It's fast and furious, dangerous and loud. What other reason does anyone need to watch auto racing on TV?

For some Alpharetta High students, there is another good justification: It is homework.

Bob Andres/AJC (ENLARGE)

Students in the NASCAR class look over Michelle Theriault's race car.

Bob Andres/AJC (ENLARGE)

Class instructor Jane McAlister squeezes into the stock car driven by racer Michelle Theriault.

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Jane McAlister, a math teacher at the north Fulton school, wanted to create a seminar class that would be fun as well as educational. Her brainchild: "Gentlemen Start You Engines," a 14-week course with 21 students.

The course description in the 2008 Spring catalog reads: "If you think this is a simple-minded sport for rednecks, you are in for the ride of your life."

The class embraces all things speed, and looks at the big picture in a mathematical context.

Classroom discussions include the dimensions of a track, the measurements of a race car and how the two can work for or against the driver.

Keeping up with the NASCAR Chase for the Cup, and who is up or down in the complex points system, is all part of the curriculum. Homework assignments include watching Speed TV and weekend NASCAR and Indy car races.

The class is part of Alpharetta High's Talented and Gifted (TAG) program. Students take the class in addition to their regular course work, but don't get a letter grade for the extra seminar. Students who complete the class get a "gifted participation" designation on their high school transcripts, McAlister said.

The early inspiration for the class came when McAlister was still teaching math at nearby Milton High School. Michelle Theriault was a student.

"She'd come to me every now and then and ask for three weeks worth of assignments because she was going racing," said McAlister. "And I thought, 'If she's interested in this there have to be other teenagers interested.' "

Theriault, who started racing long before she had a driver's license, competes in various NASCAR and ARCA events and dreams of becoming a NASCAR champion.

McAlister said Theriault's passion for her sport made her wonder if a class that studied racing would work.

"My job is to come up with seminar topics that will be fun and interesting," McAlister said. "I have to make it seem like more than just another math class."

Recently, Theriault came to talk to the class —and parked her race car in the parking lot. The all-male students appeared mesmerized by the car. The sound of the engine was deafening.

Anthony Guarcello, 17, took in the smell of burning rubber and appeared almost intoxicated.

The high school junior says he wants to be a racer, but Ga. 400 doesn't meet his need for speed.

"I need the oval," he said, talking the traditional NASCAR racing format. "And this class is helping me figure out how to get there."

And, whether he makes it in racing or not, the math lessons can't hurt.