NASCAR picks Las Vegas’ Kayli Barker for diversity program

Kayli Barker puts on her helmet before a practice run at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring. (Las Vegas Review-Journal file photo)

Kayli Barker drives her racecar during a practice run. (Las Vegas Review-Journal file photo)

Kayli Barker at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Photo by Jeff Speer/LVMS)

Kayli Barker (Barker family)

Kayli Barker poses for a photo with LVMS mascot Pit Boss after winning the track championship in NASCAR Super Stocks during the Night of Champions. (Las Vegas Motor Speedway)

Las Vegan Kayli Barker has been selected to participate in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity combine on Oct. 19 to 21 at Hampton, Va.

Barker, 18, is the winningest female driver ever at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring, having recorded 15 career victories. She finished fifth in the NASCAR Super Late Models standings this season.

By going to the combine, the UNLV freshman will hope to earn a spot in the Drive for Diversity program. Another Las Vegan, Jay Beasley, has competed in that program the past two years.

“I’m thrilled, especially since this is something new and different,” Barker said in a release. “I finally got chosen, so it’s a nice little relief. When I first looked at the (acceptance) email, I thought it was probably just saying, ‘Try again next year.’ But I was like, ‘Oh wow, I got picked!’ I was in shock.”