Wednesday
RCR Developmental Driver to Participate in Drive for Diversity Combine
Press Release
Gifford, along with 29 other participants, will take part in both on-track and off-track evaluations at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va. October 19 and 20. Each driver will be rated on their driving skills, how they handle sponsors and field questions from the media.
“I’m excited about getting selected to participate in this program,” Gifford said. “The Drive for Diversity Combine should give me an opportunity to improve not only my driving skills, but also the other responsibilities that go along with being a top-level driver.”
Gifford began racing go-karts near his hometown of Winchester, Tenn. at the age of nine. He moved his way up the ranks on local dirt tracks before catching the eye of Mike Dillon, Vice President of Competition at RCR and owner of Team Dillon Racing. He was signed to RCR’s driver development program in 2008.
“Ryan is a young driver with a lot of potential,” Dillon said. “He gives great feedback to his team, no matter what he’s driving, and he’s excelled in dealing with the media and sponsors. He’s adapted quickly to stock cars, and I think the Drive for Diversity program will help him grow even more.”
This season, Gifford has driven a host of dirt and asphalt late model stocks, along with five combined starts in the NASCAR Camping World Series East and West divisions. In those NCWS starts, the 20-year old driver has two second-place and four top-10 finishes. He has completed all 715 laps contested and boasts a 6.2 average finish.
“This season has been fun,” Gifford said. “We’ve had some solid runs and I’ve learned a lot about how these heavier stock cars handle. Being involved in the Drive for Diversity Combine is definitely going to teach me a lot more and, hopefully, will allow me to turn those solid runs into victories next season.”
About Drive for Diversity
Drive for Diversity, managed by The 909 Group, develops minority and female drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Since the creation of the Drive for Diversity program in 2004, 31 drivers have competed, winning 35 races. In 2009, 12 Drive for Diversity drivers have combined for eight wins, 51 top fives and 125 top 10s. Drive for Diversity also supports pit crew athletes each year in the Drive for Diversity Crew Member Program presented by Sprint. Much of the success of the Drive for Diversity initiative is a result of support from key sponsors and involved team owners.
About Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2009, has earned more than 180 victories and 12 NASCAR championships, including six in the Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its 2009 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Casey Mears (No. 07 Jack Daniel’s), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil), Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar) and Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper). Its 2009 Nationwide Series lineup includes Bowyer, Burton and Stephen Leicht (No. 29 Holiday Inn) and Austin Dillon and Sean Caisse (No. 2 RCR Chevrolet). Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon and Ryan Gifford are RCR developmental drivers in both asphalt and dirt track racing.
- Richard Childress Racing Press Release
Article Tags: Austin Dillon, Casey Mears, Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt, Drive for Diversity, Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Mike Dillon, Motor Mile Speedway, NASCAR Camping World Series East, NASCAR Camping World Series West, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, RCR, Richard Childress Racing, Ryan Gifford, Sean Caisse, Stephen Leicht, Team Dillon Racing, The 909 Group, Ty Dillon
