FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCC TAKES RACING, EDUCATION           

MESSAGES TO THE CAPITOL  

            DANVILLE, VA, February 28, 2002 -- Danville Community College students, faculty and administrators were in Richmond at the State Capitol recently to meet with legislators, the Governor’s Office and others to highlight the importance of racing to the Southside Virginia region. In addition to the students, the college lined up a special guest, Danville Community College Alumnus H.C. Sellers III and his # 83 – a 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that he races at South Boston Speedway, and at other regional NASCAR events.

         DCC President Dr. Carlyle Ramsey said bringing the racecar to Richmond for the day had a three-fold purpose.

“This was an opportunity to promote careers in technology in Virginia’s Community Colleges; to foster Virginia’s major role, both nationally and internationally, in auto racing; and to help inaugurate the new NASCAR season,” Ramsey said.

In the last two years, Danville Community College and nearby Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville have teamed to offer a motorsports management program to prepare students for careers in the racing industry. At DCC, students have the option of a two-year diploma or associate degree program, or a one-year or less certificate program. In addition, the college offers diplomas in related technical programs such as precision machining technology, electronics, air conditioning, auto body mechanics and automotive analysis.

H.C. Sellers III is a Danville native and a 1998 graduate of DCC’s Precision Machining Technology program. Although he didn’t start racing until the 1997 season, he had an immediate impact, winning the Limited Sportsman title at the South Boston Speedway in 1998. A year later, 1999, he was named the Late Model Stock Car Rookie of the Year. In the past five years, he has garnered 10 victories. His brother, Peyton Sellers, a student at Dan River High school, will be driving the #83 car this season at the South Boston Speedway.