Five Latinos to Formula Nascar

Five drivers of Hispanic origin have been selected to be part of the Drive for Diversity initiative of the NASCAR motorsport championship for the upcoming season, organizers of the competition reported today.
The Mexicans Rubén García Jr. and Enrique Baca, the Colombian Juan García, the Hispanic of Colombian origin Jairo Ávila and the American of Spanish descent Collin Cabre were five of the six chosen to participate in the development program for ethnic minorities and women.
These drivers, along with American Ali Kern, will be formally introduced as drivers of the diversity initiative at the launch of the racing season at the Motor Speedway in the Charlotte, North Carolina area on January 19.
“We remain steadfast in our mission to develop multicultural athletes and women,” said Jim Cassidy, vice president of racing operations for NASCAR, a competition that has shown great interest in penetrating the Hispanic market in recent years.
“The ‘Driving for diversity’ program offers enormous opportunities for minority motorists,” Rubén García told Efe in a telephone interview from Mexico.
“It is a very serious program that provides a unique experience to the participants,” noted the driver, who started in motorsport at the age of 5 and in 2015 was the champion of NASCAR races in Mexico.
The Drive for Diversity initiative, established in 2004, is year-long and consists of three components: the classroom, physical fitness, and careers.
All six were chosen last October after participating in a three-day race for seats at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Virginia.
For the full 2016 season, drivers will compete in the K&N Pro Series East and Whelen All-American Series races under the Concord-based Rev Racing team in the Charlotte metropolitan area.
The six drivers will race in 14 races and eight ovals, located throughout the country, where the five Latinos will try to show their talent.
The opening of those races will take place on February 14 at the New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where the Rev Racing team scored a victory with Mexican driver Daniel Suárez in 2014.
This driver, who started his career thanks to NASCAR’s diversity initiative, won the Rookie of the Year title last season.
The young Hispanic drivers hope to add their names to those of other motorists who have made history in NASCAR such as the Mexican Pedro Rodríguez, the Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, the American Francisco Eduardo Menéndez (better known as Frank Mundy), the Cuban Félix Sabates or the Peruvians Raúl Cilloniz and Eduardo Dibos.