The moment I first heard those racecar engines roar at the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race in Phoenix, it wasn't just loud; you could feel the power of the engines. It was like everything I'd dreamed about since I was a kid just clicked into place.

Growing up, I was all about sports, especially soccer, but I also had this other passion: I loved cars. I liked figuring out how stuff worked, always tinkering with any engine or car parts I could get my hands on. I'd spend hours trying to figure out gadgets, taking them apart, and putting them back together.

That mix of loving cars and sports slowly but surely turned into this massive dream: to work in racing. I imagined being part of the most engineered, fastest cars in the world, diving deep into their incredible design and technology.

When I told my family I wanted to become an automotive tech, let's just say it caught them by surprise. It was a different path than the four-year college experience my parents expected. But I knew in my gut that this was the career path for me. I saw an exciting field that is constantly changing, not the outdated “dirty job” some still imagine. The feeling of figuring out a tricky problem, having the skills to fix it, and always learning new things — that's what really got me excited.

Still, pursuing this path came with its own challenges. Beyond tuition, the cost of tools was incredibly expensive. That's where the Ford Auto Tech Scholarship program came in.

Through Ford Philanthropy, Ford Dealers, and TechForce Foundation, I received $5,000 to help cover crucial expenses outside of my tuition. In addition to the financial support, I’ve been able to meet with other technicians from Ford dealers, like SanTan Ford in Phoenix, but I never imagined it would lead to pit row.

Getting invited behind the scenes to the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race in Phoenix as a Ford Auto Tech Scholar was so much more than a fun day at the track; it opened my eyes to what’s possible in this career.

We met with members of the Ford Racing team, from drivers to pit crew chiefs, and they all talked about how important technicians are to their team. Some team members we talked to shared their stories, explaining their experiences going from working at local garages to landing with top crews in racing.

Having my sister there with me was the best part. She has always supported my dreams, but it was special for her to see the world of racing from a totally new perspective and understand that everyone finds their own way into this field.

My journey, from a kid who loved sports but chose an unexpected path, to a trained auto technician with her sights firmly set on racing, is proof of what an opportunity like the Ford Auto Tech Scholarship program can do.

I'm incredibly grateful for the benefits it has brought me, and I can’t wait to see where this road, or should I say, this track, takes me next.

Makenna Enga is a Ford Auto Tech Scholar.