July 31, 2012 - Racing Dream Becoming a Reality for Justin Rolfe

July 31, 2012 - Justin Rolfe moved to Mooresville, N.C. with one goal – to get on a good race team.

My mom always told me ‘if you have a dream, go for it, that anything is possible,’” stated Rolfe.

Rolfe, 24, grew up just 20 miles west of Richmond, VA. As a toddler, he traveled with his parents up and down the east coast to NASCAR races.

"I started going to races when I was two-years-old,” recalled Rolfe. “I sat in dad and mom’s lap and put in the ear plugs.”

Rolfe’s family went to races from Daytona to Dover and everywhere in between. The youngster was even in the grandstands at Daytona International Speedway in 1998 when his all-time favorite driver Dale Earnhardt won the Daytona 500.

“Racing has always been in my blood,” Rolfe said.

After graduating in 2009 from Radford University with a degree in Business Management, Rolfe decided to take mom’s advice and move a few miles south to pursue a dream that took its roots in early childhood.

In 2010, Rolfe enrolled at NASCAR Technical Institute – the exclusive educational partner of NASCAR which offers a complete automotive technology training program with NASCAR-specific courses. The school, which opened in 2002, is celebrating its 10th anniversary and has graduated thousands of students in their automotive curriculum.

“I felt going to NASCAR Tech was my best opportunity to get into racing,” explained Rolfe.

Rolfe studied the core automotive program plus NASCAR-specific courses, including pit crew training, chassis, fabrication, and engine spec lab program where he learned how to build and teardown race engines. He maintained a 4.0 GPA and perfect attendance record.

“When we first met Justin, we knew in just a few minutes that he was an intelligent individual,” said John Dodson, Community/NASCAR Team Relations Director for NASCAR Tech. “His positive attitude, strong work ethic and pleasant demeanor makes him a winner. He’s a team player and willing to do what it takes to succeed.”

That drive and determination led Rolfe to graduate with honors from NASCAR Tech in September 2011. What should have been one of the most exciting times in Rolfe’s life turned into one of the most difficult. Rolfe’s mother, Janelle, was diagnosed with cancer a week after his graduation and began treatment at a Virginia hospital.

That same week, via NASCAR Tech’s referral, Rolfe was granted an interview at Hendrick Motorsports. He received a job offer one week later – an uplifting accomplishment in the midst of tough times for Rolfe and his family.

“First paying race job is at Hendrick Motorsports, I can’t complain about that,” said Rolfe. “My mom knew it was my dream to work there and she wanted me to get the job so bad. It really lifted her spirits. She was so proud and excited for me.”

“When Hendrick Motorsports and other top NASCAR teams reach out to NASCAR Tech for graduates, they expect the very best,” explained Dodson. “Justin certainly fits into that category. He was among several candidates recommended for the job and in the end he got the call. Justin had a dream to work in the top-level of NASCAR and our partners at Hendrick Motorsports made a great decision to add him to the team.”

Today, Rolfe’s job at Hendrick Motorsports involves suspension setup, gluing up tires for the 48, 88, 5, and 24 pit crew practices, and also driving the racecars for pit practice. He, alongside co-workers at Hendrick, also recently built an entire racecar from the ground up.

“My experience at NASCAR Tech gave me the knowledge about building cars,” said Rolfe. “We built a car in four to five weeks – the motor, brake lines, ignition, seat/interior, and fuel system. It was pretty fun.”

Rolfe hopes to become a road crew mechanic on the 48 or 88 team and perhaps go over-the-wall as a tire changer on a Hendrick-trained NASCAR Nationwide Series team pit crew. He says landing the opportunity at Hendrick has opened a world of possibilities, as well as helped him cope during his mother’s illness. 

“They have been very supportive of everything,” Rolfe said of Hendrick Motorsports. “It’s like another family there.”

That support would prove paramount in March of this year when Rolfe’s mother lost her courageous six-month battle with cancer.

“It’s been tough, but it helps to be at my dream place of work,” said Rolfe. “It’s not only changed my life, but also gave my mom much joy in her final months. I set goals and dreams in life like she told me to and now I’m just going for them.”

As Rolfe focuses on moving his way up the racing ranks, he says his mother is still very much with him every step of the way. 

“I know my mom’s very proud and looking down on me now and helping me stay positive.”

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