NEWS
The Challenges of Racing Full-Time While Attending College
May 7, 2025
Trying to Do It All
Taking on two full-time jobs at once is a near-impossible task. But that’s exactly what I am doing right now as I pursue a sports journalism degree here at Arizona State University while racing full time across the country in Spec MX-5 for the prestigious Mazda Motorsports Factory Club Racing Team.
While most kids are partying and having fun on the weekends, my second life comes to fruition. I'm chasing my dream—to one day win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. My day-to-day life is intense, as I balance academics as a Barrett Honors College student with the demanding training required for a racing career. Motorsports push me physically and mentally: I dedicate time to the gym, simulator training, sponsor meetings, networking, media responsibilities, and building my social media presence and public image. I’m constantly on the move,
Between school, travel, and everything in between, here’s how the first year of chasing this dream has unfolded.
Upon graduating from high school in 2023, I took a gap year to race full-time and get myself grounded before starting college. Right after my first day of classes last fall, I was on an airplane to Wisconsin for my first race in Spec MX-5 at Road America.
One month later, I went back to California twice: once for fall break, where I instructed for Porsche Club of America, and then for the penultimate round of my 2024 season in Spec Miata, where I was in the hunt for the championship.
The constant work didn’t stop there. Soon after, I was nominated for the Mazda Spec MX-5 Shootout where I would be in contention to join the Mazda Motorsports Factory Club Racing Team. With help from friends here at ASU, we filmed my submission video, where I explained why Mazda should select me. “Helping Joey out with his video was a great experience. It was so cool to say that I had a role in his nomination for the Mazda Shootout,” said Logan Smith.
The video was a success, as two weeks later, I was invited to the Shootout and on my way to Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida. After two intense days of driving and interviews, I was announced as one of the competition's winners and officially became a Mazda Motorsports Factory Driver.
“I’m incredibly proud of our three scholarship recipients—Joey, Vinnie, and Emy. They have earned their spot on the factory team, and I look forward to seeing them develop into professional racers. It’s thrilling to be a part of their next step in their racing careers,” said Justin Cornelison, former Series Manager of Spec MX-5.
Less than two weeks later, I was back to California to finish the 2024 Spec Miata season. “That put him on pole for the last race of the season and set the stage for Andrews to finish with a grand slam. He scored pole position, led every lap, nailed the fastest lap of the race and took the win,” said Brett Becker of NASA Speed News recapping my dominant weekend where I secured the championship. Read the full article.
In December, I represented Mazda at the PRI (Performance Racing Industry) trade show in Indianapolis.
Ups and Downs on the Road
The 2025 season started at Homestead-Miami Speedway as a warmup to the first round of the championship the following weekend at Sebring International Raceway. Right after Sebring, I headed back to Phoenix to begin my second semester here at ASU.
In February, I headed back to LA to do some final preparation before my debut on the Mazda Team at Road Atlanta. I spent the weekend attending events, catching up with supporters, practicing on the simulator, and doing my pre-season physical assessment with my trainer Greg.
After flying back to school for one day, I was then flying out to Atlanta. The Road Atlanta race weekend was extremely difficult as I had a big crash, but that didn’t stop my ambition.
Spring break meant another trip home to LA, as I was instructing for Porsche Club of America, I was feeling recharged and ready to finish the school year strong and get ready for an intense month of April.
April started at VIR (Virginia International Raceway), where I got to race on one of the most challenging circuits in America. That weekend, I showed good signs of progress, building good momentum for the rest of the season.
The following week, I attended the Long Beach Grand Prix to network and work on the off-track business side of my racing career. Meeting Mario Andretti was an added bonus!
The final trip of the school year was to Chicago for a two-day test at Autobahn Country Club. The timing of this trip being so close to the end of the school year made it intense, but this is the reality of the dream I am chasing and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world.
Overall, my first year of balancing school and racing has been a massive challenge, but so many memories have been made, and I can’t wait for what the next chapter has in store for me.
BONUS CONTENT
When people hear “racecar driver,” they often think it’s only about the driver. However, it takes a team, on and off the track, to be successful. Listen to the interview with #TeamStiglette member Logan Smith.
Learn more about the tracks I've driven on the interactive map.
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes? Here’s a play-by-play of a hectic but fun weekend that led up to my debut with the Mazda Motorsports Factory Club Racing Team. The buildup started with a weekend of intense final preparation in Los Angeles. From sim work to networking at events to catching up with old friends. This was one exciting send-off. [Click to read the full story.]