CONCORD, N.C. – Each Wednesday, a new edition of #MorningsWith airs live on the Hendrick Motorsports Twitter account, introducing fans to teammates all across the organization’s Concord, North Carolina, campus.
This week, we got to know director of competition systems Alba Colon.
Colon came to Hendrick Motorsports at the start of 2018 after more than two decades with General Motors, where she served as the NASCAR Cup Series program manager for Chevrolet since 2001.
Born in Spain and raised in Puerto Rico, Colon said that her opportunity to join Hendrick Motorsports was very similar to when she first got the opportunity to join General Motors in 1994.
“When I got the job at GM, it just happened – I had to be at the right place at the right time, and of course you’ve been preparing yourself, and you have to take the opportunity,” she explained. “The same exact thing happened this time. I was happy where I was, what I was doing, and this opportunity just came along.”
It didn’t take too much deliberation to determine that it was the right decision for her.
“The honor to work for (Hendrick Motorsports owner) Mr. (Rick) Hendrick and to work in an organization that is so well-respected and really I have always admired, and to be able to help with the progress of the team, it was a no-brainer for me,” she said. “Everybody has been wonderful. Many people said many things when I came here, but there were some people that told me the following: ‘It’s about time that you came home.’ That got me.”
In her current role, Colon said that just like everyone else once the race season starts, she’s going “full-throttle.” From the simulation group to data analytics, she is constantly striving to utilize competition systems to create success.
“There are so many things that we are working on to help our teams to get better,” she said.
Originally deciding to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering because she wanted to be an astronaut, Colon’s path changed when a professor introduced her to a solar-powered race car, and she quickly developed a passion for working in motor sports.
“You can be ready for a dream, but dreams tend to shift sometimes,” she said. “Do not be closed to that.”
Check out the full chat with Colon in this week’s #MorningsWith segment below.