EL PASO, Texas – Antron Brown, driver of the Don Schumacher Racing-owned Matco Tools dragster, will visit with students at Western Technical College in El Paso, Texas on March 27. The former college track star at Mercer (N.J.) Community College will speak to Western Tech students about education and career choices before competing at the SummitRacing.com Nationals, March 30-April 1, in Las Vegas. Brown’s 7,000-horsepower Matco Tools dragster also will be on display at WTC.
“I really enjoy these school visits we do for Matco (Tools),” Brown said. “I was just like many of these students not too long ago when I was a student at Mercer College in New Jersey. It’s nice to give back and speak to the students about career paths and the importance of focusing on education. These are the technicians and mechanics of tomorrow and it’s great to meet the students and hopefully deliver a positive message to them. Western Tech (College) is a fantastic facility and we’re excited to visit the camus and speak to all the students for the fourth straight year. I think it’s great that Matco makes this a top initiative for the company.”
The Western Technical College visit is the second of eight vocational school visits during the 2012 NHRA season for Brown and the Matco Tools dragster as part of the Matco Tools TechEd program. Brown will be at the school from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. speaking to groups of students who also will have the opportunity to get an up-close look at the Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster that currently ranks third in the NHRA Top Fuel standings. Matco Tools Racing pit crew members John Benshoof, who graduated from Wyotech in Laramie, Wyo., and Jason Thomas, a former SuperCross motorcycle mechanic, also will be on hand to speak with the students.
“Antron Brown’s visit to El Paso will provide a national perspective on careers in the racing industry that range from automotive technicians to even medical positions,” Allan Sharpe, President of Western Technical College said. “We are pleased to have such a well-known name to not only present industry specific information to our students and the community, but also the motivation and experience that he brings as a NHRA driver and career leader in his industry.”
Brown, 36, is the only racer in NHRA history to win races and lead the standings in both Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle. He has 32 career wins, 29 career No. 1 qualifying awards and is competing in his fifth season in Top Fuel after spending 10 years in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class. He has a career-best speed of 325.92 mph. Brown also was recently honored by the New Jersey African-American Chamber of Commerce
WHO: Antron Brown, NHRA Top Fuel driver
WHAT: The 32-time NHRA winner will visit Western Technical College and speak to students at the college. Brown’s Matco Tools dragster also will be on display.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 27, 2012
WHERE: Western Technical College, 9624 Plaza Circle, El Paso, TX 79926
TIME 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
CONTACT: Donna Villarreal (915)253-4764 prworksforyou@gmail.com
About Matco Tools
Matco Tools manufactures, distributes and services premium quality automotive equipment, tools, and tool storage for the professional technician. The company has more than 60 years of national brand experience in the automotive equipment industry and a vast product line of more than 13,000 of the highest quality, innovative tools and accessories. The company’s franchise offering has no franchise, royalty, or advertising fees. Initial corporate and ongoing local training create and build outstanding value for the franchisee’s business. For more information on Matco Tools products or franchise opportunities, visit www.matcotools.com.