Teen race car drivers balance training, college
- Toyota's program helps support racers' personal development
- Two college students juggle racing, classroom responsibilities
- Student: 'It created a ladder system for me to try to pursue my goal'
(NewsNation) — Students across the country are back in the classroom, but Westin Workman and Isabella Robusto have been learning from the fast lane.
The two students are members of Toyota’s 2024 Driver Development program, and when they’re not putting the pedal to the metal, they’re hitting the books in pursuit of college degrees that could help them on the track.
Workman, a freshman at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, is studying motorsports engineering, balancing school and racing. He has encountered challenges in doing both at the highest level but has also been able to take his learning from the classroom and apply it to the racetrack every week.
“It’s very difficult, but I try to make it work,” Workman said.
Workman’s passion for racing stems from his dad, who got him into cars at a young age. When he was 12 years old, his dad bought him his very own go-kart, which he used to race nationally. As he grew older, opportunities to race cars appeared, and now, he’s partnered with Toyota.
“It feels great,” he said.
Robusto, a sophomore at Arizona State University, is studying aerospace engineering. She jokes that she picked the hardest major but thoroughly enjoys it — especially because it helps her with her racing craft.
The 19-year-old made a full comeback after a season-ending injury last year. She told NewsNation that she is feeling great now and that she’s had some of her best finishes in the past couple of races so far this year.
“That’s really exciting. I’m looking forward to what the end of the year brings,” Robusto said.
However, her main goal is to finish school strong and obtain her degree while pursuing her racing career. She said her dream is to become a professional race car driver.
The two start their day at 7 a.m. with their workouts and proceed with classes afterward. Both of them said Toyota’s development program has helped them get on track to achieve their racing goals.
“It’s created a ladder system for me to try to pursue my goal of being at the top end of the motorsports ladder,” Workman said.
