Roush Racing ddds development drive

ROUSH RACING ADDS DEVELOPMENT DRIVERS TO RACING STABLE

CONCORD, N.C. -- Roush Racing has added four drivers to its development program, Erik Darnell, Danny O'Quinn, Joey Logano and Marc Davis. Each driver has a different racing background, but all four possess the talent to eventually succeed in the NASCAR ranks.

Darnell and O'Quinn were both discovered through Roush's "Race For The Ride" program last fall. Both drivers made it to the final test at Darlington and were considered for the ride in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, which was awarded to Todd Kluever. Darnell, 23, hails from Beach Park, Ill., and most recently competed in the NASCAR Autozone Elite Division. O'Quinn, 19, is from Coeburn, Va., and has spent the past two seasons racing in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series (southern division). Both drivers plan to run a limited ARCA schedule this season starting March 26 at Nashville Superspeedway.

Logano, 14, is from Alpharetta, Ga., and was discovered by Mark Martin. Martin first noticed Logano while racing with his son, Matt. Last year Logano competed in five ASA National Touring Series events and qualified fifth in his first race. Logano intends to compete in the Hooters Pro Cup Series this year after he turns 15 in May.

Davis, also 14, resides in Mitchellville, Md. He is currently the only African-American in the Roush driver development program. He will continue to compete in the FASTKIDS truck series, as well as race a Roush-provided Ford Taurus at various short tracks throughout North Carolina.

"The driver development program is extremely important," said Jack Roush. "We need to constantly be searching for the next generation of drivers. After our 'Race For The Ride' program last fall we found there is an immense amount of talent out there. From that program and from other means we have found four drivers who possess a great amount of skill and determination. We decided to create a program which will help them develop their racing careers and eventually move into one of our NASCAR programs when the time is right."

All four Roush Racing development drivers are currently seeking sponsorship at various levels. Companies inquiring about sponsorship opportunities within Roush Racing should contact John Miller at Roush Racing, (704) 720-4600.

Roush Racing is a subsidiary of Livonia, Mich., based Roush Industries that operates 10 motorsports teams; five in NASCAR Nextel Cup with drivers Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards, three in the Busch Series with Martin, Kenseth and Edwards, and two in the Craftsman Truck Series with drivers Ricky Craven and Todd Kluever.

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