2009 Media Coverage of Nationwide Sponsorship

Earth Times noted that Nationwide Insurance will Sponsor Fast Michael Cherry in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Initiative in the Whelen All American Series for 2009,

Nascar Video - New Release - 2008 Drive For Diversity Team Video

New - Exclusive one-minute video highlighting Fast Cherry's 2008 Season.

Top Ten At the Motor Mile

This weekend was pretty good. I qualified 15th out of 33 cars. I would like to have done better but my guys were great. We had a meet and greet with the fans. I really like meet and greets...you know if it wasn't for my fans, I wouldn't be where I am today.

So I started 15th the race was really racy from the beginning and didn't change to much during the race. I got bumped a few times but I kept my #34 Impala SS under control. I finished 8th. I felt if we had just a few more laps we could of had a top 5. My car was really fast tonight. My team and Car was GREAT!!

You know I haven't made it to victory lane YET but I would like to thank a few people. First off my coach and car owner,Frank Deiny Jr. Thank you for everything you have thought me so far and for giving me such an awesome opportunity to represent our Motorsports Team. Also I would like to thank ALL of my team including the guys back at the shop. Not only are we a team. We are a family.

Next Aaron Smith my crew chief. You have made this transition into asphalt racing a little bit easier for me. And Floyd thank you for maintaining and keeping up on my car each week.

The Drive for Diversity Program - Thank you for giving me the chance to prove myself at the combine this year. I'm so glad NASCAR is involved with such a GREAT program. If it wasn't for the D4D program there would be more than there already is of undiscovered diverse talent in auto racing.

Last but definitely not least - Wendell Scott Jr. Thank you so very much for ALL that you have done for me. I know that your health is a little shaky and you still make it to some of my races. It really means a lot to me. Also having the chance to have met you and be apart of your life. You will always and forever be apart of mine.

A lot of people have asked me what it is like to be driving the #34 this year? And what I thought when Wendell Scott Jr asked me to run his Daddy's number.

First off I am honored. I love the paint scheme too. To me the paint scheme just adds to the number. I have always looked up to Wendell Scott. Even when I was racing BMX. At the time Wendell was racing he wasn't racing to prove a point. He had a passion for the sport, as I do now. When I am out on the track I don't want to be known as "the black guy out there" but as a clean, competitive, respectful race car driver. It just so happens I am black... Just as Wendell Scott. I sure hope I am making Sr and Jr proud.

Honoring Wendell Scott

In 1963, Wendell Scott, drove the No. 34 Chevrolet Impala. He beat the odds by becoming the first African-American to win a race in NASCAR's elite division. In 2008, Michael Cherry is piloting the No. 34 Chevrolet Impala in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va.

The team owner Frank Deiny chose to honor Scott this season. His driver, first year Nascar D4D Drive for Diversity program participant Michael Cherry, has long listed Wendell Scott as his hero. Fast Cherry says his favorite movie is Greased Lightning, the 1977 film that depicts Scott's life. It was only natural for Deiny to have Cherry pilot the No. 34 as a tribute to Scott.

Motormile May 2008 Gallery

One Minute at Motor Mile

Here is a quick video of Michael at Motor Mile.

Motor Mile Race 1 Gallery

Race Number One Update

Wow!! Today couldn't have been better. We got up at 6:00am and had to be at the track by 8:15. It was cold and rainy. The car was unloaded and we waited...and waited..and waited..well finally Michael got to qualify. Out of 29 cars Michael qualified 20th.

All of a sudden it starts to rain. Wendell Scott Jr was suppose to be at the track around noon, but he got there just as it started to rain. We played in the rain a little. Michael and some of the guys actually did the YMCA song on the pitwall!!! It was soo funny I will have pictures up soon!!

Well then we went to eat at Applebees with the team and Wendell Scott Jr. Wow, the stories we were told!! Wendell Scott has definitely paved the way for Michael to race. We made Wendell's day by him seeing Michael's new fire suit! It has "In loving memory of Wendell Scott 34" on it. He said he was as honored as he was when he got the award from the White House. What an honor for Michael for him to say that! Michael even got to talk to Wendell's momma. She sounds like a Dream!! We cant wait to meet her!!

Well its midnight and we have a race tomorrow because we got rained out tonight. I will have a race report up as soon as I can.