Monday, 24 August 2026 07:00 AM
Partnerships
The Automotive, Collision/Refinishing, Diesel, and Welding trade school partnered with the Jessi Combs Foundation and JEGS to compete in a race across the country using not only speed but technique, skill, and precision.
LARAMIE, WY / ACCESS Newswire / August 24, 2026 / WyoTech was proudly represented this summer at the world-renowned Great Race-- a one-of-a-kind automotive challenge that combines classic cars, teamwork, precision, and endurance into an unforgettable cross-country journey. WyoTech Director of Industry Relations, Cindy Barlow, represented the trade school, in partnership with the Jessi Combs Foundation and JEGS Aftermarket Auto Parts and High Performance Racing, to complete the race on Route 66 from Springfield, Illinois, to Pasadena, California.
The Great Race isn't about who has the fastest car. In fact, speed alone won't get competitors to the finish line. Success in the Great Race depends on something much more challenging: precision, timing, and accuracy.
Barlow served as navigator, one of the most demanding positions, of the iconic 1972 GMC Jimmy built in honor of the Jessi Combs Foundation. She shared navigation duties with Nina Darrington, the mother of Jessi Combs, making the journey even more meaningful as the team honored Jessi's incredible legacy while competing across America.
Each team was given detailed route instructions and a designated speed to maintain throughout the course. Drivers and navigators had to work together to hit checkpoints at exact times while navigating winding roads, changing terrain, and unexpected conditions. Every day began by calibrating the vehicle's speedometer to account for changes in road conditions, tire wear, temperature, and elevation. During competition, the navigator continuously calculated and managed precise average speeds while simultaneously directing the driver turn-by-turn using detailed Cameo route maps. Every intersection, speed change, checkpoint, and timing adjustment had to be communicated verbally in real time, often down to fractions of a second.
What makes the competition especially unique is its scoring system. Penalties aren't just handed out to teams that arrive late. Competitors are also penalized for arriving too early. That means teams must execute their route with remarkable consistency and discipline, carefully managing time across hundreds of miles of driving. The challenge is a true test of communication, concentration, and precision under pressure. The mental intensity of the Great Race is difficult to describe. Every day brings hours of complete concentration, constant calculations, split-second decision making, and the shared pressure of meeting the expectations placed on both the navigator and the driver. It is an incredible test of teamwork, trust, and endurance.
For WyoTech, partnering with the Jessi Combs Foundation and JEGS represents a natural fit. All three organizations share a passion for automotive excellence, hands-on learning, and inspiring the next generation of skilled professionals and enthusiasts. The partnership also celebrates the adventurous spirit that Jessi Combs embodied throughout her career-- a relentless pursuit of excellence, innovation, and pushing boundaries.
The Women of WyoTech Club, alongside dedicated instructors, played an important role in bringing the Jimmy build to life for the all-women team that competed. From turning wrenches to solving problems in the shop, these women gained hands-on experience while contributing to a build with a purpose far greater than the finish line. Their hard work, determination, and willingness to step up demonstrate what can be accomplished when opportunity meets passion. Every part they helped build reflects their growing skills and confidence, proving that the future of the trades is stronger when women have a seat at the table.
"I could not be more proud of what our team accomplished," said Cindy Barlow. "Watching people from every corner of the country stop to admire the Jimmy reminded me that the work completed here at WyoTech truly stands among the best. The quality of the restoration, the attention to detail, and the craftsmanship represented everything WyoTech is known for."
Barlow also expressed her sincere appreciation to everyone who helped make the ambitious restoration possible.
"Thank you to every member of the WyoTech team who poured countless hours into this incredibly fast-paced restoration. The dedication, long days, problem-solving, and commitment to excellence made this project a reality. Every department, instructor, student, and staff member who contributed should be extremely proud. This Jimmy represented WyoTech on a national stage, and because of your efforts, it left an unforgettable impression everywhere it went."
WyoTech is proud to have been part of this incredible journey and to support an event that highlighted the skills, dedication, and passion that drive the automotive industry forward. The Great Race proved to be far more than a competition. It became an opportunity to showcase the extraordinary capabilities of WyoTech while honoring the legacy of Jessi Combs and demonstrating what can be accomplished when talented people unite behind a common purpose.
About WyoTech
WyoTech is America's Destination Trade School, providing hands-on training for students pursuing careers in the skilled trades. Located in Laramie, Wyoming, WyoTech offers accelerated programs designed to prepare students for careers in automotive, diesel, collision and refinishing, and welding. With an eight-hour, fifteen-minute training day and industry-driven curriculum, students gain more practical experience in less time - allowing them to graduate quickly and enter the workforce. WyoTech is committed to craftsmanship, work ethic, and preparing the next generation of skilled professionals who keep America moving.
Contact:
James Schaefer
[email protected]
SOURCE: WyoTech