Auto Racing: Racing Carrer, nissan 300zx, michael andretti

Question
Mr. Dan Liddy,
         Hi, my name is German, i would like your advice as the experienced proffessional you are. Im currently a freshman in college and just turned 19.  I really find it that i don't seem to be interested in anything other than cars, racing, and working and modifying engines!! I own a Nissan 300zx and a Toyota MR2. I bought my Z as an NA. I imported a JDM Twin Turbo engine from Japan and succesfully completed a swap. I also ended up modifying it and am currently pushing around 450hp. I take it to the track and do some driving there.. in my eyes, she's a beast! I also bought a 3rd gen JDM 3sgte motor for my MR2 which is also a native NA. I didn't complete the swap on it just yet, im currently changing the head gasket and am considering rebuilding the internals while im at it... as you can see, cars are my passion. I was thinking about doing mechanical engineering in college. My question is, what do you think i should do? I love driving and working on my cars. I would like to emerge in the field of racing and modyfying cars and such... and still be successful in my carrer.. could i get some suggestions please?? sorry for the long write up :/   thanks a bunch!

Answer
Hi German:

Engineering of course, is a challenging career no matter what field you persue.  Mechanical engineering would be the best choice for a career in racing. A couple of top NASCAR drivers are graduate engineers, Ryan Newman for one, there are others.

Since you are already heavily involved in motor sports, and have a little hands on experience, I'd suggest you take some trips to Mooresville, SC, and perhaps Indianapolis to look at some professional racing operations first hand. See if you can visit for  a minute with the big wheels, and ask a few questions about joining such a team.

As for becoming a professional driver, well that takes experience, and a lot of it. Both Michael Andretti and Al Unser Jr. started on go karts, as did Formula One drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nikko Rossberg. and they started about age 7 or 8 .  For stock car racing , you start at the local circle track, and go from there. Race what ever they have.  

The important thing for you at this time is pay close attention to your studies, these days you will get exactly nowhere without an education.  Also try to keep your grades up there in the 3.5 area, if you blow a course, take it over.

That's about all I cvan think of at the moment but if you have more specific questions, feel free to drop another note

Good Luck

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida