Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, General Motors, Rev Racing, and Group 1001 Hosted STEM Event at Charlotte Technical Center 

Pit Stop was Student's Classroom for the Day 

Concord, NC (Sept. 27, 2023) – The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF), in partnership with Chevrolet, Rev Racing, and Group 1001 hosted a hands-on STEM event for elementary school students at Charlotte Technical Center on Wednesday, September 27.  

Students from six schools from Charlotte Public Schools attended: Croft, Governors' Village, Lincoln Heights, Mallard Creek, Tuckaseegee, and University Park. These schools will receive a Group 1001 STEM Center later this fall. 

A group of 50 students rotated through various interactive activities, relating motorsports to core principles of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program is a comprehensive training program for aspiring minority and female pit crew members. The program focuses on instilling the fundamentals, discipline and confidence required to be a top athlete on a NASCAR pit crew. Students participated at the tech center where they learned first-hand, from a real NASCAR pit crew, what it takes to win on pit road. The hands-on experience also taught them how to change tires like the pros, honing their skill and speed through a friendly pit stop challenge. The following NASCAR and various race car series drivers joined the students to demonstrate parts of their craft, including a pit-stop simulation: 

- Nick Sanchez, 22, Maimi, FL, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 

- Paige Rogers, 20, Fort Wayne, IN, NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Touring Series 

- Lavar Scott, 19, Carney's Point, NJ, ARCA Menards Series  

- Nathan Lyons, 14, Concord, NC, US Legend Car Series 

- Justin Campbell, 18, Griffin, GA, NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Touring Series 

- Caleb Johnson, 14, Denver, CO, US Legend Car Series 

- Andres Perez de Lara, 18, Mexico City, MX, ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Mexico Series 

- Eloy Sebastian Lopez Falcon, 18, Oaxaca, Mexico, US Legend Car Series and NASCAR Mexico Series 

Steve Salem, President and CEO of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, expressed his appreciation for the partners who made the day possible. "This was a special collaboration. We are grateful that this group was able to provide a once-in-a–lifetime environment for students. We took kids out of the classroom and onto the track to show them how STEM applies in the world of racing," Salem said. “It was a cool day for everyone!” 

Force, motion, energy, and engineering are some of the topics that the students focused on. Grip and slip demonstrations taught how traction and friction play an important role at the track, while speed and acceleration allowed students to explore the velocity of a moving car at varying angles. 

"We are deeply committed to making a positive impact in the education of our young people,’’ said Dan Towriss, President and CEO of Group 1001. “We know that providing students with these opportunities can be a game changer and we’re fortunate to partner with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to foster their growth and imagination.’’ 

About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation 

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation helps to strengthen America’s most underserved and distressed communities by supporting and advocating for children, building Youth Development Parks and STEM Centers, partnering with law enforcement and youth-service agencies, and addressing community needs through its national program initiatives. CRSF has opened 354 STEM Centers nationwide, gifting children in communities across the country a new access to state-of-the-art technology, hands-on learning experiences, and skill sets essential to the future of STEM.  

About Group 1001  

Group 1001 Insurance Holdings, LLC (“Group 1001”) is a technology-driven financial services company with a mission to empower customers, employees, and communities by making innovative products accessible to everyone. Group 1001 strives to demystify how insurance and annuity products are purchased today by leveraging technology to provide intuitive financial solutions for all Americans. As part of its mission, Group 1001 invests in strategic partnerships to connect with and transform communities through education and sports. As of June 30, 2023, Group 1001 had combined assets under management of approximately $60.9 billion and comprises the following brands: Delaware Life, Gainbridge®, Clear Spring Health, Clear Spring Property and Casualty Group, and Clear Spring Life. 

About Chevrolet 

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heartbeat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com. 

About Rev Racing  

Rev Racing seeks to obtain the highest quality applicants representing diverse backgrounds and develop them into successful NASCAR drivers. Started by Max Siegel in 2009, Rev Racing manages the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program. Rev Racing currently operates and manages drivers in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, and a youth racing initiative.