Passion for Education
Billy has had a passion for drag racing and muscle cars for over thirty years. The Paducah, Kentucky businessman not only wheeled the World's Fastest 1968 Plymouth Barracuda, but he uses his racing enterprise to promote the importance of education to Kentucky's youth through a program he designed called "Race for Education".

The Program…
The program targets sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. Billy takes the racecar to area middle schools where he discusses the importance of staying in school and how it relates to drag racing by using math, physics and logic. Students are challenged to achieve perfect attendance for the school year and are rewarded in May for their efforts. Among the prizes awarded to winners this year were racing t-shirts, driver cards, coupons, gift certificates and cash. The program is funded by local merchants and has been expanded each year to include more schools and more prizes. This program is working too. School attendance records have increased by at least 15% each year it has been in place.

Life-long Learning
Harper's reputation as a successful businessman and drag racer can be attributed to his drive for life-long learning. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Billy used a degree in mechanical engineering to embark on a successful career in the construction business. Harper is the president of Harper Industries, Inc., the parent company for nine construction-related businesses in the Southeast and Texas. He has had the opportunity to participate in many professional and civic organizations. From 1989-90, he served as the chairman of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. In this key position, he was vital in the push for education reform within the state. He remains firmly committed to the importance of quality education for our children and life-long learning for every adult. Harper says, "A sound education makes for a successful career. It has been a vital part in helping me to make the right decisions in my business. My advice to children is to make the best of school. We cannot win if we're not in the race, and you cannot learn if you're not in school giving your best effort."