CLEVELAND, Ohio — At the end of January during the CompetitionPlus.com Power Hour podcast David H. Davies, owner and primary driver for D.H. Davies Racing spoke about his plans for a driver development program that would extend beyond NHRA national and divisional events.
The first driver to join the program is 16-year-old Madi Turley, also known as Mopar Madi, from Rutledge, Tennessee. Turley is currently campaigning a 2012 Dodge Challenger R/T with plans to move up to Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown class. After high school graduation she hopes to study auto mechanics at Tennessee College of Applied Technology (Morristown).
“I was fortunate to meet Mopar Madi through some mutual Mopar racing friends and once I heard her story, I knew I had to get involved to assist her in pursuing her dream,” said Davies. “I have wanted to build a driver development program for some time and Madi is the first of many drivers who will be a part of the DHDR developmental program. I am talking with several other drivers beyond door-slammer racers. Madi is an amazing young lady and I wanted to give her every advantage to chase her dream.
“She has shown great determination, passion and skill behind the wheel already in her young career.”
Through the DHDR developmental program Turley has been able to connect with E3 Spark Plugs, A.J. Berge and Hemi Tuner for tuning assistance, and Wesley Motorsports for suspension support. Davies is also providing additional support to keep Turley’s program moving forward.
“I have tried just about every sport, but I have always loved drag racing,” said Turley. “Some of my favorite drivers are Clay Millican, Leah Pruett, Matt Hagan, and a lot of the Factory Stock guys like Geoff Turk, Mark Pawuk and of course David Davies. I have been blessed by God and I want to use racing to tell people how fortunate I am. I really shouldn’t be alive, but I am out here racing and following my dream because of God. I can’t thank David Davies enough for giving me this opportunity.”
Turley, how overcame a litany of medical conditions that threatened her life daily following her birth at 24-weeks, will be racing at a variety of events throughout the season primarily focusing on bracket races at Cherokee Race Park, Rockingham Dragway, Beech Bend Raceway, and London Dragway (London, Ky.).
Through the DHDR development program Turley will also be invited to various NHRA national events as her schedule allows.
“My goal with the DHDR developmental program is to encourage young drivers and mechanics to get involved in drag racing and to support them as they pursue their dreams,” Davies said. “We are just getting started and will have more drivers to announce throughout the season. We started conversations at the end of last season and at PRI in December, so things are starting to come together.
“We are excited to announce Madi and this is just the beginning.”
Keyword: Turley Named First DHDR Developmental Driver