Driver development program

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 3 Euro Series and GP2 in Europe, and Late models and 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 do not yet have professional representation from an agent).^[1]

Teams currently using driver development programs

NASCAR

• Chip Ganassi Racing – Dylan Kwasniewski,^[2] Rico Abreu
• Hendrick Motorsports – William Byron
• JR Motorsports – Josh Berry,^[3] Karsyn Elledge^[4]
• Joe Gibbs Racing – Erik Jones, Daniel Suárez, Matt Tifft, Cody Coughlin^[5]
• MBM Motorsports – Todd Morey^[6]
• Richard Childress Racing – Michael Self,^[7] Kate Dallenbach,^[8] Ahnna Parkurst^[8]
• Richard Petty Motorsports – Ryan Truex,^[9] Austin Hill
• Roush Fenway Racing – Kyle Benjamin,^[10] Kyle Weatherman,^[10] Gray Gaulding,^[11] Ty Majeski^[12]
• Team Penske – Ryan Blaney^[13]
• NEMCO Motorsports – Bobby Grewohl,^[14] John Hunter Nemechek

IndyCar

• Andretti Autosport – Jarret Andretti (USAC Sprint Car Division), Shelby Blackstock (Indy Lights), Matthew Brabham, Zach Veach
• Chip Ganassi Racing – Sage Karam (Verizon IndyCar Series in 2015)
• Sam Schmidt Motorsports – Jack Harvey (Indy Lights)

See also

• Drive for Diversity
• Team Full Throttle
• Progression Racing
• Porsche Junioren
• Formula One racing teams driver programme.
  • Red Bull Junior Team – Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso Driver Programme.
  • RF1 Driver Programme – Renault F1 Driver Programme.
  • Ferrari Driver Academy – Scuderia Ferrari Driver Programme.
  • Lotus F1 Junior Team – Lotus F1 Driver Programme.

References

1. Jenkins, Chris (2005-08-18). "New turns in NASCAR deals". USA Today.
2. "Ganassi Signs Kwasniewski as Development Driver". ABC News. March 9, 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-09.
3. "Josh Berry". JR Motorsports. 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
4. "Karsyn Elledge". JR Motorsports. 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
5. "Cody Coughlin to drive No. 55 JEGS Toyota for Venturini Motorsports; starts at Mobile". Automobile Racing Club of America. March 5, 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
6. "Monster Truck Driver Todd Morey Joins MBM". MBM Motorsports. May 23, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
7. "Podium finish begins title run for Golden Gate Racing". Michael Self Racing. March 7, 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-11.
8. "RCR adds two female teenagers to driver development program". Foxsports.com. January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
9. Spencer, Lee (June 2, 2013). "Young drivers join new Petty program". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2013-09-11.
10. "Roulo Brothers Racing adds teenagers Benjamin and Weatherman to driver line-up in 2014". ARCA Racing Series. February 16, 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
11. Wilhelm, Chase (March 7, 2016). "Gray Gaulding signs with Roush Fenway Racing developmental program". Foxsports.com. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
12. Kallman, Dave (May 16, 2016). "Expect announcement of Ty Majeski-Roush Fenway deal soon". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
13. "Ryan Blaney". Penske Racing. Retrieved 2013-09-11.
14. "Grewohl planning full run in 2014". ARCA Racing Series. January 3, 2014. Retrieved 2014-01-03.

External links

• Joiner Race Cars
• Progression Racing
• Team Full Throttle
• David Smith Motorsports
• Jayski Development Driver News
• Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle Development
• Head start NASCAR-style
• RCR increases efforts of developmental program