Current University students Steven Scott (’23) and BJ Shaw (’24) are working towards different career paths within the auto racing industry. 
Steven and BJ’s paths have crossed many times on and off the track, starting as classmates at The Oaks Academy, then again through the NXG Youth Motorsports program, and now as fellow Trailblazers.
Today, Steven is getting hands-on experience with the timing and scoring side of the industry, while BJ sits behind the wheel pursuing his dream of becoming a professional driver.
Steven’s interest in racing began during the spring of seventh grade when he took a karting beginner’s class and met Rod Reid, president and executive director of NXG Youth Motorsports and owner of the Force Indy racing team.
NXG Youth Motorsports, also known as Nexgeneracers, was started nearly two decades ago with a mission to “introduce youth, particularly African-Americans and other minorities from underrepresented communities, to motorsports and provide them tools to be conscientious drivers behind the wheel and in their lives.”
Steven, who had never driven a kart prior, quickly mastered kart dynamics, braking, and steering and finished the course best in the class.
“It just came naturally to me,” he said. “Usually when I’m driving, I’m not overthinking. It’s almost subconscious, and it’s a good feeling.”
In the following years, he quickly promoted through the class levels and began racing karts. In 2019, he earned third place in the NXG Academy Grand Prix and won the Nexgeneracers Youth Motorsports Driver of the Year award.
Two years later, BJ Shaw, who also completed the NXG program, earned the 2021 NXG Driver of the Year title.
BJ started the NXG program when he was 12-years-old, first racing karts and eventually transitioning to racing cars.
“I told my parents that I’d like to further myself in racing. From there, it just kick started with karting,” he said. “I got decent at it and then, I moved up to racing cars, and that’s where I am today.”
Over the past five years, BJ has built his racing resume, taking formula racing classes at Lucas Oil Racing School at Sebring International Raceway in Florida and Skip Barber Racing School at Circuit of the Americas in Texas, in addition to participating in races across the country. 
BJ, who transferred to UHS in February 2023, says the transition to a new school has been a positive experience, especially with the support of his friends, like Steven.
“Coming here has just been excellent, and everyone is so supportive of what I’m doing,” said BJ. “Steven and I talk quite often about racing, and we have a strong connection through our work with NXG.”
Both students can also relate when it comes to balancing homework and responsibilities as high school students with their racing endeavors.
In 2020, Steven began working with Rod Reid’s racing crew and mechanical team and gained experience with the timing-and-scoring system used for INDYCAR events from Jon Koskey, INDYCAR senior director of technology.
“INDYCAR sent Jon to help NXG set up a new timing system, and Rod just said, ‘Hey, one of you go over there and see what Jon’s doing.’ I was the first to go, not knowing then that this is what I would do now,” said Steven.
During this year’s January Term (J-Term), Jon was invited by Steven to be a guest speaker in the World of Auto Racing class.
This summer, Steven will continue his work with NXG as well as complete an internship where he will travel to various INDYCAR races and run the timing and scoring system alongside Jon. Following graduation, Steven will attend Franklin College where he is committed to playing on the soccer team and will major in engineering and computer science.
BJ balances his classes and schoolwork with after school training and traveling to races on the weekends. Last month, he competed in the Formula One Promotion Series at Road Atlanta in Georgia. His next race is April 29-30 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Troy Township, OH. He is also looking into a degree in motorsports engineering after high school.
“I’m excited for what the future has in store, and I feel a lot of positivity and momentum going into the next year,” said BJ. 
Both Trailblazers credit the support of the close-knit racing community for contributing to their individual successes.
“Everywhere I turn, there’s positivity and that helps me be more confident, not just as a racer, but as a person as well,” said BJ. “There are people around me who are supporting me in this and who can actually help me get to the next level. It’s just awesome that we can get so many people involved to make this dream possible.”
Looking ahead, Steven acknowledges the possibility of the two working in the racing industry together one day.
“I think about it all the time – what if we end up working together?” he said. “That would be really cool.”
To learn more about BJ’s racing career, you can check out his website.