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To honor and recognize the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program and Revolution Racing drivers during their visit to Columbus for the inaugural NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Columbus Motor Speedway.
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WHEREAS, in 2004, the Drive for Diversity Program was established by NASCAR to give young minority and female drivers the opportunity to compete with established NASCAR teams at the grassroots level; the program also supports crew member candidates through a year-long pit crew training program; and
WHEREAS, Drive for Diversity drivers compete in nearly 200 events at NASCAR Home Tracks across the country each year and the program currently supports drivers in two of NASCAR's developmental series - the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series; and
WHEREAS, Columbus, Ohio, is home to the Columbus Motor Speedway which is in its 65th season of racing, has been NASCAR sanctioned Home Track for 22 years and provides passionate local fans season long NASCAR action through the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series; and
WHEREAS, Columbus Motor Speedway is the host of Columbus' inaugural NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race, 'JEGS 150', on Saturday, July 23, 2011 and;
WHEREAS, Revolution Racing is a minority-owned NASCAR franchise whose mission is to develop minority and female drivers, pit-crew members and mechanics through an "academy-style" training model; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Driver for Diversity program, Revolution Racing drivers Michael James Reed, Ryan T. Gifford, Sergio Stefan Peña and William Darrell Wallace, Jr., will meet with over 80 children participating in the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) program at St. Stephen's Community House to inspire young children to set goals and realize dreams; and
WHEREAS, through the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, Revolution Racing drivers Michael James Reed, Ryan T. Gifford, Sergio Stefan Peña and William Darrell Wallace, Jr., members of the 2011 NASCAR Drive for Diversity program, will learn how sporting events benefit Greater Columbus economically and socially; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That we do hereby welcome the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East to the Columbus Motor Speedway and recognize the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments of Revolution Racing drivers Michael James Reed, Ryan T. Gifford, Sergio Stefan Peña and William Darrell Wallace, Jr. on and off the track and thank these wonderful athletes for choosing to volunteer their time with children at the St. Stephen's Community House.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we do hereby wish all of the drivers success in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East 'JEGS 150' race on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at Columbus Motor Speedway.