Milton Hershey School Students Take the Wheel on Career Exploration at Hershey Sprint Car Experience

On Thursday, May 7, Hersheypark Stadium was electric with thousands of fans connecting with their favorite drivers while also discovering everything Milton Hershey School has to offer. Students and community members admired the vibrant display of sprint cars across the stadium floor—each distinct in design, color, and build. Many climbed into the driver’s seat, spoke one-on-one with the drivers, and left with autographs proudly signed across their t-shirts.

The partnership between World of Outlaws, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, and MHS comes to life during this annual event, honoring the legacy of racing at Hershey Stadium Speedway while bringing the community together through a shared passion for the sport. At the same time, it opens the door to career exploration, connecting the excitement of racing with real-world opportunities for the next generation.

“This is really fun to get out of the classroom and learn more about the racing side of cars,” MHS sophomore Daxton Willis-Cooper said. “I love to watch races. So, getting the opportunity to go behind the scenes at an event like this is really cool.”

For MHS students in the Automotive Technology Career and Technical Education program area, the Hershey Sprint Car Experience offers an opportunity to come face-to-face with the careers they may be actively preparing for. Before the event began, some students toured sprint car racer Brock Zearfoss’ trailer, getting an inside look at his “garage on wheels,” fully equipped with the tools and equipment needed to maintain a high-performance sprint car. The experience brought their classroom learning to life, allowing them to see how their skills translate in a professional setting.

Several drivers also visited the Senior Division Automotive Technology classroom and the Middle Division Innovation Lab, giving drivers a deeper understanding of how MHS prepares students for careers in these hands-on, state-of-the-art learning environments and offering students a firsthand look at life in the racing industry. Through these conversations, students learned how sprint cars are serviced, what paths led drivers to their careers, and what it takes to succeed in the field. The experience left many students inspired and motivated to continue pursuing opportunities in the skilled trades.

“Our dream is to do what we love to do, and we want to inspire you guys to do the same,” Zearfoss said. “Our jobs take a lot of hard work and a lot of good people. Being able to know a trade, work with your hands, and learn how to fix things will get you farther in life.”

Two-time defending World of Outlaws champion David Gravel spoke with students about the skills and qualities his career has developed; lessons in discipline and resilience that extend far beyond the racetrack.

“I’ve learned how to do so much by being involved in racing,” Gravel said, “It has carried me on through life.”

At the event, students were immersed in far more than the showcase alone; they gained an expanded perspective on the entire ecosystem that powers the sport. By connecting with drivers in the classroom and exploring the cars, trailers, and teams behind them, students saw how many roles and skill sets contribute to keeping sprint cars on the track. That “village” approach revealed a wide range of pathways, reinforcing that a career in this field reaches far past driving and that the possibilities within it are nearly endless

“I love the opportunities MHS provides our students,” MHS Automotive Technology Teacher Grant Powers said. “Events like these give our students the chance to see something completely different than the normal cars we work on and expose them to what’s possible beyond our classroom walls.”

The Hershey Sprint Car Experience, and the partnership between MHS, World of Outlaws, and HE&R, is one of many ways MHS brings its Career-Focused Education to life, creating meaningful connections for students while engaging and inspiring the broader community.