It is definitely an honor for me to host and introduce the NASCAR Drive for Diversity 2014 class. One of the things we try to stress at BSO are for minorities to get opportunities in all walks of life be it media or in this case NASCAR.
NASCAR has embraced this with their Driver for Diversity program and would like for you to join us in the Google Hangout.
You can submit questions to the drivers via the hashtag #NASCARD4D.
The Google Hangout is scheduled for Noon on February6th, you can watch the stream on YouTube, Google + or NASCAR.com.
Here is the 2014 class.
Ryan Gifford – Ryan Gifford, 24, is competing in his fifth season with the Rev Racing Team and NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program. Gifford’s 2013 season consisted of 14 starts, earning four top-5 and six top-10 finishes; one of which was his first K&N Pro Series East win at Richmond International Raceway. 2013 also proved to be a milestone year for Gifford as he was invited to race in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In his Nationwide Series debut, Gifford started 23rd and finished ninth. He finished the 2013 season 11th in the rankings.
The Tennessee native knew he wanted to make racing a career even before he made the transition from karts to dirt late models at the young age of 15. He found success early and often, earning three poles and four top-5 finishes in his debut season racing late models. He continued racing dirt late models until 2006 when he caught the attention of Mike Dillon who, at the time, served as Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) Vice President of Competition. Gifford subsequently began racing for RCR until he joined the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program in 2009.
Highlights
- Captured first K&N Series victory at Richmond International Raceway, Apr. 25, 2013
- Ranked 11th in points with three top 10s across the 14-race schedule in 2012
- 2012 Best finish was third in the opener at Bristol Motor Speedway
- Led 11 laps at Richmond International Raceway in 2012
- Finished 10th in the standings with four top 10s in 12 events in 2011
- Recorded four top 5s in his first full NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season in 2010 In 2010, he became the first African-American in series history to earn a pole when he accomplished the feat in the inaugural race at Martinsville
- Debuted in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East with four starts in 2009
- Competed in 12 K&N Pro Series East races collecting two Top 5’s and four Top 10’s enroute to a 10th place points finish in 2011.
Twitter: @ryangifford2
Facebook: facebook.com/ryan.gifford.35
Personal website: RyanGifford.com
Daniel Suarez – Suarez, 22, joined Rev Racing and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program in 2013. Suarez ran a full season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, garnering a team-high six top-5, and nine top-10 finishes. The highlight of his 2013 season was his victory at Columbus Motor Speedway, and first ever NKNPS East victory. Suarez earned five second place finishes in his final four races, putting him third in the final rankings.
Suarez, made his official NASCAR K&N Pro Series West debut in 2011 at Phoenix International Raceway while racing for X-Team. In 2012, he ran nine of 14 events for X-Team while also competing for the championship in the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series.
Highlights
- First K&N Pro Series East victory at Columbus Motorspeedway in 2013
- Earned five second place finishes, ending third in overall ranking in 2013
- Ran nine of 14 events in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series achieving three top 10s in 2012
- Competing for the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series championship where he finished third in point standings
- Competed in seven of 12 races K&N Pro Series East races during the 2011 season posting three top 10s and a season-best fifth place at Columbus
Twitter: @dnlsuarez
Personal Website: www.danysuarez.com
Jay Beasley – Jay Beasley joins the Rev Racing Team after racing super late models last season. Beasley began racing super late models in 2011. He finished his rookie season fifth overall in the standings, garnering “Rookie Driver of the Year” honors at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Beasley’s much-improved 2013 season accumulated seven wins from 11 starts, one of which was the 2013 Bullring NASCAR Super Late Model Series. Additionally, he earned one pole. Beasley made history in 2013 by becoming the first African-American to win a race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In his first season with the Rev Racing’s Drive for Diversity program, Beasley will compete in the K&N Pro Series East.
Highlights
- 8 wins from 14 starts (1 pole) Super Late Model in 2013/leading points Championship at Las Vegas “Bullring”
- First African American to win a race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway March 30, 2013
- Awarded 2011 Super Late Model “Rookie Driver of the Year” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
- Finished 5th Overall in Late Model Series Championship in Rookie season
- Professional instructor for the Dream Racing Experience at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s road course
- National Scooter Champion
- Won the 2013 Fall Classic Open Comp race at Las Vegas “Bullring”
- Awarded the 2013 Wendell Scott Award
Twitter: @JBERAC1NG
Facebook: facebook.com/JAY-BEASLEY-RACING
Personal website: www.jaybeasleyracing.com
Sergio Peña – Sergio Peña returns to Rev Racing for the 2014 season after a two year absence. Pena made his K&N Pro Series East debut in 2010 as a member of Rev Racing’s Drive for Diversity program. In his rookie season, Peña garnered three top-10 finishes and placed 12th in the standings. In his much improved sophomore season, Peña took three wins (tied for most in the K&N Pro Series East) and finished fifth in the standings. In 2012, he began racing for Hattori Racing Enterprises and completed three top-5 and eight top-10 finishes in fourteen starts. In 2013 Pena switched to the K&N Pro Series West. In his lone season, he accumulated two top-5 and three top-10 finishes.
Highlights
- Earned two top-5 and three top-tens in three starts in 2013
- Tied for most wins in K&N Pro Series East in 2011
- Earned three top-10 finishes, and placed 12th in overall standings during his rookie season in 2010.
- Earned the pole and finished second place at the 2010 Toyota All-Star Showdown Irwindale Speedway
Twitter: @SergPena
Facebook: facebook.com/sergiopenaracing
Late Model
Paige Decker – Paige Decker joins the Rev Racing team after racing super late models last season. Decker competed in the Mid-American Stock Car Series from 2010 to 2011. She made a brief appearance racing Super Late Model mid-way through the 2011 season, finishing sixth in her debut. In 2013 Decker etched her name in the history books winning the Super Late Tundra Feature Round Four at Golden Sands Speedway, making her the first female and the first rookie to win a Tundra. Additionally, her historic season garnered her “Rookie Driver of the Year” honors in her divisions.
Highlights
- In 2013 Decker won the Super Late Tundra Feature Round Four at
Golden Sands Speedway
- 2013 Rookie Driver of the Year
Devon Amos – Devon Amos, 22, joined Rev Racing and The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program in 2013. In his first season with the team, Amos accumulated two top-5 & four top-10 finishes in eight starts at the INEX Legends Series. He also made two starts in the NASCAR Whelen All-American series, where he finished seventh his first time out.
Prior to joining Rev Racing, Amos competed in the Modified Midgets of New Mexico Series in 2012, where he won the Championship. He finished ninth at the I-44 Nationals in Oklahoma, and swept the 4th Annual Ryan Bard Memorial race.
Amos began racing at the age of 12 in quarter midgets and moved his way up to a four-cylinder class.
Highlights
- 2012 Modified Midgits of New Mexico Champion
- Won 32nd Annual Floyd Reynolds Memorial race 5th in points after missing 3 races in 2011
- Attended 2011 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine in 2011
- Won the Modified Midgets of New Mexico Rookie of the Year Award in 2010
- Attended Revolution Racing Late Model Driving School in 2010
Twitter: @devonamos
Facebook: facebook.com/dla.amos
Personal website: www.devonamos.com