Denny Hamlin and FedEx Introduce 24 HBCU Students to NASCAR Careers

FedEx and Denny Hamlin are racing to introduce career opportunities within NASCAR for HBCU students.

Houston, TX - FedEx and Denny Hamlin are racing to introduce career opportunities within NASCAR for HBCU students.

On April 4, when Denny Hamlin was streaking down the straightaway to capture the checkered flag in the 2022 Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway, little did anyone know that Hamlin and the FedEx car's race team hosted 24 HBCU students who cheered him on to victory. But their appearance is not a mistake. You must understand that Denny Hamlin and FedEx have a history of supporting students, social causes, and initiatives at HBCU schools.

Denny Hamlin
Apr 3, 2022; Richmond, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, FedEx announced partnering with eight HBCUs in Mississippi and Tennessee. This year, Hamlin is taking his support several steps further in helping the students realize their potential as employees within a NASCAR race team.

"It was cool," Hamlin said on meeting the HBCU students. "We actually had them on our car and on the back of our car for the race. So they got to come in and victory lane. And, you know, their excitement was awesome to see because it was their first [NASCAR] race."

Although Hamlin still races for the Joe Gibbs Race Team, in 2021, he became a racing team owner of 23XI Racing with partner Michael Jordan and brought on Black NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace in 2021. Hamlin's reach for diversity and inclusion has 23XI Racing, connecting students with FedEx Career Insights Program.

FedEx created the Career Insights program to provide 24 HBCU students with a passion for sports the support they need to grow their professional network and gain real-life experiences.

Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace
Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace wait along pit road during Daytona 500 pole qualifying at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb.16, 2022. Daytona Pole09; Credit:© Nigel Cook/News-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

"Yeah, it's really awesome. What it does is it pairs up these students from these HBCUs with a couple of race teams. So, my team 23XI, the team I actually drive for, Joe Gibbs Racing, Fox Sports, and NASCAR are all participating to allow these kids to come in and show them what NASCAR is all about, and motorsports, and what kind of career opportunities that we can provide for them into the future." Hamlin noted.

The Career Services programs selected each student at one of the eight HBCU schools FedEx supports, including Fayetteville State University, Jackson State University, LeMoyne-Owen College, Lane College, Miles College, Mississippi Valley State University, Paul Quinn College, and Tennessee State University.

Hamlin remarked how the introduction to the sport would open students' eyes to understand various career opportunities that exist within NASCAR. "There are so many different things in the career wheel that we have opportunities. It doesn't matter what you're studying at the current time. So we're trying to create that connection for them and give them opportunities that maybe, you know, kids like them wouldn't have. And maybe that opportunity goes to someone like a division one score big league school, right? We're trying to show them what our sports are about and what we're trying to do."

The students will be in a six-week program with an opportunity to experience two virtual learning sessions and one in-person learning session with one of the participants.

I got a sense from Hamlin that his interest is more profound and will significantly impact HBCU students and their career choices. "We have a lot of different opportunities with our 23XI team. We're more diverse than any sports business, Hamlin exclaimed. "A part of Michael's goal [Jordan], when we wanted to start this is to reach a platform that maybe his fans, Nike, or the Jordan Brand hadn't reached before. And so we're trying to make change."

Students and career counselors interested in additional information on Denny Hamlin and the FedEx Career Insights Program can search the FedEx website's career section.


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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: