Riding for Bill McAnally Racing and Sponsored by Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, Hernandez Earns Second Checkered Flag of Season

Drive for Diversity driver Peter Hernandez captured his second NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series victory of the season at Stockton 99 Speedway in Stockton, Calif. on Saturday night. With the victory, Hernandez, driver of the No. 20 Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Chevrolet, closed the gap on the current points leader and now stands only 45 points out of first place.

"We were on fire tonight!" Hernandez said. "I'm very happy to get our second win for our team and sponsor, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service."

Drive for Diversity (D4D) is a program that connects talented ethnic and gender minority drivers and crew members with established NASCAR teams and sponsors. The program, which is endorsed as NASCAR's leading on-track diversity initiative, is committed to creating a pipeline for talented ethnic and gender minority drivers and pit crew members. This year the program has eight drivers competing in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series.

"Pete has done an outstanding job," said team owner Bill McAnally. "Stockton 99 Speedway is a very difficult track to race at. Pete is at the top of his game. If a driver can win at this quarter-mile racetrack, he can race anywhere. We are coming up on a double-points race. The race for the championship is tight and Pete isn't far out of the top spot. He's definitely in contention to win the track championship."

"We felt confident that once Peter tasted the thrill of victory, it wouldn't be long before he made his second trip to the winner's circle," said Bryan Kryder, program director of Drive for Diversity. "Congratulations to the entire Bill McAnally/Richard Childress Racing Development program."

Hernandez, of Blue Island, Ill., competed in the Mid-American Stock Car Series in 2005, finishing first with 14 top-five finishes. He will continue the 2006 season, competing for Bill McAnally Racing, at Stockton (Calif.) Speedway.