A BIG DAY FOR RACING IN THE NW

WOW! It's been a busy day. Today the Drive for Diversity drivers and teams were announced for 2009. My phone has been busy ringing, and there are some papers who will be publishing here and there. I've included some links and the press release we are sending out to the media.

Here's the links:
NASCAR.com Look for the name Natalie Sather, you will then see Total Velocity Motorsports, that's me.
Nataliesather.com This is who is driving for us in 2009.
Natalie's Home Town Newspaper
Pics from the Combine This is where we scouted out the talent back in October.

Here's the press release:

"The expansion to 12 drivers and 11 teams is a great sign of opportunities that continue to be created for young diverse drivers," said NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France. Those were exciting words for Total Velocity Motorsports, located in Monroe, WA as they were included among the 3 teams added to the nationwide program, Drive for Diversity.

Last fall Total Velocity Motorsports, owned and operated by local racer and pastor Jeff Knight, was given an opportunity to participate in Drive for Diversity by, fellow competitor, Darin Stordahl. "Darin called me with an opportunity to be a part of something I really believe in, driver/people development," says Jeff Knight.

Darin, through Evergreen Speedway management, was given the chance by NASCAR to spearhead a Drive for Diversity ride for 2009. "It made sense for me to contact Total Velocity Motorsports. Jeff has the equipment and people needed to launch Drive for Diversity in the NW," says Darin Stordahl.

A partnership was formed, and the team traveled back to South Boston, VA for the Drive for Diversity Combine. Total Velocity Motorsports had their focus set on Natalie Sather of Fargo, ND. "We studied the profiles a lot," says Jeff. "Natalie is talented. She has a lot of experience in open wheel racing. Her lap times were highly competitive in a stock car, and being that it was her first year in the diversity program, like us, we thought it would be a good fit."

Natalie Sather is no stranger to racing. She was the first female driver to win a Duffy Trophy for the 2001 Grand National Karting Championship on pavement before making the jump to sprint cars full time. In 2007, Natalie won the ASCA Midwest points championship, and in '08 finished in the top ten in the Knoxville Raceway Points Standing, also becoming the first woman to receive the 360 Rookie of the Year Award.

2009 should be an exciting year for the Total Velocity Motorsports team who will field two cars for the NWAAS Series at Evergreen. Jeff Knight will be driving the #70, sponsored by Trinity Construction and Natalie Sather will drive the #94. Natalie will also be driving a Sprint car whenever the opportunity presents itself.