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StumbleuponMiamisburg teen eager to drive in NASCAR program
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Summer is barely over, but Miamisburg High School senior Megan Reitenour is already thinking about going Camping next year.
The race-car driver is one of 25 people selected to take part in NASCAR's Drive for Diversity Testing and Evaluation Combine this Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 13-14, at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Va. Fourteen drivers will earn rides in either the NASCAR-sanctioned Camping World Series (four drivers) or the Whelen All-American Series (10).
"I do feel pretty good about going into it, especially because a lot of the drivers haven't driven a 3,300-pound car," said Reitenour, who is second in points in the Super Cup Stock Car Series. "It's a lot different than a late model. A lot of the people coming in are either racing sprint cars or late models. Hopefully, that gives me an advantage."
The two-day combine tests drivers on the track in cars similar to those driven in the Nationwide Series and evaluates them off the track with media and sponsor relations activities.
"Megan is the kind of driver the program is designed to help," said Marcus Jadotte, the managing director of public affairs at NASCAR. "Based on what she's done so far, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see her take advantage of this opportunity."
Reitenour said she's visited South Boston Speedway but has never raced there. She's been studying tapes of past races at the track hoping to pick up tips.
"It is a lot of pressure, so I try not to think about it," Reitenour said of finishing among the top 14. "Hopefully, I get selected or I can try out again next year."
