Scott Weis goes back to school

HANOVER, Va. (October 11, 2006) - NHRA Top Fuel pilot Scott Weis recently went back to school. The Ashland, Va.-based Weis returned to Hanover High School for the second consecutive year to help promote the Race 2 Read program, organized by the school librarian Kim Weis, the racers wife. The team visits have proven to be a huge success in encouraging the 1330 high school students to check out and read more books. The program started with 10 members and after Weis' first visit grew to 40 participants. The number of books checked out this year has exceeded 660, up from last years 430.

In addition to the Race 2 Read program awareness, Weis displayed his 7,000 horsepower Bruce's Super Body Shop's/Barrett Enterprises Top Fuel dragster for the student body to see. Weis worked closely with the Automotive Technology classes of teacher Joe Henderson, that would allow students to compete in a "Pit Crew Challenge" by disassembling and reassembling the cylinder heads from the 500 cubic inch "Hemi" engine. Each round winner was awarded a team tee shirt and the class winners were treated to a team die cast collectable autographed by Weis. Student Anthony Blizman won the competition with a time of 4:51 minutes to capture the 2006 Championship.

"It was great to see the students get excited while competing with each other," Weis explained. "We have a fun time sharing our passion with the student body, while helping the Race 2 read program. Everyone comes out a winner in a day like this."

-credit: ks