Slight correction: you apply and receive a Novice Permit *in advance* of the school, which gives you the right/ability to enter a driver's school. Successful completion of two driver's schools (or a waiver after one, pretty rare without any prior wheel-to-wheel experience) allows you to enter Regional races. After two Regional race signoffs you can apply for the Regional license, then two races per year to retain it.

If you do not yet have your Novice Permit, giddy-up! You don't have a whole lotta time to get that done before the NHMS school. - GA