Bryan Ortiz Selected for 2011 Drive for Diversity Program

Puerto Rico driver to race for Revolution Racing

Charlotte, NC (January 26, 2011) … NASCAR announced today that Bryan Ortiz has been selected for the 2011 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Class. The 21-year old Puerto Rican will drive for Revolution Racing of Mooresville, North Carolina in the NASCAR Whelan All-American Series.  Ortiz is the first Puerto Rican ever selected to participate in the program.

Ortiz was one of ten talented diversity drivers selected from one hundred and fifty six entries to compete in either the NASCAR K&N Pro Series or the NASCAR Whelan All-American Series in 2011. Ortiz is scheduled to compete in twenty six late model stock races at three tracks in Virginia, North and South Carolina.  He will also work in the Revolution Racing shop and do regular testing with his team.

“I am really happy for this opportunity with Revolution Racing and the Drive for Diversity program,” Ortiz said. “I know it’s going to be a very big year for my career, and will open doors for a lot of great things. I don’t have much experience with stock cars, so this program will definitely help gain track experience.”

The Drive for Diversity is the industry’s leading developmental program for minority and female drivers and crew members. The program currently supports drivers in two major developmental series of NASCAR. Over thirty hopefuls came from 18 states, Mexico, and Puerto Rico to showcase their talents looking to earn one of the ten positions at Revolution Racing for 2011. The drivers, who ranged in age from 16 to 26, were evaluated for three days in October on multiple skills including on-track performance, marketing and media aptitude, physical fitness, and personality.

“Obviously, it’s going to be hard for me,” Ortiz added. “I’m going to move to Mooresville (NC) and start from scratch, leaving everything in Puerto Rico. But, this opportunity will be the best for my future, and I’m sure many positive things will happen from participating in this program.

Ortiz raced in the Sunoco National Tour this season, driving for Sterling Marlin. The talented Puerto Rican won the Rookie-of-the-Year Award and finished second in the overall point standings. He had a best finish of second at Rockingham Speedway in his first ever visit to the famed track.

“Last year was really special,” Ortiz concluded. “Having the opportunity to compete in the Sunoco tour and participating in the Drive for Diversity Combine were huge steps in my career. I want to thank everyone who has helped and supported me, especially my whole family, friends, and team owners.”

For additional information on Bryan Ortiz, visit www.bryanortizracing.com and Bryan Ortiz Racing on Facebook.

Bryan Ortiz Wins Sunoco National Tour Rookie of the Year

Puerto Rican driver closes 2010 SNT season with fifth in King’s Ransom 150

North Wilkesboro, NC (November 4, 2010) … Bryan Ortiz finished fifth in the King’s Ransom 150 at North Wilkesboro Speedway to clinch the 2010 Sunoco National Tour Rookie of the Year. The Puerto Rico driver also finished second in the overall SNT points in his first year of competition.

After competing in the Drive for Diversity Combine a week ago, Ortiz entered the final Sunoco National Tour with momentum hoping to score his first victory of the 2010 season for the BD Racing with Sterling Marlin team. However, Ortiz was not able to practice prior to qualifying because of water in the gas issue.  Therefore, his qualifying laps were not as competitive as normal. But, with the field inverted for the start of the King’s Ransom 150, Ortiz would start on the outside of the front row.

The 21-year old Puerto Rican jumped into the lead on the first lap and held the top spot for twelve laps. At the twenty lap mark, Ortiz radioed to the crew that he was having a problem with the power steering. Hoping to “hang on” until the midrace caution at lap 75, Ortiz dropped to sixth in the running order.

During the “halftime break”, the BD racing with Sterling Marlin crew was able to correct the power steering issue for the final 75 laps. Sunoco National Tour officials had a fan draw a number from a hat to be the number of cars inverted for the final 75 lap segment. When the fan drew “six”, that put Bryan Ortiz on the pole for the final segment of racing in the 2010 season.

Just as he did at the start of the race, Ortiz jumped into the lead. However, this time the talented SNT rookie held the top position for thirty laps before eventual race winner Jeff Choquette passed him on lap 106 because of problems with the power steering again. Ortiz would continue to run very competitive laps and take the checkered flag in the fifth position.

As Jeff Choquette was celebrating his win in Victory Lane, Bryan Ortiz and the BD Racing with Sterling Marlin Team held their own celebration on pit road.

“First, I want to thank Bob Varney (Crew Chief) and the whole team,” Ortiz stated. “This was my first year, and I learned so much. We had our ups and downs, but that happens to everybody. I’m so grateful to this team and all their hard work this year. I wanted to reward them with a win, but that wasn’t to be.”

“I want to thank all of our sponsors for their support this year,” Ortiz continued. “I’m fortunate to have the support from so many people this year. When you consider that every track we went to was my first time there, I’m proud of the accomplishments of this team. We finished second at Rockingham (NC), won the pole at Milwaukee, and were competitive each and every race. To win the rookie of the year and finish second in points is truly an honor, but none of that would have been possible without a hard working, dedicated team and all of our supporters. Thank you very much.”

So, as the curtain closes on the 2010 Sunoco National Tour, what does the future hold for Bryan Ortiz? Certainly, the 21-year old Puerto Rican has a bright future in motorsports, and his path to stardom in this sport will be fun to follow.

Congratulations Bryan Ortiz and BD Racing with Sterling Marlin on your 2010 season and your Rookie of the Year honor.

Bryan Ortiz Competes in Drive for Diversity Combine

Puerto Rican driver now focused on Sunoco National Tour finale

Charlotte, NC (October 25, 2010) … Bryan Ortiz has been a very busy young man in October. After racing in the Harvest 150 Sunoco National Tour race at Illiana Motor Speedway, the 21-year old Puerto Rican driver flew to Charlotte, North Carolina to compete in the 2011 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine. After three intense days of evaluation at the Combine, Ortiz is now focused on the Sunoco National Tour season finale at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday, October 31^st.

Bryan Ortiz was one of thirty-five drivers who competed in the 2011 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine October 17^th through 19^th. The seventh annual Combine presented by Sunoco was held at Revolution Racing in Mooresville, North Carolina and the Motor Mile Speedway in Redford, Virginia.

The Drive for Diversity is the industry’s leading developmental program for minority and female drivers and crew members. The program currently supports drivers in two major developmental series of NASCAR – the K&N Pro Series and the Whelen All-American Series. The thirty-five hopefuls come from 18 states, Mexico, and Puerto Rico to showcase their talents hoping to earn an opportunity to race for Revolution Racing in 2011. Bryan Ortiz was selected to be one of the thirty-five drivers ranging in age from 16 to 26 who were evaluated on multiple skills including on-track performance, marketing and media aptitude, physical fitness, personality, and more.

The 21-year old native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico has raced in the Sunoco National Tour this season and leads the rookie standings entering the final race of the year at North Wilkesboro Speedway this weekend. However, the Drive for Diversity Combine has been the primary focus for Ortiz since he received the invitation to compete.

“My focus the last couple months was getting prepared for the Combine,” Ortiz stated. “I wanted to make sure that I did everything that I could to reach the level required for this program.”

The Combine began at Revolution Racing on Sunday, October 17^th where the drivers were briefed on the schedule and began their evaluation with physical fitness and other tests of their skills. Then, Ortiz and his fellow competitors were bused to the Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Virginia for two days of on-track performance and marketing and media interviews. After the three days of assessment, the results will be evaluated by a committee who will select the participants for the 2011 Drive for Diversity program.

“From the fitness to media to on-track testing, I really feel that I did my best,” Ortiz commented. “The Combine is a great event and a tremendous opportunity for me. It was great to meet new drivers and other people in the sport. I want to thank Revolution Racing, Max Seigel, John Story, and everyone from NASCAR for making the Drive for Diversity Combine a great experience.”

“Obviously, I don’t know the results of the Combine yet, but I really feel like everything went well,” Ortiz added. “I was honored to receive the invitation and have the opportunity to compete in the Drive for Diversity Combine.”

This weekend, Bryan Ortiz and his BD Racing with Sterling Marlin team will race at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway in the Kings Ransom 300, the final race of the 2010 season for the Sunoco National Tour.

“With the Drive for Diversity Combine behind me, my focus is on the last race of the season at North Wilkesboro Speedway,” Ortiz concluded. “I’d really like to get my first win this weekend after so many close finishes. It’s tough competing with the ABC cars, but we do the best that we can each and every race. Everybody on the BD racing with Sterling Marlin team has done an awesome job this year, and I really want to win for them.”