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2018 Pro Late Model Rookie of the Year Lands a Spot in Drive for Diversity Combine

The 2018 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Pro Late Model Rookie of the Year has been selected to try-out for the most prestigious NASCAR Driver Development program in the United States. 12 of the most promising drivers coming from diverse backgrounds are selected each year for the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program. Notable drivers such as Darrell (Bubba) Wallace Jr., Daniel Suarez and Kyle Larson rode the Drive for Diversity program straight into the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series. This year, Ryu Taggart, originally from Okinawa Japan, has been selected to try out for the program at the young age of 17-years-old.
Ryu’s racing career started in Okinawa Japan at a young age racing the local kart tracks. While in Japan, he won six Championships and placed third in the Red Bull Kart Fight where he competed against the top kart drivers from countries around the world. Ryu moved from Okinawa to Jefferson City Missouri in 2016 and just one year later his stock car racing career began. In 2017, Ryu raced USRA B- Modifieds at Lake Ozarks Speedway and earned a feature win and a trophy dash win. This past year, Ryu took his talents to the asphalt on the High Banks of Lebanon I-44 Speedway. Ryu Taggart and the Prison Brews, Diamond Pet Food, Millard Family Racing Pro Late Model had a spectacular season. Ryu finished 4th in the Championship and was crowned the 2018 Pro Late Model Rookie of the Year at Lebanon I-44 Speedway.
Taggart’s dream has always been to make it to the NASCAR National Series level and he now has the opportunity to make one more step towards his dream. Each year, Rev Racing and the Drive for Diversity program select 12 drivers to attend a combine at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida. The drivers will compete against each other both on and off the track testing their public speaking skills, cognitive skills as well as driving skills. This year, around 400 drivers applied for a spot at the combine and Ryu was one of the 12 drivers selected. After the combine, four drivers will be selected to move to Mooresville, NC and race full-time in the NASCAR K&N East Series in a fully-funded team. “I cannot thank my friends, family, and fans enough for supporting and believing in me to help me get to this level. This is an incredible opportunity that I hope to make the most of,” added Taggart. Ryu leaves for the combine this Saturday, October 20th.
Be sure to find Ryu Taggart Racing on Facebook and wish him luck! Continue to watch Lebanon I-44 Speedway’s Facebook page and website at i44speedway.net as we will be posting updates on Ryu’s progress as he tries to secure a K&N Pro Series ride!
By Dylan Bates

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