Appalachia Service Project completes eighth annual “Race to Build”

BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL)—Thousands entered Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday to watch the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, but a small group with the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) entered for a different purpose.

For eight years, the ASP has hosted the Race to Build event during race weekend. Three teams of college students compete to see who can build a house the fastest, safest and of the highest quality. This year, the competing teams came from Iowa State University, Kent State University and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology.

Although a cash prize is involved, ASP President Melisa Winburn said the race is about more than the construction.

"The reality is that these are not just houses," said Winburn. "They are homes, and they will be placed in permanent locations for families who are looking for a safe place to call home. And they'll have that pretty instant equity to can continue to build flourishing lives beyond that."

Winburn said they've continued to receive support throughout the years during the weekend, with many fans choosing to seek them out.

"Race fans will come back, and they say, 'Yeah, we saw it last year,'" said Winburn. "'Who is winning this year?' Some people will come the first day, the second day and the third day to see how the progress is going. So it's nice to have that support from the community. And really, it takes a village to raise these houses."

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The team from Iowa State won the top prize of $5,000. For Cael Knox, the event meant more than just the competition itself.

"It's a great feeling, honestly," said Knox, who attends the university. "Just knowing that we're making an impact in someone's life, making their life better because we're super blessed, and we want to share that blessing across the United States."

The three mortgage-free homes will go to a veteran and his family and two others who previously faced homelessness due to rising rent costs.