DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 25, 2016) – Former Pocono Raceway intern Victoria Kim was among eight winners at the ninth annual NASCAR Diversity Awards. The winners were announced at Daytona Internal Speedway prior to the Daytona 500 and Kim was named the Outstanding Intern winner.
The NASCAR Diversity Awards recognize the people and organizations in motorsports that champion diversity and inclusion in eight categories: Industry Ambassador, Diverse Driver, Ignition Award, Diverse Intern, Institution, Partner, Young Driver, and Pit Crew.
Kim, who worked at Pocono Raceway from April until August of last year, helped out in the Operations Department. She assisted in all day-to-day activities, including security and lease events and played a large role in both NASCAR weekends at ‘The Tricky Triangle.’
Following her work at Pocono Raceway, Kim accepted a job with NASCAR as Touring Series Coordinator, Racing Operations.
“We are honored that Victoria was chosen amongst her peers,” said Pocono Raceway Senior Director of Operations Kevin Henry. “Victoria, though much hard work, learned and applied many key principles of event management. She had the opportunity to observe and influence the event management process and apply her education in logistics to help streamline business and event management processes. We are grateful for her contribution and look forward to working with her as she starts her career with NASCAR.”
Notable previous NASCAR Diversity Awards winners include: Max Siegel, Darrell Wallace Jr., Phoenix International Raceway, Toyota, Coca-Cola, Sunoco, and the University of Central Florida.
Driven by NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France, the NASCAR Diversity Awards has become the leading means to recognize multicultural accomplishments across the motorsports industry.
The winners are chosen based on participation or support of NASCAR’s year-round diversity and inclusion initiatives including: NASCAR Drive for Diversity, the leading driver and crew member development program in motorsports; the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program, a paid internship program for ethnically-diverse candidates with high academic standing from elite institutions; and the NASCAR Opinion Leader Initiative, which engages multicultural community, civic, and professional organizations.
“Becoming more diverse and inclusive is a huge priority at NASCAR and we continue to make long-term investments to boost female and minority participation across every level of our sport, on and off the track,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “Widening our appeal is critical to our continued expansion and we are proud to honor today’s winners, and many others across the industry, for their hard work and support.”
Pocono Raceway will host seven national motorsports events during the 2016 racing season, including a NASCAR XFINITY Series race for the inaugural time on June 4. The Axalta “We Paint Winners” 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race is set for June 5, the Pennsylvania 400 NSCS race on July 31 and the ABC Supply 500 Verizon IndyCar Series race on August 21. The Pocono Mountains 150 NASCAR Camping World Truck race is scheduled for July 30 and two ARCA Series Presented by Menards races with General Tire #AnywhereIsPossible 200 on June 3 and the ModSpace 150 on July 29 offered as well.
Tickets for all races are now on sale at poconoraceway.com or by calling 1-800-RACEWAY.
The 2016 NASCAR Diversity Awards Winners:
Industry Ambassador Award
Winner: Claire B. Lang, NASCAR radio host and current host of “Dialed In” on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio who has actively engaged with NASCAR diversity and inclusion initiatives
Description: Representative who displays an exemplary effort to incorporate multicultural initiatives as part of his/her job.
Diverse Driver Award
Winner: Abraham Calderon, 2014 NASCAR Mexico Series Champion
Description: Minority or female NASCAR developmental driver who exemplifies outstanding performance both on and off the racetrack in encouraging awareness and interaction with NASCAR and motorsports.
Ignition Award
Winner: Daniel Suárez, 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year, Joe Gibbs Racing and NASCAR Drive for Diversity alum
Description: Minority or female NASCAR national series driver who demonstrates leadership both on and off the racetrack while helping to foster the diversity in sport.
Outstanding Intern Award
Winner: Victoria Kim, a Penn State graduate and Pocono Raceway’s first NASCAR Diversity Internship Program intern
Description: Student who exhibits high performance and leadership skills in academics as well as during their NASCAR Diversity Internship Program.
Institution Award
Winner: National Association of Black Journalists, An organization of journalists, students, and media-related professionals that provides quality programs and services to and advocates on behalf of African-American journalists worldwide
Description: Civic or educational institution that exposes minorities to motorsports and encourages pursuit of opportunities within the motorsports industry.
Partner Award
Winner: Chevrolet, for demonstrating a commitment to NASCAR diversity and inclusion goals through its program support and engagement with NASCAR Multicultural Development
Description: Company that shows commitment to NASCAR diversity and inclusion goals through its program support and engagement with NASCAR.
Young Racer Award
Winner: Macy Causey, 15, youngest participant in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine
Description: Minority or female between the ages of 8-15 years old who has partaken in some form of competitive racing and has overcome adversity in pursuit of his/her dream of participating in the motorsports industry.
Crew Member Award
Winners: Rafael Diaz and Mike Russell, both of Roush Fenway Racing and part of the 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series Championship team
Description: Minority or female crew member who inspires awareness of NASCAR through competitive performance and outreach activities.
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