racing in NASCAR,” Johnson says. “The sport has been good to me. It has allowed me to do something I truly love. I showed up chasing a dream and achieved more than I ever thought possible. I’m looking forward to next season and celebrating what will be my last year as a full-time NASCAR Cup driver. I know what this team is capable of, and I hope 2020 is one of the best yet.”

RELATED: Drivers react to news | Jimmie through the years

Johnson has won seven titles in NASCAR’s top division, tied for the all-time most with Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty — both members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s inaugural class. The 44-year-old driver ranks in a tie for sixth on NASCAR’s all-time win list, his 83 victories equaling the total of Cale Yarborough.

“NASCAR history will always hold Jimmie Johnson in the highest regard, for his hard-charging success on the racetrack and the way he conducted himself as a champion off the track,” NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France said in a statement. “This remarkable seven-time champion – through his competitive spirit, immense talent and sportsmanship – has made NASCAR a better sport. On behalf of my family and the entire NASCAR community, I thank Jimmie for his dedication to NASCAR and, along with his legions of fans, wish him all the best in his final season.  I look forward to watching him race for wins and an eighth NASCAR Cup Championship in 2020.”

Johnson is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500, prevailing in The Great American Race in 2006 and 2013. He also won four times each in the Coca-Cola 600 and Brickyard 400, adding two Southern 500 crowns along the way, but his most distinctive achievement came in the form of an unprecedented streak.

Johnson won his first five championships consecutively from 2006-2010, adding titles in 2013 and ’16. That stretch of success surpassed the previous mark held by Yarborough, who won three straight titles from 1976-78.

The California native last won in June 2017, prevailing on friendly turf at Dover International Speedway, and the drought prompted two high-profile crew chief changes within the span of a year.

MORE: Every Cup Series victory

“I get to say when I’m done,” Johnson told reporters ahead of the 2019 season, noting his detractors who hinted he should place his driving gloves on the shelf. “It did weigh on me and I can’t wait to win and win often. I think that would be something really nice to say back to all those people that suggested that I was washed up and done.”

Johnson emerged from the world of motorcycle racing and off-road trucks, moving to asphalt — first in the American Speed Association (ASA) circuit and eventually to a brief stint in what is now the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Once there, he caught the attention of four-time champion Jeff Gordon, thanks to a fortunate seating arrangement at a drivers’ meeting in 2000.

“I went in looking for advice and I walked out with the opportunity of a lifetime,” Johnson recalled to the Associated Press in 2001.

Before their conversation, Gordon had already planted Johnson’s name as a possible prospect with Hendrick, who had designs on expanding his organization from three cars to four.

That newly created No. 48 team, which paired Johnson with budding crew chief talent Chad Knaus, became one of the most productive in stock-car racing history.

Johnson’s statistical prowess secures his spot among the all-time greats, but he also broke new ground in his approach to physical fitness. Johnson remains an avid cyclist and runner; in April, he ran his first Boston Marathon just two days after competing in a 400-lap race at Richmond Raceway.

MORE: NASCAR’s all-time winners

Posted on by Staff Report

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Following a national search for top diverse driver talent, NASCAR and Rev Racing today announced the six ethnically diverse and female drivers selected to the 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program.

The program‘s newest class features five drivers who will make their return to Rev Racing next season, including Chase Cabre, Nicholas Sanchez, Gracie Trotter, Rajah Caruth and Isabella Robusto. Late model driver Perry Patino will make his debut with NASCAR Drive for Diversity in 2020.

Caruth and Robusto competed in the 2019 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Youth Driver Development Program and raced Legends cars for Rev Racing at this year‘s Bojangles‘ Summer Shootout in Charlotte, N.C. They also ran five other races with Rev Racing as part of the youth program.

“We are very enthusiastic about the progress we continue to make with the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program, and the 2020 class exemplifies the evolution of the program,” said Jusan Hamilton, Director, Racing Operations and Event Management at NASCAR. “We were extremely impressed with the confidence, competitive drive and raw talent of the drivers that competed at this year‘s combine, which made the selection process challenging for us. Our partners at Rev Racing work hard every year to develop the best diverse drivers around the world. To see familiar faces in this class that have grown and advanced through the youth ranks of the program bolsters our belief that we will see some of these same drivers at the top levels of NASCAR in the future.”

The six drivers were selected from a group of invitees that competed in the two-day NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Combine in October at Daytona International Speedway and New Smyrna Speedway.

The combine included fitness assessments and evaluations of each driver‘s marketing and media skills. The on-track portion tested the drivers‘ abilities behind the wheel and proficiencies in late model stock cars. Representatives from NASCAR and Rev Racing were on-hand to evaluate the talent and determine the 2020 team.

“We have seen great success this past year with our drivers having multiple wins in every series we participated in this season,” said Max Siegel, Owner of Rev Racing. “Our returning drivers have certainly set the bar high. We are all excited to welcome the new members of this year‘s class to the Rev Racing family and continue the momentum moving into the 2020 season.”

Caruth, Patino, Robusto and Trotter will compete in a NASCAR Late Model, while Cabre and Sanchez will compete in the ARCA Menards Series East and ARCA Menards Showdown Series in 2020.

RELATED: ARCA Menards Series East schedule set for 2020

Competing in a late model stock car will be a first for drivers like Caruth, whose background is in iRacing, and Robusto, who has experience racing Legends cars.

Caruth will become the first driver with an iRacing background to be selected for the program. He is a product of the eNASCAR IGNITE Series — a first-of-its kind esports competition created to identify young talent by providing a low barrier of entry to the sport.

NASCAR Drive for Diversity provides opportunities for women and minorities to pursue career opportunities in NASCAR in the driver‘s seat and on pit crews through the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Development Program and off the track through the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program.

The 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development team includes:

  • Chase Cabre: The 22-year-old from Tampa, Fla., will join Rev Racing for his fourth-consecutive racing season and compete in the ARCA Menards Series East. Cabre won twice in 2019 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.
  • Rajah Caruth: In just 42 starts, Caruth, 17, of Washington, D.C., has twice won races in the eNASCAR IGNITE Series, driving the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1/Ford Mustang. Additionally, he earned two heat wins with Rev Racing in the 2019 Bojangles‘ Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • Perry Patino: The 20-year-old, Montgomery, Ala., native will join Rev Racing for the first time with one Limited Late Model win at Montgomery Speedway and the 2018 Limited Late Model championship under his belt.
  • Isabella Robusto: The 15-year-old won the Bojangles‘ Summer Shootout in the Semi-Pro class in 2019 and finished second in Semi-Pro points. The Fort Mill, S.C., native was honored with the Young Racer award at the 2018 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Awards.
  • Nicholas Sanchez: The 18-year-old Miami native returns to Rev Racing for his fourth-consecutive season after winning at Myrtle Beach Speedway and Langley Speedway in a Late Model Stock Car in 2019.
  • Gracie Trotter: The Denver, N.C., native, 18, returns to Rev Racing as the 2019 Winter Heat Series champion at Charlotte Motor Speedway. She also won Round 5 of the Bojangles‘ Summer Shootout in the Semi-Pro Division.
Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (November 20, 2019) — Following a national search for top diverse driver talent, NASCAR and Rev Racing today announced the six ethnically diverse and female drivers selected to the 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program.

The program’s newest class features five drivers who will make their return to Rev Racing next season, including Chase Cabre, Nicholas Sanchez, Gracie Trotter, Rajah Caruth and Isabella Robusto. Late model driver Perry Patino will make his debut with NASCAR Drive for Diversity in 2020.

Caruth and Robusto competed in the 2019 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Youth Driver Development Program and raced Legends cars for Rev Racing at this year’s Bojangles’ Summer Shootout in Charlotte, N.C. They also ran five other races with Rev Racing as part of the youth program.

“We are very enthusiastic about the progress we continue to make with the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program, and the 2020 class exemplifies the evolution of the program,” said Jusan Hamilton, Director, Racing Operations and Event Management at NASCAR. “We were extremely impressed with the confidence, competitive drive and raw talent of the drivers that competed at this year’s combine, which made the selection process challenging for us. Our partners at Rev Racing work hard every year to develop the best diverse drivers around the world. To see familiar faces in this class that have grown and advanced through the youth ranks of the program bolsters our belief that we will see some of these same drivers at the top levels of NASCAR in the future.”

The six drivers were selected from a group of invitees that competed in the two-day NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Combine in October at Daytona International Speedway and New Smyrna Speedway.

The combine included fitness assessments and evaluations of each driver’s marketing and media skills. The on-track portion tested the drivers’ abilities behind the wheel and proficiencies in late model stock cars. Representatives from NASCAR and Rev Racing were on-hand to evaluate the talent and determine the 2020 team.

“We have seen great success this past year with our drivers having multiple wins in every series we participated in this season,” said Max Siegel, Owner of Rev Racing. “Our returning drivers have certainly set the bar high. We are all excited to welcome the new members of this year’s class to the Rev Racing family and continue the momentum moving into the 2020 season.”

Caruth, Patino, Robusto and Trotter will compete in a NASCAR Late Model, while Cabre and Sanchez will compete in the ARCA Menards Series East and ARCA Menards Showdown Series in 2020.

RELATED: ARCA Menards Series East schedule set for 2020

Competing in a late model stock car will be a first for drivers like Caruth, whose background is in iRacing, and Robusto, who has experience racing Legends cars.

Caruth will become the first driver with an iRacing background to be selected for the program. He is a product of the eNASCAR IGNITE Series — a first-of-its kind esports competition created to identify young talent by providing a low barrier of entry to the sport.

NASCAR Drive for Diversity provides opportunities for women and minorities to pursue career opportunities in NASCAR in the driver’s seat and on pit crews through the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Development Program and off the track through the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program.

The 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development team includes:

  • Chase Cabre: The 22-year-old from Tampa, Fla., will join Rev Racing for his fourth-consecutive racing season and compete in the ARCA Menards Series East. Cabre won twice in 2019 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.
  • Rajah Caruth: In just 42 starts, Caruth, 17, of Washington, D.C., has twice won races in the eNASCAR IGNITE Series, driving the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1/Ford Mustang. Additionally, he earned two heat wins with Rev Racing in the 2019 Bojangles’ Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • Perry Patino: The 20-year-old, Montgomery, Ala., native will join Rev Racing for the first time with one Limited Late Model win at Montgomery Speedway and the 2018 Limited Late Model championship under his belt.
  • Isabella Robusto: The 15-year-old won the Bojangles’ Summer Shootout in the Semi-Pro class in 2019 and finished second in Semi-Pro points. The Fort Mill, S.C., native was honored with the Young Racer award at the 2018 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Awards.
  • Nicholas Sanchez: The 18-year-old Miami native returns to Rev Racing for his fourth-consecutive season after winning at Myrtle Beach Speedway and Langley Speedway in a Late Model Stock Car in 2019.
  • Gracie Trotter: The Denver, N.C., native, 18, returns to Rev Racing as the 2019 Winter Heat Series champion at Charlotte Motor Speedway. She also won Round 5 of the Bojangles’ Summer Shootout in the Semi-Pro Division.