Is Attending NASCAR Tech a Good Choice?

NASCAR Technical Institute can help you prepare to turn your passion into a career.¹ As the exclusive educational provider of NASCAR, students who graduate with specialized training possess important fundamental skills that race crews can build upon.²⁴ 

When asked about the Automotive and NASCAR Technology programs, NASCAR Tech Graduate Dustin Desautell shared, “Being able to work on cars with current technology and electronics definitely teaches you so you're not just guessing. The general layout of everything gives you a jump start.”

Keep reading to learn more about the school and how it can help put you on a path toward your goals! 

What Do You Learn at NASCAR Tech? 

From former engine builders to retired crew chiefs, seasoned NASCAR experts helped develop and teach in the motorsport program. Students are taught the ins and outs of pit box equipment, chassis, dyno tuning, welding, fabrication and aerodynamics to help prepare them to service and repair high-performance engines like the ones used in racing. 

Courses include: 

• NASCAR Engines I
• NASCAR Engines II
• NASCAR Chassis Applications
• NASCAR Pit Crew
• NASCAR Fabrication I – Finish Fabrication
• NASCAR Fabrication II - Chassis Fabrication
• NASCAR Fabrication III – Advanced Fabrication & Aerodynamics

However, students must complete the core automotive training program at Universal Technical Institute or NASCAR Tech before they can enroll in specialized NASCAR technician training. 

Doing so provides them with a foundational skill set that will prepare them for the NASCAR-specific courses as they learn the basics of automotive service and repair through topics such as: 

• Automotive Engines Service & Repair
• Automotive Powertrains & Transmissions
• Professional Automotive Service Writing
• Vehicle Brake Systems
• Vehicle Electronic Systems & Technology
• Vehicle Steering & Suspension Service & Repair
• Automotive Climate Control Systems & Repair
• Advanced Technology/Hybrid & Service Advising

Upon completing a core auto program and NASCAR technician training, graduates earn associate of occupational studies (AOS) degrees and can begin seeking out entry-level jobs. The motorsports industry can be highly competitive. Therefore, some NASCAR Tech graduates may be employed in auto technician careers.

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification can be helpful to any mechanic. Once students complete the auto mechanic program at UTI, they’ll have the knowledge they need to test for ASE certification, and their education counts as one of the two years of experience required to test. 

How Long Is NASCAR Tech Training? 

NASCAR mechanic training is only 15 weeks long. However, as mentioned above, students must complete an automotive core training program first. The automotive training program at the NASCAR Tech campus in Mooresville is 48 weeks from start to finish. 

An Admissions Representative can help you map out your path. Request more info, and we'll connect you with one! 

What Makes NASCAR Tech Unique? 

As previously mentioned, NASCAR Technical Institute is NASCAR’s exclusive educational provider. Our campus in Mooresville is also known for offering the only NASCAR-endorsed training program in the U.S. The campus is approximately a half-hour drive north of NASCAR hub Charlotte, NC – home to Charlotte Motor Speedway and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. 

Spec Engine Course

The Spec Engine course invites select students to help instructors build engines for NASCAR-sanctioned events. The course is only available to students with a 3.8 GPA or higher and a 98% professionalism/attendance score. Many students set their sights on the program early on as it proves their willingness to learn, competency and passion!  

So how does the Spec Engine course work exactly? 

Race teams purchase the engine parts then seek out NASCAR-approved assemblers to build engines for them. NASCAR Tech instructors are among the approved assemblers. 

Engines built by instructors with students’ assistance have won 40 NASCAR-sanctioned events for drivers like Nick Hoffman, Burt Myers and Kyle Larson. While the victory is sweet, students particularly appreciate the valuable hands-on exercises they get before graduating.  

The exercises also help teach them how important hard work is to the world of racing. Race car mechanics work upwards of 12-hour days for months to prepare for a single day! 

Reasons To Train to Become a NASCAR Technician 

If there’s one thing that NASCAR Tech students have in common, it’s passion. If you’re passionate about motorsports, being a student in the NASCAR Technology program can be an exciting opportunity. 

Not only will students receive mentorship from industry experts, but upon graduating, they’ll possess foundational auto mechanic knowledge and a specialized skill set that can help them pursue their first NASCAR mechanic role. 

Mechanics in the field enjoy: 

• Opportunities to work with their hands and think quickly on their feet 
• Fast-paced, exhilarating work environments 
• Possibility to travel 

If this interests you, schedule a campus tour to learn more about the specialized training program. 

Learn How NASCAR Tech Prepared Brandall Brown 

NASCAR Tech graduate Brandall Brown grew up near the Talladega Superspeedway and developed a passion for racing at a young age. But it wasn’t until he felt the rush of being in the pit that he knew it was time to make his dreams a reality. 

In high school, he got to tag along with a buddy who raced at Talladega, and shortly after, he began researching how to become a NASCAR technician. 

Brown’s research pointed him toward NASCAR Tech. Despite his family’s advice, Brown packed up his things and moved to Mooresville not even a week after graduating high school.

For 48 weeks, he studied at NASCAR Tech’s Automotive Technology program. After finishing auto mechanic school, Brown enrolled in the 15-week NASCAR Technology training program, where he was accepted into the Spec Engine program. He shared, “It really set me up to succeed in what I do now.” 

Brandall graduated in September 2019 and got hired full-time by Hendrick Motorsports in January 2020, where he currently works as an engine tuner on the track! 

FAQ 

Is NASCAR Technical Institute Worth It? 

Yes, NASCAR Tech can help students build a specialized skill set through NASCAR-endorsed training, so after graduation, they are equipped with knowledge relevant to the automotive and racing industries. 

Do NASCAR Technicians Travel? 

Yes, NASCAR events are held across the country, and as a part of the racing team, some techs tag along to ensure the car is and remains in top condition for competition.  

What Degree Do You Need to Be a NASCAR Technician? 

NASCAR mechanics typically have a postsecondary education in auto mechanics, as well as specialized training surrounding high-performance engines and motorsports. ASE certification may also be required. 

Take the Next Step With NASCAR Tech

A combination of passion and state-of-the-industry training can help graduates pursue their goal of becoming a NASCAR mechanic. Ready to get started? Request additional information today, and we’ll reach out to discuss your career goals, as well as how we can begin journeying down your training path together! 

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