UNOH Race Club Members Make Connections in Daytona

Posted on Monday, February 24, 2020

#useBricks($alt)

UNOH Race Club Members at Daytona International Speedway

Written by Communications Specialist Georgia Krebs

A trip south for warmer weather in February is tempting enough, but UNOH Race Club members can also find themselves on pit road of Daytona International Speedway. This is a life goal for many high performance students, and to get this experience while still in college is nothing short of a dream come true.

UNOH’s Race Club started in 1999, when instructors recognized a need to provide students networking opportunities with an organization that would promote activities centered on the growing high performance program.  In addition, it brings together students who share a passion for the racing industry.  Shortly after its founding, a relationship was formed with ARCA, and members were soon traveling around the country to volunteer to help on various ARCA Series race teams.

The start of the season begins at Daytona International Speedway every February. This year 33 UNOH Race Club members headed south to work as interns with 9 different ARCA teams during the Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tires race. The students are each assigned to a team and oftentimes, the students continue to work for those teams throughout the entire ARCA season. This arrangement allows the students to participate at a high level of competition, while providing the students the necessary experience needed to secure jobs in the industry following graduation.

“Being able to go to Daytona is honestly an honor,” said returning member, Dirk Racer. “It’s always fun representing UNOH across the country, but Daytona just always feels different.” Dirk is no rookie to Daytona and his favorite memory has been meeting The King, Richard Petty. “UNOH has helped me build a lot of connections just due to how many people you interact with at the races. Last year I worked with Venturini Motorsports and I still keep in contact with people there, which has helped me with getting other opportunities in racing.”

UNOH Race Club member Trey GalgonLast year, Trey Galgon experienced this surreal track for the first time. “The best thing was arriving to Daytona for the first time and going through the tunnel, and finally getting to see a place that I thought would be impossible to get to from where I’m from.”

Trey was able to be trained to be a Tire Specialist for Fast Track Racing last year, and is doing the same for the team again during the 2020 season. “My favorite part about the Race Club is being able to get hands-on and build connections with people in the industry. Now-a-days it’s about who you know and who is watching, that could get you where you want to go.”

The education experience the students gain from working on these race teams in invaluable. But more so, the connections in the racing world jump start their career before they even graduate.

For more information on the High Performance Motorsports program at UNOH, visit https://www.unoh.edu/academics/college-of-applied-technologies/high-performance-motorsports.html

Category: Applied Technologies

Keywords: Race Club, Daytona, High Performance

Press Contact

UNOH Public Relations
 Email
 419-998-8854


Last updated: 02/24/2020