Gavin Shoun of Elizabethton, Tennessee, and Rylee Curl of Batavia, Ohio, have been announced as the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Scholarship winners 2025, an honor presented annually by Bristol Motor Speedway to outstanding students pursuing automotive careers. The recognition, awarded during the Food City 300 pre-race ceremonies, celebrates their passion for automotive technology and their commitment to advancing in a traditionally competitive field.
Recognition for Emerging Talent in Automotive Technology
Officials from Bristol Motor Speedway revealed that both recipients will each receive a $2,088 check and a commemorative plaque to support their ongoing education costs. Gavin Shoun is set to be recognized at the Speedway’s pre-race stage tonight, waving to the crowd, while Rylee Curl, who could not attend from the Cincinnati area, was also honored for her achievements.
Shoun, currently a senior at Unaka High School, is pursuing his future education at Nashville Auto Diesel College, which is part of Lincoln Tech. For the past two years, he has gained hands-on experience by working at Easy Auto in Elizabethton. His engagement with Skills USA, focusing on Automotive Repair Paint and Refinishing, has spanned four years, building on a lifelong passion for cars encouraged by his grandfather, who was involved in constructing chassis for NHRA teams that participated at the Bristol Dragway during the 1970s and 1980s. Shoun plans to earn an Associate Degree in Automotive Technology Refinishing at NADC/Lincoln Tech.
Explaining the deep connection he feels to his craft, Shoun stated,
“This work is in my blood,”
—Gavin Shoun, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Scholarship Winner. He further emphasized his approach, saying,
“I am able to take some of the old school tricks of the trade and put a modern technology twist to them. I am very passionate about my work and won’t stop until the job is done right.”
—Gavin Shoun, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Scholarship Winner.
Inspiration and Ambition: Rylee Curl’s Automotive Journey
Rylee Curl, who attends Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, plans to transfer to the University of Northwestern Ohio in the spring of 2026 to continue her automotive technology studies. Curl has gathered professional experience across several quick lube shops and full-service automotive businesses. Driven by her aspirations, Curl ultimately hopes to become a business owner within the automotive service industry. She expressed her motivation to inspire other women entering automotive fields, saying,
“I want to show other women thinking about this field that they can do it too,”
—Rylee Curl, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Scholarship Winner. She added,
“If I can inspire even one girl to chase her dream in automotive technology and believe that there’s a place for her in this industry, I would feel like all the hard work is worth it.”
—Rylee Curl, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Scholarship Winner.
History of the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Scholarship and Past Honorees
The Dale Earnhardt Jr. Scholarship, established by Bristol Motor Speedway in 2017 to commemorate Earnhardt Jr.’s retirement, provides students focused on the automotive sector with a one-time financial award intended to ease the costs of tuition, housing, books, and supplies. Notable recipients of previous years include Jaicee Weaver (2018) and Jace Ketron (2019) from Tennessee High School in Bristol; Caleb James Cate (2021) from Knoxville; John Clavier and Chloe Holman (2022) from Elizabethton and Essex, Missouri; Jamie Sullivan and Caleb Kent (2023) from the University of Northwestern Ohio and Happy Valley High School in Watauga; as well as Trea’zur Cassidy of Science Hill High School and Hannah Kelsheimer of UNOH (2024).
Eligibility Criteria and Participating Institutions
To qualify, students must be seniors at one of the 24 specified high schools or enrolled at one of the eight designated colleges and universities located within the Appalachian Highlands region near Bristol Motor Speedway, or at the Speedway’s official partnering institution, the University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima. These eligible high schools stretch across Tennessee and Virginia, including Abingdon High School, Unaka High School, Elizabethton High School, Science Hill High School, and more. Among the higher education partners are East Tennessee State University, Emory & Henry College, King University, Milligan University, and several technical and applied science institutions spread throughout the region.
Celebrating Earnhardt Jr.’s Enduring Influence in Motorsports
The scholarship’s namesake, Dale Earnhardt Jr., remains one of the most recognizable figures in motorsports history. As a longtime racecar driver, Earnhardt Jr. is a third-generation competitor who followed in the footsteps of Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Ralph Earnhardt. His legacy includes 26 NASCAR Cup Series victories and two wins at the Daytona 500. He was selected for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2021, after being voted the sport’s Most Popular Driver by fans for 15 consecutive seasons. Earnhardt Jr. currently serves as an analyst for Prime Sports and TNT Sports, lends his insights on The Dale Jr. Download program, and steers JR Motorsports as team owner in the Xfinity Series. One of his memorable Bristol accomplishments came with his Night Race win in 2004, where he made the iconic declaration, “It’s Bristol, Baby!” in Victory Lane.
The Importance of Supporting Future Automotive Leaders
The Dale Earnhardt Jr. Scholarship continues to highlight the achievements of young individuals, such as Gavin Shoun and Rylee Curl, who exemplify determination and skill in automotive technology. This award not only provides crucial financial support but also serves to encourage diversity and ambition in the next generation of automotive professionals. With each year, Bristol Motor Speedway upholds its commitment to nurturing talent across the Appalachian Highlands region and beyond, creating opportunities for skilled students to make their mark on the automotive industry.
