The 2025 NHRA season begins in early March, marking New Ford Tech’s seventh year participating in the National Hot Rod Association’s Youth and Education Services (YES) Program. This program showcases how S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) principles are used in real-world automotive careers.

The YES Program is a great fit for New Ford Tech, which focuses on recruiting and training the next generation of Ford and Lincoln automotive technicians. YES events provide a valuable opportunity for Ford and Lincoln dealers to connect with high school and college students at NHRA racetracks nationwide. In 2025, 15 YES events will take place, each held on a Thursday or Friday morning leading up to an NHRA national race.

The NHRA partners with local schools near each race to invite students to learn about the automotive industry. New Ford Tech leverages these events to highlight the career opportunities and educational programs available to aspiring technicians. Attendees will also hear from NHRA Funny Car driver and Ford dealership owner Bob Tasca III, who will share his experience in both motorsports and business. Additionally, Ford dealerships and affiliated technical schools will be on hand to talk about the training and skills needed to succeed as a technician.

Over the past four years, many students who attended YES events have secured positions as technicians or in other roles at Ford and Lincoln dealerships.

2025 YES Program Events:

March 7- NHRA Gatornationals Gainesville, FL
March 21- NHRA Arizona Nationals Phoenix, AZ
March 28- Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals Pomona, CA
April 11- NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Las Vegas, NV
April 25- NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Charlotte, NC
May 15- Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals Joliet, IL
May 30- NHRA New England Nationals Epping, NH
June 6- Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Bristol, TN
August. 29- Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals Indianapolis, Indiana
Sept. 12- Reading NHRA Nationals Reading, Pennsylvania
Sept. 19- NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals Charlotte, North Carolina
Sept. 26- NHRA Midwest Nationals, Madison, Illinois
Oct. 10- Texas NHRA FallNationals, Dallas, Texas
Oct. 30- NHRA Nevada Nationals, Las Vegas, Nevada (Thursday Program)
Nov. 14- In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, Pomona, California

Virtual Events:

June 20- Virginia NHRA Nationals Dinwiddie, VA (Virtual Program)
June 27- Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Norwalk, OH (Virtual Program)
July 18- NHRA Northwest Nationals Seattle, WA (Virtual Program)
July 25- DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals Sonoma, CA (Virtual Program)
August 15- Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Brainerd, MN (Virtual Program)

NHRA’s YES Program is the only full-time educational initiative in motorsports, offering high-quality content and activities for schools and youth organizations nationwide.

Students and schools interested in participating in a YES Program event can contact the NHRA. Ford dealerships and technical colleges can contact their local field service engineer for more information. The YES Program does not operate in the summer when school is not in session, however, there is an online YES program that is available.

Also Watch: Bob Tasca Speaks to Students at YES Program