NASCAR and UTI establish Brienne Davis scholarship

PHOENIX -- Recognizing there are many women interested in pursuing careers in the automotive industry, NASCAR and the UTI Foundation established the Brienne Davis Scholarship Fund for women seeking an automotive technical education. Davis, a Universal Technical Institute (UTI) graduate and Sprint Cup official, died tragically earlier this year at age 28, and is honored with 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.

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.

"Brienne graduated at the top of her class at UTI and her accomplishments with NASCAR's events are an inspiration for young women," said 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," said 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."

Those interested in criteria and application information or to contribute to the fund for this scholarship, click here.