January 28, 2011
By Robert Niedzwiecki
The Winchester Star


WINCHESTER- NASCAR is attaching itself to Sergio Pena for another year.

On Wednesday, NASCAR announced that Pena - a James Wood High School senior - will be a part of its Drive for Diversity program for the second straight year. The eighth-year program is designed for minority and female competitors between the ages of 16 and 25.

Pena, one of 10 drivers in this year's class, will continue to compete for Revolution Racing in NASCAR's K&N Pro Series East.

"I'm excited," Pena said when reached on his cell phone Thursday in Irwindale, Calif., where he was preparing for the Toyota All-Star Showdown, which begins today and continues Saturday. "I'm grateful that they asked me back, and I'm looking forward to competing with Revolution Racing again."

Pena had a strong debut season for Revolution Racing in 2010. He finished 12th overall and had three top 10s during the 10-race season, including a season-best sixth-place finish Aug. 28 in Jefferson, Ga. Pena said he's looking forward to this year's K&N Series season, which is now 12 races and will begin March 26 in Greenville, S.C.

"The drivers on the team have more experience, and we have much better chemistry than last year," Pena said. "We've switched from Chevy to Toyota cars, and Toyota's providing us with everything we could want.

"Hopefully I can go out there and do better than last year."

Pena ended his year by going toe to toe with Danica Patrick at the Dover (Del.) International Speedway in the Sunoco 150, finishing eighth, two spots behind her.

But he made the most noise during his debut race at the very same track he will compete in over the next two days. At last year's Toyota All-Star Showdown K&N Pro Series Race - which is not part of the official K&N season - Pena started on the pole and finished second to Joey Logano, who was fresh off his Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year season.

Pena will not be representing Revolution Racing in this year's K&N Pro Series Race - just like last year, the team is only entering one driver, and it will be Darrell Wallace Jr. this time around.

But Greg Rayl, who owns the RTR Race Talk Radio team, called Pena a couple of weeks ago and offered to sponsor him in this race, allowing Pena a chance to recreate his magic.

"It was just kind of a last-minute thing," Pena said. "It's great. I'm excited for the opportunity."

Pena is one of 49 drivers entered in the race, which will begin at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Pena will also compete in tonight's Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model Race, which starts at 7:15, driving for Position-One Motorsports.

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