RACING/DRIVING SCHOOL LINKS
RACING JOB LINKS and NEWS
SEMINARS, SCHOLARSHIP
What is this page all about?
Racing/Motorsports [usually only Cup, Nationwide and Cup teams, race tracks, etc] Job Listings
It has links and stories to Racing, Driving, Seminars, Mechanic and Engineering Schools
and info on Motorsports Seminars...etc
that deal with racing or stock cars....only
GUIDELINES for POSTING: I do NOT post drivers / or crews who are looking for work. Each job post will be up for approx a month or until the team [Cup, Nationwide and Trucks] wishes it pulled, I will post the same job post twice and that is it. The is a free service and a favor, am under no obligation to post stuff for anyone. The team must be mentioned, with email and or phone/fax number. I only post for NASCAR Cup, Busch and Trucks, no other series. Thanks
- DRIVER DEVELOPMENT: a Driver Devopment/Diversity News Page, with a list of Cup, Nationwide, Truck teams and their development drivers, not posting bios or stuff like that, just some news, links and lists
only post a driver if they are official involved with a CUP, NATIONWIDE or TRUCK team...not drivers looking to be involved
Cup, Nationwide, Truck, Tracks, Interns etc,.. Jobs Available
- MacDonald Motorsports, #81 in the Nationwide Series is currently looking to fill three positions witin their organization. The positions open are a Lead Engineer, and two fabricator/mechanics. Qualified applicants can send their respected resumes' to macdonaldmotorsports@yahoo.com.(7-16-2008)
- Students!! Are you looking for an internship where you can work and have fun doing what you love? We have the perfect opportunity for you if you are a race-fan!!? Do you collect diecast? Are you into NASCAR and LOVE the internet? Motorsports Authentics in Concord, NC seeks a WEB Intern. Come learn a dynamic and fun industry with motorsports! This intern position will have the opportunity to act as a critical member of our marketing team by:
* Maintaining and managing photo submissions
* Being a blog and chat administrator and participant
* Using your NASCAR knowledge to lead discussion and topic content
* Using your passion with collecting diecast to educate our consumers
Must have experience with Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office and Microsoft FrontPage. WEB CONTENT SAVVY A MUST!
Our internships are paid $7.00 per hour; plus receive college credit. Internships are usually 8-12 weeks, depending on need. We will evaluate
relationship after 8 weeks.
Motorsports Authentics, Inc. is the leader in the design, promotion, marketing and distribution of licensed motorsports merchandise. The
company's products include a broad range of motorsports-related die-cast replica collectibles, apparel, souvenirs and other sports-inspired
memorabilia. Motorsports Authentics markets and distributes product through a variety of channels including their Authorized Dealer network, the Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA), QVC, GoRacing.com, Trackside at racing events, direct corporate promotions, mass retail and department stores, specialty dealers and select online retailers.
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter indicating your career goals to:
y Brands
Julie Shaw
Human Resources Manager
Motorsports Authentics
6301 Performance Drive
Concord, NC 28027
jshaw@motorsports-authentics.com
(No Phone Calls Please)(7-10-2008)
- Fastenal Intern with Ganassi: Fastenal Company, sponsor of the Nationwide Series #40 Dodge Charger, is now accepting applications from automotive trade students for a special one-week internship program with its racing partner, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS), a premier NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series team. The internship begins on October 26th, when two selected students will travel to CGRFS's state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Concord, NC, to work with the #40 crew during day-to-day activities-from testing and tuning to fabrication and paint-in preparation for the team's November 1st race at Texas Motor Speedway. The interns will then travel to Texas and join the crew in the pits to support the #40 car during the race. (The #40 car's designated primary driver is reigning Indy 500 and IRL points champ Dario Franchitti, with Reed Sorenson, Kevin Hamlin and Scott Pruett slated to take the wheel for select races.)
This marks the second year that Fastenal has offered an internship through its racing program. Last year, Kyle Paulson (Vincennes University, IN) and Jaysen Delpierre (Des Moines Area Community College, IA) enjoyed a successful internship with Fastenal's former racing team partner, Bobby Hamilton Racing, which competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Applications will be accepted from February 15th through August 31st, 2008, and selected applicants will be notified by mid-September. All qualified applicants will be evaluated based on their academic records and personal essays. To qualify, applicants must be 18 or older; graduate from a U.S.-based technical school between December 1st, 2007 and August 31st, 2008 with a degree in the automotive trade; and pass at least two ASE tests prior to August 31st, 2008.
To apply, visit www.fastenal.com/content/education, www.chipganassiracing.com, or www.ase.com.
For questions or assistance, contact educationsales@fastenal.com. To learn more about Fastenal's people, products and services, visit fastenal.com.(3-19-2008)
College Jobs, Seminars, Racing School, Scholarship News
- Motorsports Race Scout offers new opportunities: Motorsports Race Scout (MRS) is the new way to become involved in
the Pit Crew world. Whether you are looking to become part of a Pit Crew, or if you are a racing team looking for Pit Crew members, MRS provides the easiest and most effective way of achieving your goals. MRS is the only company to provide combines which collect and verify data that can be sent to and used by all NASCAR and Indy Car race teams. This data will be accurate, professional, and clean and will be on the most athletic, talented, and driven individuals. Once taken, the data will be uploaded to a database at motorsportsracescout.com, where every racing team in the industry will be able to review it. After registering and participating in a combine, the individual will have a "testing resume" and profile online. The first place racing teams will go when searching to fill Pit Crew vacancies or new talent is the database. There will be four combines held every year. Some race teams may attend the MRS Combines to scout first hand, as most racing teams are located within a 20-mile radius of the combines. The combines this year will be held at the Charlotte Sports Center in Charlotte, NC. The dates include August 25th, October 10th, and December 8th.
MRS was founded by Robert B. Walker, whose resume includes 20 years of Sports Marketing and Athlete Representation experience. Robert is also an NFL agent and CEO of a comprehensive sports management firm, US Sports. He has helped some of his NFL clients make it in NASCAR, including a member of the 2008 Pit Crew Challenge Champions. Ryan DiNunzio, co-founder of MRS, is the Director of Client Development and Marketing for US Sports; as a former NCAA Division I coach, he fully understands the challenges and pitfalls of the
recruiting process, providing MRS with tremendous insight and direction. Motorsports Race Scout gives athletes another place to go and perform at the highest level after a collegiate and/or professional careers. Motorsports Race Scout was born to provide a recruiting resource to the motorsports world using tried and proven methods from the other major professional sports in the United States. To register for the MRS combine or to view the online database, visit www.motorsportsracescout.com. The cost for a profile is $175 per combine
attended. Profiles and scores are valid for one year from the date of the Combine.(8-5-2008)
- DST (Driver's Support Team)is currently looking for front tire changers, front carriers as well as jackmen for various different teams in the Nationwide Series, qualified candidates should contact DST at 704-660-8838 to set up night try outs.(7-21-2008)
- NASCAR and UTI Foundation Establish Brienne Davis Scholarship Fund: Recognizing there are many women interested in pursuing careers in the automotive industry, NASCAR and the UTI Foundation established the Brienne Davis Scholarship Fund for women seeking an automotive technical education. Davis, a Universal Technical Institute (UTI) graduate and NASCAR Sprint Cup official, died tragically earlier this year at age 28, and is honored by this scholarship created to encourage women to seek a career in the automotive industry. The Brienne Davis Scholarship Fund is intended to provide an opportunity for a qualified female student who wishes to attend the NASCAR Technical Automotive Program at the UTI’s NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, N.C. Each year a $10,000 scholarship will be presented to one student to attend NASCAR Tech. Criteria and application information for this scholarship is available on the UTI Foundation website at www.utifoundation.net. The inaugural scholarship was made possible by proceeds raised through an online auction of the NASCAR Performance Show Car during The NASCAR Foundation’s initiatives for NASCAR Day 2008. The NASCAR Foundation started NASCAR Day five years ago to bring together fans, corporations, schools and organizations to raise money for others who need it most. At this year’s event, NASCAR enthusiasts were invited to make monetary contributions and bid on the NASCAR Performance Show Car donated to The NASCAR Foundation by NASCAR’s Automotive Aftermarket Department. Every dollar of the $16,000 winning bid for the car has been designated for the Brienne Davis Scholarship Fund. Future years of the program will rely on funding through charitable contributions made to the UTI Foundation and The NASCAR Foundation. Those interested in contributing to the fund should go the www.utifoundation.net or www.nascar.com/foundation.(NASCAR PR)(7-4-2008)
- 3rd Annual NASCAR Driver Development Clinic: Mike Calinoff's third annual NASCAR Driver Development Clinic is officially scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008, at Fitz Motorsports in Mooresville, N.C. The clinic is an all-day event split into three segments - Driver Development, Mastering the Media, and Grassroots Sponsorship. Each segment will feature its own list of distinguished panelists specific to the field. An all-star lineup of NASCAR drivers including Kyle Busch, David Stremme, Reed Sorenson, Bryan Clauson and Michael McDowell have already been confirmed as panelists. Driver development representatives from NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series, and Craftsman Truck Series teams will be featured as panelists in addition to distinguished media, marketing, and business management specialists. Calinoff is a NASCAR spotter who has spotted for Matt Kenseth, David Stremme, and currently Dario Franchitti. He has been organizing motorsports seminars and clinics for nearly 10 years. The Driver Development Clinic was conceived to help educate young drivers and their families as to what the proper and necessary steps are in advancing their careers. The clinic provides answers to the questions many aspiring racers and their families have, both through seminar sessions and personal conversation with the panelists. In past years, the clinic has attracted young drivers currently racing in nearly all forms of motorsports including late models, modifieds, sprint cars, midgets, legends cars, go-karts, and quarter midgets - both dirt and asphalt.
The price for attending this year's clinic is $300 per person (parent or driver). A complimentary lunch is offered and refreshments will be available throughout the day. Registration opens at 8 a.m. while the first seminar begins at 10 a.m. Additional panelists will be named at a later date. For more information, contact (704) 664-1755 or visit driverdevelopmentclinic.com.(6-17-2008)
- Toyota & MWR team up for diversity apprenticeship: Toyota Motor Sales and Michael Waltrip Racing have joined forces to offer a one year apprenticeship to a deserving diversity graduate of Toyota’s Technician Training and Education Network (T-TEN) program. The selected diversity candidate will be relocated to North Carolina and placed in a technical position within the MWR organization, directly involved with the teams’ NASCAR participation. The candidate will have a strong technical background and will be assigned to a specific department within the MWR race shop, depending on the winner’s skill set. The application process, including pre-screening and final candidate selections will be administered by Educational Testing Service’s Scholarship & Recognition Programs (SRP) beginning immediately.(MWR PR) More info on my Driver Development News page.(5-23-2008)
- Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills: Some of the nation's best young automotive technicians, as identified during the 59th annual Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition, will spend a week with Roush Fenway Racing, learning about the team at the shop and at the track. David Ragan, driver of the #6 AAA Ford Fusion, and Jack Roush, Roush Fenway Racing team owner, were among those participating in a press conference about the program at Talladega Superspeedway on Friday. The competition is the largest competition for high school automotive technology students in the country. The 2008 National Finals will be held at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., on June 24. The grand prize is going to be to a two-person team. The prize will include an opportunity to job shadow David Ragan's pit crew in Concord, North Carolina, and then to fly with the team to the Joliet Sprint Cup race on the weekend on July 12th.(Ford Racing)(4-26-2008) Comment here
- Community college hires a Motorsports Coordinator: The huge presence of motorsports in Iredell County [NC] is impacting Mitchell Community College, too. The college has hired Hope Smith as Motorsports Coordinator for the Small Business Center, based in Mooresville, NC. Smith will focus on assessing the motorsports community's needs, such as training, and implementing programs and seminars in conjunction with local organizations and those within the motorsports industry, which is one of the fastest growing industries in Iredell County. Smith will also work with small business owners on networking and developing business plans. She was formerly a manager with Lowe’s Companies, Inc. in Mooresville.(Mooresville Tribune)(4-10-2008)
- Coronado High school students gain on-the-job training through racing: Thanks to a new program, students at Coronado High School in Las Vegas are learning what it's like to operate a real-life NASCAR race team. During the 2008 school year, the students will apply the skills they are learning in technical career classes to develop Team Coronado Racing with the goal of operating a Super Late Model race team at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's 3/8-mile asphalt oval, the Bullring. See the full PR at LVMS.com.(1-30-2008)
Job Listings from Job Services [fee usually involved]
none at the moment
more news ...below the links.....
COLLEGE PROGRAMS
NASCAR Technical Institute
University of NC at Charlotte - Motorsports Engineering
Belmont Abbey College/Motorsports Management, Belmont, NC
Central Piedmont Community College
Clemson University Motorsports Engineering Program
Greenville (SC) Technical College
University of Northwestern, Lima, OH, High Performance Motorsports
Patrick Henry Community College, Martinsville, VA
Rowan Cabarrus Community College, Motor Sports Management
VIPER - Virginia Institute for Performance Engineering and Research
CAMPS for KIDS
CAMP MOTORSPORTS - VIR
SCHOLARSHIP/GRANT INFO
The Alan Kulwicki Memorial Scholarship
Automotive Training Center
Dale Earnhardt Legend Leadership Award
DIVERSITY PROGRAMS
Drive For Diversity
NASCAR Diversity Internship Program
UPS Diversity
Urban Youth Racing School
TRAINING/MECHANIC PROGRAMS
NASCAR Technical Institute
ATC - Auto Training Center, Exton, PA
Crewschool.com / Stock Car Racing Career Development - Chuck Bown
Hedgecock Racing Academy
Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills
Jim Russell Mechanics Training Program
Lincoln Tech
Nashville Auto-Diesel College
School of Automotive Machinists
Universal Technical Institute
DRIVING/RACING/PIT CREW
SCHOOL LINKS
5 Off 5 On Jeff Hammond
Mario Andretti Racing School and Jeff Gordon Racing School
Bertil Roos Racing School
Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving
Bridgestone/Firestone Racing Academy
The Buck Baker Racing School
CART Driving 101
C.A.R.S. - Complete Auto Racing School
Competitive Edge Racing School
Cup Team Adventures
Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure
Derek Daly Performance Driving Academy
Dirt Track Racing School
DriveTech Racing School
Drive to Victory Lane Racing School, Ken Bouchard
Driving 101 - "World's Fastest Driving Experience"
DST - Driver's Support Team
Endurance Karting
Fast Track Racing School, Andy Hillenburg
Finish Line Racing
Frank Hawley's Race Training Center, Irwindale
Full Throttle Racing Academy, Mooresville, NC
International Motorsports Academy
Mario Andretti Racing School and Jeff Gordon Racing School
Jim Russell Racing School
Jimmy Sills School of Open Wheel Racing
Kaminski Racing School
Monster Racing Driving School, Dover, DE
Billy Pauch Racing School
Proformance Racing
Race On Driving Experience
Racing Experience
The Racing School
Richard Petty Driving Experience
Skip Barber Racing School
SpeedTech Auto Racing School
StockCar Racing Experience, Pocono
Sutton Stock Car Racing School
Team O'neil Car Control Center
Team Texas (TMS)
Tracktime - Mike Calinoff
Turn One Motorsports
Urban Youth Racing School
SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS
Getting Into Racing
RACING JOBS/RESUMES/CLASSIFIED AD/MISC SITES
Motorsports Race Scout
some of these are require payment for services/ads
have heard good and bad, have no preference or recommendations
MyRacingResume
Pro Motorsports Employment
Race Crew Jobs
Race City Resumes
Racing Secrets
Racing Job
Racing Jobs
Workerkamper - Motorsports Jobs
MORE NEWS/INFO
- Motorsports Boarding School in North America Formed: VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) and Carlisle School formally announce the formation of The Academy of Motorsports. An unofficial announcement occurred at the World Karting Association's KartFest 2008 at the end of January. The Academy is to become the first motorsports boarding school in North America. The partnership combines the motorsports assets of Southern Virginia with the private education of Carlisle School, an International Baccalaureate World School. In a curriculum developed specifically with students in grades 7 and above in mind, this program initially focuses on driver development and education, but will quickly expand to include engineering and other facets of the motorsports business. Capitalizing on existing resources and partnerships with Virginia Tech, Old Dominion University and local community colleges, The Academy students will have access to cutting edge research and engineering programs. Students obtain hands-on, behind-the-wheel time on the tracks of VIR, South Boston Speedway and Martinsville Speedway. Education also takes place on Old Dominion University's chassis and engine dynamometers and at the Virginia Institute for Performance Engineering and Research (VIPER). In this partnership, Carlisle School provides the college preparatory curriculum, including AP or IB courses, to ensure students are ready for further academic study in a college or university. Carlisle School boasts a 100% four-year college acceptance rate. The Academy students will have the same academic standards as the traditional Carlisle students. Students of The Academy will live in boarding facilities near Carlisle School's main campus in Axton, Virginia. The Academy is accepting students for Fall 2008. For more information about The Academy, visit www.TheAcademyofMotorsports.org or call 276.632.7288 x225.(2-21-2008)
- StockCar Racing Experience at Pocono Raceway - COT and HANS: NASCAR fans are always looking for the most realistic Racing Experience to take part in. Well if you are one of those fans and you would like to be one of the first to drive a Car of Tomorrow knowing you have the added safety of the HANS Device, rejoice ! StockCar Racing Experience will have 5 Cars of Tomorrow in 2008 and will also provide the added protection of the HANS Device for all Drivers and Riders. The Sprint Cup drivers will have to wait until the Pocono 500 on June 8th to take their first laps around the Tricky Triangle in a Car of Tomorrow but NASCAR fans can start on Sat March 29. The entire 2008 schedule along with an explanation of all the Drive and Ride programs can be seen at www.877stockcar.com. StockCar Racing Experience at Pocono Raceway is also the best value on the market. You will get more miles of driving around the 2.5 mile Superspeedway for your dollar than any other Driving School in the country. StockCar Racing Experience is in its 10th year of operation and has recently passed 1.4 million miles around Pocono Raceway. Their fleet of 18 Sprint Cup cars are ready for their biggest and most exciting season yet which will run from March 29th until October 29th. If you would like more information about these and all the other programs that StockCar Racing Experience offers at Pocono Raceway please contact Sally Slota, Group and Corporate Administrator ext # 226 or Steve Fox General Manager/Chief Instructor ext # 222 at 1-877-STOCKCAR.(StockCar Racing Experience PR)(12-29-2007)
- UTI/Star Motorsports Launch Scholorship Program at NTI: In an effort to promote diversity and multi-cultural inclusion throughout the motor sports industry, Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Foundation and STAR Motorsports LLC are launching Star Track Scholarship Program to provide scholarships throughout 2008 for students attending UTI’s NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech) in Mooresville, NC. Star Motorsports LLC is a worldwide comprehensive motor sports, entertainment and lifestyle company. Through its Educational and Developmental Division, Star Track, Star Motorsports is offering five scholarships to qualifying students starting in January 2008 at NASCAR Tech and five more throughout the year. NASCAR Tech, a division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc., has an exclusive educational alliance with NASCAR. NASCAR Tech is the only school of its kind that combines UTI’s automotive training and a NASCAR-approved technologies curriculum into one program. After completing the core curriculum, students can go on to learn the basics of engine construction, chassis fabrication, NASCAR racing theory principles, rules and regulations and Pit Crew. Applications will be available online at the UTI Foundation web site, www.utifoundation.net. Selections will be made by the UTI Scholarship committee.(PR)(11-9-2007)
- DEI Motorsports Scholarship Winner Named: William Bostic knew what he wanted to do when he grew up the first time a teacher asked him that question in the third grade. “We were told to choose a career that was something we would enjoy doing every day, and I knew racing was for me,” he said. For Bostic, the answer was motorsports then and the answer is motorsports now. The soon-to-be-senior in mechanical engineering says he aspires to be an engineer for a NASCAR team or work as an engineer in an automotive or motorsports-related industry. Tuesday’s announcement that he is the first recipient of Clemson University’s Dale Earnhardt Motorsports Scholarship moves Bostic one step closer to his goal. With two industry internships to his credit and a better than B-plus average, Bostic has proven his work ethic and his focus on his career goals. He has earned a spot on the dean’s list every semester of his undergraduate career except one and is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Theta Tau professional engineering fraternity and Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternity. In his spare time, the Eagle Scout works on the Clemson SAE Mini-Baja car. In addition to being awarded the scholarship, Bostic is spending his summer as an intern at Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s Mooresville, N.C., headquarters. Clemson mechanical engineering department chairmain Imtiaz Haque praised Bostic as an outstanding student who will represent Clemson engineering well.(DEI site)(8-4-2007)
- Clemson University, DEI form motorsports innovation partnership: Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) Tuesday became Clemson University’s first Motorsports Innovation Partner, providing the company preferred access to faculty, students, facilities and equipment related to motorsports and automotive research. DEI Chief Executive Officer Teresa Earnhardt and Clemson University President James F. Barker signed a memorandum of understanding to create the formal research and higher education partnership. Initially, the unique partnership will be driven by proprietary motorsports engineering research projects involving Clemson University faculty, researchers and graduate students, along with the funding of student scholarships and internship opportunities. The Dale Earnhardt Foundation will fund an annual undergraduate scholarship honoring the memory of Dale Earnhardt Sr. for students interested in motorsports and automotive engineering. Clemson officials have selected William Howard Bostic III of Sissonville, West Virginia, as the first recipient of the Dale Earnhardt Motorsports Scholarship. Bostic is a rising senior majoring in mechanical engineering. (See related story.) The Dale Earnhardt Foundation will provide $13,000 annually for a total minimum pledge of $39,000 to establish a three-year undergraduate scholarship for a student in the College of Engineering and Science. In addition, students selected to receive the scholarship will be eligible for internships with DEI. Teresa Earnhardt said the relationship with Clemson is in keeping with the missions of both DEI and the Dale Earnhardt Foundation to foster education and to assure that the company and the motorsports industry will benefit from highly motivated, technically competent leaders and employees in the future. “The work to create the relationship that formally begins today started more than a year and a half ago,” said Earnhardt. “That investment in time and effort has produced a partnership with unlimited potential. In Clemson’s International Center for Automotive Research, we have the resources of a world-class institution with the capability and commitment to help us develop technical innovations that will continue the winning tradition of Dale Earnhardt Inc.” She said, “I have no doubt that the work of Clemson University and Dale Earnhardt Inc. will produce remarkable results and years from now will be considered the model for how a racing organization and a research university can collaborate for the sake of progress. The partnership also provides a great match for the mission of The Dale Earnhardt Foundation. The Dale Earnhardt Motorsports Scholarship will support the education of deserving students and it will be these motivated, talented individuals who will continue the legend.”
Clemson is recognized as a leader in motorsports and automotive engineering education. Its undergraduate program in mechanical engineering offers students real-world experiences through a competitive curriculum augmented by a cooperative education and internship program. Students also can compete in two automotive design projects: SAE Mini-Baja and Formula SAE through the Society of Automotive Engineers. The Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center at the CU-ICAR campus in Greenville, S.C., offers the nation’s only master’s and doctoral graduate degree programs in automotive engineering and unique research and testing resources.(clemson.edu)(8-1-2007)
- Race Themed School to open in Las Vegas: A new, auto racing-themed elementary school is opening in Las Vegas in August. The school's official name will be "Dr. C. Owen Roundy Elementary School," and the students have chosen "Roundy Racers" as the school's nickname and also have selected a racing-themed logo to represent them. The décor of the school will be racing themed and the halls will be filled with display cases (that they hope to fill with racing items). They also are planning racing-themed field trips and assemblies. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be in late August (date TBA).(LVMS PR)(6-7-2007)
- Higher education fills need for speed: Colleges and universities are feeling NASCAR's need for speed. Institutions are expanding motorsports-related degree programs to meet the demand for high-skilled workers on racing teams and throughout the industry.
The trend is especially apparent in the Charlotte region, considered the cradle of the sport and host to Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Consider:
• UNC Charlotte will offer industry-related electives in a master's program in sports marketing and management that starts this fall.
• Legislators are considering spending $500,000 to support motorsports training at community colleges.
• Belmont Abbey College in Gaston County launched a four-year business program in racing management last fall.
Graduates are winning, too: At Hendrick Motorsports, the hottest team in NASCAR, one-fourth of its engineers were trained at UNCC, school officials say. Other schools have alumni at companies such as Dale Earnhardt Inc. and NASCAR Images. The growth of motorsports programs coincides with the general increase in demand for skilled auto technicians. On Tuesday, Central Piedmont Community College dedicated its Joe Hendrick Center for Automotive Technology, which certifies current and prospective technicians to work for companies such as BMW and Toyota. On the motorsports side, CPCC already offers a machining certificate and has proposed opening a motorsports institute. The Rowan-Cabarrus Community College motorsports management technology program hosted an open house Wednesday night at the RCCC South Campus, 1531 Trinity Church Road in Concord.(Charlotte Observer)(5-24-2007)
- Best Buy Racing Joins With Ball State University to Teach Kids about Science: Members of the #66 Best Buy Racing Nextel Cup Series team are partnering with Ball State University, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Best Buy Children's Foundation to help teach kids about science and engineering. On Tuesday, April 17, driver Jeff Green and crew chief Harold Holly will participate in a live broadcast from the speedway as part of Ball State University's Electronic Field Trip (EFT) series. "Going, Going, Faster; The Science of Speed," a 60-minute interactive broadcast, will showcase the science and engineering that goes into racing and give students an opportunity to experience much of the activity that surrounds a day at the races. Classrooms in all 50 states, plus Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Nigeria (a potential audience of 19.5 million students) will receive the broadcasts, which will take place at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (ET), providing a glimpse into racing at the legendary speedway. Green and Holly aren't the only racers taking part in the EFT. Former Indy Racing League (IRL) driver Scott Goodyear, now a racing commentator for ABC Sports and ESPN, will host the event, and several IRL drivers will appear via taped interviews.(Best Buy Racing PR)(4-13-2007)
- It's NASCAR 101 for Virginia State students: Students from Virginia State University got a taste Tuesday of what goes on behind the scenes of NASCAR. The tour was part of a new class at VSU called the Business and Marketing of NASCAR. Taught by Keith Green, director of public relations for RIR, the intent is to attract minorities to the sport. The class has "opened up some eyes to how big the sport is and how powerful it is, and also about the possibilities of inviting more minorities into the sport," Green said. They got to interview Jimmie Johnson, trudge through Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s hauler and wander the garage area of Richmond International Raceway as racing superstars and their crews tested the cars. Students spent a few minutes watching the cars speed around the track during testing, which was to run through Wednesday. They sat in on news conferences with drivers Ward Burton, Ricky Rudd and Johnson, and had a minute to ask Johnson questions. They talked to NASCAR official Kenneth Scott, an African-American. He led them though what's considered sacred ground to millions of fans _ the hauler that transports Earnhardt Jr.'s cars _ and spoke about his job and how he got there. He encouraged the students to pursue a NASCAR job.(more at the Richmond Times Dispatch)(4-5-2007)
- NASCAR Signs Licensing deal with RPDE: NASCAR and Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPDE) announced today that the two organizations have agreed to a multi-year licensing agreement, formalizing a relationship that began 15 years ago with the
initial development of RPDE. While Richard Petty and NASCAR remain synonymous, the agreement cements a relationship that began more than 50 years ago when the Petty family first joined the sport. This new licensing agreement will allow Richard Petty Driving Experience to better align its business with NASCAR, its sponsors, business partners and 75 million fans. For more information, call 1-800-BE-PETTY or visit www.1800bepetty.com.(RPDE PR)(3-11-2007)
- Monster Racing Excitement partners with Delaware State University: Monster Racing Excitement announced a new partnership with Delaware State University, to become the exclusive College and University Partner for the 2007 season. Monster Racing will assist Delaware State University in promoting diversity, educational curriculum, athletics, driving safety and other efforts aimed at reaching the ever growing and diverse NASCAR fan base. The program is scheduled to be launched in March and run throughout 2007. It will focus on the history of diversity in motorsports and the automotive industry. Monster Racing is excited that Delaware State University has chosen the racing excitement experience to convey important messages to those currently participating in, or planning to enter, higher education. For more information on Monster Racing Excitement or the Delaware State University program please go to monsterracing.com.(PR)(3-5-2007)
- Gordon's Racing School gets first COT: A new Chevrolet Impala SS Car Of Tomorrow, built in-house over the past 30 days and authentic to current NASCAR specifications, will join the fleet of Jeff Gordon Racing School cars. The car of tomorrow features JGRS's new graphic design palate which was designed by NASCAR Artist Sam Bass. A #24 DuPont Impala SS COT-design built by JGRS will be part of DuPont's display in Daytona USA at Daytona International Speedway throughout the 2007 season. The car will separate into three sections to show fans first the details of wheels, hubs and brakes, then the engine/transmission area and finally the car's inner skeleton as the body raises from the chassis. The additions of race-ready Cars of Tomorrow to the JGRS fleet is part of a successful growth phase for the Jeff Gordon Racing School and Mario Andretti Racing School, which will combine for more than 350 dates in 2007 while adding authentic Nextel Cup team cars direct from on-track competition in 2005 and 2006 as well as new Toyota Camry's as they become available.(JGRS PR)(12-28-2006)
- N.C. college announces motorsports degree program: Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC, has disclosed plans for what it says will be the first four-year degree with emphasis on the business of motorsports management. Students in the program will work toward a bachelor's degree in business management with a concentration on motorsports management. The Charlotte-area college will begin offering the program during the next fall semester. The courses will focus on four areas, including a traditional liberal arts core combined with courses in sports marketing, racing management, team management and three required internships in various areas of the industry. NASCAR specialists will be involved in teaching the coursework.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(1-26-2006)
- NASCAR 101: How do I get started in NASCAR? by Steve McCormick
