Friday
Bryan Ortiz Competes in Drive for Diversity Combine
Press Release“Puerto Rican driver now focused on Sunoco National Tour finale”
Bryan Ortiz was one of thirty-five drivers who competed in the 2011 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine October 17th through 19th. The seventh annual Combine presented by Sunoco was held at Revolution Racing in Mooresville, North Carolina and the Motor Mile Speedway in Redford, Virginia.
The Drive for Diversity is the industry’s leading developmental program for minority and female drivers and crew members. The program currently supports drivers in two major developmental series of NASCAR – the K&N Pro Series and the Whelen All-American Series. The thirty-five hopefuls come from 18 states, Mexico, and Puerto Rico to showcase their talents hoping to earn an opportunity to race for Revolution Racing in 2011. Bryan Ortiz was selected to be one of the thirty-five drivers ranging in age from 16 to 26 who were evaluated on multiple skills including on-track performance, marketing and media aptitude, physical fitness, personality, and more.
The 21-year old native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico has raced in the Sunoco National Tour this season and leads the rookie standings entering the final race of the year at North Wilkesboro Speedway this weekend. However, the Drive for Diversity Combine has been the primary focus for Ortiz since he received the invitation to compete.
“My focus the last couple months was getting prepared for the Combine,” Ortiz stated. “I wanted to make sure that I did everything that I could to reach the level required for this program.”
The Combine began at Revolution Racing on Sunday, October 17th where the drivers were briefed on the schedule and began their evaluation with physical fitness and other tests of their skills. Then, Ortiz and his fellow competitors were bused to the Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Virginia for two days of on-track performance and marketing and media interviews. After the three days of assessment, the results will be evaluated by a committee who will select the participants for the 2011 Drive for Diversity program.
“From the fitness to media to on-track testing, I really feel that I did my best,” Ortiz commented. “The Combine is a great event and a tremendous opportunity for me. It was great to meet new drivers and other people in the sport. I want to thank Revolution Racing, Max Seigel, John Story, and everyone from NASCAR for making the Drive for Diversity Combine a great experience.”
“Obviously, I don’t know the results of the Combine yet, but I really feel like everything went well,” Ortiz added. “I was honored to receive the invitation and have the opportunity to compete in the Drive for Diversity Combine.”
This weekend, Bryan Ortiz and his BD Racing with Sterling Marlin team will race at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway in the Kings Ransom 300, the final race of the 2010 season for the Sunoco National Tour.
“With the Drive for Diversity Combine behind me, my focus is on the last race of the season at North Wilkesboro Speedway,” Ortiz concluded. “I’d really like to get my first win this weekend after so many close finishes. It’s tough competing with the ABC cars, but we do the best that we can each and every race. Everybody on the BD racing with Sterling Marlin team has done an awesome job this year, and I really want to win for them.”
Practice for the Sunoco National Tour Kings Ransom 300 begins on Saturday, October 30th. Qualifying for the final SNT event of the season will be Sunday morning, October 31st, with the race set for a 2 PM ET green flag.
- BD Racing with Sterling Marlin Press Release
Article Tags: BD racing with Sterling Marlin, Bryan Ortiz, Harvest 150, Historic North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway, Illiana Motor Speedway, John Story, K&N Pro Series, Kings Ransom 300, Max Seigel, Motor Mile Speedway, NASCAR, NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine, Revolution Racing, SNT, Sunoco National Tour, Whelen All-American Series
