CONCORD, N.C. (April 29, 2013) – Ryan Gifford scored his first victory in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series (NKNPS) East last Thursday night at Richmond International Raceway (RIR), in the Blue Ox 100. Gifford became the fourth different driver to win for Rev Racing since the organization began to field cars for the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program in 2010, and this became win 11 out of 44 starts in the series for the team.
When Gifford hit the pavement on Thursday at RIR he was positive that this race would have a different outcome than it did a year ago, where he was one of two race leaders but a spin on the final restart cost him the win. He struggled during both practice sessions, and was disappointed with his 11th place qualifying effort, but his patience paid off. Gifford was able to take the lead on lap 78 and stay up front through two restarts, to bring home the win.
“This is something I’m going to remember for the rest of my life,” said Gifford. “To come up short so many times and be able to go out and do this is just awesome. I feel like there’s a thousand pounds lifted off my shoulders.”
Mackena Bell (No. 21 Toyota Racing Development Toyota Camry) – Bell has had a stellar rookie season, and she proved once again on Thursday that she shouldn’t be overlooked, earning a career-best fifth place finish. She’s moved up to tenth in the series points’ standings, and is in contention to win Rookie of the Year honors.
Bryan Ortiz (No. 4 Nike Toyota Camry) – Ortiz had a rough night, getting involved in a multi-car wreck, but managed to drive his way through the pack to finish 15th after qualifying 23rd. Ortiz is currently 12th in the series points’ standings.
Daniel Suarez (No. 6 Rev Racing Toyota Camry) – Suarez didn’t have the day he had hoped for at RIR. He spent both practice sessions making adjustments to his Toyota Camry, and qualified 34th. Suarez was moving up through the field when he was spun out, he managed to recover and finish 21st.
The next stop for Rev Racing in the NKNPS East will be on Saturday, June 1, at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston Salem, N.C. for the Hall of Fame 150.
ABOUT REV RACING: Headquartered in Concord, N.C., Rev Racing, owned by Max Siegel, operates the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program, which is the industry’s leading developmental program for ethnic minorities and women drivers and pit crew members. For more information about Rev Racing visit http://revracing.net or follow us on Twitter @RevRacin.
