NASCAR has announced the latest class for its Drive for Diversity program, which is made up of six drivers.
The Drive for Diversity program is NASCAR main initiative for developing multicultural and female drivers.
The group of six were selected from a drive combine at New Smyrna Speedway last October and will compete for Rev Racing in NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR’s Whelen All-American Series.
“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 in a press release. “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.”
Four drivers in the program are returning members and they are joined by newcomers Chase Cabre and 16-year-old Macy Causey. Causey is the granddaughter of Diane Teel, the first woman to compete in the Xfinity Series race in 1982.
Here’s a look at the 2017 class of the Drive for Diversity program.
Collin Cabre (@CollinCabre12): 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 (@CabreChase): 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. (@RubenGarcia4): 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 (@Jbeasleyracing): 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 (@MacyCausey): Causey was honored with the NASCAR Young Racer Award in 2016. The year prior, she won the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Virginia 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 (@MaddieCrane78): 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.
NEWS: 2017 #NASCARD4D drivers announced.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 25, 2017
Meet the class: https://t.co/l84apSKZq0 pic.twitter.com/QJtojkcTw5
