On Friday Afternoon, Reaume Brothers Racing officially announced the formation of the organization’s brand-new driver development program, which will allow participants to contest multiple events across the Carolina Pro Series and NASCAR Advanced Auto Parts Weekly Series throughout the racing season.
The program’s inaugural drivers, 20-year-old Stephen Mallozzi and 24-year-old Jonathan Cuevas, are both employees of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series organization, and will look to capitalize on this opportunity to catapault them into the ranks of NASCAR’s top-three series for years to come.
After networking with individuals within the industry, Mallozzi made the monumental decision to move to Mooresville, North Carolina in hopes of chasing his dream to become a driver in NASCAR’s top-three series. The Swedesboro, New Jersey-native then put in contact with Josh Reaume, owner of Reaume Brothers Racing, who immediately assisted Mallozzi in finding his way.
“It’s a dream come true,” says Mallozzi. “I went from retired with no prospect of returning to racing, and now, I’m running with some of the best stock car drivers in the country for one of the hardest working, best teams out there. Without Josh and the guys at RBR, my career would be over”.
The 20-year-old got a late start to his racing career, not sitting in a go-kart until he was nine years old. From that point, Mallozzi was able to capture multiple Northeast Karting Championships, while also finishing on the National Podium three times across various divisions and venues. However, his racing career hit a bump, after receiving the news that his father had been diagnosed with stage four non-small cell lung cancer, and was given six months to live. Much like his father did for him and his racing career, Mallozzi went on a hiatus from racing to be alongside his father as he fought cancer.
Jonathan Cuevas has been an employee with Reaume Brothers Racing for nearly four years, serving as a foundational piece for the organization since its incpetion. Now, after doing everything from interiors to vinyl wrapping, the 24-year-old can now add “Driver” to his long-list of roles for the organization.
Not being able to afford the substantial cost of racing growing up, Cuevas elected to attend a trade school in Phoenix, Arizona, where he would then attempt to work himself into the industry. After graduating from school, he made the decision to pack his bags and move to North Carolina, where he would eventually become employed by Reaume Brothers Racing.
“I had nothing” says Cuevas. “It was literally just me, my rundown sedan, and all the clothes I could fit in the backseat. I never thought I would make it this far. Having this opportunity is unreal.”
Having the opportunity to assist drivers struggling to find opportunities in NASCAR brings great joy to team owner, Josh Reaume, who cites the help that he received on his way to becoming a mainstay driver and team owner in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
“I feel it’s my duty to pay it forward in the same way others did for me. At the same time I believe there is a void in Motorsports as a whole currently. Teams need to step up and begin to search and development talent without the number one priority being that of funding” says Reaume. “Both Jonathan and Stephen bring an abundance of positive energy and passion to this team and I’m thrilled to have them on board”.
Mallozzi will be the first driver to compete in the Reaume Brothers Racing Driver Development Program on Saturday July 17 at Florence Motor Speedway, with his schedule set to include a number of NASCAR Advanced Auto Parts Weekly Series throughout the remainder of the racing season. An additional announcement containing race dates for Cuevas, will be forthcoming.
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