NASCAR scholarship winner gets in on action at Texas Motor Speedway
At Texas Motor Speedway’s November race, Jonathan Gwinn was one of four undergraduates who earned a combined $20,000 in tuition assistance as part of the NASCAR Chevrolet Diversity Scholarship contest.
Gwinn, a mechanical engineering student at UT San Antonio, was back in Fort Worth this weekend for a firsthand tour of the garage and advice on a senior-level engineering project.
It’s cool to have an intellectual understanding of what’s going on on the track.
Engineering student Jonathan Gwinn
He was led around the inspection area by NASCAR engineer Fred Prendergast.
“Absolutely,” Gwinn said when asked about his interest in a career in NASCAR. “I’ve been a fan all my life. It’s been awesome to see my education manifest itself into an opportunity like this. It’s cool to have an intellectual understanding of what’s going on on the track.”
The Amarillo native won a $2,500 scholarship based on his study of progressive banking.
“The scholarship helped me tremendously. It alleviated so much stress, with school being so expensive and trying to perform well. It gives you that confidence as a student I don’t have to worry about that and really dive down into my studies.”
He has also been able to expand his network to include high-level NASCAR thinkers.
Politics, prayer & duck calls
Saturday’s invocation before the Duck Commander 500 resembled a political caucus site.
Suffice to say, the presidential election is on the mind of Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson, who during his pre-race blessing of the proceedings pleaded earnestly to the heavens: “... pray that we put a Jesus man in the White House.”
He didn’t say it, but his “Jesus man” is Ted Cruz, the Republican from Texas who enjoys Robertson’s public support.
There is a difference in taste among the family when it comes to presidential candidates. Son Willie, the CEO of Louisiana-based Duck Commander, remains a Donald Trump supporter.
“Nothing’s changed,” Willie said, adding, without elaborating, that there have been a few dinner-table conversations about the election.
Bowling and NASCAR
NASCAR legend Richard Petty joined officials of the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame in Arlington on Saturday to help open an exhibit highlighting the deep history and connections between racing and bowling.
Bowling has always been a favorite pastime for my family and I’m proud to be able to be a part of this display.
Richard Petty during the opening of a new exhibit at the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame
“Bowling and NASCAR: Life in the Fast Lane” will stay on display until Sept. 16 at the Arlington museum.
“Like racing, bowling is a slice of Americana,” Petty said. “Bowling has always been a favorite pastime for my family and I’m proud to be able to be a part of this display.”
The exhibit includes memorabilia ranging from NASCAR-themed bowling balls to racing suits and trophies.
Petty, an avid bowler, has loaned several items, including an outfit and belt buckles.
This story was originally published April 9, 2016 at 8:05 PM with the headline "NASCAR scholarship winner gets in on action at Texas Motor Speedway."