BROWNSVILLE, Texas — The Texas Southmost College Auto Body Repair Technology program helped a local racing team arrive in style for a major competition at Talladega Superspeedway, one of NASCAR’s most well-known tracks.

A Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) team from Oliveira Middle School placed third in the F-24 Intermediate Modified division at the Greenpower USA National Finals in May, driving electric cars whose bodies were repaired and painted by TSC instructors and students.

Jorge Jasso, an Oliveira teacher and the team’s coach, reached out to the program to help refine the appearance of the cars.

“We took that project on as a way to show our students the fiberglass repair process and the application of top coats,” said Donald Lee Wilt Jr., TSC Auto Body Repair Technology program coordinator and instructor.

Wilt, along with instructor Edrick J. Cuevas and their students, transformed the cars over a two-week period, turning solid blue exteriors into designs inspired by the iconic Herbie film franchise.

“When they gave us the body, there were a lot of cracks,” Cuevas said. “We leveled it out with plastic repair body filler, primed it, and then moved into the refinishing process.”

The team added extra detail to elevate the final look.

“We added some custom touches, including aggressive flake and pearl, to give it a flashy finish,” Wilt said.
 
Jasso and his students were impressed with the result.
 
“They were amazed,” Cuevas said. “Mr. Jasso said he could see the flakes shining in the sun while they were driving, and they felt their car stood out from the rest.”
 
The cars also featured a TSC logo, highlighting the college’s role in the project.
 
“It feels good to be represented out there,” Cuevas said. “Out of all the schools in the area, we were chosen. It feels nice.”
 
Jasso later invited Wilt and Cuevas to the Brownsville Racing Team Awards Ceremony, recognizing the program’s contributions to the team’s success.
 
“It was the first time I’ve been recognized like that,” Cuevas said. “It felt pretty heartwarming.”
 
What began as a favor for local middle school students became a valuable hands-on learning opportunity for TSC students — and the beginning of a potential ongoing partnership.
 
“They asked if we could help again next year,” Wilt said. “Maybe with a new paint scheme, design and color.”
 
Click here for more information on the TSC Auto Body Repair Technology program.