While most other sports have been doing it for years, NASCAR announced its first-ever Rookie Orientation program, set to debut in February 2010 in Daytona. The program will target rookies in all three series, including Cup, Nationwide and Truck, as well as drivers under the age of 22 years.
"It's something we've been looking at for the last two or three years," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said. "One thing we realized is all the other leagues do this, and there seems to be a lot of benefit both for the league and their participants."
Poston confirmed that NASCAR reviewed the rookie programs of all of the other major sports, from stick and ball sports to other racing leagues.
"There's a great deal of similarity among them, so ours is a true combination," Poston said.
NASCAR's new Rookie Orientation will focus on the sanctioning body's rules and policies, as well as helping the new drivers adjust to the competition at the sport's highest levels. Dr. Richard Lapchick, a professor at University of Central Florida and Director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports, is scheduled to address the drivers' professional and personal conduct.
NASCAR Chairman Brian France is also on the docket, as well as other NASCAR executives, series directors, medical liaisons, track operators and veteran drivers. Additionally, on the orientation schedule will be Dr. David Black from Aegis Laboratories, who will address NASCAR's substance-abuse policy in detail.
"It's an opportunity to answer questions that the rookies might have," Poston said. "It's also a time to provide an overview of the history of the sport, meet key NASCAR officials, and hear from veteran drivers."
The orientation is scheduled to be one day only, with all of the rookies and young drivers from all series together in one room.
"It's ambitious, yes for sure," Poston said. "We'll go from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and cover a lot of ground."
Poston confirmed that there will also be opportunities for the rookies and NASCAR staff to get to know one another informally.
Paul Harraka, Rookie of the Year in the Camping World West Series and one of NASCAR's up and coming drivers, said that he was excited about NASCAR's new rookie program.
"I think NASCAR definitely has a great concept for their Rookie Orientation program," Harraka said. "I was fortunate enough to hear Dr. Lapchick speak at an event last year and have tremendous respect for him and his work.
"I believe that they will accomplish exactly what they are seeking, to help everyone understand the sport and who NASCAR is."
In addition to the new Rookie Orientation, NASCAR is also reviewing their 18-year-old age limit for the three national series, particularly focusing on the possibility of increasing the age minimum for the Cup Series. Poston advised that this proposal is still in the discussion stages.
"We want to do this to touch base with the drivers that are new to the national series and make sure that they have an opportunity at their very start to get face-to-face with NASCAR executives, to understand the sport and who we are," Poston said. "It's really a welcome to the national series, welcome them to the sport, and also to answer any questions that they have."
