NASCAR (SOUTH BOSTON) - Drive For Diversity Combine Day 2: Competition Finishes Up Strong

The fifth annual Drive For Diversity Testing & Evaluation Combine finished Tuesday with its second straight day of intense competition at South Boston (Va.) Speedway Monday.

The second half of the 24-driver pool from different forms of racing took the track for evaluation, while those who drove Monday participated in the media portion of the event.

Michael Cherry was among the drivers who attended the combine last year but did not make the final cut. The 18-year-old from Valrico, Fla. returned with another year of seat time and ready to take the test.

“I really didn’t think I showed them everything I had last time,” Cherry said. “This year was a lot better. When I got that phone call (last month) I was ready to come back.”

More than 200 applicants were narrowed down to the 24 who are taking part in the combine. From there, eight drivers will be selected to compete in NASCAR’s Grand National Division and Whelen All-American Series.

The Grand National Division is NASCAR’s top developmental series, and is the last step before drivers move up to the NEXTEL Cup Series, Busch Series or Craftsman Truck Series. Drive For Diversity is run by Access Marketing & Communications.

Jessica Helberg was part of the program last season in the Whelen All-American Series at All-American Speedway in California. The 20-year-old Rohnert Park, California driver knew that just getting back to South Boston was an achievement in itself.

“It’s an honor to be among the two dozen drivers who were chosen by notables in the sport,” Helberg said. “To me, that really justifies all the hard work I’ve put into my racing career. Even though it’s a unique opportunity, it’s an earned opportunity.”

Other drivers who took part in the driving Tuesday included Chris Bristol (Columbus, Ohio), Tiffany Daniels (Smithfield, Va.), Mike Gallegos (Wheat Ridge, Colo.), Lindsey King (Cherry Valley, Calif.), Danny Martin (Sarasota, Fla.), Lloyd Mack (Los Angeles), Marisa Niederauer (Plainedge, N.Y.), Jose Luis Ramirez (Mexico City), Jonathan Smith (Beacon Falls, Conn.), and Michelle Theriault (Bristol, Conn.)

Three identically prepared cars were used in the on-track process.

It’s the third straight year the combine has been held at the 4/10-mile NASCAR-sanctioned track.

“It was an honor to host the Combine one time; it’s really an honor to host three,” said Nick Igdalsky, the senior vice president of Mattco Inc., which runs South Boston Speedway and Pocono Raceway. “We try to do everything we can to make everybody feel at home and give the competitors and team owners a relaxed atmosphere.

“We fully support NASCAR’s Drive For Diversity, and we’ll do everything in our power to help that cause.”