[vincesanity82]

Unlike the systems that funnel athletes into the NBA and the NFL, there is no college pipeline for drivers entering NASCAR. One of the handful of college graduates to sit behind the wheel of a Sprint Cup Series car would like to see one established. "I wish that more drivers had an education," said Penske Racing's Ryan Newman, who graduated from Purdue University with a mechanical engineering degree in August 2001 and joined NASCAR's premier series full time the following February. "People aren't wanting to wait for kids to be out of college to hire them to be a race car driver. I wish that weren't the case. I wish that was some kind of stipulation." Newman had no suggestions on how NASCAR could mandate an education. The sanctioning body has a minimum age of 18 for drivers who race in the Cup, Nationwide or Craftsman Truck series. -- USA Today

Notes: Newman wants more college grads behind wheel - USATODAY.com

[LSC9901]

A rather myopic view I tell you. What does a college degree and the ability to drive a cup car have in common ???? From my perch above it all I say nothing. Newman should be more concerned with ability and experience versus who understands biology the best. I worked with way to many college educated fools who wear loafers for just one reason.

[EmpireWF]

heh, I guess even MMA has more college grads participating in their sport than NASCAR does. And yet, MMA is still criticized from people who only see it as human cockfighting.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

heh, I guess even MMA has more college grads participating in their sport than NASCAR does. And yet, MMA is still criticized from people who only see it as human cockfighting.

Where I spent all of my earning years didn't require a degree of any sort, but we had plenty of them. I can't imagine why someone would make all the effort to get a degree and then get into something like MMA ??? Then again McDonalds hires people with college degrees.

[vincesanity82]

I can see newmans point though, Not everyone makes it or stays in Nascar, might as well have a backup plan..

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

I can see newmans point though, Not everyone makes it or stays in Nascar, might as well have a backup plan..

Great point but ... that could be said for everyone in every job.

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Great point but ... that could be said for everyone in every job.

not exactly, I hear its quite hard to get in Nascar or any professional sport for that matter..

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

not exactly, I hear its quite hard to get in Nascar or any professional sport for that matter..

No question about that, but just because you get in doesn't make you a success at it.

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

No question about that, but just because you get in doesn't make you a success at it.

exactly, which is why a college degree would come in handy unless they want to flip burgers for a living, and theres nothing wrong that..

[LSC9901]

Well possibly we are reading this story two different ways. He doesn't specifically say anything about the degree being a backup plan. He feels that he can communicate with his crew better because of his degree and he seems to hint at some type of an age requirement for NASCAR that going to college would help achieve. As long as the sanctioning body of NASCAR doesn't require it, and I see no need for a driver to be able to do brain surgery, then it is a moot point.

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Well possibly we are reading this story two different ways. He doesn't specifically say anything about the degree being a backup plan. He feels that he can communicate with his crew better because of his degree and he seems to hint at some type of an age requirement for NASCAR that going to college would help achieve. As long as the sanctioning body of NASCAR doesn't require it, and I see no need for a driver to be able to do brain surgery, then it is a moot point.

I think as long as you are familiar with racing and can speak english it shouldnt matter how well you scored in psychology, guess I was taking something different from it, but I could see it as a backup plan point though..

[Bob Tanner]

Ryan, Ryan, Ryan... This has to be one of the oddest interviews I seen reported recently.

First:
Unlike the systems that funnel athletes into the NBA and the NFL, there is no college pipeline for drivers entering NASCAR. One of the handful of college graduates to sit behind the wheel of a Sprint Cup Series car would like to see one established.

This is the reason professional auto racing will NEVER approach stick&ball in this country. People are brainwashed into following stick&ball at early ages, and are reinforced in primary, secondary and in college. Racing will never be able to battle this effectively.

Second:
"I wish that more drivers had an education," said Penske Racing's Ryan Newman, who graduated from Purdue University with a mechanical engineering degree in August 2001 and joined NASCAR's premier series full time the following February. "People aren't wanting to wait for kids to be out of college to hire them to be a race car driver. I wish that weren't the case. I wish that was some kind of stipulation."

He "wishes more drivers had an education." Sorry Ryan. I stating this as a guy who is educated far beyond his abilities; I think Ryan is putting waaaay too high a value on a sheepskin. All a diploma does is assure some potential employer that you had the tenacity to stick it out longer than your room mate who got bounced out in an alcoholic haze. It's a piece of paper which tells someone who may want to hire you that you have at least a 50% chance of be able to be trained and make the company money.
Since when are stick&ball sports waiting for kids to finish college? Even start college? I believe at least one guy in the NTA went directly from HS to pros within the past couple years. (One of you S&B types will correct me there, I'm sure)

Thirdly:
Newman had no suggestions on how NASCAR could mandate an education. The sanctioning body has a minimum age of 18 for drivers who race in the Cup, Nationwide or Craftsman Truck series

I see one thing they didn't teach at Purdue was Problem Solving; try never to complain about something unless you are ready to give a possibly remedy.

Bottom line is a diploma doesn't insure success in racing any more than it does success in business, art, or psychology. My advice to my fellow Hoosier; Get over it!

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Ryan, Ryan, Ryan... This has to be one of the oddest interviews I seen reported recently.

First:
Unlike the systems that funnel athletes into the NBA and the NFL, there is no college pipeline for drivers entering NASCAR. One of the handful of college graduates to sit behind the wheel of a Sprint Cup Series car would like to see one established.

This is the reason professional auto racing will NEVER approach stick&ball in this country. People are brainwashed into following stick&ball at early ages, and are reinforced in primary, secondary and in college. Racing will never be able to battle this effectively.

Second:
"I wish that more drivers had an education," said Penske Racing's Ryan Newman, who graduated from Purdue University with a mechanical engineering degree in August 2001 and joined NASCAR's premier series full time the following February. "People aren't wanting to wait for kids to be out of college to hire them to be a race car driver. I wish that weren't the case. I wish that was some kind of stipulation."

He "wishes more drivers had an education." Sorry Ryan. I stating this as a guy who is educated far beyond his abilities; I think Ryan is putting waaaay too high a value on a sheepskin. All a diploma does is assure some potential employer that you had the tenacity to stick it out longer than your room mate who got bounced out in an alcoholic haze. It's a piece of paper which tells someone who may want to hire you that you have at least a 50% chance of be able to be trained and make the company money.
Since when are stick&ball sports waiting for kids to finish college? Even start college? I believe at least one guy in the NTA went directly from HS to pros within the past couple years. (One of you S&B types will correct me there, I'm sure)

Thirdly:
Newman had no suggestions on how NASCAR could mandate an education. The sanctioning body has a minimum age of 18 for drivers who race in the Cup, Nationwide or Craftsman Truck series

I see one thing they didn't teach at Purdue was Problem Solving; try never to complain about something unless you are ready to give a possibly remedy.

Bottom line is a diploma doesn't insure success in racing any more than it does success in business, art, or psychology. My advice to my fellow Hoosier; Get over it!

Its more than just a piece of paper Bob, a degree brings success in any field you study in..

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

Its more than just a piece of paper Bob, a degree brings success in any field you study in..

Can't agree there Vince... I don't think a degree can make you a better race car driver. I don't think a degree can make you better. I have friend who is high in Humana. He earned that without a degree.

Racin is different, IMO... you have to be born with the ability, and be able to learn. A piece of paper won't help you turn the wheel.

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Can't agree there Vince... I don't think a degree can make you a better race car driver. I don't think a degree can make you better. I have friend who is high in Humana. He earned that without a degree.

Racin is different, IMO... you have to be born with the ability, and be able to learn. A piece of paper won't help you turn the wheel.

I agree you do have to have born skills and ability to race, a degree towards racing wont do a whole lot maybe but it certainly wouldnt take away, I mainly was talking about non sports, Bob was saying that a degree is just a piece of paper and doesnt insure anything, I know im not going just to collect debt so when I get out I can not be successful..