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NASCAR calling teen driver from Franklin

Brandi Gray/Contributed photo Sloan Henderson of Franklin has been selected to participate in NASCAR's Drive for Diversity in North Carolina.

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Franklin driver ready to break into NASCAR

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By Greg Billing, Staff Writer Updated 7:05 AM Thursday, October 15, 2009

FRANKLIN — Sloan Henderson can joke about it now, going from horses to horsepower.

Had it not been for that freak accident six years ago — spooked by a deer, her show horse jumped on Henderson, then fell on her — the 17-year-old from Franklin might never have found what really drives her.

Auto racing.

“I was never really into racing, to be honest with you,” said Henderson, who grudgingly tried the sport at her dad’s request. “I thought it was really stupid because I’d watch it on TV and all they did was go around a big track and turn left and occasionally wrecked.”

Now Henderson calls racing “my passion and my life.” These days NASCAR is calling on Henderson. She is among 30 drivers selected to participate in the Drive for Diversity (D4D) combine, where female and minority drivers compete for NASCAR-sponsored rides in developmental series.

Starting Friday, Oct. 16, Henderson will spend five days in North Carolina participating in the second-year program.

Miamisburg’s Megan Reitenour, 18, also was invited. She participated in the first D4D combine and won a ride for the 2009 season, helping her win Rookie of the Year at Tri-County Speedway in Hudson, N.C.

The combine being in North Carolina is a  good sign for  Henderson.

“This is going to sound kind of strange, but North Carolina has always called me,” said Henderson, who has visited the state to race and has formed friendships there. “When I’m down there it feels like home. It feels like where I’m supposed to be. Racing is my passion and my life. It always seems like there’s some reason to go to Carolina.”

Now she’s hoping there’s a reason to stay, too.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2400, ext. 6991 or gbilling@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Megan Reitenour

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Johanna Long of Florida should have be one of the Drive for Diversity drivers. She won the Blizzard Series Super Late Model points championship at Five Flags Speedway. Racing against some of the best Super Late Model Drivers in the country.
http://www.pnj.com/article/20090926...
http://www.johannalong.com/About_Jo...

Ron
12:01 AM, 10/16/2009

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Hank, It's a business and businesses always want to improve the visibility of their product. It is about money. It is also about getting more people involved. Look at what Tiger Woods has done for golf...more and more minorities are playing the game. Not professionally, but at the local level. Does that benefit the PGA? Sure. It also benefits the local golf communities and economies.

Responding to Hank
1:52 PM, 10/15/2009

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WTF is she? A local newspaper has been running a long story about her and I asked my husband, Who is she and why should we care? I checked her website out, she seems to be a very good professional driver. Throws sponsors names out like crazy, but hey, what professional doesn't do that? I don't usually go over 65+ so woo hoo to her for doing something that woman don't normally do and looking fab doing it. I still don't really get it, but shes kicking butt.

mdizzie
1:24 PM, 10/15/2009

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Go get em Sloan!

Evan
12:47 PM, 10/15/2009

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I have watched Sloan get better every week at the track and am excited for her to have this chance. It's a tough and dangerous competition and I respect her efforts! Way to Go Sloan - Good Luck!!

In the Pits Weekly
11:40 AM, 10/15/2009

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