Driver development program
From Wikipedia, the free 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 models & 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). [1]
[edit] Teams currently using driver development programs
- BAM Racing—Ryan Mackintosh
- Germain Racing—Zach Germain
- Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing—Cody Cambensy
- JR Motorsports—Josh Berry, Richard Boswell, Steve Arpin, Danica Patrick
- Joe Gibbs Racing—Brad Coleman, Matt DiBenedetto, Ryan Preece, Darrell Wallace, Jr.
- Kevin Harvick Incorporated—Gray Gaulding
- Kyle Busch Motorsports—Josh Hamner, Brian Ickler, T. J. Reaid
- Michael Waltrip Racing—Ken Butler III, Ryan Truex, Travis Pastrana
- Penske Racing—Dakoda Armstrong, Tom Hessert III, Parker Kligerman
- Red Bull Racing—Cole Whitt
- Richard Childress Racing—Ty Dillon, 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
