Clemson University student working with JD Motorsports on marketing: Several universities have initiated NASCAR engineering curriculums in recent years, but one has taken its program to the next level. Clemson University and nine marketing students have formed a creative inquiry class in partnership with NASCAR Nationwide driver Mike Wallace. Their hope is to attain sponsorship for Wallace’s #01 team for the 2013 NASCAR season. ‘Our program is a first for a major university’ explained TJ Hall, one of the nine students in the program. The car will be introduced to Clemson fans at halftime of this week’s Clemson-Georgia Tech football game and participate in the last Nationwide race of the season in Homestead. ‘The short-term goal is to create awareness and excitement among Clemson alums, supporters, and future sponsors in hopes of gaining full sponsorship for the 2013 Nationwide season’ continued Hall. The Clemson Tiger Paw will dominate the hood of Wallace’s JD Motorsports Chevrolet with Clemson Racing covering all sponsorship panels on the car. Under the supervision of Clemson staff members, the students will handle the entire scope of the sponsorship process from initial client contact to activating the contract with the team. If the pilot program is a success, the University plans to incorporate this into their curriculum as part of their existing Motorsports programs.(Fox 54)(10-11-2012)
