Motorsports
NASCAR Diversity Internship Program Enters 7th Year
By Off The BASN Sports Wire
Jun 21, 2006

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) announced details of the seventh annual NASCAR Diversity Internship Program.

The program, which began June 12, gives 23 college students the opportunity to complete a 10-week, paid summer internship within the NASCAR industry. The 2006 program runs through August 12.

"This program is one of several NASCAR diversity initiatives aimed at introducing the professional opportunities available within the industry to diverse students," said NASCAR Director of Diversity Tish Sheets.

"For six years the internship program has successfully matched aspiring students with full-time positions in the NASCAR industry. The support of NASCAR partners has helped keep the internship program running strong."

The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program features internships offered by NASCAR offices, sponsors, licensees, teams, tracks and broadcast
partners.

In addition to NASCAR corporate offices, the following companies are participating in 2006: Allstate, California Speedway, Daytona International Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Kansas
Speedway, Motor Racing Network (MRN), Michigan International Speedway.

Also NASCAR SpeedParks (in Concord Mills, N.C., Myrtle Beach, S.C., St.
Louis and Sevierville, Tenn.), Octagon, Penske Racing South, Richard
Childress Racing, Robert Yates Racing, Roush Racing, Sears, Roebuck and Co., SPEED (FOX Entertainment Group) and Sprint Nextel.

The current intern class began their NASCAR experience with a two-day orientation session aimed at introducing them to the NASCAR industry, the internship program and NASCAR's diversity initiatives.

The orientation included tours of the NASCAR R&D Center and Hendrick Motorsports as well as visits to NASCAR SpeedPark in Concord Mills and Lowe's Motor Speedway for a ride with the Jeff Gordon Racing School.

Over 130 students have participated in the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program since its inception in 2000. These interns have gained experience working in marketing, engineering, public relations, licensing and various other areas. 

Through their intern experiences, several of these students have earned full-time positions. Each year, the internships are available to college juniors, seniors and graduate students across the country.

To be eligible, students must be in good standing with their school and community, must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average and provide an official copy of their school transcript. 

In addition to the internship program, NASCAR awards diversity scholarships in tribute to NASCAR legend Wendell Scott and has a college tour that visits Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions.

Among the HBCU students that are participating in the diversity program are:

-- Erika Davis, Hampton University
(NASCAR SpeedPark, Concord Mills)

-- Kiir Knight, North Carolina A&T State University
(Motor Racing Network)

-- Coreea McCoppin, Johnson C. Smith University
(Sprint Nextel/Octagon)

-- Warren Nance Jr., Winston-Salem State University
(Robert Yates Racing)

-- Britni Swann, North Carolina A&T State University
(NASCAR)

-- Lenita Williams, North Carolina A&T State University
(FOX/SPEED)

NOTE: More information on the internship program is available at on the Internet at www.diversityinternships.com.