
BOILER UP • HAMMER DOWN
NEW! The Al Unser, Sr. Legacy Scholarship
IndyCar legend Al Unser, Sr. won the Indy 500 four times. Thanks to a generous donation from his wife Susan Unser, Purdue University now offers the Al Unser, Sr. Legacy Scholarship. This enables a potential full-ride scholarship for Purdue Motorsports Engineering students in Indianapolis!
The scholarship is available to current Purdue Motorsports Engineering students only, and scholarship applications occur in the Spring. Learn how to apply to become a student at Purdue Motorsports Engineering, or learn more about applying for scholarships!
Motorsports Engineering degree in Indianapolis!
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."
FOR UNDERGRADUATES: 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
FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS: To apply for a graduate degree in Motorsports Engineering at Purdue University in Indianapolis, please apply online:
- For “Select a Campus”, choose Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
- For “Proposed Graduate Major”, choose Mechanical Engineering
- For “Area of Interest”, choose Professional Masters – Mechanical Engineering
- For “Degree Objective”, choose MS in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)
- For “desired location for graduate studies”, choose Indianapolis Location
QUESTIONS ABOUT PURDUE UNIVERSITY IN INDIANAPOLIS?
- For undergraduates, contact Marilyn Mangin: mmangin@purdue.edu
- For graduate students, contact: MEgradoffice@purdue.edu
About

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:
- Jonathan Hassler, champion crew chief for NASCAR's Ryan Blaney
- Chris Gabehart, competition director for Joe Gibbs Racing
- Angela Ashmore, the first female crew member to win the Indy 500
- Chris Andrews, technical lead for Vasser Sullivan's IMSA team
- 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
- IEEE Racing
- Motorsports at Purdue
- Autonomous Motorsports 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
FOR UNDERGRADUATES: 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
FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS: To apply for a graduate degree in Motorsports Engineering at Purdue University in Indianapolis, please apply online:
- For “Select a Campus”, choose Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
- For “Proposed Graduate Major”, choose Mechanical Engineering
- For “Area of Interest”, choose Professional Masters – Mechanical Engineering
- For “Degree Objective”, choose MS in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)
- For “desired location for graduate studies”, choose Indianapolis Location
Videos
News
News
Al Unser's legacy to live on through Purdue motorsports engineering scholarship
When you think of motorsports in Indianapolis, one name comes to mind foremost: Unser. Al Unser, Sr. won the Indy 500 four times, and his family have won it nine times. That incredible legacy will continue for future generations, thanks to a donation in Al’s name to Purdue University’s one-of-a-kind Motorsports Engineering program.
From Purdue to the Indy 500: How Alex Turner Landed His Dream Job at Dallara
Boilermakers on every American-based team at the Indianapolis 500
Grand Prix experience reveals a new career path
Contact Us
QUESTIONS ABOUT MOTORSPORTS ENGINEERING AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY IN INDIANAPOLIS?
- For undergraduates, contact Marilyn Mangin: mmangin@purdue.edu
- For graduate students, contact: MEgradoffice@purdue.edu
QUESTIONS ABOUT MOTORSPORTS AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY WEST LAFAYETTE?
- Contact Todd Nelson: tnelson1@purdue.edu