Two of the organizations most inherently synonymous with Daytona Beach are partnering to launch a new scholarship program. Daytona International Speedway will work with Daytona State College on a new initiative to connect students with opportunities to build experience at the track.
The announcement precedes Saturday evening’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR race at Daytona. The event is one of the speedway’s biggest, capping off the regular season for the NASCAR Cup Series.
The available scholarships will total to $6,000, in addition to opportunities for internships at Daytona International Speedway in the operations and/or facilities teams. Participants will be able to work at the largest event facility in Volusia County, finding out a new angle of what it takes to host major sporting events, music festivals, and more.
“Daytona International Speedway has a long history of providing a proving ground for drivers and cars on track, and our facility is the perfect place to help vocational students master their crafts,” said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher. “It’s especially meaningful that we can partner with our neighbors at Daytona State College, who serve nearly 23,000 students across seven campuses in Volusia and Flagler Counties.”
The applications for what students learn through the new partnership are just as expansive as their respective career ambitions. DSC offers over 100 programs, with pathways to earn certificates, associate, and bachelor’s degrees. Their trade programs are notably robust, with offerings including HVAC, construction, machining, welding, electrical, plumbing and – perhaps most relevant – automotive repair.
“Daytona State College and the Daytona International Speedway are historic local institutions, and this scholarship will not only support students in our workforce programs with their education costs, but also give them valuable, hands-on experience at the Speedway they can carry into their careers,” added DSC President Dr. Tom LoBasso. “Both organizations are dedicated to supporting the community and I look forward to what we can achieve together.”
