Driver development program
Encyclopedia
A Driver development program is a program used by racing teams to develop younger drivers. It is widely used in both Formula One
(primarily by Red Bull Racing
and Renault
) and NASCAR
, usually consisting of a team signing a driver to a multi-year contract in which they run in minor-league racing divisions (such as the Formula Three Euroseries
& GP2
in Europe
, and Late model
s & ARCA in stock car racing) and gradually work up to the highest levels of motorsport. Some have criticized the contracts as being unfairly long-term and low-paying for the young drivers (who likely don't yet have professional representation from an agent
). http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2005-08-18-agents-cover_x.htm
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
(primarily by Red Bull Racing
Red Bull Racing
Red Bull Racing is a Formula One racing team based in Milton Keynes, England which currently holds an Austrian licence. It is, along with Scuderia Toro Rosso, one of two teams owned by beverage company Red Bull GmbH. The team have won two Constructors' Championship titles, in and , becoming the...
and Renault
Renault F1
Lotus Renault GP, formerly the Renault F1 Team, is a British Formula One racing team. The Oxfordshire-based team can trace its roots back through the Benetton team of the late 1980s and 1990s to the Toleman team of the early 1980s. Renault had also competed in various forms since , before taking...
) and NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
, usually consisting of a team signing a driver to a multi-year contract in which they run in minor-league racing divisions (such as the Formula Three Euroseries
Formula Three Euroseries
The Formula 3 Euro Series is a European-based junior single seater formula for Formula Three chassis that was launched in 2003 as a merger of the French Formula Three Championship and German Formula Three Championship...
& GP2
GP2 Series
The GP2 Series, GP2 for short, is a form of open wheel motor racing introduced in 2005 following the discontinuation of the long-term Formula One feeder series, Formula 3000. The format was conceived by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, while Ecclestone also has the rights to the name GP1...
in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and Late model
Late model
A "late model car" is a car which has been recently designed or manufactured, often the latest model. The term is broadly used in car racing, and often appears in common use, as in "The officer was driving an unmarked, late model sedan."There is no precise...
s & ARCA in stock car racing) and gradually work up to the highest levels of motorsport. Some have criticized the contracts as being unfairly long-term and low-paying for the young drivers (who likely don't yet have professional representation from an agent
Sports agent
A sports agent procures and negotiates employment and endorsement contracts for an athlete.In return, the sports agent generally receives between 4 and 10% of the athlete's playing contract, and 10 to 20% of the athlete's endorsement contract, though these figures vary...
). http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2005-08-18-agents-cover_x.htm
Teams currently using driver development programs
- BAM RacingBAM RacingBAM Racing is a NASCAR racing team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, owned by Beth Ann and Tony Morgenthau. The team began in the ARCA RE/MAX Series in 2000, moving to NASCAR in 2001 to 2008 before sitting out 2009 due to the economy...
—Ryan Mackintosh - Germain RacingGermain RacingGermain Racing is an American NASCAR team. It is owned by the Germain brothers, Bob, Stephen, and Richard. The Germain family owns many car dealerships across the United States...
—Zach Germain - Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing—Cody Cambensy
- JR MotorsportsJR MotorsportsJR Motorsports is a NASCAR team based in Mooresville, North Carolina, co-owned by NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr., his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller, cousin and former crew chief Tony Eury, Jr., and the owner of his Cup ride Rick Hendrick. It currently fields the No...
—Josh Berry, Richard BoswellRichard BoswellRichard Boswell is a stock car driver. He currently works for JR Motorsports on the #7 Nationwide car of Danica Patrick....
, Steve ArpinSteve ArpinSteve Arpin is a Canadian stock car driver competing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and previously, the NASCAR Nationwide Series. His first season with ARCA was in 2009 finishing 7th in the championship standings and winning the ARCA RE/MAX Series Most Popular...
, Danica PatrickDanica PatrickDanica Sue Patrick is an American auto racing driver, model and advertising spokeswoman. She is the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing, being the only woman to win in the IndyCar Series as well as holding the highest finish by a woman at the Indianapolis 500 of 3rd... - Joe Gibbs RacingJoe Gibbs RacingJoe Gibbs Racing is a group of NASCAR racing teams owned and operated by former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, who first started racing on the NASCAR circuit in 1991, and J. D. Gibbs, his son...
—Brad ColemanBrad ColemanBradford Coleman is an American stock car driver. He was a high school graduate of Carlisle School.Coleman was discovered at an indoor karting center in Houston, TX by LeMans champion Price Cobb...
, Matt DiBenedettoMatt DiBenedettoMatt DiBenedetto is a NASCAR driver who is currently driving in the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing in the Nationwide Series. Matt first showed an interest in auto racing after receiving his Little League trophy around age 8. His father noticed he preferred watching automobile racing on television over...
, Ryan Preece, Darrell Wallace, Jr. - Kevin Harvick IncorporatedKevin Harvick IncorporatedKevin Harvick Incorporated was a NASCAR team owned by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick and his wife DeLana, who herself is the daughter of a former Busch Series driver, John Linville...
—Gray Gaulding - Kyle Busch MotorsportsKyle Busch MotorsportsKyle Busch Motorsports is a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and late model team that is owned and operated by Kyle Busch, a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Truck Series driver...
—Josh Hamner, Brian IcklerBrian IcklerBrian Ickler is an American race car driver. He drives the #18 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He is also the owner of Ickler Motorsports, an ARCA Remax Series team.-Early life:Ickler started in off-road racing when he was 14 years old...
, T. J. Reaid - Michael Waltrip Racing—Ken Butler III, Ryan TruexRyan TruexRyan Truex is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #20 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Nationwide Series.-Early Racing Career:...
, Travis PastranaTravis PastranaTravis Alan Pastrana is an American motorsports competitor and stunt performer who has won championships and X Games gold medals in several events, including supercross, motocross, freestyle motocross, and rally racing. He runs a show called Nitro Circus with some of his friends... - Penske RacingPenske RacingPenske Racing is a racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series and NASCAR. They also previously competed in road racing, and Formula One. Penske Racing is a division of Penske Corporation, and is owned and chaired by Roger Penske...
—Dakoda ArmstrongDakoda ArmstrongDakoda Armstrong is an American race car driver in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He currently drives the #98 Agrisure/Ferrellgas/ Toyota Tundra for ThorSport Racing.-Early Career:...
, Tom Hessert III, Parker KligermanParker KligermanParker L. Kligerman is an American racing driver currently with Penske Racing's driver development program. He currently drives the #29 Dodge Ram for Brad Keselowski Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.... - Red Bull RacingRed Bull RacingRed Bull Racing is a Formula One racing team based in Milton Keynes, England which currently holds an Austrian licence. It is, along with Scuderia Toro Rosso, one of two teams owned by beverage company Red Bull GmbH. The team have won two Constructors' Championship titles, in and , becoming the...
—Cole WhittCole WhittCole Whitt is a American stock car driver and development driver for Red Bull Racing Team. After advancing his way through Kart racing, Whitt moved up to sprint cars and became a development driver for Red Bull. After running in the Camping World Series East, Whitt made his NASCAR debut in 2010... - Richard Childress RacingRichard Childress RacingRCR Enterprises, LLC, doing business as Richard Childress Racing, is a NASCAR team based in Welcome, North Carolina, and is owned and operated by former driver Richard Childress...
—Ty DillonTy DillonTy Dillon is an American stock car racing driver. Son of former driver and RCR general manager Mike Dillon and grandson of Richard Childress, he drives for Richard Childress Racing in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, winning the 2011 series championship...
, Tim George Jr., Ryan Gifford - Roush Fenway Racing—Chris Buescher
- Spraker Racing Enterprises—Alex Kennedy
- SS-Green Light Racing—Joey Gase
- Stewart-Haas Racing—Levi Smith
See also
- Drive for DiversityDrive for DiversityThe Drive for Diversity program is a development system instituted by NASCAR in 2004 in order to attract minorities and women to the sport in positions such as ownership, driving and crew members. Before an applicant is accepted into the program, their resumes are checked by NASCAR officials...
- Red Bull Driver Search
- Team Full Throttle
- Progression Racing