At the racetrack, the smell of burnt tires filled the air.
Alongside car enthusiasts were students from the automotive program were invited to an event hosted by the National Hot Rod Association on Feb. 7.
The NHRA event took place at the Fairplex in Pomona where participants were taken on a tour into the NHRA Motorsport Museum.
Students were able to take a glance at all the past racers and take a stroll down memory lane. Professors, Mariano Rubio, Bryce Neighbors and Priscilla Englert joined the students at the event.
The group of students and professors were also able to listen to recent racers, technicians and current professionals in the automotive field.
Students who attended the event were already building cars and trying to put their foot in the automotive field. Mathew Zarza and Randel Cunningham share similar aspirations and are young and motivated to strive.
Mathew Zarza, majoring in medium and heavy diesel said he finds motivation from his “whole family” and that “they have always been into cars”. Zarza said cars are a part of him. “It’s in my blood,” Zarza said.
Zarza said the event gave him more hope of the opportunities available in the NHRA and the automotive industry.
In the long run, he said he aspires to work with the NHRA and get a chance to race one of his own cars that he’s currently working on.
Randel Cunningham said he is mostly passionate about motorcycles and was motivated to attend the NHRA event.
“It was a fun experience. I got to see all these cool technologies from the early 50s to modern-day; it was really good and interesting,” Cunningham said.
Automotive student Kenia Duenas Salcido said her goal is to become a master technician–an automotive service professional who specializes in engine performance and engine repair.
“I love cars; a car is a puzzle you can build,” Salcido said. “You tear it apart and fix it to make it better.”
Salcido said that she’s not alone in the field and has people always supporting her. She said there’s a huge support group of professors and students and opportunities that are always growing.
Salcido encourages other females who have thought about pursuing an automotive degree to definitely join the program.
