Drag Illustrated Issue 181, March / April 2023 | Page 76

PRODUCTS & PRESS

and performing at a high level , but there ’ s more to being a great racer than just driving skills . The most obvious benefit is the financial investment , and this program offers so much more than that . At any time , our developmental drivers can call upon Tim or Tony and receive guidance from two of the greats . They have a direct line to our front office staff and can consult with them on how to interact with sponsors or ask for advice on things such as putting a marketing deck together , for example . We ’ ve also already held a PR and social media seminar with the group .
“ How a driver conducts themselves off the track is just as important as how they do on , and
JEGS All-Star and NHRA national event champion , will be competing for his third Division 5 Super Stock championship title .
“ This partnership has already opened up doors for me as far as meeting people we probably wouldn ’ t have otherwise met without the JCM team making that connection ,” said Wagner , whose 1968 Chevrolet Camaro graces the current issue of National Dragster . “ Having the support from the Maynards will only help to elevate the program we have been building over these last several years . The goal for right now is to continue to race in the Super Stock category and continue to be successful . Eventually , I ’ d love to get behind the wheel of a Pro

MAYNARDS ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF THE JCM RACING DRIVER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

■ NHRA team owners Joe and Cathi Maynard are pleased to announce the launch of the JCM Racing Driver Development program . In addition to its two Camping World Series entries piloted by Tony Schumacher and Tim Wilkerson , JCM Racing will lend support to three up-and-coming speedsters in 2023 . Junior drag racer Waylon Bennett , 10 , Super Comp driver Kayleigh Hill , 21 , and Super Stock racer Wyatt Wagner , 21 , make up JCM Racing ’ s inaugural class of developmental drivers .
The JCM Racing Driver Development program was created to offer young racers the opportunity
to hone in and perfect their driving and sponsor relation skills as they work towards a career of competing in the NHRA ’ s professional ranks . While JCM Racing developmental drivers receive funding to help offset their operational costs , Joe Maynard believes that the true value of the program lies within the access the developmental drivers have to the JCM Racing team and its resources .
“ It ’ s important to us to help the next generation of racers ,” explained Maynard . “ We ’ re here for the long haul and are committed to the growth of this sport . Our developmental drivers are the future , so we want to keep them on the track
we want to set our developmental drivers up with a solid foundation as they advance in their young careers ,” added Maynard . “ But , make no mistake ; this is not a sponsorship , it is an opportunity . The goal is for these young folks to become as well-rounded as possible . This isn ’ t a direct pipeline to a seat in a JCM Camping World Series car , rather it ’ s an incredible opportunity to learn . They have all of the tools at their disposal , and it ’ s up to them to make the most out of it .”
With support from JCM , Bennett , the 2022 Division 2 champ , will continue to make waves in the Jr . Drag Racing League in 2023 . Hill , a four-time race winner who has previously found success in the Stock Eliminator and Jr . Dragster categories , will make her Super Comp debut on the Division 5 circuit , while Wagner , a two-time
Stock car but I ’ m taking it one step at a time , and it feels good to know I have the support from JCM as I work towards that long-term goal .”
While the developmental driver roster is set for 2023 , the program will open up to new candidates at a date to be announced later in the year . Starting with the 2024 class , new inductees into the program will be limited to Jr . Drag Racing League competitors , and the program will support up to one Jr . driver per division . Additional information regarding how to apply for the 2024 JCM Racing Driver Development program will be announced via the team ’ s social channels , so interested candidates should be sure to follow @ JCMNitro on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram . Potential applicants should refrain from contacting JCM Racing about the program until further instructions have been provided .
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