The 2017 NASCAR Diversity Internship Program (NDIP)brwelcomed 26 of the brightest students from across the country—includingbrSouthlake native Zane Smith. The Southern Methodist University student studiesbrmechanical engineering and plans to seek full-time engineering opportunities atbrNASCAR upon graduation.
NASCAR's 10- week paid internship offers an array ofbrcollege students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to gain hands-onbrexperience within their fields of study and has led to future employment withbrNASCAR and partnering organizations.
This year, 14 former NDIP interns currently working inbrthe industry full-time will help mentor the students throughout the internship.brMentors include Brandon Thompson, senior director of NASCAR touring series;brLauren Houston, manager of NASCAR Multicultural Development; Pedro Mojica,brRichard Petty Motorsports engineer; and Jusan Hamilton, manager of NASCARbrracing operations and event management.
Hamilton made history earlier this year by becoming thebrfirst African-American to serve as a race director for a NASCAR national seriesbrevent.
“For nearly 20 years, the NASCAR Diversity internshipbrprogram has provided talented students with hands-on experience in thebrmotorsports industry,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racingbroperations, via press release. “The program has also helped NASCAR identifybrfuture leaders in the industry and continues to serve as an important part ofbrour efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.”
In its 18th year, NDIP has introduced hundreds ofbrstudents from diverse backgrounds to professional opportunities in NASCAR. Thebrprogram has also served as a pipeline for identifying and hiring top talentbracross the motorsports industry. In addition to NASCAR, 2017 interns will bebrworking at NASCAR partner companies including Rev Racing, Roush Fenway Racing,brPocono Raceway, Toyota, and the International Speedway Corporation.
The 2017 NDIP class began its NASCAR experience with anbrorientation session at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord.brThe group visited the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte and the NASCARbrProduction Studio, as well as the race shop for Rev Racing, which fields carsbrfor the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program.
The class also put its own racing skills to the test atbrVictory Lane Karting. In addition, the interns met with key stakeholders in thebrNASCAR industry including Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series crew members,brdrivers, and NASCAR executives.
For many, attending the NASCAR Camping World Truck Seriesbrrace, Monster Energy Open and Monster Energy All-Star Race from Charlotte MotorbrSpeedway this weekend will be their first live NASCAR experience.
Throughout the internship, the students will contributebrto the industry and gain experience working in marketing, engineering, publicbrrelations, licensing, diversity and public affairs. They will also learn frombrleading NASCAR executives in weekly lunch-and-learn sessions and networkingbrevents with professionals across the industry.
The NASCAR Diversity Internship program offers diversebrstudents an opportunity to work in one of the largest professional sportsbrindustries in the United States. Each year, the internships are available tobrcollege sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students across the country.brTo be eligible, students must be in good standing with their school andbrcommunity and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Click here to view the 2017 NDIP class.