Niceville Graduate Races Toward a Professional Motorsports Career Staff Reports February 19, 2026 10:38 am Emerald Coast, Niceville, Okaloosa County, Schools and Education In Brief: Who: Jackson Shirey, graduate of Niceville High School and Okaloosa Technical College What: Earned ASE Master certification and a prestigious SPARK motorsports internship When: Announced Feb. 18, 2026 Where: Okaloosa County, University of North Florida, Daytona International Speedway Why: To pursue his lifelong goal of working in professional motorsports and racing A former local high school student who once dreamed of working in professional racing is now accelerating toward that goal — one certification, one degree, and one major internship at a time. Jackson Shirey, a graduate of Niceville High School and the Automotive Technology program at Okaloosa Technical College, has built a résumé that blends technical skill with business savvy — a combination that recently earned him a coveted motorsports internship. Shirey first enrolled at Okaloosa Technical College during his junior and senior years of high school, focusing on automotive technology with a clear long-term goal: work for a professional race team. After graduating, he returned to the program as an adult student to complete his training, ultimately earning the distinction of ASE Master Certified Technician — a credential that signals advanced mechanical knowledge and hands-on expertise. He later enrolled at the University of North Florida, where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. While there, Shirey serves as treasurer of the university’s Formula SAE racing team, a role that allowed him...
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