NASCAR, UTI Foundation establish new scholarship for women

NASCAR and the UTI Foundation have established the Brienne Davis Scholarship Fund for women seeking an automotive technical education. Davis, a Universal Technical Institute (UTI) graduate and NASCAR Sprint Cup official, died earlier this year at age 28, and is honored by this scholarship created to encourage women to seek a career in the automotive industry.

The Brienne Davis Scholarship Fund is intended to provide an opportunity for a qualified female student who wishes to attend the NASCAR Technical Automotive Program at the UTI’s NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, N.C. Each year a $10,000 scholarship will be presented to one student to attend NASCAR Tech. Criteria and application information for this scholarship is available at www.utifoundation.net.

The inaugural scholarship was made possible by proceeds raised through an online auction of the NASCAR Performance Show Car during The NASCAR Foundation’s initiatives for NASCAR Day 2008.

The NASCAR Foundation started NASCAR Day five years ago to bring together fans, corporations, schools and organizations to raise money for others who need it most. At this year’s event, NASCAR enthusiasts were invited to make monetary contributions and bid on the NASCAR Performance Show Car donated to The NASCAR Foundation by NASCAR’s Automotive Aftermarket Department. Every dollar of the $16,000 winning bid for the car has been designated for the Brienne Davis Scholarship Fund. Future years of the program will rely on funding through charitable contributions made to the UTI Foundation and The NASCAR Foundation.

Those interested in contributing to the fund should go the www.utifoundation.net or www.nascar.com/foundation.

“Brienne graduated at the top of her class at UTI and her accomplishments with NASCAR’s events are an inspiration for young women,” says Don Ableson, UTI Foundation president and chairman. “The generosity of The NASCAR Foundation, as well as generous contributions from NASCAR fans, will help women with a passion for motorsports pursue their career dreams in the automotive and NASCAR industries.”

“NASCAR is proud to be able to honor the memory of Brienne as one of its shining stars who dedicated her time and energy to serving the sport in various roles,” says Odis Lloyd, Managing Director, Automotive Aftermarket at NASCAR. “In doing so we also open additional opportunities for women to follow in Brienne’s path and learn valuable skills through the NASCAR Technical Institute and pursue their career goals.”

“The UTI Foundation believes in education, hands-on learning and the great need for trained technicians. With the U.S. Department of Labor expecting openings for more than 52,000 technicians a year for the next 10 years, it is important to recruit the best and brightest technicians and help worthy students in the process,” states Ableson. “The Foundation’s scholarship programs are essential to get students to school, have them stay, graduate and move on to productive careers.”