Jessica Helberg Earns Chance to Drive for Diversity

Jessica Helberg Earns Chance to Drive for Diversity
For Immediate Release: Contact: jessicahelberg@helbergmotorsports.com

Helberg Shines During Rookie Season – By Troy Hennig – Chico, CA. 10/19/05…

Eighteen-year-old Petaluma, California sprint car driver Jessica Helberg enjoyed a successful Rookie season in the California Asphalt Sprint Car Association (CASA) Series. During her first year driving in the powerful open wheel pavement sprint car series she finished fifth in the overall point standings. In 16 starts, she posted six top five’s and 14 top-ten finishes. Her youthful drive was recognized by being the youngest driver to join the 100 mph club at Altamont and holds the CASA record for being the youngest driver to set fast time at Ukiah Speedway.

With all of her first-year success, Helberg was invited to join other competitors in the DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY (Access Marketing & Communications) third Driver Testing & Evaluation at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Virginia, on October 17 & 18.

DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY is an ethnic and gender minority driver and crew development program. More than 300 resumes were submitted to Access Marketing & Communications, which manages DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY, for the opportunity to participate during the 2006 season. Helberg is one of only 19 ethnic and gender minority drivers who were selected to attend this year’s combine. Jessica and the other driver candidates are competing for an opportunity to compete in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series with established NASCAR team owners.

NASCAR team owners, DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY officials and racing journalists, attended the combine. Helberg was evaluated through a series of on-track open test sessions in a Late Model Stock Car. She also engaged in off-track exercises including interview sessions to help determine her overall ability and motorsports awareness.

This season Helberg drove the family owned Consani built Chevy, Beast Chassis pavement sprint car. On Thanksgiving, she will join the U.S.A.C. sprint cars at Irwindale Speedway to compete in the famous Turkey Night event. During the season, Helberg has been featured throughout the media. She was a guest on ESPN radio and featured in a segment on Comcast Sports Altamont Speedweek television show. She will be highlighted by Fox Television’s newsmagazine A Current Affair, as an up-and-coming winning female racecar driver later this month.

Jessica Helberg started racing Outlaw Dirt Karts at the age of 12. In 2003, she finished second in the Silver Dollar Speedway Winter Kart Series where she earned accolades as the hardest charging driver. Helberg is excited about the chance to compete with other drivers as she aspires towards her career in Motorsports. For more information, please visit www.helbergmotorsports.com

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