MIS Racing - Achieving Academic Success at MIS

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Madison International Speedway
Wisconsin's Fastest Half Mile

Achieving Academic Success at MIS

By Amanda Voss

OREGON, WISCONSIN (07.12.10)-- Achievement by definition is something accomplished, by superior ability, special effort and great courage, so to what degree would you be willing to achieve your life goals?

Vern Fagerberg Jr. and Daren Whittmann are two students at Madison International Speedway that are achieving their life goals by working hard through persistence and dedication in the ASA Educational Series program where they will earn scholarship money to attend Ohio Technical College.

For Daren Whittmann his journey to the ASA Educational Series began at his little brother’s 4-H meeting where Pete Raskovic, a founder of the program, asked Whittmann’s parents if Daren would be interested in joining the educational program at MIS. Knowing how much Daren liked working on cars the Whittmann’s encouraged their son to join. He currently works on the number 74 late model team at MIS.

Whittmann travels from New Glarus, Wis., to the team shop during the week to work on the race car and then to MIS every Friday night for weekly racing, which is every students responsibility in the program.

While achieving goals can lead to forfeiting free time and recreation, Whittmann said the program is benefitting his career, so any sacrifices like extra travel and time occupied at the shop are worth the opportunity to learn about automotive technology.

Since his involvement in the ASA Educational Series program, Whittmann said he is learning a lot about automotive technology. He said he is learning about the mathematical side of motorsports, and the procedures involved in making the race car faster.

Whittmann recently graduated from high school and will attend OTC in the fall. He will complete the auto program and will pursue a career in motorsports.

Some students in the program are mechanics like Whittmann or they drive race cars like ASA Educational Series student Vern Fagerberg Jr. does in the number 84 late model at MIS.

Fagerberg Jr. from Bloomingdale, Ill., is 16 years old and graduated from high school one year early to achieve his career goals.

He said he is also learning a lot from the ASA Educational Series that will prepare him for his studies at OTC in the fall.

Fagerberg Jr. will be commuting to MIS to race his late model while attending OTC. He said the racing program at MIS is great and he doesn’t want to race at any other track.

Fagerberg Jr. said the ASA Educational Series program is helping him to achieve his career goal of racing in NASCAR. He is gaining real world experience, which led to a try out with Richard Petty Motorsports for an ARCA Racing Series ride.

To learn more about the ASA Educational Series or how to join the program go to asa-racing.com, e-mail lpond@asaeducationalseries.com or call 1-480-861-7235.