Purdue Motorsports


BOILER UP   •   HAMMER DOWN

 

 
"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:

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

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


Jonathan Hassler races to success as a NASCAR crew chief

August 23, 2023
Behind every successful driver is an equally hard-working crew chief. NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Team Penske Ford, relies on crew chief Jonathan Hassler (BSME '07) for information, decision-making, and in-race encouragement.

56-year-old graduate student competes in Purdue Grand Prix

August 11, 2023
56-year-old Ramin Ansari had a long and successful career before deciding to enroll for a Ph.D. at Purdue University. He was surprised to learn that graduate students are eligible to participate in the Purdue Grand Prix, the prestigious annual go-kart race. So he assembled a team of fellow graduate students to make it happen.

Purdue University in Indianapolis joins Stewart-Haas Racing for Verizon 200 at the Brickyard NASCAR Cup Series race

August 10, 2023
Speeding toward the official launch of its first comprehensive urban campus in 2024, Purdue University is partnering with championship-winning NASCAR team Stewart-Haas Racing and driver Ryan Preece in the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard. The iconic Boilermaker gold and black will adorn Preece’s Ford Mustang, with Purdue University in Indianapolis serving as the No. 41 car’s primary sponsor at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, one of the most prestigious annual stops on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar.

Purdue's Motorsports Engineering program is fueling the industry's future

August 8, 2023
There’s only one institution in the country providing an undergraduate motorsports engineering program that’s recognized by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology... in the “Racing Capital of the World,” no less. Located less than a 15-minute drive from where the Indianapolis 500 captures international attention every year, Purdue University in Indianapolis is helping launch racing careers and creating unparalleled opportunities for students.

Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan to drive Purdue livery for SRX

July 6, 2023
Purdue University is announcing a full-season partnership with the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) to introduce its new urban campus in Indianapolis. The iconic Boilermaker gold and black will adorn the race car shared by Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan, racing legends and fan favorites throughout the state of Indiana and beyond.

Contact Us


Contact managing director Todd Nelson for information and sponsorship opportunities with Purdue Motorsports!

tnelson1@purdue.edu | 317-760-9789