CMU students work with NASCAR
Five Central Michigan University students are getting to know NASCAR a little bit better than the normal sports fan.
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. selected Timothy Wagner, Elizabeth Gray, Austin Suttner, Alyssa Petiprin and Jillian Caverly to be a part of a hands-on learning experience called NASCAR Kinetics.
The program enables students to understand and improve upon real-world marketing experience, as well as the opportunity to be involved in the sport and franchise of NASCAR.
Wagner, an Escanaba junior, thinks it is an exciting opportunity for all members of the team.
“Being a part of this team is such a good learning experience. I never realized how much goes on behind the scenes of NASCAR; it is so much more than racing around a track,” he said.
The team meets weekly and focuses on challenges that NASCAR and its sponsors face every day. It works on case studies, helping NASCAR to improve and accelerate as a company.
Suttner, a Sparta senior, said the case studies the group does are the most exciting part.
“Working on the case studies each week and knowing that we are helping the actual company of NASCAR with their problems and improve is very exciting,” Suttner said.
Real world experience
By using techniques and lessons that they have learned, the team is able to apply its knowledge as professional marketers, public relations practitioners and business professionals.
Wagner said the overall objective is a great idea.
“The main goal is to get insight from young and fresh college students as far as the marketing strategy and everyday problems the company faces,” Wagner said.
Last spring, many students filled out an application to join the team. They were selected based on the actual application, phone interview, as well as their GPA, on-campusinvolvement and overall excitement and determination to join the team.
There were six universities chosen, including CMU; Winston-Salem State University, the University of Notre Dame, Coastal Carolina University, Howard University and Clark Atlanta University, based on individual marketing programs and eagerness to participate.
Because of that, the opportunity for other students to get involved with the program is available.
On Tuesday, four NASCAR executives will commute to CMU for a Viewing Party.
Taking place at 6:30 p.m. in the Bovee University Center Lake St. Clair Room, this will be an opportunity for potential candidates to not only meet these executives, but learn information about NASCAR’s complexity.
“You will be able to learn about the program and what we do and learn some very cool information about NASCAR,” Wagner said.
