The BMR Drivers Academy, which has been an evolving story since the program was announced earlier this season, has evolved even further. The driver academy will officially join forces with NASCAR to provide a driver development program.
The NASCAR development program portion of the BMR Drivers Academy, according to a press release, will feature 14 full-time drivers that will compete in 16 two-day race events on the West Coast. The program will ultimately result in opportunities for young drivers in the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
“NASCAR and the ARCA Menards Series are fully committed to strengthening stock car racing on the West Coast. We believe the BMR Drivers Academy will amplify our West Coast efforts and develop future NASCAR and ARCA Menards Series drivers through a competitive environment that will sharpen their skills with real-world racing experience,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR Executive Vice President & Chief Racing Development Officer.
The program officially begins on March 26-27 at All American Speedway for the first of a 40-race schedule.
Every time a driver wins a race in the Drivers Academy during the season, that win will result in one entry towards a drawing for an opportunity with McAnally Hilgermann Racing, who currently fields the No. 19 Toyota Tundra of Derek Kraus, in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Phoenix in November.
The format will also feature ARCA Menards Series starts for the point leader of the Academy after the 14th, 24th and 32nd race in the season. The ARCA starts will come in Bill McAnally Racing equipment, which have helped launch the careers of Cole Custer, Chase Briscoe, Brendan Gaughan, Todd Gilliland, Hailie Deegan and many others over the years.
The driver program will also help train drivers in media relations, sponsorship relations, social media, fitness, leadership development and diet.
Here is the full 2021 BMR Drivers Academy Schedule (races will be streamed live on SPEED SPORT TV):
March 26-27 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA)
April 9-10 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA)
April 23-24 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA)
April 30-May 1 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA)
May 14-15 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA
May 16-17 Thunderhill Raceway (Willows, CA)
May 29-30 Sonoma Raceway (Sonoma, CA)
June 11-12 Irwindale Speedway (Irwindale, CA)
June 25-26 Kern County Raceway Park (Bakersfield, CA)
July 9-10 Kern County Raceway Park (Bakersfield, CA)
July 23-24 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA)
August 13-14 Irwindale Speedway (Irwindale, CA)
August 28-29 Sonoma Raceway (Sonoma, CA)
September 17-18 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA)
September 24-25 Kern County Raceway Park (Bakersfield, CA)
October 1-2 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA)
