Bethune-Cookman alumni
Former players invited as part of diversity program
compete today in the annual NASCAR Drive for Diversity National Pit Crew Combine.
Jarren Davis isn’t what you would call a die-hard NASCAR fan.
In fact, outside of the Daytona 500, Davis didn’t spend much time following the sport growing up.
So it might have been a bit of a shock to some when the former Bethune-Cookman defensive end decided to try out for a spot as a NASCAR pit crew member.
“Some of my family members were like, ‘Wow, I never thought you would be thinking about becoming a pit crew member,’ ” Davis said. “They really don’t follow NASCAR, so they were kind of shocked. … My mom kept asking me, ‘Are you sure you want to do this type of work?’ ”
Davis is among 13 former college athletes invited to compete in the third annual NASCAR Drive for Diversity National Pit Crew Combine taking place today at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C.. The group includes former foot-
ball, basketball, tennis and track and field stars who are interested in a career in NASCAR.
Participants for this year’s event are from Alcorn State, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T State, Virginia State and Winston-Salem State as well as Bethune-Cookman.
Most will learn to compete as tire changers, carriers and jackmen.
The top performers at this week’s combine receive invitations to join the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development program, where they would train as pit crew members with Rev Racing later this year. To date, more than 50 graduates of the program are currently working in NASCAR, with half of the group working for pit crews in the Monster Energy series.
The NASCAR Drive for Diversity program also offers a driver-development plan also operated by Rev Racing. Several graduates, including Kyle Larson, Daniel Suárez and Darrell Wallace Jr., have gone on to race careers at NASCAR’s various levels.
“I was like, ‘Wow, I had never thought of becoming a potential member of a pit crew.’ But I said, ‘I’m pretty sure I could do this,’ ” Davis said of receiving the invitation to the combine. “I’m very eager to learn this new industry and this new sport. I think I’ll be ready and I think I have faith in myself and my potential teammates around me who will be at this combine.”
Davis earned the combine invitation after taking part in one of the scouting tryouts at school’s gym after hearing about it from Wildcats teammate Larry Brihm Jr.
“He told me about the NASCAR diversity program, that it was coming to the Bethune-Cookman campus and they were searching for a group of athletes to join this program,” Davis said. “I didn’t know anything about NASCAR before then.”
Davis said he and Brihm, who will also be traveling to North Carolina along with a handful of competitors, were put through a variety of tests including footwork drills, jumping rope and a core workout that included doing 100 sit-ups.
“Everyone who participated in the workout did extremely well,” Davis said.
Much like during his days on the gridiron, Davis turned to film study to get a better understanding of what he got himself into.
“I’ve been looking at videos on how to become a pit crew member and different races including the Xfinity race and other races as well,” said Davis. “You just have to be fast-paced and what I’ve seen through video is that every team member has to be on one accord and have to do their jobs to the best of their ability to get that car back on the track.”
Before taking part in this week’s program Davis, who graduated from B-CU with a business administration degree, was considering several options, including attending graduate school to get a master’s degree or joining his uncle’s insurance business.
Instead the future could hold something else for the 23-year-old.
“I did have a thought of what I’m going to do now,” Davis said of his future. “Now, I have to make a decision and I have to be hungry and have faith and just keep on living my life the best way that I can.”
Added Davis, “I do have some butterflies and I am kind of nervous, but I think I will be ready for this event. I’m going to just pray and have faith and pay close attention to details.”