DOVER -- Tina Gordon knew she had the ability. She just didn't know if she'd get an opportunity.
"A lot of people can succeed if they get the chance to succeed,'' Gordon said. "That's all I ever wanted and I'm grateful I got it. And it's why I'm so happy to be part of this program, because it's something that can open doors.''
The program is NASCAR's Urban Youth Racing School, which is based in Philadelphia. Gordon is a driver on the Craftsman Truck Series, which is part of the NASCAR triple-header this weekend at Dover International Speedway.
Gordon serves as a mentor for the school, which sent 15 of its kids to Dover to live and to learn the behind-the-scenes NASCAR. The school, which was started in 1998, is part of NASCAR's attempts to have more diversity behind the wheel and in the pits - and, of course, in the grandstand and at the concession booth.
As a woman who competes in a sport dominated by men, Gordon appreciates what the program does for people who don't usually get an up-close look at big-time racing.
"I had to pay my dues, just like any driver, but I got a chance to pay them,'' she said. "That's something else we stress to these kids, that it's not all glamour and racing at tracks like this. You have to work hard and be persistent, and you don't start out racing at Dover. And they see that it's really a team sport and you need everybody to succeed.''
Philadelphia has the only school so far, with 87 students in the 10-week orientation and training programs. There are plans to expand to other cities. Kids from Delaware can be part of the program in Philadelphia. Information is available on the school's Web site, www.urbanyouthracingschool.com.
Troy Vincent, the All-Pro cornerback of the Eagles, is a member of the school's board of directors. He was at Dover on Friday to support the students.
"I love motorsports and I love being involved in them,'' said Vincent, who has sponsored a drag-racing team in the past. "That's why I'm so happy to be involved with this school. It's all about exposure [to new things] and opportunity, and those are two things a lot of inner-city kids need very much.''
The kids in the school get to race go-karts and visit other tracks, small and large. They also visit garages and design studios and get to experience race day.
"You get to see how much is involved in a big race like this. You get to see what a huge production it is,'' said 15-year-old Shawnna Stanton of Philadelphia, who is tagging along with Gordon this weekend.
"When you watch a race on television, all you really see is the driver. Out here, you get to see that he's just one part of a big machine.''
Stanton started to watch racing on television and discovered she liked it. Then she heard about the program and signed up for it.
Now she's hooked, although she doesn't have any desire to drive.
"We got a chance to see and do some design work, and I really liked it,'' she said. "So, I think I'd like to get into designing as a career.''
Leon Simmons would like to be a driver, but he's not locked into that. The 16-year-old from Philadelphia has been with the school longer than anybody - six years - and he'll be an intern this summer for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Like Stanton, he got into racing by watching it on television. His mother picked up on that and when she heard about the school, she signed him up for it.
"She was happy I was interested in something that would get me off the streets,'' he said. "And not only am I off the street, I'm learning something and growing as a person.
"The more I'm around this sport, the more I love it,'' Simmons added. "My main goal is to be a driver someday, but I can see myself doing other things, like being a crew chief. As long as I'm involved in the sport, I'll be happy.''
Reach Kevin Noonan at 324-2806 or knoonan@delawareonline.com.
