Twenty-Six Students will Contribute to Motorsports Industry Throughout 10-week Internship

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 2017 NASCAR Diversity Internship Program (NDIP) welcomed 26 of the brightest students from across the country seeking to learn about the motorsports industry during the Monster Energy All-Star Race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.

This year, 14 former NDIP interns currently working in the industry full-time will help mentor the students throughout the 10-week, paid internship. Mentors include Brandon Thompson, senior director of NASCAR touring series; Lauren Houston, manager of NASCAR Multicultural Development; Pedro Mojica, Richard Petty Motorsports engineer; and Jusan Hamilton, manager of NASCAR racing operations and event management. Hamilton made history earlier this year by becoming the first African-American to serve as a race director for a NASCAR national series event.

“For nearly 20 years, the NASCAR Diversity internship program has provided talented students with hands-on experience in the motorsports industry,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “The program has also helped NASCAR identify future leaders in the industry and continues to serve as an important part of our efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.”

In its 18th year, NDIP has introduced hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds to professional opportunities in NASCAR. The program has also served as a pipeline for identifying and hiring top talent across the motorsports industry. In addition to NASCAR, 2017 interns will be working at NASCAR partner companies including Rev Racing, Roush Fenway Racing, Pocono Raceway, Toyota, and the International Speedway Corporation.

The 2017 NDIP class began its NASCAR experience with an orientation session at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord. The group visited the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte and the NASCAR Production Studio, as well as the race shop for Rev Racing, which fields cars for the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program.

The class also put its own racing skills to the test at Victory Lane Karting. In addition, the interns met with key stakeholders in the NASCAR industry including Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series crew members, drivers, and NASCAR executives.

For many, attending the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, Monster Energy Showdown and Monster Energy All-Star race from Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend will be their first live NASCAR experience.

Throughout the internship, the students will contribute to the industry and gain experience working in marketing, engineering, public relations, licensing, diversity and public affairs. They will also learn from leading NASCAR executives in weekly lunch-and-learn sessions and networking events with professionals across the industry.

The NASCAR Diversity Internship program offers diverse students an opportunity to work in one of the largest professional sports industries in the United States. 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 GPA.

The 2017 NDIP class includes the following students from colleges and universities across the nation:

Name	Department/Organization	University
Alex Alvarado	NASCAR Public Affairs	University of Central Florida
Alton Peques	NASCAR Marketing, Media Research	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ashleigh Young	NASCAR Creative Design	University of Southern Mississippi
Bria Dixon	NASCAR Weekly and Touring	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Cabrell Cooper	NASCAR Productions Engineering	Delaware State University
Cambric Moye	Toyota, Logistics	University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Carter Allen	NASCAR Brand Platforms Marketing	Arizona State University
Catherine Rivera-Chardon	Pocono Raceway	Penn State University
Dejah Gilliam	NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications	Syracuse University
Federico Morales	NASCAR Finance	Georgia State University
Glen Charlton	NASCAR Digital	University of Maryland
Greg Carty	Roush Fenway Racing	Old Dominion University
Jorge Jones	NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications	University of the Incarnate Word
Kenneth Lee	The NASCAR Foundation	Tuskegee University
Kevin Lee	Toyota, Information Systems	University of Texas Dallas
Kim Brian Fadul	NASCAR Digital Media	North Carolina State University
Lillian Hermina	NASCAR Industry Services	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Monica Matias	ISC Public Affairs	University of Central Florida
Natalia Mendoza	NASCAR Green Innovation	Wake Forest University
Precious Makuyana	ISC Legal	Florida A&M University
Ronald Alexander	ISC Partnership Marketing	Winston-Salem State University
Sandra Prieto	NASCAR Member Services	University of Miami
Sarah Torres	ISC Finance	Penn State University
Shawn Meachem	Rev Racing	Johnson C. Smith University
Tylar Williams	NASCAR Human Resources	Texas A&M College Station
Zane Smith	Toyota Engineering	Southern Methodist University

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), three regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit http://www.NASCAR.com and http://www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

Daytona International Speedway Hosts National Sorority

Nearly 1,000 Southern Region members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. attended the 2017 Florida & the Bahamas Regional State Cluster Meeting and Mock Convention at the Daytona International Speedway March 31-April 2.

The Cluster is a regional event hosted by the Regional Leadership Team and host chapters to strengthen members’ knowledge of the organization and to help prepare for the organization’s national convention which will be held in Las Vegas in August.

Sorority members Shameeka Quallo, Esq., Corporate Council, International Speedway Corporation and Dawn Harris, Senior Director of Multicultural Development, NASCAR attended and offered welcome remarks on behalf of both corporations.

The sorority has 208 chapters and 15,000 members in the Southern Region, so the event was very significant for the region and for the entire Central Florida area.  Locally, Volusia County has three of those chapters; the Daytona Beach Alumnae Chapter, the DeLand Alumnae Chapter and the Delta Alpha Chapter on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University.

About Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated:

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is a private not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world.  The majority of the Sorority’s programs are based upon its Five Point Programmatic Thrust, which is economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, has more than 250,000 members and 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, England, Japan, Germany, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and the Republic of Korea.

Becomes First African-American To Call National Series Event

FONTANA, Calif. — NASCAR concludes its Western swing this weekend in a historical manner. Jusan Hamilton, 26, became the first African-American to serve as a race director for a NASCAR national series event, controlling on-track activity in Saturday’s XFINITY Series race.

The Ithaca, New York, native and former short track racer sees his opportunity as a result of hard work and high goals. What started as a Drive for Diversity internship with the sanctioning body’s Integrated Marketing Communications department has turned into a four-year tenure with NASCAR, primarily working in race operations and event management.

“I never really thought of (being the first African-American national series race director) in those terms. … I’m proud of it, and I’m really thankful for the team in the control tower,” said Hamilton, whose job this weekend as race director includes making split-second decisions regarding officiating, safety and emergency services.

“I’ve wanted to work in professional racing since I was a kid watching Kevin Harvick,’’ Hamilton said. “I’m very fortunate to have this opportunity. I’ve had the chance to learn so many different areas of the sport and business, that’s one of the things that’s best about working with NASCAR.

“Being race director is similar to being the quarterback in football — you have to know your job and the jobs of every other team member to be successful.”

Supporting Diversity On and Off the Race Track

CHARLOTTE, N.C.– NASCAR and ALPFA will jointly present the 2017 Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA) Southeast Collegiate Symposium on March 25 at the Charlotte Convention Center and NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C.

Felix Sabates, part owner of Chip Ganassi Racing and one of the founding owners of the Charlotte Hornets, will deliver the keynote address to more than 200 Latino college students from North Carolina, Georgia and Florida ALPFA chapters.

Joining NASCAR will be national brands including AICPA, US Central Intelligence Agency, Altria, New York Life, as well as institutions such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

ALPFA remains a long-standing partner of NASCAR’s Multicultural Development initiatives. Since 2015, ALPFA has participated in the NASCAR Opinion Leader Initiative to build greater awareness, participation, and support of NASCAR in key race markets. Through various exclusive events and at-track immersion experiences, ALPFA chapters across the country have helped increase the number of students in the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program while also connecting members and track representatives to build sustainable partnerships.

In 2016, ALPFA honored Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suárez with an honorary lifetime membership at an event in Charlotte. Suárez was also a keynote speaker at the annual ALPFA Convention, addressing more than 3,000 professionals. In February 2017, NASCAR awarded ALPFA the NASCAR Institution Award at the 10th Annual NASCAR Diversity Awards Luncheon.

“At ALPFA we are very excited about our partnership with NASCAR, and very proud of 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion Daniel Suárez for setting an example of resilience, hard work and faith to our more than 80,000 ALPFA student and professional members nationwide,” said Luis Vargas, Chief Marketing Officer, ALPFA.

The theme for this year’s symposium is Latino Millennials: Developing Your Strategy to Succeed in Your Career. Cuban-born, Felix Sabates will discuss what it takes to succeed in any industry, and particularly in the world of sports.

NASCAR has broken barriers and made history on the track with the launch of its NASCAR Drive for Diversity program, which aims to provide opportunities for female and minority drivers and pit crew members. The program has seen great success with Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers Kyle Larson and Daniel Suárez as well as NASCAR XFINITY Series driver Darrell Wallace Jr. Off the track, programs such as the NASCAR Opinion Leader Initiative, the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program and the NASCAR Diversity Chevy Scholarship align seasoned professionals and multicultural millennials with opportunities within the motorsports industry.

For more information on NASCAR Drive for Diversity, visit NASCARDiversity.com. Visit ALPFA.org to register for the 2017 Southeast Regional Collegiate Symposium.

About ALPFA

ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America) is the longest standing Latino organization with 80,000+ members assembled in 45 professional and more than 160 student chapters across America. Our ambition is to connect 1 million passionate Latino leaders for exponential impact.

About NASCAR Multicultural Development 

NASCAR Multicultural Development engages industry stakeholders in an effort to broaden the sport’s audience, increase minority and female on track participation, introduce career opportunities in motorsports, and network with multicultural target markets.

Athletes Compete for Spot in Developmental Program

CONCORD, N.C. – Today, the 2017 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Recruitment Tour will kick off at Alcorn State University, located in Lorman, Mississippi.

The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program is a comprehensive training program for aspiring minority and female pit crew members. The program is designed to identify, coach, train and develop minority athletes who possess the skill, ability and attitude to be a successful pit crew member in one of the three NASCAR national series.

The recruitment tour will make six stops at universities across the nation to identify minority and female student athletes that have an interest in motorsports and a post-college professional sports career. This program offers any minority athlete the chance to become a pit crew member with a NASCAR race team; if that individual has the necessary talent to reach the highest level (The Monster Energy NASCAR CUP Series) of the sport.

“We seek student athletes with a general interest in motorsports, extreme sports, the auto industry, etc. and individuals who possess a strong sense of character and work ethic,” said Coach Phil Horton, Director of Performance for Rev Racing and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program. “We understand how athletes are built, and what athletes are capable of when it comes to teamwork, dedication and focus.”

The original participant selection process is based on athletes who are recommended by coaches and athletic directors. During the tour, participants will be challenged with drills that showcase their flexibility, agility and strength. Top participants at each of these tour stops could receive an invitation to compete against other competitors for a spot on the 2017 development team.

“We are excited to kick off the 8th year of the NASCAR Diversity Pit Crew Program with our combine here at Alcorn State University,” said Jusan Hamilton, NASCAR Racing Operations and Event Management. “This is the second year of the program under this current format and we have already seen great success from those student athletes who made it to the national combine last year. We’re committed to increasing diversity in the sport in all aspects, and we are already seeing great gains up and down pit road in participation from minority and female athletes.”

The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Program emphasizes education and training, while redirecting the talents that are already present in these individuals. Exposure to a career in NASCAR could be the next step in a professional journey for these athletes.

Over 75 individuals have participated in the program since its inception. The program bodes a 100% placement rate for those who complete the training program. Currently 25 of those individuals have succeeded in reaching the highest level of the sport and have went on to win numerous races and championships in the national series. It takes approximately three years to reach the highest level of the sport at which time the annual salary is between $80 – $100,000 from that point forward. For those who have reached the top level with five or more years of experience, it is not uncommon to receive salaries of upwards of $150 – $175,000 annually.

“Alcorn State University is excited to extend our relationship with NASCAR,” said Jason Cable Assistant Vice President for Athletic Compliance and Academic Services. “This partnership will inevitably provide multifaceted opportunities within the sports industry for our student athletes. Exposure to a corporation like NASCAR is priceless for our student-athletes and will positively impact their post student- athlete career.”

The participant registration will begin today (March 23) at 11:00 am, with the assessment following at 12:00 pm. All events will take place at the Davey L Whitney Health, Physical Education and Recreation Complex, on the Alcorn State campus.

Recognized In Magazine’s Women On The Move Event

ORLANDO, Fla. – ONYX Magazine will present the 2nd Annual Women on the Move, which honors a diverse array of women who are power brokers in their own right, along with event sponsor Herzing University on Thursday at The Alfond Inn in Winter Park, Florida.

Among the honorees, ONYX Magazine will recognize Lauren Houston, Manager, NASCAR Multicultural Development as a 2017 Women on the Move recipient. Houston has been with NASCAR since 2013 where she began her motorsports career with the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program (NDIP), a 10-week paid internship for minority students.

The awards luncheon will be hosted by Annetta Wilson, President of Annetta Wilson Media Training and Success Coaching. Keynote address will be provided by Dr. Rosalie Ellis Payne, Sr. Director, Human Resources, Carnival Cruise Line.

Special Recognition will be held for fallen Orlando Police  Department  Lieutenant Debra Clayton.

Honorees include The Honorable Aramis Ayala, The Honorable Patty Sheehan, Lady Dhyana Ziegler, Dr. Rosalie Ellis Payne, Dr. Lucille O’Neal, Barbara Jenkins, Monica May, Camille M. Evans, Dr. Florence Alexander, Yolanda Cash Jackson, Lee Bryan, Mayor Carolyn Ford, Natalie Jackson, Beatrice Louissaint, Denee Benton, Stefanie Campbell, Kathey Porter, Connie Kinnard, Houston, Ruby Cooper Darling and others.

ONYX Magazine, Florida’s premier African-American publication, will host what has become one of the most prestigious celebrations for Women of Color: Women on the Move. This highly anticipated event will recognize the accomplishments and contributions of some of Florida’s most influential and impactful women. Houston is excited to be among that group.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized at this prestigious event. I hope I can continue to be an inspiration for young people through my work in motorsports and in the community,” Houston said.

Through the NASCAR Opinion Leader Initiative, Houston has been integral in incorporating a collegiate component that introduces millennials to the sport of NASCAR. Connecting with universities and collegiate professional chapters in targeted markets, she has aided in the increased brand awareness of the sport for hundreds of minorities and women across the country. Houston also plays a key role in managing NASCAR Multicultural Development’s key corporate engagement and national partnerships such as The National Association of Black Journalists and the Sports Diversity and Inclusion Symposium. Houston also oversees all of NASCAR Multicultural Development’s digital and social platforms.

Houston received her Bachelors of Arts degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2013. She majored in Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Houston is very active in the community and volunteers at the Second Harvest Food Bank, Halifax Hospital Auxiliary and Habitat for Humanity. Houston was born and raised in Fayetteville, N.C.

Women on the Move celebrates trailblazers who have served to make a difference in their communities. These “can-do women” have shattered glass ceilings, achieved their full potential and paved the way for others in their chosen professions.

Multicultural Organizations Experience First Race

Race weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) kicked-off the first NASCAR Opinion Leader Initiative of the year. Created to build greater awareness, participation, and support of NASCAR, the program welcomed several Atlanta-based student and professional organizations to the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series double header on Saturday.

Organizations included Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta Association of Black Journalists Student Consortium, Black Sports Online, Honda Generators and Minorities in Sports.

A group of more than twenty representatives received all-access passes, exclusive meet and greets as well as pit road and garage tours. Pleasantly overwhelmed by the excitement of the race-day experience, the group also met Atlanta Motor Speedway representatives including AMS track President, Ed Clark, NASCAR Diversity team members, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Racing Operations, Jim Cassidy, and NASCAR K&N West Pro Series driver Salvatore Iovino.

Iovino races full-time in the NASCAR K&N West Pro Series and won the Most Popular Driver award last season for the series. Iovino does not belong to a minority group, but spent some time answering questions from eager students regarding NASCAR’s racing traditions and his involvement in the sport.

Some of the questions also came from Cecelia Townes, creator and writer for GladiatHERS; Deontay Morris, an analytics professional for Vantedge; Nicole Powell, writer and creator of The Sportstyle; and Taunita Stephenson, former Assistant Commissioner of Partnerships for the SIAC.

“What generation racer are you?” they asked.

“How long have you and your family been racing?”

Beginning his career in 2012 with NHRA drag racing, Iovino gained experience through various tracks on the west coast. He transitioned over to stock racing a few years later and joined the Patriot Motorsports Group Driver Development program.

“This might be of shock, but I don’t belong to a generation of racers within my family, and I have only been stock car racing since the Daytona 500 last season,” Iovino said.

Iovino, competed in seven of the 14 NASCAR K&N Pro West Series races and finished 18 overall in a field of 57 last season. Prior to moving into K&N West, he competed in NASCAR Whelen-Modified Series and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

“Whether you are new in this sport or have been racing for years, it’s a very challenging sport,” Iovino said. “Dedication, will-power, responsibility, communication and promoting a positive image are very critical to your success.”

The NASCAR Opinion Leader Initiative group heard similar themes of hard work and commitment from NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Noah Gragson, driver of the No. 18 truck for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Gragson spent a few minutes interviewing with multicultural media members and ended up with 20 new fans.

The NASCAR Opinion Leader Initiative strives to continue introducing diverse collegiate and professional organizations to the sport. Building local relationships within various markets and local tracks remains key to keeping NASCAR relevant, interactive and welcoming to all.

African-American Pioneer Celebrated at Atlanta Motor Speedway

A special decal appeared on all the NASCAR stock cars this weekend in Atlanta. Commemorating his first NASCAR premier series start 56 years ago, a decal honoring NASCAR Hall of Famer Wendell Scott were placed on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series cars at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Scott was the first African American to win a race at NASCAR’s highest level with his victory at Speedway Park in Jacksonville, Florida, in December 1963. A true pioneer of the sport, the Danville, Virginia, driver was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Ten Honorees To Be Recognized For Their Commitment To Multicultural & Diversity

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – From Daniel Suárez’s historic NASCAR XFINITY Series championship to the efforts from NASCAR tracks, teams, sponsors and partners, the last year represented tremendous progress in the areas of diversity within the sport.

NASCAR and industry leaders will gather Thursday at the Daytona International Speedway to recognize those leading the efforts in shaping a multicultural sport with the 10th Annual NASCAR Diversity Awards.

“Diversity and multiculturalism is a top priority at NASCAR, and the NASCAR Diversity Awards is a great event to honor all those from across our industry who are making tremendous strides in this area,” said NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian France. “As we continue to see more diversity on the track, in the boardroom and in the stands, we will see a rise in talent and we will appeal to an even wider fan base.  We want to thank our stakeholders and partners for their dedication to the continued growth of our sport.”

The NASCAR Diversity Awards will stream live on FansChoice.tv, beginning at 11 a.m.

To be recognized for their outstanding achievements will be:

Daniel Suarez will receive the NASCAR Ignition Award, given to a minority or female NASCAR national series driver that demonstrates leadership both on and off the race track while making contributions to the advancement of the sport. In addition to being the first Mexican-born driver to win a race in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and becoming first foreign-born driver to win a NASCAR national series championship, Suarez has been active away from the track in reaching new young and diverse fans.

• Jesse Iwuji will be given the NASCAR Diverse Driver Award, given to a minority or female NASCAR developmental driver that exemplifies outstanding performance both on and off the race track in encouraging awareness and interaction with NASCAR and motorsports. A graduate of the Naval Academy and a first-generation Nigerian-American, Iwuji has has taken NASCAR directly to the community, whether it’s raising Naval recruitment efforts, STEM education or support of NASCAR Green efforts at a local California school.

• Peri Karslioglu will receive the NASCAR Diversity Internship Participant Award, presented to the student who has exhibited outstanding performance and leadership skills in academics as well as during their experience in the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program. Karslioglu is a cum laude graduate of Syracuse University and interned with The NASCAR Foundation last year. Karslioglu impressed with her fresh perspective on social media and, industry engagement and marketing efforts, landing a full-time position with the Foundation as a marketing coordinator.

• ALPFA – the Association of Latino Professionals For America, will be presented the NASCAR Institution Award, which goes to a company that demonstrates a commitment to NASCAR diversity and inclusion goals through its program support and engagement with NASCAR. ALPFA has worked closely with NASCAR since 2014 to promote business-to-business efforts throughout the motorsports industry. Through exclusive events and at-track immersions, ALPFA has led the way in increasing Latino participation in key NASCAR programs.

• Hailie Deegan will be awarded the Young Racer Award, presented to a minority or female youth between the ages of 8-15 years old that has partaken in some form of competitive racing and has overcome adversity in pursuit of his or her dream of participating in the motorsports industry. The 15-year-old from Temecula, California, Deegan competed in 2016 for Rev Racing in a Legends car in the Bojangles Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway and was one of the youngest drivers to earn an invitation to the 2016 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine.

• Smithfield will receive the NASCAR Partner Award, given to a company that demonstrates a commitment to NASCAR diversity goals through its program support and engagement. With goals of making better communities throughout our county, Smithfield’s sponsorship of Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) and driver Aric Almirola has amplified its outreach efforts and created a difference-making partnership. Last year, Smithfield and RPM partnered for school events in California and Illinois to promote staying in school, working directly with schools with a high-percentage of Hispanic and low-income students.

• Kenyatta Houston will be presented the NASCAR Diverse Crew Member Award. The award goes to a minority or woman crew member that inspires awareness of NASCAR through competitive performance and outreach activities. A former football player and 2005 graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew program, Houston has been to Victory Lane in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series. Outside the race track, Houston continues to give back to the community – from helping the Drive for Diversity Pit Crew program to train the next generation of crew members to volunteering with Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity and Mooresville Christian Mission.

• Pocono Raceway will be presented the NASCAR Track Award. The award goes to a track that identified and activated programming geared toward engaging a multicultural fan base by utilizing staff, community outreach and track assets. The “Tricky Triangle” has made significant efforts to reach out to an increasingly diverse population in the Poconos. Last year, it added a Spanish-language promotion for its NASCAR XFINITY Series race and included a video spotlighting NASCAR Diversity intern Antonio Russo as part of its overall activation to highlight family participation.

• Patriot Motorsports/Circle Track Racing will receive the NASCAR Team Award. The award goes to a team that engaged driver, OEM and sponsor support to effectively reach fans on and off the track in support of NASCAR’s diversity and inclusion goals. Circle Track Racing, owned by John Wood, a driver himself, has provided an opportunity for drivers to gain valuable seat time and experience. Wood and driver Jesse Iwuiji’s Patriot Motorsports are actively involved in self-funded promotion and activation around the race weekends and have continued to go above and beyond in driving awareness to a young and diverse audience.

• Josh Avila will be recognized with the Industry Ambassador Award. The award spotlights a representative who displays a personal effort to incorporate multicultural initiatives as part of his or her job. Avila has made the track’s multicultural initiatives a major focus for the last decade. Josh has built meaningful relationships with the Hispanic community and his successes have profound impact beyond his track. He spearheaded the first Spanish language section of the FanZone, incorporated Mexican celebrities and drivers into the track’s events and media outreach, and has worked to expand the track’s engagement with the Asian market.

The NASCAR national series championship season gets underway at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night with the NextEra Energy Resources 250 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, followed by Saturday’s Powershares QQQ 300 for the NASCAR XFINITY Series. The 59th running of the DAYTONA 500 will be Sunday, with the green flag for the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season at 2 p.m. ET, live on FOX, Motor Racing Network Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Tickets for the Daytona 500 are available online at DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

Ten Honorees To Be Recognized For Their Commitment To Multicultural & Diversity

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – From Daniel Suárez’s historic NASCAR Xfinity Series championship to the efforts from NASCAR tracks, teams, sponsors and partners, the last year represented tremendous progress in the areas of diversity within the sport.

NASCAR and industry leaders will gather Thursday at the Daytona International Speedway to recognize those leading the efforts in shaping a multicultural sport with the 10th Annual NASCAR Diversity Awards.

“Diversity and multiculturalism is a top priority at NASCAR, and the NASCAR Diversity Awards is a great event to honor all those from across our industry who are making tremendous strides in this area,” said NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian France. “As we continue to see more diversity on the track, in the boardroom and in the stands, we will see a rise in talent and we will appeal to an even wider fan base.  We want to thank our stakeholders and partners for their dedication to the continued growth of our sport.”

The NASCAR Diversity Awards will stream live on FansChoice.tv, beginning at 11 a.m.

To be recognized for their outstanding achievements will be:

Daniel Suarez will receive the NASCAR Ignition Award, given to a minority or female NASCAR national series driver that demonstrates leadership both on and off the race track while making contributions to the advancement of the sport. In addition to being the first Mexican-born driver to win a race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and becoming first foreign-born driver to win a NASCAR national series championship, Suarez has been active away from the track in reaching new young and diverse fans.

Jesse Iwuji will be given the NASCAR Diverse Driver Award, given to a minority or female NASCAR developmental driver that exemplifies outstanding performance both on and off the race track in encouraging awareness and interaction with NASCAR and motorsports. A graduate of the Naval Academy and a first-generation Nigerian-American, Iwuji has has taken NASCAR directly to the community, whether it’s raising Naval recruitment efforts, STEM education or support of NASCAR Green efforts at a local California school.

Peri Karslioglu will receive the NASCAR Diversity Internship Participant Award, presented to the student who has exhibited outstanding performance and leadership skills in academics as well as during their experience in the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program. Karslioglu is a cum laude graduate of Syracuse University and interned with The NASCAR Foundation last year. Karslioglu impressed with her fresh perspective on social media and, industry engagement and marketing efforts, landing a full-time position with the Foundation as a marketing coordinator.

ALPFA – the Association of Latino Professionals For America, will be presented the NASCAR Institution Award, which goes to a company that demonstrates a commitment to NASCAR diversity and inclusion goals through its program support and engagement with NASCAR. ALPFA has worked closely with NASCAR since 2014 to promote business-to-business efforts throughout the motorsports industry. Through exclusive events and at-track immersions, ALPFA has led the way in increasing Latino participation in key NASCAR programs.

Hailie Deegan will be awarded the Young Racer Award, presented to a minority or female youth between the ages of 8-15 years old that has partaken in some form of competitive racing and has overcome adversity in pursuit of his or her dream of participating in the motorsports industry. The 15-year-old from Temecula, California, Deegan competed in 2016 for Rev Racing in a Legends car in the Bojangles Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway and was one of the youngest drivers to earn an invitation to the 2016 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine.

Smithfield will receive the NASCAR Partner Award, given to a company that demonstrates a commitment to NASCAR diversity goals through its program support and engagement. With goals of making better communities throughout our county, Smithfield’s sponsorship of Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) and driver Aric Almirola has amplified its outreach efforts and created a difference-making partnership. Last year, Smithfield and RPM partnered for school events in California and Illinois to promote staying in school, working directly with schools with a high-percentage of Hispanic and low-income students.

Kenyatta Houston will be presented the NASCAR Diverse Crew Member Award. The award goes to a minority or woman crew member that inspires awareness of NASCAR through competitive performance and outreach activities. A former football player and 2005 graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew program, Houston has been to Victory Lane in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series. Outside the race track, Houston continues to give back to the community – from helping the Drive for Diversity Pit Crew program to train the next generation of crew members to volunteering with Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity and Mooresville Christian Mission.

Pocono Raceway will be presented the NASCAR Track Award. The award goes to a track that identified and activated programming geared toward engaging a multicultural fan base by utilizing staff, community outreach and track assets. The “Tricky Triangle” has made significant efforts to reach out to an increasingly diverse population in the Poconos. Last year, it added a Spanish-language promotion for its NASCAR Xfinity Series race and included a video spotlighting NASCAR Diversity intern Antonio Russo as part of its overall activation to highlight family participation.

Patriot Motorsports/Circle Track Racing will receive the NASCAR Team Award. The award goes to a team that engaged driver, OEM and sponsor support to effectively reach fans on and off the track in support of NASCAR’s diversity and inclusion goals. Circle Track Racing, owned by John Wood, a driver himself, has provided an opportunity for drivers to gain valuable seat time and experience. Wood and driver Jesse Iwuiji’s Patriot Motorsports are actively involved in self-funded promotion and activation around the race weekends and have continued to go above and beyond in driving awareness to a young and diverse audience.

Josh Avila will be recognized with the Industry Ambassador Award. The award spotlights a representative who displays a personal effort to incorporate multicultural initiatives as part of his or her job. Avila has made the track’s multicultural initiatives a major focus for the last decade. Josh has built meaningful relationships with the Hispanic community and his successes have profound impact beyond his track. He spearheaded the first Spanish language section of the FanZone, incorporated Mexican celebrities and drivers into the track’s events and media outreach, and has worked to expand the track’s engagement with the Asian market.

The NASCAR national series championship season gets underway at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night with the NextEra Energy Resources 250 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, followed by Saturday’s Powershares QQQ 300 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The 59th running of the DAYTONA 500 will be Sunday, with the green flag for the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season at 2 p.m. ET, live on FOX, Motor Racing Network Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Tickets for the Daytona 500 are available online at DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.