Kodak Names New Driver for NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program

Kodak Names New Driver for NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program

Eastman Kodak Company today announced it will sponsor Chris Bristol of High Point, N.C. in the Drive for Diversity® driver development program, which is endorsed as NASCAR’s leading on-track diversity initiative. Bristol will pilot the No. 99 Kodak Chevrolet for Ken Schrader Racing in the 2006 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series.

Bristol, a native of Columbus, Ohio, was chosen after qualifying in the annual Drive for Diversity Testing and Evaluation Combine, where potential drivers compete for opportunities in the Drive for Diversity program. Kodak has sponsored a team in Drive for Diversity since the program began in 2004.

Terms of the sponsorship were not disclosed.
Bristol earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University in 1999. He began his racing career at age 11, competing in 80cc motocross cycling events sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association. A veteran of the NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series, Bristol joined the Joe Gibbs/Reggie White Driver Development Program in 2004, earning Rookie of the Year honors in Caraway’s Late Model Stock Car Division. In 2005, he became the first African-American to win a race and lead the point standings at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway, earning three victories, 15 top 10 finishes, and three pole positions during the track’s 17-race season. “Drive for Diversity is a terrific ‘next step’ in my racing career, and Ken Schrader’s guidance from years of Nextel Cup racing experience is a real benefit to my development as a driver,” said Bristol. “I’m excited to have Kodak as my sponsor, and we’re looking forward to doing great things together in the Dodge Weekly Series.”

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