
Angela Ashmore (BSME ‘10, MSME ‘13), Chip Ganassi Racing
Purdue University students have always been interested in speed: from steam locomotives in the 1800s, to the supersonic rockets of the space age. Motorsports is a natural proving ground for the engineering knowledge and experience Purdue is famous for worldwide. It’s no surprise that there are Boilermaker alumni all over the motorsports world:
- Chris Gabehart, crew chief for NASCAR's Denny Hamlin
- Jonathan Hassler, crew chief for NASCAR's Ryan Blaney
- Angela Ashmore, the first female crew member to win the Indy 500
- Kayli Peterson, driver in NASCAR's Super Late Model and Modified series
- Matt Kuebel and Mike Koenigs, Team Penske IndyCar engineers
- Nathan O’Rourke, lead race engineer for Andretti Autosport's Colton Herta
- Bill Pappas, vice president of competition and race engineering for IndyCar
Beyond the thrill of victory, motorsports teaches teamwork, innovation, and other skills that are prized by companies – both automotive and otherwise! Many of our students end up at SpaceX, Boeing, John Deere, Polaris, and other companies that value the skills taught to them by Purdue Motorsports.
If you love motorsports, Purdue has options for you! From the fun of go-karting, to a dedicated career in motorsports, Purdue can help you achieve your goals.
FUN EVENTS
Since 1958, the annual Purdue Grand Prix hosts the "Greatest Spectacle in College Racing." Any Purdue student group can build a go-kart and compete. The EV Grand Prix offers a separate racing series: a unique challenge for battery-powered electric karts.
BEST FOR: Students who love teamwork, dabbling in racing, and having fun!
STUDENT GROUPS
- Purdue Baja SAE
- Purdue Formula SAE
- Purdue Electric Racing
- Purdue Solar Racing
- Electric Vehicle Club
- Motorsports at Purdue
These student-led groups spend all year designing, building, testing, and racing custom vehicles, competing against other universities. Their cars are judged on design and engineering as much as speed and performance.
BEST FOR: Students interested in the full design process, and enhancing their resumé
ACCREDITED DEGREE
The only accredited motorsports engineering degree in the country, Purdue University in Indianapolis teaches engineering with a focus on racing. Students get hands-on experience and direct connections to the industry, in the "Racing Capital of the World."
BEST FOR: Students serious about working in motorsports, in a big-city environment
HOW DO I APPLY? To apply to Motorsports Engineering at Purdue University in Indianapolis, please use the Common App:
- For "College, School, or Program," choose College of Engineering
- For "Location," choose Purdue University in Indianapolis
- For "Major," choose Motorsports Engineering
Videos
News
News
56-year-old graduate student competes in Purdue Grand Prix
Purdue University in Indianapolis joins Stewart-Haas Racing for Verizon 200 at the Brickyard NASCAR Cup Series race
Purdue's Motorsports Engineering program is fueling the industry's future
Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan to drive Purdue livery for SRX
Contact Us
Contact managing director Todd Nelson for information and sponsorship opportunities with Purdue Motorsports!
tnelson1@purdue.edu | 317-760-9789