?????I have learned so much about the sport of NASCAR racing this year.???? Those are the words of 20 year old Aaron Kuehn, a member of the Goulds Pumps Racing Team. Kuehn, a Kensington, Connecticut native has been busy in 1999, balancing an education and a full NASCAR Busch Series racing schedule. Kuehn is entering his 2nd year in the Motorsports Management Program at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Not only is Kuehn learning about racing inside the classroom, he works part time for Tony’s Engines and spends his weekends as the tire specialist for the #34 Goulds Pumps Chevrolet driven by Mike McLaughlin. Growing up in the Northeast, Kuehn began to attend Busch North and NASCAR Modified races, developing a love for the sport of racing. Kuehn often wondered what it would be like to work full-time in the sport. With high school graduation only a few days away, Kuehn decided to head south, right into the heart of NASCAR country for his college education. Kuehn stays busy during the week at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College studying the business aspects of racing in addition to the technical side of the sport. Kuehn’s classes have included; Racing Logistics, Engine Development, Tire Management, Business and Math. Richmond Gage, a veteran of the motorsports field, leads the Motorsports Management program. On weekends, Kuehn changes into his Goulds Pumps Racing Team uniform and heads for the racetrack. Kuehn prepares the tires for Mike McLaughlin, measuring air pressure and gauging tire wear. Working for the Goulds Pumps team allows Kuehn to work for two more friends he got to know from the Busch North Series, Clyde McLeod and Steve ?????Big Guy???? Helwig. Kuehn is scheduled to graduate next May and enter into the NASCAR work force full time. One thing for sure, with an education from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and 2 years of working in the NASCAR garage on his resume, Kuehn will make a solid addition to any team(PR)(9-4-1999)
