The "Business of NASCAR" business course raised $700 during Winter Term for the Victory Junction Gang Camp, which brings the course’s three-year total contribution to more than $1,200 for a nonprofit organization in North Carolina that serves children with chronic or serious medical conditions.
The Victory Junction Gang Camp near Randleman, N.C., was a dream of Adam Petty, who passed away in 2000. Kyle and Pattie Petty, Adam’s parents, made his dream come true by starting the camp with the help of friends within the sport of NASCAR and other donors.
Coleman Rich, a lecturer in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, created a project for the class in which students were divided into teams. Each team was given a Pinewood Derby car, and students had to create a portfolio about their team, their driver and sponsorship opportunities.
Each team built their car, created their portfolio and sold sponsorships for the car, which were decorated with sponsor logos. Exam day was “race day,” with weigh in, qualifying and receipt of sponsorship monies.
After qualifying, students ran the ELON 100 and trophies were awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place cars and for the highest total sponsorship money raised. Proceeds of the sponsorships were donated to the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Winners of the ELON 100 were Anna Powell, Nicole Bonine, Tyler Zoda and Alex Wiessner. The group also raised the most money for the camp.
The Business of NASCAR class made possible by contribution from Dr. Joe and Rose Mattioli, owners of Pocono Raceway. Highlights of the class were superspeedway tours of Darlington, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway.
Frank Holt III, President and CEO of Holt Sublimation and a member of the Love School of Business Board of Advisors, presented his company’s involvement in activation practices for NASCAR sponsorships. Brad Allen, a local three-time Modified class champion, discussed racing at the local level.
Danny Morrison, president of the Carolina Panthers and former Elon Assistant Athletic Director and his staff of John Berger, director of sponsor sales and services, and Henry Thomas, director of broadcasting and new media, discussed with the class sponsorships and promotion within the NFL for students to learn differences in the two business models of the professional sports associations.
While at the Daytona International Speedway, the students had an opportunity to meet Patrick Dempsey in the garage area as he was testing his Mazda in preparation for the Rolex 24.