Auto mechanic redefined; NASCAR Tech celebrates 10 years of starting careers

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In July 2002, NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech), a 146,000-square-foot training facility in Mooresville, N.C. – known as "Race City, USA" – elevated the term "auto mechanic." The campus opened as the first technical training school to combine a complete automotive technology program and a NASCAR-specific motorsports program offering NASCAR technician courses. NASCAR Tech, a branch campus of Universal Technical Institute of Arizona, Inc., also became the first exclusive education partner of NASCAR, racing's leader. Now, NASCAR Tech is celebrating 10 years of starting careers and has changed the vernacular from auto mechanic to automotive technician and far surpassed the goal of becoming the first in the industry.  NASCAR Tech has become the leader in the industry for technical education. It has graduated thousands of students, many of whom have gone on to careers in the motorsports and automotive repair industries, including NASCAR Tech inaugural graduate, Vick Keith, who was placed with Roush-Yates Racing upon his graduation from NASCAR Tech nearly a decade ago.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120719/LA43323)

On Wednesday, July 11, 2012, NASCAR Tech hosted an on-campus celebration with more than 400 students in attendance. The highlight of the day was the Legends Panel Discussion in which FOX/SPEED/TNT commentator Larry McReynolds; engine builder Doug Yates, CEO of Roush-Yates Engines; and NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison answered questions and signed autographs. Shige Hattori of Hattori Racing Enterprises also made a special appearance and students were able to view three NASCAR show cars including:

• Bobby Allison's 1973 No. 12 Chevelle Malibu
• Davie Allison's  1992 No. 28 Texaco Havoline Ford Thunderbird
• Shige Hattori's 2012 NASCAR Tech 10th Anniversary K&N Pro Series Toyota Camry

"We are fortunate to have had such exceptional partnerships with NASCAR, racing teams, industry partners and dealerships that have offered our graduates opportunities to wake up every day and work in industries that they love and are passionate about," said Jennifer Waber-Bergeron, campus president for NASCAR Technical Institute. "The work these students and grads undertake each day goes beyond the definition of auto mechanic. The work is so technical we wouldn't call them anything other than technicians."

Visit the multimedia news release for photos, more campus information and an infographic with highlights of NASCAR Tech's history. To keep up with NASCAR Tech news, follow the campus on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NASCARtech or on Twitter at @NASCARTechUTI.

To learn more about NASCAR Tech and the specific programs offered, visit www.uti.edu.

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is the leading provider of post-secondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians. With more than 160,000 graduates in its 47-year history, UTI offers undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate programs at 11 campuses across the United States, as well as manufacturer-specific training programs at dedicated training centers. Through its campus-based school system, UTI provides specialized post-secondary education programs under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech). For more information visit www.uti.edu. Like UTI on www.facebook.com/UTI or follow UTI on Twitter @UTITweet, @MMITweet, and @NASCARTechUTI.

Contact: Teri Morris, 623-201-5553, [email protected]

SOURCE Universal Technical Institute