Top Wrench Competition 2023 - A HUGE Success

The Top Wrench Competition for 2023 took place on Thursday, April 6th at Crown College, 2307 W Beaver Creek Dr, Powell, TN 37849. The event was from 08:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Not only was there be more than 20 high schools participating, but it is also open to the general public, as well. Numerous organizations are sponsoring this non-profit event and were on site to engage with the students, as well.

Approximately 650 students from throughout East Tennessee attended and partiicpated in the Top Wrench Competition. Although it was original expected to rain, the good Lord held back the rain until after the event. Much of the event is inside Crown College, as well. This event is one that so many young folks in our area look forward to each year!

Not only fun for the partipants, but informative, as well

Crown College has hosted the Top Wrench Competition for quite some time. Two of their graduates have gone on to work at Boatman Automotive. Of course, one of the key purposes of the competition is to show these high school students that they do not have to go on to earn a traditional academic degree from a college or university to have a bright future. Those whose passion is to work in the automotive and truck industry can go on to make a good living for themselves as well!

One of the activities that they really enjoy is to compete as if they were part of a pit crew at a NASCAR track. The timed event requires that they jack up a racing car, remove the old tire and replace it with a new one in as few seconds as possible. Even the ones who take longer to complete the task gain an appreciation for what real pit crew mechanics face when their driver is trying to preserve every second possible for use on the track.

Guests Present Career Opportunities to the Participants

A wide array of vendors, including many in the automotive industry as well as others from various sectors of our community, set up booths to meet and talk with the high school participants to plant seeds of thought in their minds about life after high school graduation.

Of course, there were quite a few muscle cars on display, as well. Unlike a car show, each of these were here for a purpose - to open lines of discussion with high school folks who may be considering a career in the industry after graduation. Even the Sheriff's Department flew in one of their helicopters for the event. Those who are adept in automotive maintenance would make excellent aircraft flight mechanics as a potential future career or could serve as a motor vehicle mechanic maintaining their fleet of patrol cars and SUVs.

These trophies were earned!

With hundreds of young folks participating, needless to say, the competition was fierce. The leadership of the Top Wrench organization were pleased to give out numerous plaques and trophies to those who excelled in performance of the various events. The participants we clearly proud to receive the recognition, as well. Others in the audience were inspired to come back next year and take the challenge again, or, for those who are seniors, to seriously consider a career in the field of work for which they enjoy so much.

The intrinsic value of following a career in a line of work that one enjoys is immeasurable! The automotive and truck industry is always looking to hire new people who have a passion for repairing, restoring, modifying, and enhancing cars and trucks. Hopefully, the message was received and understood: Follow your passion and reap the rewards of a good paying future!