High school students to serve as Grand Marshals of ORP Truck Series race after winning auto skills competition
McKenzie Nordland (left) and Jonathan Anderson work together under the hood during the hands-on competition with a judge looking on during the 61st Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Finals, held June 15 at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich. // Sam Cranston, Catalyst
Two high school students will serve as Grand Marshals for the Camping World Truck Series race at O’Reilly Raceway Park Friday after winning the 61st Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Championship.
Jonathan Anderson, 18, and McKenzie Nordland, 17, of North Dakota earned the honor by winning the nationwide automotive technology competition for high school juniors and seniors. The best two-student team from each state advanced to the National Finals, where they raced to diagnose and properly repair mechanical and electrical problems with a vehicle.
Anderson and Nordland spent two days job shadowing with Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 16 Nationwide Series team at the Roush shop. They also will join the team in the ORP garage and pits and serve as honorary pit crew members for the Kroger 200 on July 24. Their instructor, James McFagden, will join the students for the weeklong race experience.
“For these two extraordinary students from North Dakota, the opportunity to be front and center and serve as race Grand Marshals of the AAA Insurance 200 is richly deserved,” said Marshall L. Doney, AAA National, Automotive Vice President. “In a very short period, these students will have achieved a great deal while creating many lasting memories, from capturing the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Championship to having the chance to be imbedded into Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 16 Con-way Freight team for a race week and weekend.”
The students also will receive at-track tutoring throughout the race weekend by Larry McReynolds, one of the sport’s most recognized crew chiefs and this year’s national spokesperson for the Ford/AAA Auto Skills.
