WSSU Kinetics team to host viewing party featuring NASCAR series

The Winston-Salem State NASCAR Kinetics team is planning a viewing party for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Samsung 500 Weekend, at Texas Motor Speedway April 5.

The viewing party will be in the Thompson Center 207 and will begin at 12:30 p.m. The race will begin at 2 p.m.

The event will have food, and activities, such as a NASCAR video game and a drawing for a NASCAR jacket, other prizes.

A NASCAR representative will be there to discuss opportunities in NASCAR including internships and the motorsport industry. The viewing party is open to students and the entire community.

The number of people who attend the viewing party will determine which NASCAR Kinetics team wins a grand prize package.

WSSU is competing against four universities -- Central Michigan University, Clark Atlanta University, Howard University; and the University of Texas Pan-America -- for the grand prize, an all-expense paid trip to the 2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte May 16.

Team WSSU will be featured on RAM-TV and on WRAM 90.5.

Team members are Jessica Berrier, senior, motorsports management major; Kennette Burgess, senior, sport management major; Tierra Berthau, junior, sport management major; and Crystal Winston, senior, mass communications major.

"This experience allows me to exercise my creative ability," Winston said.

"Working for NASCAR challenges me to be competitive, especially going into an industry where students from all over are competing for the same positions as me," she said.

Burgess said that the NASCAR industry is great for those interested in marketing.

In addition, the motorsport management program is striving to make its name known on campus.

"I like new and innovative things," Burgess said.

"This program teaches me more about marketing."

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. launched NASCAR Kinetics in January.

The program provides a hands-on learning opportunity for college students to gain real world marketing experience while being immersed in the sport of NASCAR.

NASCAR Kinetics is an undergraduate program for sophomores, juniors and seniors. Applications are now available for the fall 2009 WSSU NASCAR Kinetics Team.

Berrier grew up in the motorsport industry, watching her father and grandfather race. She said she is proud to have followed in their footsteps by joining the NASCAR Kinetics team.

"The Kinetics program has only increased my passion for motorsports," she said.