CONCORD — NASCAR driver and Cabarrus County native Daniel Hemric on Wednesday announced the establishment of the Daniel Hemric Be the Change Scholarship with the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Foundation.

Hemric presented a $16,000 check to Rowan Cabarrus Community College for the scholarship at the Cabarrus Business and Technology Center.

Beginning this fall, the Be the Change endowment scholarship will be available annually to one student from Cabarrus or Rowan County who qualifies for financial aid and has chosen a field of study in motorsports, welding or mechanical engineering. The scholarship recipient will be announced this fall and it will help cover tuition costs for the 2019-20 school year.

“Growing up, the biggest hurdle we fought as a family in racing was funding and trying to figure out how we were going to get from one race to the next and the financial part was the biggest part,” Hemric said. “If a student needs help, we want to be that one to be able to step up and approve that scholarship to those folks and give them that opportunity.”

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series rookie grew up in Kannapolis and said he wanted to provide opportunities to future students to help prepare them for the industry. And in Hemric’s remarks, he reflected on wanting to give back to what he referred to as his roots.

“I started my racing journey back when I was 5, 5 years old. As I was traveling here today, I thought, ‘This is pretty surreal.’” Hemric said.

Hemric also praised his wife, Kenzie Hemric, for being a big part of the process of establishing the scholarship.

“She’s kind of been the rock through this whole deal. We just feel so blessed to be able to change people’s lives,” he said.

Patrick Wood, chairman of motorsports at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, said Wednesday’s announcement was special for the college, the foundation, students and the motorsports program.

Wood said the mission of the program is to train students to work in jobs in the motorsports industry.

The the Be the Change Scholarship will help students with financial need pursue their education, said Michael Quillen, vice president of academic programs at RCCC.

“This will impact countless lives. This generous gift is one that sets an example to other potential donors,” Quillen said.

At the end of the announcement, Hemric met with reporters, posed for photos. Afterward, there was a guided tour of the facility.

“I’m thankful for this. It has been at the forefront of my mind within the last few years,” Hemric said. “It’s been a weight off of my shoulders to be able to go and help someone and get the word out.”

The Rowan-Cabarrus motorsports degree program is now entering its 20th year. The program focuses on both the technical and business sides of motorsports.