Its Charlotte race week and we’re celebrating locally with the community.
Approximately 100 students welcomed defending Charlotte Motor Speedway road coarse winner Kyle Larson to their automotive tech department at Harding University High School on Friday afternoon.
What was special about the reigning NASCAR Series Cup champion’s visit is that he was there to present the school with a $25,000 grant to grow and broaden access to this diverse program, affording everyone with more opportunities.
The grant initiative – Hendrick, Get Set. Go! – is in its second year of investing in STEM-based educational projects and Friday’s presentation is the third of four stops on the 2022 tour.
Select schools in areas close to a race track and Hendrick Automotive Group dealerships are awarded $25,000 to say “Go!” to an education project that expands access and interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, and future careers to students from all backgrounds. HGSG events use the excitement of racing to engage students, and introduce them to the high-tech side of the sport and even the automotive industry.
Joining Larson in his appearance at the school’s automotive tech garage was Jeremy Aimi, who is a Hendrick Certified Master Tech at Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet located just 10 miles away from Harding University High School. Hendrick Master Technicians are the company’s elite service technicians who have reached the highest levels of their profession.
The duo spent time with the students, answering an array of questions varying from Larson’s introduction to the sport of racing to what career advice Aimi had for the young automotive scholars.
“I’m passionate about technician recruitment,” said Aimi after the event. “The need for technicians has grown tenfold over the past few years. Hendrick Automotive Group has changed and developed a lot of programs to give students who are motivated and passionate in this field opportunities at their fingertips to grow and be successful.”
After the Q&A session commenced, Larson and Aimi were given a tour of the high school’s automotive technology department, understanding the hands-on learning that is provided by the educational institution in order for the students to enter the workforce immediately.
“Harding University is an amazing place,” stated Larson. “It was an honor to grant this facility $25,000 and I had a great time speaking with the students, they had great questions. Having Jeremy here today, too, was great for the students so they can talk to him about his upbringing and mindset as he rose through the ranks, what it takes to be the best technician possible. They’re the future of the automobile industry so getting to see their passion for it was amazing.”
“High schools across the country need CTE (current technology educational) programs like this,” said Harding University High School automotive technology instructor Stephen Hambleton. “Not everyone goes to college. You need a chance for hands-on learners to explore that opportunity. What our automotive program does is gets students workforce ready. They understand the soft skills and are more than an entry level technician when they leave here. They’re knowledgeable and ready to get to work.”
Hendrick Automotive Group invests in people and is committed to rewarding excellence and growing the next generation of technicians, starting with high school-based STEM programs to its elite Hendrick Certified Master Technician training and recognition programs.
In 2022, Hendrick, Get Set. Go! has awarded $75,000 in grants on its way to donating $100,000 in total grant money. Harmony Elementary School in Buford, Georgia was the first school in 2022 to receive a $25,000 grant followed by Hanahan High School in Charleston, South Carolina.
With 23 dealerships in the Charlotte metro area, it was fitting to select Harding University High School as the third recipient of the Hendrick, Get Set. Go! grant in advance of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s road course. The playoffs race is also considered Hendrick Automotive Group’s Home race due to the close proximity of dealerships to the speedway.
To learn more about career opportunities with Hendrick Automotive Group, visit our careers page.
AdChoices