By Jaymes M. Grace
Photo from PacificF2000 Racing
Young entrepreneur balances books, business and the race track
This week’s “Student Spotlight” is on Trevor Russell!
TUCSON, ARIZ. — Most 20-year-olds are juggling classes and part-time jobs, but Trevor Russell has added a few more items to his plate: running his own car repair business, maintaining a 3.5 GPA at Pima Community College and competing as a champion race car driver.
Behind the wheel of his red Formula 4 race car, Russell has proven he’s as skilled on the track as he is in the classroom and the garage. What makes his story even more remarkable is that he’s largely self-taught in both racing and automotive repair.
“I just started figuring things out on my own,” Russell said of his early years learning to work on cars and developing his racing skills. While his father also races, Russell carved his own path in motorsports, founding his own race team at just 13 years old.
Today, Russell’s days are split between attending classes at Pima Community College (where microeconomics has become his favorite subject), managing his car repair business and training for races. Despite the demanding schedule, he’s maintained strong academic performance and plans to transfer to the University of Arizona’s prestigious Eller College of Management when he graduates in 2026.
Photo from Inde Motorsports Ranch
The combination of business ownership and business education seems natural for Russell, who has already demonstrated the entrepreneurial drive and discipline required to succeed in multiple arenas. His hands-on experience running a car repair business gives him practical insights that complement his classroom learning in economics and business principles.
As Russell prepares for the next chapter of his academic career at U of A, he shows no signs of slowing down—whether that’s in his studies, his business or on the race track.
Well done, Trevor Russell!