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24 January 2009 Wilton, Ca Press Release On January 22nd, at the NASCAR R&D Center in Concord, NC, during the annual Charlotte Media Tour, 18 year old Laura Hayes of Wilton, Ca, was announced as one of twelve drivers in the Drive for Diversity lineup for the 2009 season. Hayes will be driving for James Racing at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Va. in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
After a highly successful first season running late models at All American Speedway in Roseville, Ca., Laura was invited to participate in the 2008 Testing and Evaluation Combine at South Boston Speedway in Virginia. In her rookie year behind the wheel of a stock car, Hayes finished 6th in the points standings with 12 top five finishes, 18 top ten finishes, and a win in 21 starts, and was awarded "Rookie of the Year" honors. At the Combine, Laura's results and performance, both on and off track, impressed several teams as she was offered rides from three of the teams participating in the program. Two of the offers came from California and one from Virginia, near the heart of stock car country.
"This was definitely one of the most difficult decisions that my family and I have had to make. All three of the teams and tracks had many appealing benefits but to best further my career, Steve James Racing and South Boston Speedway, were my choice."
South Boston Speedway, "America's Hometown Track" is a 4/10-mile oval that has been operating for over 50 years and is owned by the Mattioli family that also founded and own Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania. Jeff and Ward Burton, Elliot and Hermie Sadler, and Late Model National Champion, Peyton Sellers, all call "SoBo" their home track. It is also considered one of the most competitive short tracks in the east, making it one of the most popular in the country. This is evidenced by the current crop of Sprint Cup regulars that have all raced at South Boston including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, and Denny Hamlin. NASCAR legends including Wendell Scott, Richard Petty, David Pearson, Buck and Buddy Baker, Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough, Dale Earnhardt, Terry Labonte and Benny Parsons all have competed at South Boston.
Hayes commented about her up and coming season, "I'm very excited to be working with Steve and his team this year. His past accomplishments, knowledge, attitude and an awesome race car all provide unparalleled appeal. I think we'll work great together. And racing at South Boston Speedway is going to be the ultimate test of my talent. I'm really eager for the season to begin."
This year, D4D will be headed by former Dale Earnhardt Inc. president, Max Siegel, and his new marketing agency, the 909 Group. He brings with him much experience and knowledge in the racing and marketing business. His sports and entertainment company specializes in multicultural marketing. Siegel's goals are to take Drive for Diversity to the next level by focusing on generating more team and sponsor participation by stepping up marketing for the program.
Peoplefinders.com, under the helm of Rob Miller, will also be a part of Laura's program for the 2009 season. "Rob has helped us for the past two seasons and I'm fortunate to have him on board again this year. His support and generosity has kept me racing and I know I wouldn't be where I am today without his help." Peoplefinders.com is the web's largest people search site, allowing people to find old friends and classmates as well as perform background checks and much more.
While Hayes was in North Carolina for the Media Tour, she and the rest of the Drive for Diversity drivers attended NASCAR Night with the Charlotte Bobcats where they signed autographs and visited with fans before the basketball game. On Sunday, Laura was also involved in the 2nd Annual Driver Advancement Marketing Summit, where participants learned about the off-track ideas of racing, such as marketing, websites, interviews and sponsorships.
Laura will make her big move in mid-February to begin testing and her first race will be on March 14th.
Laura added, "I would like to thank Max Siegel and the 909 Group, NASCAR and Drive for Diversity for giving me this chance in 2009. With the economy taking its toll on the racing community, I feel very fortunate to again be behind the wheel this upcoming season. I am fully committed to make the very best of this opportunity." Laura also thanks the many that have supported her through her career, taking her to this critical point in her career.
For more information about Drive for Diversity, visit: www.drivefordiversity.com
For more information about SoBo, visit: www.southbostonspeedway.com
For more information about Peoplefinders.com, visit: www.peoplefinders.com
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