NASCAR announces 12 Drive for Diversity racers for 2009 season

By Mike Mulhern
mikemulhern.net

    CONCORD, N.C.
    NASCAR's diversity initiatives, run under the Drive for Diversity program, will expand to 12 drivers in 2009, the sixth year for the program, which is designed to offer a ladder of opportunities for promising young drivers in various NASCAR development series.
    The program, which will be run now by ex-DEI official Max Siegel, will have five drivers returning from last year's program, and seven new drivers, chosen after tryouts last fall at South Boston Speedway.
   -- Paul Harraka will return for his fourth year. The Duke student drive again with Bill McAnally, in the Camping World series.
   -- Mackena Bell, from Carson City, NV., will race in the Whelen All-American series at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, CA.
   -- Kristin Bumbera, from Sealy, TX, will race in the Camping World East series for Bobby Hamilton Jr. Racing.
   -- Michael Cherry, of Valrico, FL, will race in the Whelen All-American series at Greenville-Pickens (S.C.) Speedway.
   -- Jonathon Gomez, of Twin Falls, ID, will race in the Camping World West series.
   -- Katie Hagar, of Nobleboro, Maine, will race in the Whelen All-American series at Madera (CA) Speedway.
   -- Laura Hayes, of Wilton, CA, will race in the Whelen All-American series at South Boston (VA) Speedway.
   -- Juan Pitta, of Galt, CA, will race for Bill McAnally in the Whelen All-American series at All American Speedway in Roseville, CA.
   -- Megan Reitenour, of Miamisburg, Ohio, will race in the Whelen All-American series at Tri-County Speedway in Hudson, N.C.
   -- Natalie Sather, of Fargo, ND, will race in the Whelen All-American series at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, WA.
   -- Jonathan Smith, of Beacon Falls, Connecticut, will race in the Camping World East series.
   -- Emily Sue Steck, of Holmen, WI, will race in the Whelen All-American series at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, WI.