Purdue and Dallara unite for motorsports innovation

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Purdue University and Italian race car manufacturer Dallara are accelerating their partnership this Indianapolis 500 weekend with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony set for Saturday at the Dallara Experience Hub in Speedway, Indiana.

The event will mark the official launch of an innovative collaboration that places Purdue’s nationally unique undergraduate motorsports engineering program inside Dallara’s U.S. headquarters, just a mile from the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“This partnership puts Purdue students and industry leader Dallara alongside one another in the epicenter of the motorsports world,” said Dan Hasler, Purdue’s chief operating officer for Indianapolis. “The education, training and connection opportunities through this collaboration will benefit our students, Dallara and the motorsports industry as a whole.”

Purdue’s program is the only ABET-accredited undergraduate motorsports engineering degree in the U.S. Beginning in fall 2025, students will attend classes and receive hands-on training at the Dallara facility. The immersive environment is expected to provide unparalleled access to real-world motorsports engineering and early networking opportunities with one of the sport’s most influential players.

Chris Finch, director of the motorsports program and a former IndyCar engineer, will lead the academic side. Dallara, known for designing and building race chassis for INDYCAR, NASCAR, IMSA, and other global series, has been the exclusive chassis supplier for the NTT INDYCAR Series since 2012.

Many Purdue alumni have gone on to work with top teams in IndyCar, IMSA, and the NHRA, helping to power Indiana’s $2 billion motorsports industry, according to the Indiana Economic Development Corp.

The move underscores Purdue’s growing presence in Indianapolis and strengthens central Indiana’s reputation as a hub for racing innovation and education.