Adam Garza
Triton College student Adam Garza took second place in the eNASCAR College iRacing Series on Wednesday, Sept. 17. The Forest Park resident represented Triton in the race, advancing to the second round of the tournament.
Proudly wearing maroon and gold in the competition, Garza competed against students from across the United States and Canada in a series of simulation races for a chance to earn up to $60,000 in scholarship money.
Garza’s next race is Oct. 15. If he places in that competition, he will advance to the next round on Oct. 22.
“iRacing is a simulation service that allows drivers to compete against each other virtually,” said Garza. “NASCAR has its own brand of esports, hence the name eNASCAR.”
To practice, Garza runs “laps” on a simulation, perfecting his craft to the best of his ability, while balancing his academic and work responsibilities.
“The simulation is definitely comparable to a real course,” he explained. “Simulation racetracks are laser scanned to feel like a real racecourse. When I’m practicing at home and looking at a screen while turning my wheel, it feels life-like.”
Through iRacing, Garza has competed against multiple “real-life” drivers, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. He credits Corey Heim and Rajah Caruth for being two of his favorite drivers, noting that they’ve becoming “friends” and that he enjoys racing against them.
Outside of racing, Garza is in his second year at Triton College. He enrolled at Triton after realizing he wasn’t ready for a four-year institution.
Garza decided to pursue his dream as a Mass Communication and Multimedia major, describing himself as a good communicator with interests in media and public relations. He hopes to transfer to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte after completing his studies at Triton.
“I like Triton because it allows me to pursue my academic dreams with the freedom to race,” he explained. “Triton offers a flexible schedule, giving me accessibility.”
He added, “I can pursue my dream and get an education,” he said.