About Driver Development
A leisurely retirement simply isn’t in his future as Bill now embarks on a Driver Development Program to support the careers of upand- coming racers. The world of NASCAR is very different today than when Bill first hit the circuit – it’s more complex, there is more competition, and it’s more expensive than ever. Structuring the program with the right balance of sponsorship and teamwork, Bill hopes to “pay it forward” and give his young racers a strong foundation for success rooted in the family values that made him a champion for the ages.
After three legendary decades on the NASCAR circuit, Bill Elliott now turns his focus to his Driver Development Program, joining other NASCAR teams in an increasingly popular program designed to develop young drivers into tomorrow’s stars. Among the elite racers who are a testament to the program’s success are Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, Reed Sorenson and Joey Logano.
A Driver Development Program typically involves teams signing young drivers to multi-year contracts in which they race in minor-league divisions with the ultimate goal of competing in the majors. Sponsors partner with teams and drivers in the early stages to develop marketing programs as the drivers rise through the ranks – from local, grass-roots racing to national touring series all the way to the NASCAR Cup Series where the best drivers in the world compete each weekend.
The team’s mission is to groom these drivers to become leaders on and off the track; to develop their media skills and allow them to be comfortable in various public situations; to cultivate feedback and communication skills to help them become productive team members; and to provide invaluable seat time in different types of racing equipment as the drivers progress through the ranks of auto racing.
