VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A Valley City native who nearly dropped out of high school found his passion at the Sheyenne Valley Area Career & Technology Center and now works for the Penske Team Racing based in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Wyatt Hatcher said it was a great year, as the team won the Nascar Championship. He talked about his job.

He said the team is gearing up for the Dayton 500. He said this year, Nascar implemented a body change that will limit the speed of the cars.

A few years ago he was contemplating dropping out of school but his teachers helped him find his passion and a good career. He encourages other students to stay in school graduate.

Hatcher gives motivational presentations that encourage students to graduate.

Feature photo is Wyatt Hatcher and his mother Laurie Hatcher.

Hatcher also said it was a great year for Roger Penske, the founder and chairman of Penske Corporation and Team Penske. He was elected as a part of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2019.

According to the Penske website, “Cars owned and prepared by Team Penske have produced 489 major race wins, 556 pole positions and 32 Championships across open-wheel, stock car and sports car racing competition. Over the course of its 52-year history, the team has earned 16 Indianapolis 500 victories, a Formula 1 win and overall victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.”