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With the DAYTONA 500 right around the corner, the men and women who are tasked with the safety, security and organization across NASCAR gathered in Concord, North Carolina, in a collaboration of ideas and advancements.
 
NASCAR’s annual Summit, the largest gathering of track services, medical, safety, and security personnel in the motorsports industry, will conclude today after three days of professional seminars, training and topical discussions. 
 
The Summit began nearly 15 years ago when a small group of attendees gathered in January to share benchmarks and prepare for the upcoming NASCAR season. The 2016 Summit marked the 10th year it was held at the Embassy Suites Concord Conference Center.

“Seeking constant improvement is a hallmark that defines these dedicated professionals,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “As the industry collectively prepares to begin another racing season, the Summit provides a unique opportunity to exchange vitally important information, advancements, and best practices – with the overarching intent of delivering the best possible event experience.”

The Summit features general sessions and smaller breakout seminars and workshops specific to each functional area. This year’s event included more than 30 focused sessions on topics ranging from incident management to severe weather protocol. Senior Communication Consultant for Game On Nation and former NFL player Leonard Wheeler, a renowned expert in leadership development, delivered the keynote address for the event.

NASCAR also presented awards to individuals for meritorious achievements in their various fields. Bill Braniff, senior director of construction for International Speedway Corporation’s Design and Development unit, was honored with the Jim Bockoven Lifetime Achievement Award for his exemplary contributions across the NASCAR industry for more than 10 years in the area of track asphalt and maintenance. The full list of those recognized for their work in 2015 includes:

Medical
Above and Beyond Award – Andy “Sippy” Biron, New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Teamwork Award – Atlanta Motor Speedway Infield Care Center and New Hampshire Motor Speedway Infield Care Center / Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital
Excellence Award – Jay Nadeau, Daytona International Speedway
Security
·         Steve Beres – Director of Security, Daytona International Speedway
·         Greg Scott – Senior Manager of Event Operations, Kansas Speedway
·         Bill Hindman – Security Manager, Phoenix International Raceway
Track Services
Jim Bockoven Track Services Lifetime Achievement Award – Bill Braniff, International Speedway Corporation
Excellence in Track Services Award – George Ewald, Pocono Raceway
Track Services Teamwork Award – Road Atlanta
Track Services Innovation Award – Dan Eakins (R&B Fabrications)
Track Services Mission Award – Kristina Frederick, Kentucky Speedway
 
The 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regular season will kick off with the 58th running of the Daytona 500® on Sunday, Feb. 21 at Daytona International Speedway®. The Great American Race® will be broadcast live on FOX, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, with additional coverage on NASCAR.com.

Enrique Baca: Following an impressive showing at the Combine, Baca, 24, will race in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Baca is from Monterrey, Mexico, and competed in his native country’s Super Copa Telcel series in 2015.

Juan Garcia: Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Garcia, 18, earned the 2015 Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award for his competitiveness in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. He will return to the series with Rev Racing following a strong performance at the Combine last fall.

Under Rev Racing owner and CEO Max Siegel’s leadership, NASCAR D4D aligns drivers with a team of executives, athletic directors, crew chiefs and mentors tasked with helping drivers achieve career successes; thus, improving their goal of reaching one of NASCAR's three national series.

“This year's NASCAR Drive for Diversity class is so talented. We are excited to get the season started, to develop and showcase the drivers’ abilities to our fans and partners,” Siegel said. “Our ultimate goal is to prepare these minority and female drivers for the national series. Every year presents new opportunities for growth and we look forward to carrying over last season’s momentum into 2016.”

Since it began fielding D4D cars in 2010, Rev Racing has been the most consistent team in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, registering 17 total wins with six different drivers and at least one victory in each season. The 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season opener will take place on Feb. 14 at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where Rev Racing scored a win with Suárez in 2014.

The 2015 NASCAR season featured a series of firsts and milestones for D4D alumni. Suárez and Wallace Jr. were in close contention to win Sunoco Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, with Suárez becoming the first Mexican driver to earn top rookie honors.

In 2015, more than 25 graduates of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program, also run by Rev Racing, pitted for national series teams. Mike Russell, jackman for the No. 60 Roush Fenway Racing team in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, became the first African-American D4D graduate to win a national series championship.