­(South Boston VA)Miamisburg High School Senior, Megan Reitenour was selected to participate in the testing and evaluation combine to possibly earn the opportunity to compete with an established NASCAR team for a full season.

The Drive for Diversity Program, is managed by Access Marketing & Communications and is supported by NASCAR. This program provides driving opportunities for minority and female participants with established race teams in the NASCAR Camping World Series and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and seeks opportunities for program graduates to advance within various NASCAR series.

­The Drive for Diversity program helps to further diversify NASCAR’s participant and audience base. NASCAR, which has said that increasing diversity in the sport is its top corporate priority and has been instrumental in assisting in the development of the Drive for Diversity program. Much of the success of the Drive for Diversity initiative is also a direct result of support from key sponsors and involved team owners. Since it’s inception in 2004, the Drive for Diversity Program has supported 21 different drivers in NASCAR’s developmental series.

Each year, Access Marketing & Communications asks a panel of motorsports experts to review applications and materials submitted from interested drivers. Qualified drivers are then invited to attend the testing and evaluation combine. Over 200 drivers submitted applications to participate. Twenty-four of those drivers were selected to take part in the testing and evaluation combine that will be held in October 2008 at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, VA. After the combine, ten drivers will then be selected to participate in the program.

­Drivers will be evaluated on their on-track performance and off-track interactions with team owners and media. Wendell Scott, Jr., son of Wendell Scott has served as the program mentor for the Drive for Diversity program since its inception in 2004. As program mentor, Scott is able to use his vast racing knowledge to help develop young minority and female drivers. His responsibilities include driver recruitment, assessment, and coaching.

Megan said, “I’m so excited and feel fortunate in being given this opportunity. It was news that I have been waiting for some time and it was sure worth the wait. I will do the best I can and hopefully something comes from it. I’m looking forward to the challenge. I think it will be great experience for me and is certainly a step in the right direction for my career.”

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