Here's an update on Central Magnet School's participation in The Great Race which began June 22, 2019 in Riverside, California and concludes Sunday, (6/30/2019) in Tacoma, Washington.

As has been the case with the previous two races in which the school participated, Central's SRO Sgt. Scott Culp is driving the 1953 Pontiac Chieftan nicknamed "Bonnie" in the 2,300-mile race while students navigate.

When Saturday (6/29/2019) began it was officially race day number 7, and there was this full day and a half day Sunday remaining.

They pulled out of Bend, Oregon and headed for a stop in Vancouver, Washington on Saturday night.

Culp said, "It was a short trip for us. We were able to have a little bit of down time before the boys arrived at the grand opening of the WAAAM West Museum. The first car arrived around 5:00 pm at the museum and it was a packed house! Working with the announcer has its perks. It was Jacob Hendrixson's 21st birthday and we asked Jason make the announcement when the guys arrived for everyone to hear."

The race "is not a speed race but a time/speed/distance rally," stated the 2019 Hemmings Motor News Great Race website. "The vehicles, each with a driver and navigator, are given precise instructions each day that detail every move down to the second. They are scored at secret check points along the way and are penalized one second for each second either early or late."

The SRO continued, "Bonnie safely brought the guys back after another hard day of racing and scored our 6th ACE and a low score of 16.46 seconds for the day. The museum had root beer floats, sweet corn, barbecue, mashed potatoes, and watermelon for dinner. Jacob's parents brought a cake for a small intimate birthday celebration with over 200 racers!"