Posted on February 13, 2009

UPS Promotes Diversity in NASCAR Through $75,000 in Scholarships

Earthtimes.org (Press Release)

Press Release

UPS

Natalie Sinclair, 404-828-4250

nsinclair@ups.com

UPS (NYSE: UPS) is helping five minority students learn what it takes to work “under the hood” by awarding $15,000 scholarships to attend the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, N.C.

Since 2002, The UPS Racing Technical Edge Scholarship has awarded a total of $525,000 in scholarships to 35 minority students seeking careers in the automotive or motorsports industries who demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership and community involvement.

“UPS’s commitment to diversity extends to everything we do, including our involvement in motorsports,” said Ron Rogowski, UPS director of sponsorships and events. “We’re proud to support the passion and career goals of these talented individuals while helping NASCAR develop a more diverse workforce and fan base.”

NASCAR Tech combines an automotive technology curriculum with NASCAR-specific courses. Its hands-on learning environment equips students with the knowledge and experience to become leaders in the field.

This year’s recipients of the UPS Racing Technical Edge Scholarship include:

Raphael Diaz, Durham, N.C.

Raphael Diaz started working in his uncle’s auto shop when he was a teenager. He hopes to continue learning about every aspect of the automotive engineering field, from designing body styles to building engines. His professional goal is to be part of a racing team, like his role model and Sprint Car Series driver Juan Pablo Montoya, the first Latino driver in NASCAR.

Evrin Fletcher, Concord, N.C.

Evrin Fletcher has been around racing most of his life. His uncle introduced him to the sport as a kid and he has been fascinated by cars ever since. Fletcher worked as a certified mechanic for five years before coming to NASCAR Tech to pursue his dream of working with a professional racing team.

Mohammad Jawad, Elmont, N.Y.

Since he was a child, Mohammad Jawad has been enthralled with taking things apart and putting them back together. After his graduation from NASCAR Tech in December, he hopes to pursue a career in NASCAR so he can work with some of the most technologically advanced vehicles in the world.

Andre Perry, Mooresville, N.C.

Andre Perry learned quickly what it takes to be an auto technician. After graduating from high school, his father gave him his first car and told him that he had to learn how to keep it running. Since enrolling at NASCAR Tech, Perry’s passion for cars has only increased and he’s now a leader in the NASCAR Tech community. Perry’s future plans include working with alternative fuel vehicles.

Joshua Weston, Charlotte, N.C.

An exceptional student, Joshua Weston has received various academic honors at NASCAR Tech. But his passion for cars extends beyond the classroom. Weston’s favorite ride on the road is anything Audi and he hopes to eventually work for an Audi dealership as a Master Certified Technician.

NASCAR Technical Institute, a division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI), has an exclusive educational alliance with NASCAR. Located in Mooresville, N.C., NASCAR Tech is the only school of its kind that combines automotive training and a NASCAR-approved technologies curriculum into one program. For more information, visit www.uti.edu.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS (NYSE: UPS) is the world’s largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services. Each day, the UPS pit crew of more than 425,000 dedicated employees delivers to more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. In 2009, UPS begins its 10th year as the Official Delivery Company of NASCAR and its ninth consecutive year of primary sponsorship in the league’s top-ranked Sprint Cup Series. For more information, log onto racing.ups.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.