Two South Florida racers on fast track

Drivers get second year on diversity development team

For the second consecutive year, South Florida’s Ernie Francis Jr. and Nick Sanchez have been named to the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Development Program.

After their participation in the program’s combine in October, the duo became two of six drivers to be selected to the 2019 team.

The program connects young drivers with a team of executives, athletic directors, crew chiefs and mentors, to give the individuals help advancing their racing careers. The Drive for Diversity team is comprised of drivers from a mix of cultures and backgrounds.

Francis Jr., a Southwest Ranches native, became the youngest Trans-Am champion in series history back in 2014. During this past season, the 20-year-old managed to secure his fifthstraight series championship.

Sanchez, who is a 17-yearold from Homestead, concluded his NASCAR Whelen All-American Series rookie season this year and also competed in the Bojangles Summer Shootout with the Rev Racing’s Legend Car program.

Both racers plan on racing a Late Model for Rev Racing.

BRIAN CLEARY/GETTY Ernie Francis Jr. drove at the NASCAR Driver for Diversity Combine at New Smyrna Speedway on Oct. 23.