Diversity Internship enters 10th year with 13 students

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Thirteen students from across the United States have been selected to participate in the 2009 NASCAR Diversity Internship Program that starts June 1 and gives minority college students the opportunity to complete 10-week, paid summer internships within the NASCAR industry.

More than 200 students have participated in the program since its inception in 2000. These interns have gained experience working in marketing, engineering, public relations, licensing and various other areas. Participation in the program has led to full-time positions in the industry for a number of past interns.

"The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program has introduced dozens of students from diverse backgrounds to professional opportunities in NASCAR," said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR's managing director of public affairs, who oversees the diversity department. "The program has played an important role in NASCAR's efforts to attract the best and brightest to our industry."

The program features internships offered by NASCAR offices, sponsors, licensees, teams, tracks and broadcast partners. In addition to NASCAR corporate offices in Daytona Beach, Charlotte, and Concord, the following companies are participating in 2009: Catalyst Public Relations, Daytona International Speedway, International Speedway Corporation (ISC), Joe Gibbs Racing, Just Marketing International, Octagon, SPEED Channel and The 909 Group.

The current intern class began its NASCAR experience with an orientation session during the Sprint All-Star Race weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. The group visited the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, the Sam Bass Art Gallery, Roush Fenway Racing headquarters, attended the Sprint Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman, and the Camping World Truck Series race. In addition, the group met with a number of key people in the industry including Sprint Cup Series crew members, drivers, and NASCAR executives.

Each year, the internships are available to college sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students across the country. To be eligible, students must be in good standing with their school and community and have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average.

In addition to the internship program, NASCAR awards diversity scholarships in tribute to NASCAR legend Wendell Scott, has an at-track diversity mentorship program and a college tour that visits historically black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions.

More information on the internship program is available at www.diversityinternships.com.