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.

Nichelle Nicholes Levy, Esq., CIPP/US

Nichelle is Senior Counsel, Digital & Privacy Data, for NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. In this role, Nichelle advises NASCAR Digital Media and other NASCAR affiliates on technology-related agreements and compliance with privacy, data security, advertising, promotion and other laws.  Nichelle joined NASCAR in 2012 just as NASCAR assumed control of its digital and social media rights, including operation of NASCAR.COM and NASCAR mobile applications.

Prior to joining NASCAR, Nichelle was an associate in the Corporate Department of Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson in Charlotte, NC, where she practiced as part of the Sports & Entertainment and Intellectual Property Practice Groups. Nichelle also served as Director of Business Affairs for Time Warner Global Marketing, Inc., and as an associate with Loeb & Loeb LLP in its New York Entertainment Department.  While in law school, Nichelle was a legal intern with the National Hockey League.  Nichelle started her career in advertising and brand management with Leo Burnett, Philip Morris and EMI Music.

Nichelle was recognized as a Legal Elite in Intellectual Property by Business North Carolina magazine in 2013 and as an Emerging Legal Leaders finalist by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly in 2010. She also served as Chair of the Sports & Entertainment Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association from 2015-2016. Nichelle serves a number of community organizations important to her including as President of the South Charlotte Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Nichelle has a J.D. from New York University School of Law, as well as B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Chicago.  She is married to Sid Levy and has two sons, Sidney (12) and Nicholes (10).

12-Race Calendar Slated For Latin America’s Top Racing Series

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The return of the NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series will take the green flag in March in Monterrey, and the 2017 champion will be crowned in November at Mexico City, as part of a 12-race calendar announced today.

The schedule for the top racing series in Latin America features a challenging mix of six oval and six road-courses events, and includes stops at nine different venues throughout Mexico.

The NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series will open the season at Autódromo Monterrey, a 3.4 km (2.1-mile) road course in Apodaca, Nuevo León, on March 26. Daniel Suárez, a Monterrey native and the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion, is a two-time winner on the oval layout at his home track. The championship race for the NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series will take place on the 1.63 km (1.013-mile) road-course circuit at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City on Nov. 12. The track has been a staple of the series since its inaugural season under the NASCAR banner in 2007.

“As we enter a new era in the NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series, the 2017 schedule is a terrific blend of the top venues throughout the country,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president of weekly & touring series. “The fans will be treated with the exciting action that is the trademark of NASCAR racing, whether the drivers are speeding down the straightaways on the ovals or fighting for positions heading into the twists and turns of the road courses.”

“The 2017 NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series season will strengthen our rich history in motorsports and provide us the opportunity to engage a growing and passionate fan base in Mexico,” said Bryan Emrich, chief marketing officer at Old World Industries. “This year’s schedule promises to deliver the best racing in all of Mexico and we are anxiously awaiting the start of this momentous season.”

In addition to the 2017 schedule, Wednesday’s announcement was also highlighted by the news of the official merger between the NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series and Súper Copa Telcel. The merger ensures the participation of the top drivers in Mexico as the series combine to form the national championship for stock car racing in the country.

“With the support of NASCAR and sponsors like PEAK, Telcel, FedEx and many more, the series is committed to offering fans all over Mexico great racing and family entertainment,” said Jimmy Morales, NASCAR PEAK Series director general. “We are thankful for the effort, experience and hard work from the motorsports community to put this together for the benefit of everybody involved.”

Other highlights of the 2017 schedule include:

• The series will make two stops apiece Autódromo Miguel E. Abed in Puebla (May 14 and Oct. 15), and Autódromo Internacional Bernardo Obregón in Guadalajara (June 4 and Sept. 10). The Guadalajara venue is 1.207 km (three-quarters mile) tri-oval.

• The May race at Puebla will be on the 3.363 km (2.090) road course, while the penultimate race of the season in October will be run on the 2.01 km (1.25 mile) oval. Puebla hosted the 2014 championship race, which was won by Homero Richards and featured the title coronation of Abraham Calderon.

• Súper Óvalo Chiapas in Tuxtla Gutiérrez will host the Oct. 1 race. The 1.2 km (three-quarters mile) banked tri-oval was the site of the final race of the 2015 season, which saw current NASCAR K&N Pro Series East driver Ruben Garcia Jr. become the youngest champion in series history.

• The Aug. 6 race site is still being finalized and will be either at Autódromo Potosino in San Luis Potosí or Autodromo Moisés Solana in Pachuca. Potosino, a .804 km (half-mile oval) will also run the series on April 23, while Solano is a 1.75 km (1.08 mile) road course,

• In addition, the series will travel to Autódromo de León, a 1.2 km (three-quarters mile) road course on June 25; Autódromo Internacional de Aguascalientes, a 1.4 km (.875-mile) concrete tri-oval on July 16; and Autódromo del Ecocentro de la Unión Ganadera, a 1.275 km (.797) oval in Querétaro on Aug. 20.

The NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series television broadcast schedule will be announced at a later date.

Six Drivers Selected to Join Rev Racing For 2017

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – After a season of milestones for NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduates competing across NASCAR national series, the industry’s flagship development program for multicultural and female drivers has announced that six drivers will join its 2017 class. The drivers were selected after a competitive combine held last October at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway and will compete for Rev Racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

The 2017 class features a former NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series champion, the granddaughter of one of the sport’s female pioneers, and NASCAR Drive for Diversity’s first sibling teammates. The drivers will follow in the footsteps of program graduates and current national series drivers Kyle Larson, Darrell Wallace Jr., and 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion Daniel Suárez.

“Now more than ever, we’re seeing the impact of NASCAR’s development program in producing drivers who excel at the highest echelons of our sport,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “There’s a great deal of talent and potential in this year’s class. With the strong foundation that NASCAR Drive for Diversity provides, these drivers will have the opportunity to develop the skills needed to elevate their racing careers.”

The 2017 class is led by four returning drivers, Collin Cabre, Jay Beasley, Madeline Crane and Rubén García Jr.. Garcia first competed in stock car racing in his native Mexico. Collin’s younger brother, Chase Cabre, joins 16-year-old Macy Causey as this year’s NASCAR Drive for Diversity newcomers. Causey’s grandmother, Diane Teel, was the first woman to compete in a NASCAR XFINITY Series race in 1982.

Rev Racing, the operational arm of NASCAR Drive for Diversity, will field four teams in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and two in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

The 2017 NASCAR Drive for Diversity roster features:

Collin Cabre: An impressive second year in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program was highlighted by four top-five and six top-10 finishes and a sixth-place finish in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship standings. After winning the 2015 season finale at Dover International Speedway, Cabre was named to the 2016-2017 NASCAR Next class. The 23-year-old from Tampa, Florida, will compete in his third season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East with Rev Racing.

Chase Cabre: Cabre, 20, registered 12 race wins in 21 starts in a 600 Mini Sprint Car and is a two-time Fall Brawl Champion at Florida’s Ocala Bullring. In 2016, he averaged a fourth-place finish in races at Hickory Motor Speedway and set two poles during the season. Chase will compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East in his rookie season with Rev Racing.

Rubén García Jr.: At age 20, the Mexico City native became the youngest NASCAR PEAK Mexico driver to win the series championship in 2015. García was also part of the NASCAR Next program in both 2015 and 2016. He returns to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East after finishing 10th in the series last season.

Jay Beasley: Beasley, 24, made history in 2013 by becoming the first African-American driver to win a Super Late Model race at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In his first season with the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program in 2014, he earned two top-five and five top-10 finishes in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. He returns to the series for his third season with Rev Racing.

Macy Causey: Causey was honored with the NASCAR Young Racer Award in 2016. The year prior, she won the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Virginia State Rookie of the Year Award and earned top rookie honors at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Virginia, where in 1978 her grandmother became the first woman to win a NASCAR-sanctioned race at the track. Causey will compete for Rev Racing in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series.

Madeline Crane: The Georgia native began her career racing Bandoleros at Atlanta Motor Speedway at age 10. Crane, 19, moved into Legend cars, and by the time she was 14 had garnered 59 top-five finishes in 82 starts. Returning for a second season with NASCAR Drive for Diversity, she will compete in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series following two top-five and 12 top-10 finishes in 2016.

NASCAR Drive for Diversity aligns drivers with a team of executives, athletic directors, crew chiefs and mentors tasked with helping them achieve career successes, and thus improving their goal of reaching one of the three NASCAR national series.

Since it began fielding NASCAR Drive for Diversity cars in 2010, Rev Racing has been one of the most consistent teams in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, registering 17 wins, 65 top-five and 124 top-10 finishes with drivers finishing in the top-10 in points each season.

“Each year the applicant pool and talent level rises and our program continues to evolve and create more opportunities for advancement,” said Max Siegel, CEO and owner of Rev Racing. “NASCAR Drive for Diversity and Rev Racing are proud of the impact that we have had in the sport and we look forward to graduating the next generation of athletes to the national series.”

The 2016 NASCAR season was a historic year for NASCAR Drive for Diversity alumni. Larson, who is Asian-American, became the first program graduate to win a race and reach the playoffs in the sport’s premier series, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

With his NASCAR XFINITY Series victory at Michigan International Speedway, Suárez was the first Mexican-born driver to win a national series race, and last November he became the first foreign-born driver to win a national series championship. Suárez will make his debut in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series racing for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2017.

The 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season opener will take place on Feb. 19 at New Smyrna Speedway, where Rev Racing scored a win with Suárez in 2014.

For more information on NASCAR Drive for Diversity, visit NASCARDiversity.com.