Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park is a far cry from the crime-ridden streets of Gotham City, but it's where NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racing legend Steve Johnson, owner of Steve Johnson Racing, continued his crusade to find a new generation of BAT-men and women. BAT in this case stands for Be a Technician, and the BAT-man Scholarships provide burgeoning auto, diesel, and collision techs with the tools they need (valued at $5,700) to start their vehicle repair career. Ten or more are awarded per year.
At the 2024 Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals on Aug. 31, Johnson handed out scholarships to a new BAT-man and Bat-woman: Jacoby Cameron and Yuridia Mendoza. Both are Toyota T-TEN students at Ivy Tech in Indiana. They both will recieve a Snap-On mechanics cart and tools valued at $4,200, and a $1,500 Peak Performance Bonus to buy specialty tools. (Utility belts and grappling guns were not included.)
With these gadgets, the winners are already on better footing to leap into action right away.
“One of the biggest barriers for students and entry-level technicians is the expense of a starter set of tools,” said George Arrants, vice president of the ASE Education Foundation. “The BAT-man Scholarship directly solves that barrier for the winners.”
Cindy Barlow, director of industry outreach at the Laramie, Wyoming-based automotive, diesel, and collision trade school WyoTech, commended Johnson, who in July became the first Pro Stock racer to hit 500 career races.
“The BAT-man/-woman scholarships offered by Steve Johnson racing are a remarkable testament to his commitment to the industry,” she said. “The amounts that he awards the students could very well bridge the funding gap and enabling them to attend. It could make or break a student getting into school.”
The BAT-man scholarships are unique in that it is available for students year-round, with no start or end date to apply. To do so, prospective students need only visit the scholarship section on Steve Johnson’s website. Then they answer 5-6 questions, with finalists needing to submit a video as well.
Typically, Johnson has visited scholarship recipients’ school to give a presentation on life in the transportation industry after graduation before surprising the winner with their award. But this year’s awards at the NHRA Nationals were the first to be done outside a school, adding extra energy and engagement along with the tools to equip these future technicians for their future.
“Steve started as a technician and understands the struggles and financial commitment it takes to get started,” Arrants remarked. It’s what makes his “commitment to these students and programs” so targeted toward their needs.
“The fact that this program just started a couple of years ago and is the great success that it is today proves Steve's dedication and commitment to students all over the nation, and the power of his message and to encourage them to get into a job they are passionate about,” Barlow concluded.
