NASCAR: Racing Personalities to Lend Their Talent to the Forsyth Tech Race Car Challenge

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

April 13, 2001

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Jimmy Makar, crew chief on the 2000 Winston Cup Championship team of Joe Gibbs Racing; Danny "Chocolate" Myers, gas man for the (No.) 29 Richard Childress Racing team; and "Big" Paul Franklin of WTQR 104.1 FM will be among the celebrities at the inaugural Forsyth Tech Race Car Challenge, a unique pit-stop competition, scheduled for May 20, 2001 in Hecht’s parking lot at Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem.

The event, sponsored by Forsyth Tech Foundation, is designed to increase awareness of Forsyth Tech Community College and its five program areas: arts and sciences; business information, engineering, and health technologies; and corporate and continuing education.

"This event is bringing awareness to Forsyth Tech, it will also highlight the school’s race car performance major," said hometown hero Myers, a native of Winston-Salem. "There are several people who work in the racing industry that have a degree from Forsyth so it’s fitting for us to support this."

The event, which is open to the public, will feature the (No.) 29 GM Goodwrench Service Plus Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by Kevin Harvick as the challenge car. Forsyth Tech staff, local businesses and fans will make up teams that will compete against each other to complete a two-tire pit stop in the fastest time.

"I am excited about getting involved with this event," said Makar who will serve as host for the competition. "With all the race fans descending on the area for Speedweeks in Charlotte, this event is a fun way to spend that Sunday afternoon in a racing environment."

The challenge will run from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with winning teams awarded prizes donated by challenge partners, including the Richard Petty Driving Experience. In addition to the competition, festivities will include appearances by show cars, the NASCAR Simulatr compliments of SPEVCO and displays by Forsyth Tech departments.

For more information on how to get involved with this exciting event, please contact Beth Westmoreland at The Motorsports Decisions Group at (704) 547-1998 or Dr. Sharon "Shari" Covitz at Forsyth Tech Community College at (336) 734-7520.

Text provided by Heather Buckelew

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.