02/20/2025
Extraordinary Crew Members, Ivy League Graduates Play Key Role For RFK
Extraordinary Crew Members, Ivy League Graduates Play Key Role For RFK
Princeton and Brown University Grads Helping Anchor Over-The-Wall Teams
CONCORD, NC (February 20, 2025) — Ivy League graduates are often seen as future doctors, lawyers, CEOs, and world leaders, shaping the world with their intellect and influence. But every so often, an Ivy League athlete breaks the mold, and in a rare twist, two of them now play a large role with Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing.
Samuel Wright of Marietta, Georgia, and Jakob Prall of Tipp City, Ohio, are rewriting the script, not only for Ivy League graduates but also for NASCAR crew members. Their unique blend of athleticism and intellect proves that excellence in the pit goes far beyond what some might expect.
“My parents were like, academics first and sports second,” said Wright, who attended Princeton, where he studied molecular biology and architecture from 2017 to 2020.
While pursuing his bachelor’s degree, Wright played defensive end for Princeton before playing professionally in the Canadian Football League (CFL). After retiring from football, he tried out for and earned a spot as the jackman for RFK’s No. 60 team.
Prall’s path was similar. The 2020 Brown University graduate followed his collegiate football career with a stint in the CFL. Before that, he studied economics and is now the front tire changer on RFK’s No. 17 team.
“I was looking for another way to continue my athletic career,” said Prall, who played wide receiver at Brown.
Wright and Prall possess a combination of speed, strength, and brains. This athletic and character profile helped make their transition to pitting a car seamless, changing four tires and fueling their RFK machines in under 12 seconds.
“When I first saw a pit stop, I immediately thought of a choreographed dance,” said Wright. “Everybody’s doing their assignments. It’s very intentional.”
“The nature of the locker room, the environment, working out, practice, film and race day. There are a lot of similarities,” said Prall.
Years ago there was a cultural shift. Organizations throughout NASCAR sought out and recruited pure athletes from other sports. Their athleticism immediately translated to faster pit stops, leading to more race wins. Wright and Prall have that athletic profile and more.
“They’re thinkers, problem solvers, analysts. Their ability to think critically under intense pressure, to synthesize information in real-time,” said RFK Pit Crew Coach Scott Bowen. “Those skills translate well into the high-stakes world of pit crews.”
Like all athletes, Wright and Prall understand that their athletic days won’t last forever. But with Ivy League degrees in hand, they’re planning for a future beyond racing. Wright is channeling his education and plans to eventually pursuit a career in architecture, while Prall sets his sights on wealth management. They’re confident that the lessons learned both on the field, over the wall, and in the classroom will guide them toward success in their next chapter.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY: Samuel Wright and Jakob Prall are available for interviews by request. Contact: Mike Massaro Mmassaro@rfkracing.com or Cole Peterson Cpeterson@rfkracing.com
About RFK Racing
RFK Racing, in its 38th season in 2025, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit rfkracing.com, and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.
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