2010 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Lineup Announced

For the first time during the Speedweeks and following what NASCAR calls the program’s most exciting preseason to date, the lineup for the current season Drive for Diversity Class was announced last night, with 11 minority and female drivers now getting ready to relocate to Charlotte and enter “academy-style” development under a single team ownership structure.

“Drive for Diversity, under the day-to-day management of The 909 Group, will continue to provide strong opportunities for minority and female competitors,” Marcus Jadotte, managing director of public affairs for NASCAR said in a release.

“This preseason provided key validation of the program’s new structure for developing young drivers and crew members. Academy-style training is proving a welcome evolution of an initiative that has seen 31 drivers compete, winning 33 races. D4D drivers are located in the nerve center of NASCAR with greater access to industry resources, technology, training, testing, and shop experience.”

The 11 people taking part in this year's program are:

• Mackena Bell, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
• Michael Cherry, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
• Ryan Gifford, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
• Katie Hagar, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
• Paul Harraka, NASCAR K&N Pro Series West
• Rebecca Kasten, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
• Sergio Pena, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
• Megan Reitenour, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
• Jason Romero, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
• Darrell Wallace Jr., NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
• Jessica Brunelli, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series

For those who don't know, Drive for Diversity is now in its seventh year and develops minority and female drivers in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.