NASCAR Drive For Diversity Driver Combine Completed.

Eighteen diverse and female drivers competed in front of race team owners and industry officials during the second Drive for Diversity Driver Testing and Evaluation Combine event held at Motor Mile Speedway near Radford, Virginia.

“This was an outstanding class of highly qualified, talented and motivated drivers who are ready to take the next step in their race careers,” said Greg Calhoun, president and CEO of Access Marketing and Communications, the creators and organizers of the event. “The Drive for Diversity program gives qualified diverse and female motorsports competitors the opportunity to showcase their skills to a variety of team owners seeking talent for their teams.”

During the two day event that began on Monday, Oct. 18, drivers competed for up to eight spots on NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series teams. They completed practice, qualifying and intermediate runs in Late Model Stock Cars.

Competitors were also interviewed by racing professionals to determine their overall acuity and commitment to the sport. Final competitors and teams will be announced in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the Crew Member Combine has been separated into two events. The October 20-21, Evaluation Combine at 5 Off 5 On Race Team Performance is open to potential crew members who submitted a resume to Drive for Diversity.

They will be evaluated on their physical condition, functional attributes, fitness level, skills assessment and oral interviews.

Based on evaluation scores, the top 25 participants will be offered an eight-week scholarship to attend 5 Off 5 On to hone their crew skills. Upon completion of the training program, crew members will earn the opportunity to participate in the Selection Combine on Jan. 9, 2005, at 5 Off 5 On when they will be evaluated in front of team owners on simulated race day activities and interviews with team representatives.

Owners with teams competing in the NASCAR Busch Series or NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will select the crew members to participate in the program next season.

More than 125 resumes were gathered from qualified drivers and more than 200 crew member candidates submitted resumes. A team of motorsports experts reviewed resumes. Combine participants were chosen based on their accomplishments, talent and reputations as potential successful motorsports professionals. Participants not chosen to compete in the combine, or selected for a team, will automatically be asked to apply for Drive for Diversity 2006.