Paul Harraka might be the best athlete in the Class of 2012, and he wasn't even recruited to play a varsity sport.
A Nascar driver, Harraka can list off his racing stats almost as fast as he can drive-nearly 160 miles per hour. At 18 years old, his wins total 156-including 6 world championships and 13 national championships. Currently he drives in the "minor leagues of racing," but he aims for the majors, where he hopes to win the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR Spring Cup Series.
Harraka literally began living his life in the fast lane at age seven when his father gave him a go-cart. He won the first race he entered in his hometown Wayne, New Jersey and then rolled up to the national circuit in go-carting-where he still holds the title for the youngest driver to win a national championship.
The "Rookie of the Year" title-winner now drives a full-size NASCAR vehicle for a company based in California. As he rattles off each notch in his seatbelt, he uses the plural "we won"-crediting the teams of individuals who put him on the track.
Driving is all about the challenge for Harraka-making quick decisions and thriving on adrenaline. Although he loves to race, he doesn't consider himself a "car guy." Off the track, he steers clear of idle time by volunteering at his church and spending time with his family.
"I am fortunate enough to have so many opportunities that I don't want to pass those up," he says.
Not only does he get the proverbial "Why Duke?" inquiry, he gets, "Why college at all?" He plans to double major in mechanical engineering and public policy-two knowledge bases that will increase his marketability in the technical and business sides of the racing industry.
With a three-peat of NASCAR events scheduled post-East Campus move-in, he says he will carefully balance his new life with racing. He eagerly anticipates getting involved in extracurriculars, such as DukeCru, DukeEngange and the Catholic Student Center. m
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