BY KAT McCROSKEY
Gazette Newspapers
HARPERSFIELD TOWNSHIP – SPIRE Academy will expand its national presence through a new partnership with Kaulig Racing, serving as a primary sponsor of the No. 16 Chevrolet driven by AJ Allmendinger in an upcoming NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race in Tennessee.
The car will feature SPIRE Academy branding during the Sports Illustrated Resorts 250 at Nashville Superspeedway on May 30.
Steve Sanders, Chief Executive Officer of SPIRE Academy, announced the partnership during a media event at the campus last week, calling it a milestone for the institution.
“It’s very fun whenever you get to partner with great organizations that come together to focus on performance,” Sanders said.
Sanders thanked Kaulig Racing, VensureHR and additional partners, including Iron Horse Construction, Crimson Education and Nuclear Printing. He also credited SPIRE student-athletes, saying their success continues to create opportunities for the academy.
Sanders said the partnership was rooted in a shared commitment to performance.
“We’re taking that performance to 200 miles per hour,” Sanders said.
Sanders introduced Matt Kaulig as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and partial owner of the Cleveland Guardians.
Kaulig, an Ohio native who lives in Hudson, said he was energized by the event atmosphere.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be here today. It’s like a pep rally,” Kaulig said.
A former college quarterback, Kaulig spoke about the importance of physical and mental preparation. He noted the connection between motorsports and traditional athletics, pointing out that many NASCAR pit crew members are former collegiate or professional athletes, often recruited from training environments like SPIRE.
He also highlighted the demands placed on pit crews, where six athletes work in coordination to refuel a car and change four tires in less than 12 seconds.
Sanders later introduced Phil Urso, Chief Sales Officer of VensureHR, who spoke about personal development and motivation.
“It’s all about maximum speed, maximum effort, maximum energy – all to get the best out of each one of us,” Urso said.
Sanders also thanked event organizer Amy Liles before introducing Allmendinger, who has been part of Kaulig Racing for nine years and has competed professionally for more than two decades.
Allmendinger said his career has been shaped by persistence and a commitment to improvement.
“Whatever your dreams are, do what it takes,” Allmendinger said. “Even if you make mistakes, you become better because of those mistakes.”
He encouraged students to remain focused and resilient.
“At the end of the day, whatever you want to do, you get one life at it,” Allmendinger said. “Do whatever it takes to make sure you never leave a stone unturned…If people say you can’t do it, don’t believe them.”
Allmendinger said he has faced doubts throughout his career and used them as motivation.
“I had plenty of people along the line tell me I couldn’t do it, and I proved them wrong,” he said. “So prove those doubters wrong every day, and make sure the people that do believe in you – you show love to them every day, because they’re more important.”
Following the announcement, Allmendinger posed for photos, conducted interviews and met with student-athletes in attendance.
The race is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on May 30 at Nashville Superspeedway.
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