Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Pennsylvania College of Technology students and faculty earned accolades at the recent Toyota Green Grand Prix in Watkins Glen, New York, a competition that promotes environmentally friendly road vehicles.
The college contingent – consisting of six students from the Penn College Motorsports Association and two automotive technology faculty members – collected five awards at the 22nd annual event, held at the famed Watkins Glen International race track. The Green Grand Prix is a fuel-efficiency competition for alternative fuel vehicles, hybrids, and traditional gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. It aims to inspire automotive technology students to pursue careers in advanced-vehicle technologies.
Pennsylvania College of Technology student-faculty contingent captured several awards at the recent Toyota Green Grand Prix, held at the Watkins Glen International race track in Watkins Glen, New York. The event promotes environmentally friendly road vehicles. From left: David P. Showan, associate professor of automotive technology, and students Ian T. McClain, of Latrobe; Violet L. Leonard, of Duncansville; Owen L. Junge, of Mertztown; Ethan A. George, of Dillsburg; Alex S. Broyles, of Chadds Ford; and Tony A. Speece Jr., of Reading. Photo courtesy of Joe A. Tavani, Penn College
The college’s entries ranged from school-owned electric and hybrid vehicles used in labs to cars owned by individual students and David P. Showan, associate professor of automotive technology.
“This was a valuable experience for me and the other students because it gave us the opportunity to observe how each car handles on the track in a controlled environment,” said Violet L. Leonard, of Duncansville, majoring in automotive technology. “It allowed us to be directly involved and gain hands-on experience, helping us better understand vehicle behavior and how different setups affect performance. Being able to apply what we’ve learned in the classroom to a real-world setting made the experience more engaging, practical and memorable.”
There were approximately 200 cars at the Green Grand Prix, the only official Sports Car Club of America-sponsored event that offers both a fuel economy/energy efficiency challenge and an autocross on the same day.
Violet L. Leonard (left) and Ethan A. George are ready to compete in the Toyota Green Grand Prix.
Penn College captured five awards at the 22nd annual competition.
The Penn College honors were:
Best mileage for modified diesel: Ethan A. George, of Dillsburg, and Owen L. Junge, of Mertztown, driving George’s 2012 Volkswagen Passat. George is majoring in automotive technology, and Junge is an engineering design technology student.
Best mileage for a third generation Prius: Alex S. Broyles, of Chadds Ford, and Tony A. Speece Jr., of Reading, driving the college’s 2012 Toyota Prius. Broyles is enrolled in automotive technology management, and Speece is studying automotive technology.
Most consistent laps, most efficient electric and the David Bovee Memorial Award: all won by Showan and fellow automotive technology faculty member Joe A. Tavani. They drove Showan’s 2022 Tesla Model 3.
The Penn College crew also included Ian T. McClain, an automotive technology student from Latrobe.
“We’re extremely proud of our students and faculty who devoted the time and energy to prepare for and participate in the Toyota Green Grand Prix. They did a wonderful job representing Penn College. It’s great to come away with several honors, but the experience itself is the true reward,” said Ali L. Lorson, assistant dean of transportation technologies.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
Get Penn College News in your inbox each morning.