17 year old MMI Driver Dallas Montes has been selected from a field of hundreds of applicants to compete in the 2010 Drive For Diversity Combine presented by Sunoco on Oct. 17-19 in Charlotte N.C. Montes was selected by a group of Nascar industry executives after completing an in depth application that included a racing resume, video explaining why you should be a D4D driver and references.
The Spears SRL Southwest Tour rookie is hoping to secure one of the top 10 spots in order to receive a ride from Revolution Racing for the 2011 season. "I've been working really hard both on and off the track hoping to get a chance to further my career and maybe this is it," said Montes. "Max Siegel has put together a great program at Revolution Racing and there record this year shows that. No matter what it will be a great experience and I've never been to Charlotte so I'm really excited."
If that isn't enough on this young mans plate he also has been testing a K&N West car and competing in the Spears SRL Series full - time. His most recent outing included an 11th place finish at Madera. "We lost the brakes early in the race and I had to adjust my line and just do the best I could, but that happens at times and I'm learning that you just have to try and salvage the best finish you can on nights like that and I wasn't doing that early in the year," said the Frontier High School Senior. " I really feel that the competition level is so high in the tour that it will really help me at the combine. I also need to thank my crew and the rest of the MMI team for helping me get in a West car for at least a few laps before the combine."
Dallas understands that it is a team sport and without the help of MMI and the Bakersfield Jam he wouldn't have the opportunities he has. " Steve McGowan has done so much for my career so far and I hope I can make it in Nascar to pay him back some. All of the guys that help out on both my team and the West team have helped me a ton. I can't believe this is really happening for me."
Dallas is learning a ton on the track, but off the track he is working at Joiner Motorsports 4 to 5 days a week trying to learn more about the workings of a race car. " We are on a tight budget and it is real important for the drivers to know as much as they can about the cars so Dallas has to work at the shop, but to his credit he does without complaint, " said Dad and crew chief Allen Montes." He misses out on some normal high school things, but he knows what the deal is and this Combine is a little reward for his hard work and all that our family goes through to let him race so we are trying to enjoy it and not put too much pressure on him. He knows this is a big deal. I don't have to remind him."
Although it is a select few that are in the 30 drivers selected for the D4D Combine presented by Sunoco, Montes will see a familiar face in Charlotte. Life long friend and fellow SRL rookie Ryan Reed also made the cut. " It is crazy. I ran my first go kart race against him when we were 5 years old and we have raced against each other for 12 years now and here we are going to the combine together," said Montes. " I want to beat him just like everyone else, but I'm always rooting for him to do well. It is gonna be fun."
Montes would like to thank all his support from MMI, Bakersfield Jam, Delaney and Ahlf Diesel, Quality Diesel Electric, Rons Rear Ends, Joiner Motorsports, Finishline Signs and Victory Circle Race Cars. For more info log onto Racingwest.com or visit Dallasmontesracing.com.
