Michael Gallegos Drive for Diversity PR Photo

Gallegos signs with Innovative Motorsports as first-time Drive for Diversity SM program participant.

The Drive for DiversitySM  program announced today that NASCAR driver Michael Gallegos has been added to the program's 2005 roster, competing for Innovative Motorsports in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series (NDWS) this season.

Gallegos, a native of WheatRidge, Colo., will race the No. 48 Chevrolet Late Model Stock Car at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C. this year.  In 2004, Gallegos had three solid showings in the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division competing in two events at Colorado National Speedway (Erie, Colo.) and one at Pikes Peak International Raceway (Fountain, Colo.).

"IMI is committed to its involvement with the Drive for DiversitySM initiative and is extremely excited to be working with Mike Gallegos," said George de Bidart, team owner of Innovative Motorsports.  "He is a well rounded young man and has all the attributes necessary to make NASCAR, the sponsors and team all proud to be associated with him in the development stage of his career."

"Drive for DiversitySM has offered me an awesome chance to continue pursing my dreams of racing," said Gallegos.  "(De Bidart) has mentored many young drivers that have successfully come up through the ranks and I am excited to have this opportunity to work with him and the team at Innovative Motorsports."

"We're looking forward to a great season and believe Michael Gallegos is a wonderful addition to the team," said Greg Calhoun, President and CEO of Access Marketing & Communications, which executes Drive for DiversitySM.  "Innovative Motorsports and Drive for Diversity experienced a successful inaugural season together and we look forward to more success throughout the 2005 season."

Access Marketing & Communications/Drive for Diversity:
Drive for DiversitySM is a diverse driver and crew member development program created and managed by Access Marketing & Communications, a Charlotte-based multicultural marketing firm founded in 2003 by The Radiate Group and Calhoun Enterprises.  In 2005, the program will support seven drivers in the NDWS and one driver in the NASCAR Grand National Division and 12 crew members in the NASCAR Busch Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Grand National Division. Drive for DiversitySM is an initial step in a long-term solution to diversify NASCAR's participant and audience base.  For more information, see the program's official website at www.DriveforDiversity.com.

NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series:
The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series takes place at 64 weekly short tracks in the United States and Canada, and is considered the true "grassroots" of NASCAR racing. Drivers include aspiring NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series stars, as well as weekend racers who compete before their hometown fans. Tracks are divided into four regions, offering teams and drivers at each facility a chance to compete for local prizes as well as regional and national championships.