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Drive for Diversity drivers announced

THE DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY® PROGRAM WILL HOST TWENTY CANDIDATES AT THE 2007 DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY® DRIVER COMBINE CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct. 11, 2006) -- Twenty up-and-coming drivers from throughout the United States will showcase their skills to team ...

THE DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY® PROGRAM WILL HOST TWENTY CANDIDATES AT THE 2007 DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY® DRIVER COMBINE

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct. 11, 2006) -- Twenty up-and-coming drivers from throughout the United States will showcase their skills to team owners at the fourth annual Drive for Diversity® Testing and Evaluation Combine October 16-17 at South Boston (Va.) Speedway. The drivers were selected by Access Marketing and Communications, which manages the Drive for Diversity® Program in a competitive process.

"The positive response and flood of qualified ethnic and gender minority drivers increases each year, raising the bar of competition at our driver combine and proving that diverse talent is prevalent within motorsports," said Greg Calhoun, president and CEO of Access Marketing & Communications. "We are glad to have a wonderful partnership with NASCAR which allows the platform for these drivers to showcase their natural ability, hard work and dedication to the sport."

The 20 drivers participating in the event, including six from the 2006 Drive for Diversity® roster, will complete a series of on-track driving exercises in NASCAR Grand National Division cars and will also participate in interviews and other off-track activities to determine their overall motorsports knowledge and racing philosophy. The Drive for Diversity® affiliated team owners will then select drivers to compete for their teams in 2007 in either the NASCAR Grand National Division or the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series.

The 2007 Drive for Diversity® Driver Testing and Evaluation Combine includes the following drivers:

* Chris Bristol (Columbus, Ohio) was a part of the Drive for Diversity® program in 2006 and has collected seven wins, 40 top-five and 64 top-10 finishes over the past three seasons.

* Tracey Chambers (Timberlake, N.C.) enjoyed two top-10 finishes in two starts at Orange County Speedway.

* Michael Cherry (Valrico, Fla.) has earned one win, three top-five and 15 top-10 finishes in the 2006 season to date.

* Brianne Cronrath (Fleetwood, Pa.) is a returning member of the Drive for Diversity® program and finished with two top-five and 12 top-10 finishes this season.

* Bryan Driver (Pennington, N.J.) finished the season with two wins, five top-five and seven top-10 finishes at his home track in New Egypt, N.J.

* Michael Gallegos (Wheatridge, Colo.) participated in the Drive for Diversity® program during the 2005 season and is currently competing in the Midwest Elite Division.

* Katie Hagar (Nobleboro, Maine) had one win and two top-five finishes at Oxford (Maine) Plains Speedway.

* Paul Harraka (Fairlawn, N.J.) competed at Caraway (N.C.) Speedway this season as part of the Drive for Diversity®.

* Destiney Hays (View Lane, Calif.) collected with five top-five and nine top-10 finishes this season.

* Jessica Helburg (Petaluma, Calif.) ran at Ace Speedway this season as a 2006 Drive for Diversity® participant.

* Jesus Hernandez (Fresno, Calif.) earned enjoyed two wins, seven top-five and 15 top-10 finishes as part of the 2006 Drive for Diversity® program.

* Peter Hernandez (Blue Island, Ill.,) is a 2006 Drive for Diversity® participant and earned three wins, 10 top-five and 12 top-10 finishes this season.

* Lloyd Mack (Diamond Bar, Calif.) finished 10th in points at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway with two wins, three top-five and four top-10 finishes.

* Danny Martin (Sarasota, Fla.) competed at East Bay Raceway Park and finished with eight wins, 15 top-fives and 17 top 10s this season.

* Candace Muzny (Oklahoma City, Okla.) raced this season at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway where she collected three top-10 finishes.

* Ashley Parlett (Cornelius, N.C.) competed in the ARCA Re/Max Series this year at Toledo (Ohio) Speedway.

* Alison Quick (Redding, Iowa) finished the season with two top fives and four top 10s.

* Molly Rhoads (Hastings, Minn.) enjoyed 10 top-five and seven top-10 finishes during the 2006 season.

* Jonathan Smith (Beacon Falls, Conn.) collected two heat race wins and three top-10 finishes this year.

* Michelle Theriault (Mooresville, N.C.) raced in the Hooters Pro Cup Series during the 2006 season.

Drive for Diversity (Access Marketing & Communications)

Drive for Diversity (Access Marketing & Communications) Drive for Diversity® is a diverse driver and crew member development program created and managed by Access Marketing & Communications, a Charlotte-based multicultural marketing firm founded in 2003. In 2006, the program supported eight drivers in the NDWS and 12 crew members in the NASCAR Busch Series, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Drive for Diversity® is an initial step in a long-term solution to diversify NASCAR's participant and audience base. For more information, see the program's official website at www.drivefordiversity.com.

-credit: nascar

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