A Driver development program is a program used by NASCAR teams to develop younger drivers. It usually consists of a team signing a driver to a multi-year contract in which they run in minor-league racing divisions, (i.e. ARCA, Late Model) and gradually work up to the higher ranks of NASCAR. Some have criticized the contracts as being unfairly long-term and low-paying for the young drivers (who likely don't yet have professional representation from an agent). [1]