Teams

RED BULL NASCAR

Garage Headquarters: Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, KY

Driver: Andrew Parson

Mechanics: John Bagby, Nano Bermudez, Charlie Mooney, Kyle Willis

Nuts and Bolts:

Red Bull Soapbox contenders are advised to watch out for the team from the Bluegrass State. The Kentuckians have a killer instinct – literally. John Bagby, Nano Bermudez, Charlie Mooney, Andrew Parson, and Kyle Willis spend so much time hunting and fishing that friends jokingly wonder how they manage to keep up with their classes (four of them attend Lindsey Wilson College, and the fifth is enrolled at Western Kentucky University). As mountain bikers on the Lindsey Wilson cycling team, Bermudez, Mooney, and Parson also know how to go for the jugular in competition. Collectively, they've claimed several national podiums, including two individual national titles. "We're hard-core racers," notes Parson, the 2005 National Collegiate Champion in Mountain Cross.

As Parson finishes the final semester of his art degree, he is turning pro in anticipation of having time to intensify his participation in the NORBA series and other cycling events. Meanwhile, he's the lead designer and builder of the "Red Bull NASCAR" racer, as well as its driver. Despite his ferocity in contests, outside the competitive arena Parson sounds like any enthusiastic, overextended senior. "My art major show is being put up soon, I'm training for Nationals, and we're building this car," he says, looking mildly dazed but happy. "We're all kinda jacked to be participating in this Red Bull contest."