Jonathan Smith To Pilot Legendary #16 In CWSE
North Haverhill, N.H. - Fadden Racing announced a
partnership today with NASCAR's Drive for Diversity Program, an
initiative that was instituted in 2004 to attract minorities and women
to the sport. Under the contract, car owner Mike Olsen will field the
legendary No. 16 Chevy's for Jonathan Smith of Beacon Falls, Conn. in
a full NASCAR Camping World Series East schedule. Smith was one of 12
drivers chosen for the sixth season of the program.
Former DEI President of Global Operations, Max Siegel, is
the newly named director of the Drive for Diversity program, and will
oversee the initiative through his new sports and entertainment
marketing company, 909 Group.
"After my initial interest in the program, I became
intrigued with the fact that Max Siegel took it over," said Olsen.
"Through his involvement at DEI, he knows what it takes to run this
series. At DEI, they fielded three cars last season. He has a
knowledge and understanding of it from a car-owners perspective and
that was very reassuring. I'm excited to be working with him. More
importantly, I'm excited to be working with Jonathan Smith, who I've
gotten to know quite well over the last couple of years. He's had two
years in the Camping World Series so he knows the tracks and the cars.
I'm confident that we, at Fadden Racing, will put the equipment and
resources under him that will allow him to succeed."
Harry Norcross, who took Olsen to two NASCAR Camping World
Series East Championships, will lead Smith's effort as crew chief.
Smith got his start in racing at Stafford Motor Speedway
in 2006 driving a Late Model. His runner-up finish in the
Rookie-of-the-Year battle caught the attention of Motion Racing's
owner Barney McRae, a veteran driver himself in the NASCAR Camping
World Series East. In his first year on the series and competing
against drivers such as Joey Logano, Sean Caisse, and Mike Olsen,
Smith was able to pull off a 16th place finish in the championship
point standings. Smith's 2008 season was plagued with mechanical
issues and he concluded the season 19th in his sophomore year.
"I'm really excited to be involved with Mike Olsen and
Fadden Racing," Smith said. "I've gone to Mike a lot over the last two
years for advice, and he was always a tremendous asset and willing to
help me out. When the Drive for Diversity program came to me and told
me they were looking for a new team, he immediately came to mind. I
was really happy that they listened to my suggestion and approached
him. I'm even happier that he decided to do it."
Smith, who will be competing for his third season in the
series, together with Fadden Racing are actively seeking sponsorship.
Interested parties may contact Fadden Racing at molsen@together.net.
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