Purdue Motorsports

"The biggest thing I learned at Purdue is how to think, and how to problem-solve. That’s what makes a good engineer, whether it’s here in IndyCar, or in any other field."
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

• Purdue Grand Prix
• EV Grand Prix

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

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