The thrill of NASCAR is meeting rich HBCU culture at WSSU as students host an exciting new motorsports event. The fully student-led initiative, titled “Beyond the Track: NASCAR Uncovered,” opens major doors into the highly competitive racing industry for dedicated young professionals. Fans can experience professional show cars, interactive racing simulators, and a mobile museum directly on the university yard.
“It’s the first here in North Carolina and we’re really excited that it just give us an opportunity to connect and be further able to connect with Winston-Salem State and the Winston-Salem community at-large,” said Brandon Thompson, NASCAR’s Vice President of Growth, Engagement and Inclusion.
Operating through the national Campus Lab program, this unique partnership provides vital HBCU scholarships and direct industry career pathways. Students gain crucial hands-on marketing experience by designing engaging activations and coordinating closely with professional regional event vendors. Graphic design major Nyla Harris Bradley recently helped her dedicated campus group design a dynamic custom mock race car.
“Well first we discussed what we wanted to have on the car but we wanted the school’s logo and we wanted our organizations to be supported on their as well to sponsor them,” Harris Bradley said.
Expanding WSSU Career Pathways in NASCAR
This campus event perfectly complements the historic institution’s groundbreaking, nationally recognized academic motorsports curriculum. Winston-Salem State holds the unique distinction of being the only public university offering a bachelor’s degree in motorsports management. The rigorous WSSU curriculum requires students to complete hundreds of internship hours, preparing them for immediate success after graduation. Students benefit immensely from their proximity to Bowman Gray Stadium and the broader North Carolina competitive racing hub.
The collegiate program has gained massive national attention recently due to the historic track success of star driver Rajah Caruth. Caruth is a 2024 alumnus competing professionally on the national NASCAR truck series circuit. Graduates frequently secure premier jobs in public relations, organizational management, event planning, and corporate marketing within the fast-paced racing world.
Furthermore, at least one eligible HBCU student from the lab cohort earns a spot in a premier summer diversity internship. This crucial pipeline ensures that talented minority graduates can successfully navigate and transform the modern competitive sports landscape.
“With the continued growth of the modified series over the years and what that means to Bowman Grey, it was a great opportunity for us again on the heels of the Clash and obviously the success of Winston-Salem State alum Rajah Caruth just to be able to tie it all in,” Thompson said.
