Drivers Edge Development

Drivers Edge Development is a driver development program formed in a joint venture between Chevrolet, JR Motorsports and GMS Racing. The program aims to groom the next generation of racing superstars through a tiered competition pipeline coupled with comprehensive off-track education. Participants in the program have options to race in five types of developmental series with entries fielded by the two teams. The tiers include JRM’s regional late model team, GMS’s ARCA and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams, and JRM’s NASCAR Xfinity Series teams. Off the track, drivers have access to a host of programs focusing on their physical, mental and technical development with an emphasis on brand building and support for partner procurement and retention.

The inaugural class of drivers, which was announced on January 24, 2019, were Noah Gragson, John Hunter Nemechek, Zane Smith, Sheldon Creed, Sam Mayer, and Adam Lemke. An ARCA Menards Series driver named Carson Hocevar also joined the organization later on in 2019.

History
Like every manufacturer, Chevrolet understood the need to have a place to find its next NASCAR Cup Series superstar. But the group was still hesitant to get involved in the Drivers Edge Development program jointly put together by GMS Racing and JR Motorsports without first knowing if it was going to be successful.

Now in its third season, however, Chevrolet is fully invested in the program. Earlier this week, the first seminar of the season took place at the GMS shop, part of the program’s off-track education that takes place a few times a year to touch on subjects from media relations to branding and social media.

There were a couple of reasons. Obviously, from a competition standpoint, we’re always looking at how to get the next stars for our Cup program. But that’s difficult. It’s not easy to get there. It takes a lot of money, a lot of time, the right opportunities, sponsorship, and all of that.

It started organically between the teams – GMS and JRM – and they formulated the idea and came to Chevrolet. It took us a little while – we’re switching gears and moving a lot faster today – but this was back in early 2018, and it took us a while to figure out where we fit in as a manufacturer.

To be honest with you, it wasn’t originated by the manufacturer, but we feel it’s going to become an important part of our driver development program. We’ve become fully invested.