RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. - Students at La Vergne High School are preparing to unveil a professionally built flat track motorcycle after spending months transforming a donated Harley-Davidson street bike into a race-ready machine that will soon compete on a national stage.
The ambitious undertaking placed La Vergne High in the national spotlight after the school became the only campus in the country selected for the latest phase of Northern Tool + Equipment’s “Tools for the Trades” initiative. The challenge tasked career and technical education students with completing the motorcycle build within a strict 174-day timeline.
While classroom schedules, holidays, and school breaks shortened the actual work period, organizers say the finished project exceeded expectations. The completed Harley-Davidson dirt track bike will soon hit the track during an upcoming Progressive American Flat Track event in Tennessee.
The motorcycle reveal is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, at the Northern Tool + Equipment store in Murfreesboro.
The project originally began last fall when students from welding instructor Jason Bowers’ program partnered with professional mentors, industry sponsors, and racing experts to overhaul the donated 2025 Harley-Davidson motorcycle into a competition-ready flat track racer.
Officials with the program noted that La Vergne High represents only the third school nationwide selected since the challenge launched in 2021. Previous student teams in Minnesota and Texas built a Legends race car and a scaled monster truck in earlier competitions.
The finished motorcycle is expected to compete during the inaugural Nashville Short Track event on Saturday, June 6, at Tennessee National Raceway in Hohenwald. The race serves as Round 8 of the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track Championship season and marks the series’ return to Tennessee.
According to organizers, professional riders in the national series operate specialized motorcycles capable of reaching speeds near 140 miles per hour on dirt racing circuits. Competitors participate in several disciplines that include Mile, Half-Mile, Short Track, and TT-style events.
Throughout the school year, crews from Northern Tool + Equipment reportedly visited the Rutherford County campus monthly to document progress for a limited television series that will air this fall on RacerTV. The production is expected to showcase the students’ craftsmanship while highlighting the collaboration between educators and professionals within the skilled trades industry.
Bowers praised the opportunity provided to his students, thanking Northern Tool for its partnership and support throughout the build process.
La Vergne High School Principal Dr. Theowauna Hatchett also emphasized the long-term impact the experience could have on participating students.
“This is such a wonderful opportunity,” Hatchett stated. “This can open up opportunities for our students when it comes to their futures - whether it’s an internship or a sparked interest. It’s a special experience and we are grateful.”
After appearing on the racetrack later this month, the motorcycle is expected to be auctioned for charity.
