Driver's visit keeps veterans programs on track

WARREN - A go-kart ride at age 5 and watching his parents sell vehicles inside a car dealership while growing up fueled Tyler Reddick's passion for race car driving.

"My father raced for most of his life. He was racing quite a bit when I was young," the 20-year-old American professional stock car driver said. "I trained by just racing all the time. That's the best way to get better at this."

Reddick drives the No. 29 blue Ford F-150 for Brad Keselowski Racing and had the opportunity to meet with his fans when he visited the South Campus of Macomb Community College the afternoon of Aug. 25. Reddick, who competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, signed autographs, posed for pictures and passed out model trucks.

"It's always fun," Reddick said. "It's nice people come out."

At press time, the Corning, California, resident was slated to race in the Careers for Veterans 200 Aug. 27 at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. The race was presented by the Cooper Standard Foundation and Brad Keselowski's Checkered Flag Foundation, which honors military veterans by showcasing the importance of hiring them when they enter the workforce.

Reddick said he had 23 races planned in 2016. He also said it is important for drivers to stay in good physical shape because "it's a very unpredictable sport."

"When you have a good race, it's easy to stay calm and be alert for changes and conditions," Reddick said. "If things are not going well, your heart rate could jump. It's easy to get distracted and make mistakes. Your heart rate recovers to where it needs to be."

Reddick, who was heavily influenced by driver Steve Kinsor - whom he has met three times - has an entire crew that maintains the F-150, which is based in Statesville, North Carolina.

"They put the truck together, build it and fix it," Reddick said. "I love to win."

For the second consecutive year, the Cooper Standard Foundation will donate a portion of its fundraising proceeds associated with the race to assist veterans in manufacturing training programs at Macomb.

MCC President James Jacobs, who met Reddick and checked out his truck, said he is "beginning to become" a racing fan.

"I went last year to the race," Jacobs said. "It was interesting not only as a race, but also interesting was the idea of supporting veterans in careers. It's important to us at the college."

The Cooper Standard Foundation is a member of the Manufacturing Institute, which is an affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, based in Washington, D.C.

"Cooper Standard is a member that works with us to support veterans in manufacturing careers," Manufacturing Institute Senior Vice President Brent Weil said. He said the Aug. 27 race would help raise awareness about manufacturing careers for military veterans.

"We have partnered with Cooper Standard and Macomb Community College, making sure we've got the best quality manufacturers," Weil said. "There are great opportunities for veterans to be able to apply their skills."

Jimmy White, public relations manager for Brad Keselowski Racing, said the racing team including Reddick was glad to be part of the Aug. 27 race to support veterans.

White has been a car racing fan since 1977.

"When I was 7 years old, I went to the North Wilkesboro Speedway. It was my seventh birthday present," White said. "I took one look at Richard Petty's STP car and just fell in love with it."

When MCC staff member Terri Weakland heard that Reddick was coming to the college, she let husband and race car fan Tom Weakland know. The pair brought their grandsons, Emerson Schloss, 4, and Jackson Schloss, 2, to the school Aug. 25 so they could meet Reddick.

"I grew up at 26 Mile and County Line, by the Motor City Speedway. I've been watching car racing my whole life," Tom Weakland, 47, of Roseville, said. "(My grandsons) got a bunch of little cars they race around the backyard. They love anything with speed."