NASCAR Driver Development Program

Yarasheva, D. (2023, November 28). Sports, Culture, and Society. American Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Research, 3(11), 152-163.Spaaig, R. (2009, November 10). The social impact of sport: diversities, complexities and contexts. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 12(9), 1109-1117.

Several factors have been attributed to the absence of minorities in stock car racing. One is the costs of auto racing and dependency on sponsorship dollars, with many minority individuals and families lacking the capital to enter the inherently expensive racing world. Others believe that minority youths are more drawn to conventional "stick-and-ball" sports such as basketball. A key factor is the overt racism in the country that had plagued other sports as well, but was particularly strong in American stock car racing due to its roots in the South. This included the presence of Confederate flags in the infields of many tracks at both the regional and national levels. For these reasons, NASCAR has been slower to racially integrate than other major sports in the country.{{cite web|last1=Boone|first1=Jerry F.|title=Building NASCAR's Ethnic Ranks - Can NASCAR Overcome? Building An Ethnically Diverse Sport One Racer At A Time|url=http://www.stockcarracing.com/featurestories/scrp_0310_building_nascars_ethnic_ranks/viewall.html|publisher=Stock Car Racing|access-date=8 December 2015|date=October 1, 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208015442/http://www.stockcarracing.com/featurestories/scrp_0310_building_nascars_ethnic_ranks/viewall.html|archive-date=8 December 2015}} In spite of the lack of minorities and women in the sport, some claim that on paper NASCAR provides a more-balanced playing field than other sports.{{cite web|last1=Leffler|first1=Charlie|title=Female future in NASCAR starts with the young|url=http://www.richmond.com/news/local/hanover/mechanicsville-local/sports/article_d4f8780d-2c4d-5633-bb36-0c94266452cc.html|website=richmond.com|publisher=Richmond Times-Dispatch|access-date=18 June 2015|date=September 11, 2012}}

The first and most notable African American driver in the sport is Wendell Scott, a former bootlegger who broke the color barrier in the 1950s and raced competitively in inferior equipment and with sub-par support, while contending with discrimination and threats from fans and other drivers.{{cite web|title=An Oral History Of Black NASCAR Drivers|url=http://www.complex.com/sports/2012/02/an-oral-history-of-black-nascar-drivers/|website=Complex.com|publisher=Complex|access-date=27 January 2015|date=February 22, 2012}} Scott's only win at the Cup Series level came at Jacksonville Speedway Park in 1963. The win and the trophy was initially given to Buck Baker, and Scott did not receive official recognition until a month later, when he was given a small wooden trophy with no nameplate. Only seven black drivers have ever competed at NASCAR's top level, most notably Scott, Bubba Wallace, and Willy T. Ribbs.{{cite web|last1=Diaz|first1=George|title=Black driver finds more open road: Bill Lester, NASCAR's only African-American racer, has helped change the sport|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/02/12/black-driver-finds-more-open-road/|website=Chicago Tribune|publisher=Chicago Tribune, Orlando Sentinel, Tribune Publishing|access-date=19 November 2014|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=February 12, 2003}}

In 2019, Driver Lacy Kuehl, age 12, was the youngest ever signed youth development driver. NASCAR gave Kuehl the Young racer award at NASCAR's Hall of Fame in Charlotte. Kuehl raced in the 2019 Summer Bojangels Shootout and 5 other races, including Atlanta Speedway.

Female drivers have been equally scarce within auto racing. Although there was a time when women were banned from entering the pit area during races,{{cite web|last1=Sodeman|first1=Buzz|title=Racing roots run deep here|url=http://archive.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2006/Sep-06-Wed-2006/news/9469870.html|website=pahrumpvalleytimes.com|publisher=Pahrump Valley Times|access-date=18 June 2015|date=September 6, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618172329/http://archive.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2006/Sep-06-Wed-2006/news/9469870.html|archive-date=18 June 2015}} there has been no official legislation preventing women from participating during most of NASCAR's history. Sara Christian drove in the inaugural Cup Series (then Strictly Stock) race at Charlotte Speedway in 1949, and is the only woman in Cup Series history to score a top five finish. The most notable woman in the sport was Janet Guthrie, the first woman to compete in both the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500. Guthrie scored five top tens over 33 career starts in NASCAR's top three series.{{cite web|last1=MacWatters|first1=Sandra|title=Danica Patrick and NASCAR's 10 Most Notable Female Drivers Ever|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/653257-nascars-10-most-notable-female-drivers-ever|website=bleacherreport.com|publisher=Bleacher Report|access-date=10 June 2015|date=April 4, 2011}} Another notable driver was Louise Smith, known as "the first lady of racing". Smith made 11 starts in what is now the Cup Series, and was used to promote the sport in the 1940s by NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr. A total of 15 women have made starts in the Cup Series.

{{main|Dodge|Bobby Hamilton Racing|Joe Gibbs Racing}}

In 1999, manufacturer Dodge began a diversity program, selecting Mexican driver Carlos Contreras to drive a Dodge Ram for Petty Enterprises in the Craftsman Truck Series. In December 2000, Dodge announced that veteran African American driver Willy T. Ribbs would drive in the Truck Series for the full 2001 season in a factory-backed effort for Bobby Hamilton Racing. Ribbs, who had made starts in the Cup Series, Indy Car and Champ Car, was part of the continued diversity effort by Dodge (reentering Cup competition for 2001), selected from a test program that included Bill Lester and Tim Woods.{{cite web|last1=Rodman|first1=Dave|title=Willy T. Ribbs to run Dodge: Dodge inks Ribbs, BHR for diversity initiative|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-truck/news/willy-t-ribbs-to-run-dodge/?v=2&s=1&q=Bill+Lester+Dodge|website=motorsport.com|access-date=3 September 2014|location=Auburn Hills, Michigan|date=December 13, 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129054644/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-truck/news/willy-t-ribbs-to-run-dodge/?v=2&s=1&q=Bill+Lester+Dodge|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}} Ribbs ran 23 out of 24 races in the 8 Dodge Motorsports Ram truck (DNQing at Martinsville), finishing 16th in points but with no top 10 finishes. Lester ran 5 races in BHR's 4 truck with a best finish of 18th, then replaced Ribbs in the 8 truck for the 2002 and 2003 seasons,{{cite web|title=Lester to drive No. 8 Dodge for Hamilton|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/news.htm|website=usatoday.com|publisher=USA Today|access-date=10 June 2015|date=July 18, 2002}} scoring a pole at Charlotte in 2003 and finishing 17th and 14th in points in the two seasons respectively. He would leave BHR after 2003 due to lack of sponsorship.{{cite web|last1=Wilson|first1=Kevin A.|title=Minority Report: Where Did All The Progress Go?|url=http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/minority-report-where-did-all-progress-go|website=Autoweek.com|publisher=AutoWeek|access-date=1 September 2014|date=January 9, 2005}}{{cite news|last1=Alleyne|first1=Sonia|title=The New Face of NASCAR: Race, money, and politics in motor sports' fast lane|url=http://www.blackenterprise.com/mag/the-new-face-of-nascar/|access-date=11 August 2016|work=Black Enterprise|date=April 1, 2004}} Female driver Deborah Renshaw moved into BHR's 8 truck in 2005, finishing 24th in points.{{cite web|title=Deborah Renshaw joins Bobby Hamilton Racing|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-truck/news/deborah-renshaw-joins-bobby-hamilton-racing/?v=2&s=1&q=Deborah+Renshaw+Dodge|website=motorsport.com|access-date=3 September 2014|location=Lebanon, Tennessee|date=December 15, 2004|archive-date=29 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129054641/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-truck/news/deborah-renshaw-joins-bobby-hamilton-racing/?v=2&s=1&q=Deborah+Renshaw+Dodge|url-status=dead}} Erin Crocker also ran two races for BHR in 2005, before moving on to Evernham Motorsports in 2006 and 2007.{{cite news|author1=Bobby Hamilton Racing|title=Phoenix: Bobby Hamilton preview|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-truck/news/phoenix-bobby-hamilton-preview-2005-11-10/|access-date=20 November 2016|work=Motorsport.com|date=November 9, 2005|archive-date=2016-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120151640/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-truck/news/phoenix-bobby-hamilton-preview-2005-11-10/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|author1=Evernham Motorsports, Bobby Hamilton Racing|title=Homestead: Erin Crocker debut preview|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-truck/news/homestead-erin-crocker-debut-preview/|access-date=20 November 2016|work=Motorsport.com|date=November 15, 2005|location=Statesville, North Carolina|archive-date=20 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120151323/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-truck/news/homestead-erin-crocker-debut-preview/|url-status=dead}}

In 2003, Joe Gibbs Racing partnered with former NFL player Reggie White to start a team that would assist minority drivers in rising up the ranks of the Motorsports world. In 2004, the team came into form with assistance of Gibbs' Cup and Busch Series sponsors Home Depot, MBNA, and Rockwell Automation. The original two drivers were Aric Almirola (a future winner at the Cup level) and Chris Bristol (who would join NASCAR's D4D program in 2006), who drove cars numbered 20 and 18 respectively at two different short tracks in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series.{{cite web|author1=Joe Gibbs Racing|title=Joe Gibbs Racing 2004 preview|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar/news/joe-gibbs-racing-2004-preview/?v=2&s=1&q=Joe+Gibbs+Racing+Diversity|website=motorsport.com|access-date=1 September 2014|location=Huntersville, North Carolina|date=January 1, 2004|archive-date=4 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904034944/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar/news/joe-gibbs-racing-2004-preview/?v=2&s=1&q=Joe+Gibbs+Racing+Diversity|url-status=dead}} Almirola and Bristol returned in 2005, with both drivers running number 92 to honor the late Reggie White.{{cite web|author1=Joe Gibbs Racing|title=Joe Gibbs Racing Diversity Program, 2nd season|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar/news/joe-gibbs-racing-diversity-program-2nd-season/?v=2&s=1&q=Joe+Gibbs+Racing+Diversity|website=motorsport.com|access-date=1 September 2014|location=Huntersville, North Carolina|date=April 2, 2005|archive-date=4 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904034938/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar/news/joe-gibbs-racing-diversity-program-2nd-season/?v=2&s=1&q=Joe+Gibbs+Racing+Diversity|url-status=dead}}

The NASCAR-based program was conceived in the 1990s, officially implemented in 2004 by NASCAR chairman Brian France, and based largely off input from White and NBA star Brad Daugherty. D4D was one of several programs instigated to increase viewership and audience diversity as well as provide income for the sport, along with the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup and series in Canada and Mexico.{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Jonathan|title=Joe Henderson III says NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program failed him|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/thatsracin/article21756297.html|website=charlotteobserver.com|publisher=The Charlotte Observer|access-date=18 June 2015|date=May 22, 2015}} NASCAR hired Access Marketing & Communications, a company started with money from NASCAR given to the Rainbow/PUSH initiative of Rev. Jesse Jackson, to find drivers, conduct a testing combine, and set the drivers up with owners who would receive stipends to fund competitive rides at short tracks in the Dodge Weekly Racing Series. The first Drive for Diversity combine, featuring 12 drivers and 28 pit crew members, was held in January 2004 at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina, with five drivers and six crew members selected. After two seasons, several reports surfaced of teams not receiving adequate funds, while other teams owners did not supplement the NASCAR investment with additional funds, leading to limited results on the track. Another shortcoming of the early D4D classes was the age of the participants, as many of the drivers (such as Morty Buckles and Reggie Primus) were over the age of 30 and past their prime. Due to the lackluster performance, NASCAR cut ties with Access Marketing after 2008 and proceeded to hire Max Siegel (music executive and former president of Dale Earnhardt, Inc.) to revamp the program.{{cite web|last1=Hinton|first1=Ed|title=Drive for Diversity stuck in neutral|url=https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/columns/story?id=3937399|website=espn.go.com|publisher=ESPN|access-date=15 March 2015|date=March 4, 2009}}

In its current state, the program accepts around 6–10 drivers. 20 or so prospective drivers between the ages of 14 and 26 are invited to a testing combine, in which NASCAR evaluates each driver's résumé, on-track lap-times, driving knowledge, physical fitness, communications skills, and media aptitude. Siegel meanwhile started the Rev Racing team in 2009 to train the selected drivers in an academy-like setting, with drivers being fielded in the Weekly Series (now the Whelen All-American Series) or the touring K&N Pro Series East and West. In addition to investing $3 million in the program, Siegel himself is also responsible for finding sponsorship for the drivers.{{cite web|last1=Pockrass|first1=Bob|title=Drive for diversity: NASCAR's push to develop minority drivers moving slowly|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2012-06-04/nascar-drive-for-diversity-program-darrell-wallace-jr-brian-france|website=Sporting News NASCAR|publisher=Sporting News|access-date=1 September 2014|date=June 4, 2012|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924124450/http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2012-06-04/nascar-drive-for-diversity-program-darrell-wallace-jr-brian-france|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last1=James|first1=Brant|title=NASCAR PROSPECT KENZIE RUSTON RARING TO GO -- IF SHE GETS A RIDE|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/11785548/nascar-prospect-kenzie-ruston-raring-go-gets-ride|website=ESPN W|publisher=ESPN|access-date=26 November 2014|date=October 30, 2014}} Since the inception of the current program, Rev Racing has been fielding competitive rides with funding from companies such as Toyota, Nike, Inc., and Sunoco{{cite web|title=Sponsors|url=http://revracing.net/sponsors/|website=revracing.net|publisher=Rev Racing|access-date=30 September 2014|year=2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006095151/http://revracing.net/sponsors/|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead}} and have had several drivers move on to the national series.

The Drive for Diversity also includes a pit crew development program to identify and develop minority and female pit crew members. Like Cup Series teams, the program seeks out former competitive athletes (high school and college), then puts them through a combine which includes conventional drills and racing-specific drills. According to Siegel, the pit crew program has a 100 percent placement rate throughout NASCAR.{{cite web|url=http://revracing.net/|title=Rev Racing | website=Rev Racing|access-date=10 September 2014}}

In November 2023, America First Legal, an organization founded and led by Stephen Miller, a former Senior Advisor to President Donald Trump (and future Homeland Security Advisor and White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy in Trump's second term), filed a petition to the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate NASCAR and Rev Racing for the program leading to "illegal discrimination against white, male Americans." in violation of the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.{{cite web |first=Melissa |last=Koening |url=https://nypost.com/2023/11/06/news/nascar-accused-of-discriminating-against-white-men/ |title=NASCAR accused of discriminating against white men in diversity efforts |website=New York Post |date=November 6, 2023 |access-date=April 25, 2025}}

File:Kyle Larson Rev Racing Toyota Rockingham 2012.jpg winning at Rockingham Speedway in 2012.]]

The overall impact of the D4D program and NASCAR's diversification efforts have been minimal, as the drivers from the program (in spite of their success at the regional level) are often starved of opportunities and sponsorship dollars once they graduate from the program. ESPN analyst, team owner, and former NBA all-star Brad Daugherty acknowledges some progress, claiming the sport is "more inviting than it was [in the past]." But he also believes "owners are a little scared...Corporate America just isn't ready to take a lot of chances with their dollars on a non-known entity." Several drivers had left the program early in its history, citing issues with the equipment and resources provided to them.{{cite web|last1=Livingstone|first1=Seth|title=NASCAR seeks diversity but finds the going slow|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2007-04-26-diversity-cover_N.htm|website=USA Today|access-date=1 September 2014|date=April 27, 2007}} Some state that the absence of funding is systematic across the sport, with many young drivers' careers being stalled out before they make it to a higher level or a more competitive ride.{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Jonathan|title=For would-be NASCAR drivers, getting sponsor is challenging|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/thatsracin/article21757179.html|website=charlotteobserver.com|publisher=The Charlotte Observer|access-date=18 June 2015|date=May 22, 2015}}

Into the 2010s, the diversity program's impact appears to be increasing, with one of the biggest problems being the continued perception of NASCAR as an all-white and non-inclusive institution. Max Siegel stated that "the biggest barrier in diversifying audience is the perception," with D4D driver Dylan Smith noting that "people associate NASCAR so much with racism." NASCAR spokesperson Marcus Jadotte believes that the NASCAR fan base will broaden as more minorities and women move up through the sport's ranks.{{cite web|last1=Bates|first1=Karen Grisby|title=Drive For Diversity, NASCAR's Commitment To Race|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2014/02/14/277024295/drive-for-diversity-nascars-commitment-to-race|website=npr.org|publisher=National Public Radio|access-date=9 September 2014|date=February 15, 2014}}{{cite web|last1=East|first1=Susie|title=Driving for diversity: The NASCAR racers breaking boundaries|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/24/motorsport/nascar-drive-for-diversity-motorsports/|website=cnn.com|publisher=CNN|access-date=10 June 2015|date=April 24, 2015}}

Some drivers, such as former Hendrick Motorsports and Rusty Wallace Racing development driver Chase Austin, have refused to join the D4D due to the possible stigma of affirmative action.

Any impact still pales in comparison to other auto racing series, with the mixed Lewis Hamilton winning seven Formula One world championships since 2008, Antron Brown winning the 2012 NHRA Top Fuel championship, sisters Ashley, Courtney and Brittany Force running competitively in the NHRA's Funny Car and Top Fuel divisions, and several female drivers competing simultaneously at IndyCar's top level.{{cite web|last1=Peele|first1=Robert|title=Nascar's Latest Detour on the Road to Diversity|url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/nascars-latest-detour-on-the-road-to-diversity/|website=The New York Times|access-date=18 June 2015|date=June 18, 2008}}

File:Kyle Larson Road America 2013.jpg in the Nationwide Series in 2013.]]

The most successful driver to go through the program is arguably Kyle Larson, a 2012 graduate who is considered one of the most talented young drivers in the sport. Former Cup champion Dale Jarrett compared Larson's talents to 4-time champion Jeff Gordon, and Gordon himself has taken interest in the young driver.{{cite web|author1=Staff Report|title=SUNOCO ROOKIE REPORT: KYLE LARSON|url=http://www.nascar.com/content/nascar/en_us/news-media/featured-shows/2014/8/21/sprint-cup-series-sunoco-rookie-report-kyle-larson.html|website=NASCAR.com|publisher=NASCAR|access-date=8 September 2014|date=August 21, 2014}} After signing a development deal with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2012, Larson won Rookie of the Year in 2013 in the Nationwide Series for Turner Scott Motorsports, and scored his first victory in the series in 2014. He moved up to Ganassi's No. 42 Sprint Cup Series car for 2014,{{cite web|last=Spencer|first=Lee|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/report-kyle-larson-joining-earnhardt-ganassi-racing-2014-sprint-cup-series-jeff-gordon-kasey-kahne-082713#!hVwZ3|title=Report: Earnhardt Ganassi taps Larson|work=Fox Sports|date=August 27, 2013|access-date=August 27, 2013}} winning the Rookie of the Year award, and earning his first win in 2016,{{cite news|last=Gluck|first=Jeff|title=Kyle Larson finally breaks through, wins at Michigan|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2016/08/28/kyle-larson-finally-breaks-through-wins-michigan/89513152/|access-date=August 29, 2016|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|date=August 28, 2016|location=Brooklyn, Michigan}}{{cite web|last=White|first=Tucker|title=Larson finally earns his maiden Cup victory|url=http://www.speedwaymedia.com/?p=114374|website=SpeedwayMedia.com|publisher=USA Today Sports Digital Properties|access-date=August 29, 2016|date=August 28, 2016}} and soon winning the championship with Hendrick Motorsports in 2021.

File:Darrell Wallace, Jr. Army.jpg in 2011.]]

Darrell Wallace Jr., a biracial driver of African American heritage, has also found success. Wallace Jr. had three top 10s in four starts for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Nationwide Series in 2012, then moved to the Camping World Truck Series for Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2013. Wallace won in the Truck Series at Martinsville Speedway in his rookie season (only the second black driver after Wendell Scott to win in one of NASCAR's top three divisions). Wallace picked up four more wins in 2014 including one at the famous Eldora Speedway dirt track.{{cite magazine|last=Pockrass|first=Bob|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2014-12-08/darrell-bubba-wallace-jr-granted-release-joe-gibbs-racing-nascar-roush-xfinity-series|title=Darrell Wallace Jr. granted release from Joe Gibbs Racing|magazine=Sporting News|date=December 8, 2014|access-date=December 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209031950/http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2014-12-08/darrell-bubba-wallace-jr-granted-release-joe-gibbs-racing-nascar-roush-xfinity-series|archive-date=December 9, 2014|url-status=dead}} Wallace signed to drive in the Xfinity Series for Roush Fenway Racing in 2015.{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Jonathan|title=Bubba Wallace is best hope for full-time black driver in NASCAR Cup series|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/thatsracin/article21747399.html|website=charlotteobserver.com|publisher=The Charlotte Observer|access-date=30 May 2015|location=Concord, North Carolina|date=May 22, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/12/18/darrell-wallace-jr-xfinity-series-roush-fenway-racing.html|title=Darrell Wallace Jr. heads to Roush Fenway Racing|date=December 18, 2014|access-date=December 18, 2014}} Wallace signed with Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team Richard Petty Motorsports in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/nascar-darrell-wallace-jr-richard-petty-motorsports-970073/946031/|title=Confirmed: Darrell Wallace Jr. to drive No. 43 RPM Ford in 2018|website=www.motorsport.com|date=25 October 2017 |language=en|access-date=2019-02-09}} He currently drives for 23II, co-owned by Michael Jordah, and finished Top 10 in the Cup standings in 2023. Wallace's career had historically been hampered at the national level by a lack of consistent corporate sponsorship, but that is currently not the case.

File:Daniel Suarez 2016 Road America.jpg in 2016]]

Another JGR driver, Mexican-born Daniel Suárez, a winner in the K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Toyota Series, was signed to a full-time Xfinity Series ride for the 2015 season, becoming the first full-time driver of Latino descent to run the full season in the series.{{cite web|last1=Carrasquillo|first1=Adrian|title=NASCAR Is Pumped About Daniel Suarez, Its First Full-Time Latino Driver|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/adriancarrasquillo/nascar-is-pumped-about-daniel-suarez-its-first-full-time-lat|website=BuzzFeed|access-date=1 September 2014|date=August 19, 2014}} Suárez won his first Xfinity Series race at Michigan in 2016, becoming the first Mexican-born driver to win in the series.{{Cite web|last=Pistone|first=Pete|author-link=Pete Pistone|url=http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-XFINITY/News/Articles/2016/06/Daniel-Suarez-Wins-Menards-250-at-Michigan-International-Speedway.aspx|title=Suarez Gets Breakthrough Win|publisher=Motor Racing Network|date=June 11, 2016|website=MRN.com|access-date=November 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112204846/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-XFINITY/News/Articles/2016/06/Daniel-Suarez-Wins-Menards-250-at-Michigan-International-Speedway.aspx|archive-date=November 12, 2016|url-status=dead}} Suárez went on to win the 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, becoming the first foreign-born driver to win a NASCAR national series championship.{{Cite web|last=Pistone|first=Pete|author-link=Pete Pistone|url=http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-XFINITY/News/Articles/2016/11/Daniel-Suarez-Wins-XFINITY-Series-Championship.aspx|title=Suarez Winner and Champion|publisher=Motor Racing Network|date=November 19, 2016|website=MRN.com|access-date=November 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120150129/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-XFINITY/News/Articles/2016/11/Daniel-Suarez-Wins-XFINITY-Series-Championship.aspx|archive-date=November 20, 2016|url-status=dead}} Suárez moved to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with JGR in 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2017/01/10/daniel-suarez-replacing-carl-edwards-joe-gibbs-racing-cup-series/96400572/|title=Daniel Suarez's sudden promotion gives NASCAR a shot of diversity|last=Gluck|first=Jeff|date=January 11, 2017|website=USA Today}} and moved to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2019/01/06/daniel-suarez-stewart-haas-racing-2019/|title=Daniel Suarez joins Stewart-Haas Racing, will drive No. 41 {{!}} NASCAR.com|date=2019-01-07|website=Official Site Of NASCAR|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-09}} He currently drives for Trackhouse.

Other drivers from the program, however, have had their careers stall out after "graduating" from the program. This includes Paulie Harraka, who scored the program's first three wins, and Marc Davis who left Joe Gibbs Racing after they could not find sponsorship for him in the Nationwide Series.{{cite web|last1=Bernstein|first1=Viv|title=Driver's Seat Elusive for Black Racers|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/20/sports/autoracing/nascar-stuggles-with-diversity-as-drivers-seat-eludes-black-racers.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=18 June 2015|location=Huntersville, North Carolina|date=May 19, 2012}}

File:AricAlmirola army.mil-2007-08-27-075631.jpg driving for DEI in 2007.]]

Outside of the program, minority and female drivers continue to be scarce on the NASCAR scene. Cuban-American driver Aric Almirola, a member of Joe Gibbs Racing's original diversity program, currently drives full-time in Stewart-Haas Racing' 10 car in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Almirola is considered one of the most successful products of any diversity initiative within the sport, as well as the highest profile Latino driver in NASCAR, with three wins to his name.{{cite web|last1=Jackson|first1=Hallie|title=NASCAR's Latino drivers hope to be role models|url=http://www.today.com/news/nascars-latino-drivers-hope-be-role-models-t10541|website=today.com|publisher=Today News, NBC News|access-date=15 June 2015|date=March 23, 2015}} Leaving JGR in mid-2007 with one win in the Nationwide Series, Almirola drove Ginn Racing's 01 car and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's 8 car in the Sprint Cup Series{{cite web|author1=Ginn Racing|title=Ginn Racing outlines future plans|url=http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/ginn-racing-outlines-future-plans/?v=2&s=1&q=Joe+Nemechek+2006|website=motorsport.com|access-date=30 August 2014|location=Mooresville, North Carolina|date=July 18, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904034853/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/ginn-racing-outlines-future-plans/?v=2&s=1&q=Joe+Nemechek+2006|archive-date=4 September 2014}} until losing his ride due to lack of sponsorship in 2009. After reclaiming his career with Billy Ballew Motorsports in the truck series and JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series, Almirola was signed to drive for RPM in 2012,{{cite web|last1=Pearce|first1=Al|title=NASCAR: Richard Petty Motorsports signs Aric Almirola for 2012 season |url=http://autoweek.com/article/nascar/nascar-richard-petty-motorsports-signs-aric-almirola-2012-season|website=autoweek.com|publisher=Autoweek, Crain Communications, Inc.|access-date=16 August 2014|date=January 3, 2012}} winning at Daytona International Speedway in July 2014.{{cite web|title=Aric Almirola wins Coke Zero 400 under red flag|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2014/07/06/aric-almirola-wins-daytona-red-flagged-for-rain-coke-zero-400/12267653/|website=USA Today|access-date=6 July 2014}}{{cite web|title=Aric Almirola Gets First Sprint Cup Series Victory In Rain Shortened Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway|url=http://www.sportsmedia101.com/motorsports/2014/07/06/aric-almirola-gets-first-sprint-cup-series-victory-in-rain-shortened-coke-zero-400-at-daytona-international-speedway/|access-date=2014-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006095609/http://www.sportsmedia101.com/motorsports/2014/07/06/aric-almirola-gets-first-sprint-cup-series-victory-in-rain-shortened-coke-zero-400-at-daytona-international-speedway/|archive-date=2014-10-06|url-status=dead}}

File:Danica Patrick 7 2012 Road America Sargento 200.jpg at Road America in 2012.]]

Former IndyCar Series racer Danica Patrick drove for Stewart-Haas Racing in their No. 10 Chevrolet SS, from 2012 - 2017, joined by her longtime partner Go Daddy. She is the first female Cup driver to be signed to a full season contract. A winner in IRL competition, Patrick also drove for JR Motorsports in the ARCA Racing Series and Nationwide Series before signing with Stewart-Haas in 2012,{{cite web|last1=Busbee|first1=Jay|title=Danica Patrick jumps to NASCAR, will run Sprint events in 2012|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/danica-patrick-jumps-to-nascar-will-run-sprint-events-in-2012?urn=nascar,wp3411|website=Yahoo!|access-date=6 November 2014|date=August 25, 2011}} and going full-time in the Cup series for 2013.{{cite web|last1=Pockrass|first1=Bob|title=Danica Patrick acquires 2012 Sprint Cup owner points through deal struck by Stewart-Haas Racing|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2013-02-08/danica-patrick-2013-owner-points-daytona-500-qualifying-stewart-haas-racing|website=Sporting News|access-date=6 November 2014|date=February 8, 2013|archive-date=2014-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109011338/http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2013-02-08/danica-patrick-2013-owner-points-daytona-500-qualifying-stewart-haas-racing|url-status=dead}} Patrick is the first woman to win the pole for the Daytona 500, and the first rookie to win the pole since Jimmie Johnson in 2002. Patrick also ran the fastest pole speed for the 500 in 23 years, timing in at 45.817 seconds.{{cite web|author1=Staff Report|title=PATRICK BECOMES FIRST WOMAN TO WIN CUP POLE|url=http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2013/02/17/danica-patrick-is-first-woman-to-win-nscs-coors-light-pole.html|website=NASCAR.com|publisher=NASCAR|access-date=28 August 2014|date=February 17, 2013}}

Jennifer Jo Cobb is one of few female drivers other than Patrick to run full-time in the three top touring series in recent memory. Cobb made her debut in the Nationwide Series in 2004, and currently drives in the Camping World Truck Series. Cobb is not only a full-time driver, but also the owner of her No. 10 truck for Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing, which is a successor to Circle Bar Racing and ppc Racing. The team also runs a second No. 0 truck as a start and park entry, though it attempted to run the full race at Eldora Speedway in 2013 and 2014 with Jennifer Jo's father Joe Cobb. Though the team runs full-time, lack of funding and second-hand equipment (often running old Dodge Rams without factory support) often results in back-of-the-pack finishes for Cobb.

File:Drafting.jpg's Ganassi Dodge in 2008.]]

Colombian-born Juan Pablo Montoya, a winner in CART and Formula 1 and the 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner, began running full-time in the Sprint Cup Series with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2007.{{cite web|last1=Hastings|first1=Danny|title=Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: The Legend|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_zr82n3s_w |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/p_zr82n3s_w |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|website=youtube.com|publisher=NASCAR|access-date=12 June 2015|date=September 27, 2013}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Steven Cole|title=Juan Pablo, Good ol' Boy: The tempestuous Colombian seems sure to put some fire into the often-bland belly of stock-car racing|url=http://www.caranddriver.com/features/juan-pablo-good-ol-boy|website=caranddriver.com|publisher=Car and Driver|access-date=15 June 2015|date=April 2007}} Juan scored two victories in his career (both coming at road course races), and came close to winning at oval tracks on several occasions. In spite of this, he finished in the top 10 in points only once and departed from full-time NASCAR competition after 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2013-08-13/juan-pablo-montoya-not-returning-number-42-team-earnhardt-ganassi-racing|title=Juan Pablo Montoya won't race No. 42 next season|last=Pockrass|first=Bob|date=August 13, 2013|work=Sporting News|access-date=2013-08-13|archive-date=2013-08-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816011454/http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2013-08-13/juan-pablo-montoya-not-returning-number-42-team-earnhardt-ganassi-racing|url-status=dead}} Another former open-wheel driver, Brazilian Nelson Piquet Jr. scored two victories in the Truck Series and one in a part-time Nationwide season, but struggled in his first full Nationwide season in 2013 and was released from Turner Scott Motorsports. Piquet Jr. would make his Cup debut in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/8/4/nelson-piquet-junior-to-make-sprint-cup-debut.html|title=Nelson Piquet Jr. to Make Sprint Cup Debut|publisher=Nascar.com|date=August 4, 2014|access-date=August 5, 2014}} Other Latino former open-wheel drivers to run in NASCAR include Michel Jourdain Jr. and Adrián Fernández, who ran Busch Series schedules with ppc Racing and Hendrick Motorsports respectively.

From 2000 to 2007, African American driver Bill Lester was a mainstay in the truck series, driving for Bobby Hamilton Racing, Bill Davis Racing, and Billy Ballew Motorsports. Lester was a part of Dodge's and BHR's diversity initiative before signing with Davis on talent alone in 2004, and was notable for his strong qualifying efforts. Lester also made two starts for Davis in the Cup Series, the first African American racer in the series since Willy T. Ribbs. Mexican-born Carlos Contreras has also found longevity in the Nationwide and Truck Series, but has only run three full schedules in his career (and none since 2002), with only 5 top 10s to his credit.

File:German Quiroga Red Horse Racing Toyota Rockingham 2013.jpg's Net10 Wireless Toyota Tundra in 2013.]]

While diversity within NASCAR's top ranks may be slow, the sports' international influence has grown in the 21st century. Following successful Nationwide Series races at the road courses Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, the NASCAR Toyota Series (formerly the Corona Series) and NASCAR Canadian Tire Series were created as regional series similar to the K&N Pro Series East and West. In 2009, the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series was inaugurated.

NASCAR Mexico has produced several talented drivers who have moved on to NASCAR's top-three touring series. These include 3-time Toyota Series champion Germán Quiroga who has driven in the Camping World Truck Series for Kyle Busch Motorsports and Red Horse Racing, and D4D driver and 9-time Toyota Series winner and Xfinity Series Champion, Daniel Suárez, currently racing in the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing Team. The Canadian Series has produced D. J. Kennington, J. R. Fitzpatrick, Alex Labbé, and road course ringer Andrew Ranger. The Euro Series has produced Alon Day.

The drivers in the 2025 class have not been announced yet.

Source:{{Cite web |date=2023-11-20 |title=2024 NASCAR Drive for Diversity class announced |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/2024-nascar-drive-for-diversity-class-announced |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}

Source: {{Cite web |last=NASCAR Regional |date=January 13, 2023 |title=NASCAR and Rev Racing reveal 2023 Drive for Diversity Driver Development class |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2023/01/13/nascar-and-rev-racing-reveal-2023-drive-for-diversity-driver-development-class/ |access-date=March 12, 2024 |website=NASCAR.com}}

Source: {{Cite web |last=Staff Report |date=October 20, 2022 |title=MEET THE 2022 DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY COMBINE DRIVERS |url=https://www.nascar.com/gallery/meet-the-2022-drive-for-diversity-combine-drivers/}}

Source:{{cite press release |url=https://revracing.net/nascar-and-rev-racing-announce-2021-nascar-drive-for-diversity-driver-development-class/ |title=NASCAR and Rev Racing Announce 2021 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Class |work=Rev Racing |date=February 3, 2021 |access-date=February 3, 2021}}

Source:{{cite press release|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2019/11/20/nascar-and-rev-racing-announce-2020-nascar-drive-for-diversity-driver-development-team/|title=NASCAR and Rev Racing announce 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Team|work=NASCAR|date=November 20, 2019|access-date=December 3, 2020}}

1. Chase Cabre – ARCA Menards Series East
2. Isabella Robusto – Whelen All-American Series
3. Gracie Trotter – Whelen All-American Series
4. Rajah Caruth – Late Models
5. Perry Patino – Late Models
6. Nick Sanchez – Late Models

Source:{{cite news|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2018/12/06/nascar-drive-for-diversity-program-class-of-2019/|title=NASCAR announces Drive for Diversity program's Class of 2019|work=NASCAR|date=December 6, 2018|access-date=December 3, 2020}}

1. Chase Cabre – K&N Pro Series East
2. Ernie Francis Jr. – K&N Pro Series East
3. Rubén García Jr. – K&N Pro Series East
4. Brooke Storer – Whelen All-American Series
5. Gracie Trotter – Whelen All-American Series
6. Nick Sanchez – Late Models
7. Lacy Kuehl - INEX LEGEND CARS

Source:{{cite press release|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2017/11/07/2018-drive-for-diversity-development-team-announced/|title=2018 Drive for Diversity Development Team roster announced|work=NASCAR|date=November 7, 2017|access-date=December 3, 2020}}

1. Chase Cabre – K&N Pro Series East
2. Ernie Francis Jr. – K&N Pro Series East
3. Rubén García Jr. – K&N Pro Series East
4. Ryan Vargas – K&N Pro Series East
5. Nick Sanchez – Late Models
6. Isabella Robusto – Legends Cars

Source:{{cite news|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2017/01/25/nascar-drive-for-diversity-class-of-2017-drivers-announced/|title=NASCAR Drive for Diversity Class of 2017 drivers announced|work=NASCAR|date=January 25, 2017|access-date=December 3, 2020}}

1. Chase Cabre – K&N Pro Series East
2. Collin Cabre – K&N Pro Series East
3. Rubén García Jr. – K&N Pro Series East
4. Jay Beasley – K&N Pro Series East
5. Macy Causey – Whelen All-American Series
6. Madeline Crane – Whelen All-American Series

Source:{{cite web|author1=Official NASCAR release|title=ENGINES REVVED FOR NASCAR DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY COMBINE|url=http://www.nascar.com/content/nascar/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/10/7/nascar-drive-for-diversity-combine-2015.html|publisher=nascar.com|access-date=16 January 2016|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=October 7, 2015}}{{cite web|author1=Official NASCAR release|title=NASCAR DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY UNVEILS 2016 DRIVER ROSTER|url=http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2016/1/15/nascar-drive-for-diversity-2016-driver-roster-revealed.html|publisher=nascar.com|access-date=16 January 2016|location=Daytona Beach, Florida|date=January 15, 2016}}

1. Collin Cabre – K&N Pro Series East
2. Rubén García Jr. – K&N Pro Series East; 2015 NASCAR Mexico Series champion.
3. Jairo Avila Jr. – K&N Pro Series East
4. Ali Kern – K&N Pro Series East
5. Enrique Baca – Whelen All-American Series
6. Juan Garcia – Whelen All-American Series

Among the drivers not selected were 2014 NASCAR Mexico Series champion Abraham Calderón, and former D4D/Rev Racing drivers Dylan Smith and Natalie Decker.

Source:{{cite web|last1=Libertino|first1=Ric|title=As Candidates Improve, NASCAR's Drive for Diversity Shows Progress|url=http://beyondtheflag.com/2015/02/05/candidates-improve-nascars-drive-diversity-shows-progress/|website=Beyondtheflag.com|publisher=Fansided, Sports Illustrated|access-date=15 March 2015|date=February 6, 2015}}{{cite web|title=Fresh Faces Fill 2015 NASCAR Drive For Diversity Roster|url=http://www.revracing.net/2015/01/fresh-faces-fill-2015-nascar-drive-for-diversity-roster/|website=Rev Racing|access-date=27 January 2015|location=Concord, North Carolina|date=January 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129064007/http://revracing.net/2015/01/fresh-faces-fill-2015-nascar-drive-for-diversity-roster/|archive-date=29 January 2015|url-status=dead}}

File:Kenzie Ruston Turner Scott Motorsports Chevrolet Richmond 2013.jpg drove for Rev Racing in 2015.]]

1. Devon Amos – K&N Pro Series East
2. Jay Beasley – K&N Pro Series East
3. Collin Cabre – K&N Pro Series East; one win (Dover), 10th in points.
4. Natalie Decker – Whelen All-American Series
5. Kenzie Ruston – K&N Pro Series East; earned highest finish for a female in a K&N Pro Series East race of 2nd in 2014 with Ben Kennedy Racing
6. Dylan Smith – Whelen All-American Series

Among the 14 drivers not selected were 2014 NASCAR Mexico Series champion Abraham Calderón and former D4D/Rev Racing driver Paige Decker.

Source:{{cite web|last1=DiZinno|first1=Tony|title=NASCAR reveals 2014 Drive for Diversity class|url=http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/31/nascar-reveals-2014-drive-for-diversity-class/|website=NBC Sports Motorsports Talk|publisher=NBC Sports|access-date=9 September 2014|date=January 31, 2014}}

1. Devon Amos
2. Jay Beasley – two top fives in K&N East Series
3. Paige Decker
4. Ryan Gifford – one top five in K&N East, one Nationwide race for Biagi-DenBeste Racing (20th place in Iowa)
5. Sergio Pena – One K&N East win
6. Daniel Suárez – Four wins in Toyota Series, two K&N East wins, two Nationwide starts, signed to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series in 2015

File:Ryan Gifford Rev Racing Toyota Richmond 2013.jpg scored a top 10 at Iowa in the Nationwide Series for RCR in 2013.]]

Source:{{cite web|url=http://www.motorracingnetwork.com/Race-Series/KN-Pro-Series/News/Articles/2013/01/Drive-For-Diversity-Class-Announced.aspx|title=Drive For Diversity Class Announced|work=Motor Racing Network|date=2013-01-15|access-date=2013-01-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116220420/http://www.motorracingnetwork.com/Race-Series/KN-Pro-Series/News/Articles/2013/01/Drive-For-Diversity-Class-Announced.aspx|archive-date=2013-01-16|url-status=dead}}

1. Annabeth Barnes
2. Mackena Bell – K&N Pro Series East: 2 top fives, 13th in points
3. Ryan Gifford – K&N Pro Series East: Win at Richmond, 11th in points; finished ninth in Iowa Nationwide race
4. Jack Madrid
5. Bryan Ortiz – K&N Pro Series East: 2 top fives, 10th in points
6. Daniel Suárez – NASCAR Toyota Series (3 wins, 2nd in points), K&N East (one win, third in points)

File:Kyle Larson celebrates 2012.jpg formerly drove in the Sprint Cup Series for Ganassi.]]

Source:{{cite web|author=Official Release |url=http://www.nascar.com/news/120126/drive-for-diversity-introduces-2012-driver-lineup/ |title=Drive for Diversity introduces 2012 driver lineup - Mar 14, 2012 |publisher=NASCAR |date=2012-03-14 |access-date=2012-10-19}}

1. Jorge Arteaga – K&N Pro Series East – two top tens, 14th in points
2. Mackena Bell – Whelen All-American Series
3. Trey Gibson – Whelen All-American Series
4. Ryan Gifford – K&N Pro Series East – 11th in points, two top fives, three top tens
5. Kyle Larson – K&N Pro Series East – two wins, one pole, won 2012 series championship, series Rookie of the Year; three top tens in four Camping World Truck Series events, including second at Phoenix; currently driving in the NASCAR Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports
6. Bryan Ortiz – K&N Pro Series East, fifth in points, two top fives, nine top tens

Source:{{cite web|author=Official Release |url=http://www.nascar.com/news/110126/d4d-driver-lineup/index.html |title=Drive for Diversity introduces 2011 driver lineup - Jan 26, 2011 |publisher=NASCAR |access-date=2012-10-19}}

1. Jorge Arteaga – Whelen All-American Series
2. Mackena Bell – Whelen All-American, ran six K&N Pro Series East races
3. Jessica Brunelli – Whelen All-American, ran four K&N Pro Series West races in 2011
4. Michael Cherry – K&N Pro Series East, 14th in points
5. Trey Gibson – Whelen All-American
6. Ryan Gifford – K&N Pro Series East, tenth in points
7. Tayla Orleans – Whelen All-American
8. Bryan Ortiz – Whelen All-American
9. Sergio Pena – K&N Pro Series East – Won races at South Boston, Hampton, and Greenville-Pickens, fifth in series points
10. Darrell Wallace Jr. – K&N Pro Series East – Won at Richmond International Raceway, Columbus, and Dover International Speedway; pole positions at South Boston, Loudon, and Dover, second in series points

File:Darrell Wallace Jr Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota Rockingham 2013.jpg is a winner in the Truck Series, and signed with Roush Fenway Racing.]]

Source:{{cite web|author=Official Release |url=http://www.nascar.com/2010/news/headlines/official/02/09/d4d.introduction/index.html |title=Drive for Diversity introduces driver lineup - Feb 9, 2010 |publisher=Nascar.Com |access-date=2012-10-19}}

1. Mackena Bell – K&N Pro Series East
2. Jessica Brunelli – Whelen All-American Series
3. Michael Cherry – Whelen All-American Series
4. Ryan Gifford – K&N Pro Series East – First African-American to win a pole position in series (June 6 at Martinsville Speedway)
5. Katie Hagar – Whelen All-American Series
6. Paulie Harraka – K&N Pro Series West
7. Rebecca Kasten – Whelen All-American Series
8. Sergio Pena – K&N Pro Series East
9. Megan Reitenour – Whelen All-American Series
10. Jason Romero – Whelen All-American Series
11. Darrell Wallace Jr. – K&N Pro Series East – In March 2010, he won the race at Greenville-Pickens Speedway and became the first African-American and the youngest driver to win in the series.{{cite web|last1=Christley|first1=Jason|title=Wallace Makes Historic Debut: First African-American & youngest winner K&N Pro Series East|url=http://hometracks.nascar.com/node/4508|website=hometracks.nascar.com|publisher=NASCAR|access-date=8 December 2015|location=Greenville, South Carolina|date=March 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208171649/http://hometracks.nascar.com/node/4508|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=dead}} He also won the Lee USA Speedway event in July. Overall, Wallace finished third in points and earned series Rookie of the Year honors.{{cite news|last1=Demmons|first1=Doug|title=Mobile native is Rookie of the Year in NASCAR's K&N Pro Series East|url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/10/mobile_native_is_rookie_of_the.html|newspaper=The Birmingham News|access-date=8 December 2015|date=October 1, 2010}}

Source:{{cite web|author=Official Release |url=http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/headlines/official/01/22/drive.for.diversity.2009.lineup/index.html |title=Drive for Diversity 2009 driver lineup announced - Jan 22, 2009 |publisher=NASCAR |access-date=2012-10-19}}

Image:NatalieSatherEvergreen09.JPG in 2009.]]

1. Mackena Bell
2. Kristin Bumbera
3. Michael Cherry
4. Jonathan Gomez
5. Katie Hagar
6. Paulie Harraka – The first member to win a race in a NASCAR regional touring series event (Camping World West Series event at Colorado National Speedway in August 2009).{{cite web|last=Green |first=Kevin W. |url=http://localracing.nascar.com/node/3475 |title=Harraka Grabs First Career Win | NASCAR Home Tracks |publisher=Localracing.nascar.com |date=2009-08-16 |access-date=2012-10-19}} He won the September event at All-American Speedway en route to series Rookie of the Year honors and fourth in the standings.
7. Laura Hayes
8. Juan Pitts
9. Megan Reitenour
10. Natalie Sather
11. Jonathan Smith
12. Emily Sue Steck

File:Jesus Hernandez DEI Chevrolet Stafford 2008.jpg is a former development driver for Ginn Racing and Dale Earnhardt, Inc.]]

Source:{{cite web |author=(Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR) |url=http://hometracks.nascar.com/node/218 |title=NASCAR Announces Drive For Diversity Class for 2008 | NASCAR Home Tracks |publisher=Hometracks.nascar.com |date=2008-01-29 |access-date=2012-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305104327/http://hometracks.nascar.com/node/218 |archive-date=2012-03-05 |url-status=dead }}

1. Kristin Bumbera
2. Michael Cherry
3. Michael Gallegos
4. Paulie Harraka
5. Jesus Hernandez
6. Lindsey King
7. Lloyd Mack
8. Jonathan Smith

File:Paulie Harraka Dover 2014.jpg has made starts in the Sprint Cup Series and the Xfinity Series.]]

Source:{{cite web|url=http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/official/01/22/drive.for.diversity.2007.drivers/index.html |title=Drive For Diversity introduces '07 drivers - Jan 22, 2007 |publisher=NASCAR |date=2007-01-22 |access-date=2012-10-19}}

1. Michael Gallegos
2. Paulie Harraka
3. Jessica Helberg
4. Jesus Hernandez
5. Peter Hernandez
6. Lloyd Mack
7. Jonathan Smith

File:MarcDavis2007Nashville.jpg, formerly a driver for JGR has made starts in the Xfinity and Truck Series.]]

Source:{{cite web |url=http://www.race2win.net/wc/06/dfd06.html |title=2006 Drive for Diversity Roster Announced |publisher=Race 2 Win |date=2006-01-23 |access-date=2012-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061315/http://www.race2win.net/wc/06/dfd06.html |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}

1. Chris Bristol
2. Brianne Cronrath
3. Marc Davis
4. Allison Duncan
5. Paulie Harraka
6. Jessica Helberg
7. Jesus Hernandez – Signed to a development contract with MB2 Motorsports.
8. Peter Hernandez

Source:{{cite web |last1=Davidson |first1=Jeremy |date=February 16, 2005 |title=NASCAR Notebook: Drive For Diversity; Drive For Diversity promotes diversity by giving minorities and femaledrivers opportunities in NASCAR |url=http://www.stockcarracing.com/eventcoverage/134_0502w_drive_diversity_nascar/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208110113/http://www.stockcarracing.com/eventcoverage/134_0502w_drive_diversity_nascar/ |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=8 December 2015 |publisher=Stock Car Racing}}

Source: {{Cite web |date=2004-05-21 |title="Magic" Johnson to play role in Diversity program |url=https://us.motorsport.com/nascar/news/magic-johnson-to-play-role-in-diversity-program/1136266/ |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=us.motorsport.com |language=en}}

{{more citations needed|date=April 2025}}

• Rev Racing

{{incomplete list|date=April 2025}}

• Belnavis Racing – owned by then-Roush Racing executive Sam Belnavis{{cite web|url=http://blackathlete.net/2005/07/buckles-advances-out-of-drive-for-diversitysm-program/|author1=PR Newswire|title=Buckles Advances Out Of Drive For Diversity(SM) Program|website=Blackathlete.net|publisher=Blackathlete.net, PRNMedia.com|access-date=15 March 2015|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|date=July 1, 2005|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208050348/http://blackathlete.net/2005/07/buckles-advances-out-of-drive-for-diversitysm-program/|url-status=usurped}}
• Bill McAnally Racing
• Bobby Hamilton Racing
• Evernham Motorsports{{cite web|last1=Bernstein|first1=Viv|title=For Gibbs, His Home Is Where the Race Is|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/26/sports/football/for-gibbs-his-home-is-where-the-race-is.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=18 June 2015|location=Huntersville, North Carolina|date=January 26, 2005}}
• FDJ Motorsports
• Ginn Racing / MB2 Motorsports{{cite web|last1=Bernstein|first1=Viv|title=Nascar's Drive for Diversity Is Producing Mixed Signals|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/sports/othersports/08nascar.html?pagewanted=all|website=The New York Times|access-date=18 June 2015|date=November 8, 2006}}
• Golden State Racing
• High Point Racing
• Ken Schrader Racing
• Richard Childress Racing
• Roadrunner Motorsports
• RTD Motorsports
• SCORE Motorsports{{cite web|last1=Bernstein|first1=Viv|title=AUTO RACING; Nascar Looks Past White Male Roots|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/07/sports/auto-racing-nascar-looks-past-white-male-roots.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=18 June 2015|location=Newton, North Carolina|date=January 7, 2004}}
• TW Motorsports

• B. J. McLeod Motorsports - Co-owned by Jessica Smith-McLeod
• Beard Motorsports - Co-owned by Annie Beard and Linda Beard
• Hyak Motorsports (formerly JTG-Daugherty Racing) - Co-owned by Brad Daugherty
• Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing - Owned by Jennifer Jo Cobb
• Jesse Iwuji Motorsports - Co-owned by Jesse Iwuji and Emmitt Smith
• JR Motorsports - Co-owned by Kelley Earnhardt Miller
• NY Racing Team (formerly Team Xtreme Racing and Xxxtreme Motorsport) - Owned by John Cohen
• Our Motorsports - Co-owned by Mary Our
• RSS Racing - Co-owned by Pamela Sieg
• ThorSport Racing - Co-owned by Rhonda Thorson
• 23XI Racing - Co-owned by Michael Jordan

{{incomplete list|date=April 2025}}

• Angela's Motorsports
• BAM Racing
• BelCar Racing - Co-owned by Sam Belnavis
• Chip Ganassi Racing - Founded by Felix Sabates as Team SABCO, then co-owned the team as Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates until 2020.
• Dale Earnhardt, Inc. - Operated by Teresa Earnhardt from 2001 to 2008.
• Fitz Motorsports{{cite web|last1=Glick|first1=Shav|title=Driven to Be Diverse: Team owner Fitz is trying to lead the Latino charge in NASCAR|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-sep-03-sp-nascar3-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=11 June 2015|date=September 3, 2005}}
• Hattori Racing Enterprises - Owned by Shigeaki Hattori
• Hispanic Racing Team
• Kyle Busch Motorsports - Co-owned by Samantha Busch
• Liberty Racing
• Marc Davis Racing
• ML Motorsports
• Obaika Racing
• Randy Moss Motorsports - formerly Morgan-Dollar Motorsports
• SCORE Motorsports
• Smith-Ganassi Racing - Co-owned by Evander Holyfield{{cite web|title=Hendrick Gets A Fighting Chance|url=http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-XFINITY/News/Articles/2009/02/Hendrick-Gets-A-Fighting-Chance.aspx|website=mrn.com|publisher=Motor Racing Network|access-date=1 June 2015|date=February 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614000241/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-XFINITY/News/Articles/2009/02/Hendrick-Gets-A-Fighting-Chance.aspx|archive-date=14 June 2015|url-status=dead}}
• Team Paradigm
• The Money Team Racing (now Team AmeriVet) - Was co-owned by Floyd Mayweather from 2019 to 2024
• Trackhouse Racing Team - Was co-owned by Pitbull from 2021 to 2025
• Victory Motorsports
• Vizion Motorsports - Co-owned by Jennifer Brown
• Washington-Erving Motorsports

• Driver development program
• List of female NASCAR drivers
• List of African-American NASCAR drivers
• List of Hispanic and Latin American NASCAR drivers

{{reflist|30em}}

• [http://hometracks.nascar.com/diversity Official Website]

• [http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/minority-report-where-did-all-progress-go Minority Report] - 2005 Autoweek article on diversity in auto racing.
• [http://www.complex.com/sports/2012/02/an-oral-history-of-black-nascar-drivers/ An Oral History of Black NASCAR Drivers] - Complex article

{{NASCAR}}

{{Rev Racing}}

Category:Projects established in 2004

Category:2000s in NASCAR

Category:2010s in NASCAR

Category:NASCAR terminology