What is NASCAR Technical Institute? All you need to know about the sport’s exclusive education collaboration

NASCAR Technical Institute, located in Mooresville, North Carolina, is part of the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and the exclusive higher education partner of the Stock Car Racing Association. It combines automotive technology programs with stock car racing-specific motorsports programs.

The campus specializes in professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, and marine technicians. Opened in July 2002, the Institute has a 146,000-square-foot facility and can train 1,800 students with a fleet of 120 employees.

NASCAR Technical Institute offers a 15-week manufacture-specific training program that trains students in engine building, fabrication, welding, aerodynamics, and pit crew essentials. According to a report, some of their engines have been used in NASCAR-sanctioned races.

Enrolled students learn how to keep a car on the tracks with an understanding of the list of equipment that goes in the pit boxes. They also get to work with the state-of-the-industry Lincoln Electric welding equipment.

The Technical Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and was recognized as the ACCSC school of excellence in 2014. It also participates in a nationwide initiative, STEM, that ensures science, technology, engineering, and math skills are added to the curriculum. Each individual should have a state-recognized high school diploma to enroll in the program.

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NASCAR could use generative AI for its future racing format

During an interview with Sports Business Journal, NASCAR Chief Operating Officer Steve O'Donnell highlighted that the governing body could integrate AI for future playoff formats.

Speculations about major changes in NASCAR's playoff format have been floating around since the end of 2024. Sports Business Journal reporter Adam Stern revealed that the governing body's COO believes 'AI can play a big role' in planning a new playoff format.

"I think Al can play a really big role in that. When we created even the stages or playoff format, you did that with the best data you had and best minds you had, but now being able to plug in and work with Al in terms of, "OK, if you tweak the playoffs this way, what should we be watching out for' or 'How could that affect the sport?" stated Steve O'Donnell.

NASCAR teams have integrated AI into the simulation sessions, providing real-time information and stats during the sessions and helping improve on-track strategies for the races.

Richard Childress Racing utilizes AI technology to minimize refuelling time during pit stops. They use an in-car transponder and a pit box-mounted camera helping them to accurately track the car's entry into the pit lane and calculate the correct amount of fuel during the pits.

“An AI engine looks at each frame and classifies whether the fuel can is plugged or unplugged. We’re working at 30 frames per second, so the information is accurate to within about 0.03 seconds,” stated Lenovo AI data scientist Sachin Wan (via The Express).

The integration of AI in the fueling system offers seamless pit stops by signaling the fuel man exactly when to unplug, saving valuable time for the driver.