When spectators at the July 26-27 Brawl in Bristol see a bright gold 1980 Chevrolet Malibu pull into the staging beams at Bristol Dragway, they will be watching a local student with a future brighter than his car.

A top finish at the Sprint High School Nationals put Unicoi County resident Daniel Whitaker on the fast track to a career in automotive technology.  Whitaker and friends thrashed to complete the Malibu in time for the April 26 running of the High School Nationals. 

"Ricky, my brother, and two friends, Matt Harris and Eddie Evans, helped me get this car finished in time to race," said Daniel.  "We had the car for a year and planned to build it as a race car.  Trying to get it ready for the High School Nationals made us work a little faster.  We finished it the Wednesday before the race."

During the High School Nationals, Daniel made it all the way to the semis, an effort good enough for a $500 scholarship.  On the Thursday following the event, an official from Universal Technical Institute called to arrange a meeting with Daniel.

"They sent a man from the UTI NASCAR school," said Daniel's mother, Melissa.  "UTI wanted to make sure that Daniel really wanted to do it.  I think it is wonderful, I'm so proud of him.  Building this car shows all the boys the talent they've really got."

Daniel had the opportunity to select between UTI's NASCAR school and their Hot Rod U program.  Because of his love for street machines, Daniel chose to attend Hot Rod U.  Upon graduation, he will be an ASE-certified mechanic, able to work on BMWs, Audis and other high-end automobiles

"Dad started racing here in 1994," Daniel said.  "We went to Florida for a few years and started racing here again in 2002.  This is a great track; we really love getting to race here.  I just love cars and want to race them and work on them."

His mother said the $500 scholarship from the Sprint High School Nationals will be helpful in paying Daniel's tuition. 

"I can't get it to sink in that he won a $500 scholarship," she said.  "It is stunning, I can't explain it.  I tell all my kids you can accomplish anything if you apply yourself and work for it.  The boys built everything and we're proud of what they've done.  A lot of kids have it done for them.  These kids can look back and say, ‘we did it ourselves.'  It wasn't handed to them."

Daniel will head to UTI's Orlando campus in November, leaving him plenty of opportunities to hit the track in Thunder Valley before leaving for the one-year program. 

When the gold Malibu wagon pulls onto the strip, fans may be watching one of the next great engineering and mechanical minds at work.  After all, racing is Daniel Whitaker's homework and his mom has always told him one thing.

"Never turn down an opportunity to learn," said his proud mother. 

Gates open at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday with time trials beginning at noon.  Eliminations kick off at 4:00 p.m.  Sunday's action begins at 8:00 a.m. with one round of time trials at 9:00 a.m.  Eliminations begin at 11:00.

Tickets are $10 each day, with children 12 and under free. Racers will receive one free crew pass with the purchase of each tech card.

For more information about the Brawl in Bristol, please call (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.bristoldragway.com.