DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — Eighteen students from across the United States have been selected to participate in the 2011 NASCAR Diversity Internship Program that starts today and gives minority college students the opportunity to complete 10-week, paid summer internships within the NASCAR industry.
Since its inception in 2000, interns have gained experience working in marketing, engineering, public relations, licensing, diversity and public affairs. Participation in the program has led to full-time positions in the industry for a number of past interns.
“The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program has played a vital role in introducing hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds to professional opportunities in NASCAR and across the motorsports industry,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR vice president of public affairs and multicultural development. “The program is creating fresh interest in the motorsports industry among some of the best and brightest students across the nation.”
The program features internships offered by NASCAR offices, sponsors, licensees, teams, tracks and broadcast partners. In addition to NASCAR and GRAND-AM corporate offices in Daytona Beach, Fla., Charlotte, N.C. and New York, the following companies are participating in 2011: SPEED, Revolution Racing, International Speedway Corporation (ISC), Daytona International Speedway, Catalyst Public Relations and Octagon.
The current intern class began their NASCAR experience with an orientation session during the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. The group visited the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NASCAR Media Group offices, the Sam Bass NASCAR Art Gallery, Revolution Racing headquarters, attended the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, and the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. In addition, the group met with a number of key people in the NASCAR industry including NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew members, drivers and NASCAR executives.
Each year, the internships are available to college sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students across the country. To be eligible, students must be in good standing with their school and community and have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average.
In addition to the internship program, NASCAR awards diversity scholarships in tribute to NASCAR legend Wendell Scott, has an at-track diversity mentorship program and a college tour that visits historically black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions.
Student and Hometown School Internship
Leah Berry (Tinton Falls, N.J.) University of Virginia SPEED Channel (Charlotte)
Carrington Chambliss (Richmond, Va.) Johnson and Wales University NASCAR Automotive Group (Charlotte)
Matthew Esqueda (Houston, Tex.) Texas Tech University NASCAR Developmental Series-Ops (Daytona Beach)
Jarett Gerald (Atlanta, Ga.) University of South Carolina NASCAR Corporate Marketing (New York)
Carrington Gilbert (Las Vegas, Nev.) Texas A&M University Catalyst Public Relations (Charlotte)
Casey Haimes (Weston, Fla.) University of Central Florida Octagon Marketing (SPRINT) (Charlotte)
Ade Herbert (New Orleans, La.) Fordham University Revolution Racing (Charlotte)
Aaron Hernandez (El Paso, Tex.) University of Notre Dame NASCAR Legal (Daytona Beach)
Kavolshaia Howze (Fairfield, Ala.) Grambling State University NASCAR Broadcasting (Charlotte)
Perron Jones (Augusta, Ga.) Georgia Institute of Technology NASCAR IT Services (Daytona Beach)
Brian Lee (Alexandria, Va.) Purdue University NASCAR Research & Development Center (Concord)
Brittel Lloyd (Orange Park, Fla.) University of Central Florida NASCAR Diversity Affairs (Daytona Beach)
Brittany Meyer (New Braunfels, Tex.) Washington University in St. Louis NASCAR Public Affairs (Daytona Beach)
Elizabeth Miranda (Miami, Fla.) Florida State University ISC Public Affairs (Daytona Beach)
Pedro Mojica (Kileen, Tex.) University of Texas at San Antonio GRAND-AM Competition (Daytona Beach)
Jessica Neal (Washington, D.C.) Howard University NASCAR Foundation (Charlotte)
Erica Wilkerson (Winter Haven, Fla.) University of Central Florida Daytona International Speedway (Guest Services)
Jerry Xie (Dallas, Tex.) Emory University NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications (Daytona Beach)
