Rev Racing
Rev Racing is an American auto racing team founded in 2009 by Max Siegel, operating as the competition arm of NASCAR's Driver Development Program with a focus on developing drivers from underrepresented backgrounds through the Drive for Diversity initiative.[1][2][3]
Headquartered in Concord, North Carolina, and owned by Max and Jennifer Siegel, the team fields entries in series such as the ARCA Menards Series and has achieved 26 wins, including championships by drivers Kyle Larson in 2012 and Andres Perez in 2024.[3][1]
Rev Racing's efforts have contributed to milestones like placing 10 percent of the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series field from its program and deploying 75 pit crew members across NASCAR teams that year, transitioning from a diversity-focused initiative to a competitive entity in motorsports.[3][2]
Overview
Founding and Mission
Rev Racing was established in 2009 by Max Siegel, former president of Dale Earnhardt Inc., as the competition arm of NASCAR's Driver Development Program.[3][4] Siegel was recruited by NASCAR to manage and expand the initiative's racing operations, building directly on the Drive for Diversity program launched in 2004 to identify and cultivate talent from underrepresented demographics in stock car racing, where participation has long skewed toward white males.[3][5] The organization's core mission centers on recruiting, coaching, and mentoring drivers and pit crew members—particularly women and ethnic minorities—through structured technical training, physical conditioning, and competitive exposure in NASCAR's developmental ladder.[1][6] This includes forging partnerships for equipment, sponsorships, and series entries, with early emphasis on regional series like the K&N Pro Series East and West to build skills for progression to national levels.[7] Strategic alliances, such as with Chevrolet for vehicle support and branding, underpin these efforts to provide equitable pathways amid motorsports' historical barriers to entry for non-traditional participants.[8] In May 2024, the affiliated Drive for Diversity program commemorated its 20-year milestone with a throwback paint scheme on Rev Racing's entry at Darlington Raceway, highlighting sustained commitment to talent diversification despite evolving program nomenclature to "Driver Development Program" in early 2025.[5][9]Ownership and Key Personnel
Rev Racing is owned by Max Siegel, a sports and entertainment executive who established the organization in 2010 to manage the competitive operations of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity driver development program.[7] Siegel previously served as president of global operations at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., where he held the position of highest-ranking African-American executive and secured tens of millions in sponsorship revenue.[2] Under his leadership, Rev Racing has maintained close operational ties to NASCAR, including technical alliances such as the 2023 partnership with Kyle Busch Motorsports to support entry into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, which involved an agreement for equipment and support valued at $2.9 million but later resulted in a settled lawsuit over $325,000 in unpaid fees, with Rev Racing paying $105,000.[10][11] Jennifer Satterfield-Siegel co-owns the team and serves as vice-chair of the board of directors, assisting in strategic oversight and committee work.[7][12] The board, chaired by Max Siegel, focuses on business strategy, goal-setting, and performance accountability, with limited public details on additional members beyond family-affiliated roles.[12] Key operational personnel include Max Siegel II, who holds the role of director of diversity, equity, and inclusion on the board, tasked with expanding partnerships and educational initiatives to enhance multicultural representation within the team.[12] On the competition side, Matthew Bucher directs the ARCA Menards Series teams, overseeing two entries and integrating with broader NASCAR development efforts.[7] Engineering and scouting staff emphasize talent identification aligned with diversity objectives, though specific names beyond core leadership are not prominently detailed in public records. Siegel's influence remains predominant, with no other single entity holding controlling ownership.[2]Driver Development Programs
Drive for Diversity Initiative
The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program, administered by Rev Racing, commenced in 2004 as a pipeline to recruit and cultivate racing talent from underrepresented demographics, specifically ethnic minorities and women, through structured evaluation events known as combines.[13][14] Selection criteria emphasize applicants who are female or belong to designated ethnic groups, such as American Indian, Asian, Black, Hispanic, or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, requiring submission of digital applications detailing prior racing experience, references, and performance history.[15] Annual combines, including the Advance Auto Parts Drive for Diversity Combine, serve as the primary gateway, from which cohorts—such as the nine drivers chosen in 2023—are advanced to compete in Rev Racing-managed entries across developmental series.[13] Rev Racing's training regimen integrates on-track skill enhancement with off-track professional development, encompassing media interactions, personal branding, self-promotion techniques, and sponsor relationship management to prepare participants for broader motorsports demands.[16] These protocols are bolstered by strategic partnerships, including Chevrolet's multi-year engineering and marketing agreement, which supplies technical resources, vehicle support, and funding to facilitate equipment access and program execution.[8] The initiative has evolved from an emphasis on entry-level regional competition, such as the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East where Rev Racing secured 17 victories and consistent top-10 points finishes across seasons, toward intermediate national tiers like the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.[17] In 2025, this progression manifested in Rev Racing deploying Lavar Scott for a full-season ARCA Menards Series effort and Lanie Buice for a part-time ARCA schedule, reflecting the program's adaptation to field select participants in progressively demanding environments.[18][19]Alumni and Notable Graduates
Rev Racing alumni have advanced to NASCAR's premier series, with notable graduates achieving victories and championships. Bubba Wallace, who drove for Rev Racing from 2010 to 2011 as part of the Drive for Diversity program, progressed to the NASCAR Cup Series with 23XI Racing, securing multiple wins including at Talladega Superspeedway in 2021 and 2022.[20] Daniel Suárez competed in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East for Rev Racing, earning back-to-back wins in 2014 before advancing to the Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing, where he became the first Mexican driver to win a points-paying race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February 2024.[21][22] Kyle Larson, a Rev Racing driver who won the 2012 K&N Pro Series East championship, moved to Hendrick Motorsports in the Cup Series and captured the 2021 title, marking the first championship for a Drive for Diversity program graduate.[20][16] More recent alumni include Nick Sánchez, the 2022 ARCA Menards Series champion with Rev Racing, who drove the No. 2 truck full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series from 2023 to 2024, achieving a victory at Daytona International Speedway in 2024 and advancing to the playoffs.[1][23] Andrés Pérez de Lara secured the 2024 ARCA Menards Series title driving for Rev Racing, with 10 top-five finishes across 20 races, and transitioned to a full-time Truck Series role with Niece Motorsports in 2025.[24][25] Rev Racing graduates have recorded 17 wins in the K&N Pro Series East, alongside consistent top-10 points finishes each season, contributing to alumni presence across Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series.[17]Performance Metrics and Outcomes
Rev Racing reports 20 wins, 85 top-5 finishes, and 168 top-10 finishes in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East since the Drive for Diversity program's inception in 2004.[26] These figures reflect consistent contention in developmental racing, with drivers achieving top-10 points standings in every K&N East season since Rev's team formation in 2010.[27] In the ARCA Menards Series, outcomes show frequent strong results but fewer victories; for instance, Lavar Scott recorded 10 top-5s and 14 top-10s across 17 starts in 2025, alongside limited laps led.[28] Andres Perez similarly posted 10 top-5s in 2024 without a win, highlighting reliable mid-pack to front-running capability in this tier.[29]| Series | Wins | Top-5s | Top-10s | Time Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K&N Pro Series East | 20 | 85 | 168 | 2004–present[26] |
| ARCA Menards Series (select drivers) | 0 (recent examples) | 10+ per season | 14+ per season | 2024–2025[18][29] |