A Need for Speed: Motorsports at UNC Charlotte

UNC Charlotte is located within 50 miles of 90% of NASCAR teams and prepares industry-ready engineers and drivers, and numerous other opportunities for Niners. Here are a few examples of the University’s connection to motorsports.

Layne Riggs ’24 raced his Ford, featuring UNC Charlotte branding, this past Friday night in North Wilkesboro, finishing 2nd. He races again Friday, May 23, during Coca-Cola 600 race weekend. Heather Hadley ’24 was featured in “First to Finish ” on Amazon Prime.

Students from the School of Data Science recently partnered with 23XI Racing, the NASCAR team co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan.

UNC Charlotte Formula SAE, a student-led design-build-race team, competed at Michigan International Speedway May 14-17. This year’s design was inspired by the paint scheme of Alan Kulwicki’s NASCAR championship winning car.

what you need to know

• B.S. in Sports Analytics: UNC Charlotte is enrolling students for a novel Bachelor of Science in Sports Analytics, beginning fall 2025. This first-of-its-kind degree, the only one in the Southeastern United States, is a collaboration between Charlotte’s School of Data Science and College of Health and Human Services.
• Instructor on Shortlist for International Award: Asa Yoneda, instructor of Japanese translation, was named to the shortlist for the International Booker Prize, the world’s most influential award for translated fiction.
• Alumnus Up for Kids’ Choice Award: “Danny Go!” — a kid’s show co-created and hosted by Daniel Coleman ’10 — is nominated for a Kids’ Choice Award. In 2019, Coleman left his role as a senior content producer at Lowe’s to start a media company with three childhood friends.
• Faces of American Innovation: Jennifer Pagán ’99, ’00 M.S., ’07 Ph.D. has been recognized as one of the Bayh-Dole Coalition’s 2025 “Faces of American Innovation” for her revolutionary water disinfection technology using UV-C LED light.

Sharpen You AI Skills

UNC Charlotte now offers an online training course, “Getting Started with Prompts for Generative AI,” designed for faculty, staff and students. Whether exploring AI for the first time or looking to improve your skills, this course provides a practical introduction to writing effective prompts that get results.

additional news, events and announcements: Faculty and staff

• Concur Virtual Forum: Attend the Concur User Group virtual forum from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Thursday, May. 22. Registration is encouraged on the learning and development portal.
• 49er Mart Virtual Forum: 49er Mart users are invited to attend a virtual forum from 2 to 4 p.m., Thursday, May 22. Registration is encouraged on the learning and development portal, and more information is on the 49er Mart message board.
• 49er Mart Reminder: 49er Mart will be unavailable during system maintenance starting at 7 p.m., Friday, May 23, through 11 p.m., Monday, May 26.
• Cost-Share Process: Learn the essentials of processing cost shares on externally funded awards, including requirements for submissions, best practices and deadlines by registering for a training, scheduled for 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, June 5.
• Japanese Culture Poster Showcase: Students who have a passion for Japanese culture recently showcased their experiences during a poster presentation highlighting the spring break faculty-led program “Japan: Japanese Cities in the Age of the Shoguns.”
• Digital Communication Workshop: Register for “Digital Communication: Strategies for University Success and Efficient Email Management ,” part of human resources’ Unleash Your Niner Potential series for Charlotte employees, scheduled for 9 to 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 3, in Colvard Building, Room 5092.

only at charlotte

UNC Charlotte researchers Pinku Mukherjee and Susan Trammell are among this year’s recipients of grant funding from NCInnovation, a nonprofit organization that helps unlock the innovative potential of North Carolina’s world-class public universities.

around campus

Jen Jacobs from the College of Arts + Architecture shared this awesome photo of a crane cooling off by Hechenbleikner Lake! Send your photos from around campus this summer to ninerinsider@charlotte.edu.

campus resources

join the niner conversation on social media

There are a lot of ways to stay up-to-date and show your Niner pride. Make sure to follow Charlotte on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.

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A great night of racing on Cookies BBQ night at the Shelby County Speedway on a beautiful evening in Harlan. A total of 132 cars checked in and provided well balanced fields of cars throughout the six classes.

Action got underway in the Keast Motors IMCA Sport Mod class. Heats were won by Breanna Pfanstiel, Chase Monson and Jake Newsom. The B feature was taken by Joe Feyen as the top 5 transferred to the main. In the A Main Pfanstiel looked to be in charge of the race as she led a good portion of the race. But here came Corey Madden passing his way to the front to pick up the win with a charging Brayden Shepard finishing second, Cody Olson in third, Cameron Meyer in fourth and Pfanstiel rounded out the top 5.

KNOD IMCA Hobby Stock heat race winners were Brian Buboltz, Jason Tetzlaff and Andrew Burg. In an exciting feature event Tetzlaff and Kris Chadwick started in the front row and had a battle for the lead. Eventually Andrew Burg raced his way to the lead and the win over Colby Christensen who came from the 12th starting position to grab second. Joel Magee captured third, Chadwick fourth and Blake Luinenburg finished in fifth.

Thirty-two Atlantic Bottling Coca-Cola IMCA Sport Compacts signed in and put on a show. The heat race winners were Zach Day, Trent Reed, Anthony Clark and Gilbert Aldape. In the B feature Caine Mahlberg picked up the win. A Feature action saw Anthony Clark use the front row start and took the lead and never looked back. Zach Day passed his way into second John Logan third in a good run. Shannon Mahlberg finished fourth and Tanner Hoffman captured fifth. This class went green to checker without a caution. Great job by these drivers.

Western Iowa Vintage action saw Larry Knop take the main event after some close racing action. Some fun racing for the nostalgia racer.

In the class too tough to tame, the Murphy Equipment IMCA Stock Cars. Heat winners were Mike Albertsen, Mike Vondrak and Austin Meiners.

In feature action Vondrak and Larry Robinson started in the front row and battled for the lead. But in the back-and-forth action Braden Richards found himself in the front again and went on for the win. Larry Robinson Jr captured second place, Mike Albertsen was third, Riley Christensen fourth and Austin Meiners finished in fifth . Always a great field of competitors in this class.

The final of the night was the Sorensen Equipment IMCA Late Models. Those ground pounding cars we all love. Heats were won by Zach Zeitner, Allan Hopp and Brandon Baker. Baker in his late model rookie season had an impressive run. Feature action saw Robbie Jorgensen do a masterful job as he took the lead and wheeled his car to victory over a charging Nick Deal who started in the 21 st position and was able to pass cars all the way into second but get no closer. Drew Baker finished third , Mike Collins was fourth and Aiden Mohr captured fifth.

A big thank you to all the drivers, crews and race fans for a great night at SCS that always entertains. Please be here next Saturday May 24. All regular classes plus Joe’s Carting Mini-Mods. Follow us on Facebook and listen to our Podcast “Shelby County Speedway Dirt Talk” on all major platforms.

The third edition of the North Wilkesboro All-Star Race was a good one with a record number of lead changes and plenty of action from start to finish. The field of 23 included race winners from the previous year, former All-Star winners, and Cup champions. Carson Hocevar and John Hunter Nemechek raced their way into the field via the Open while Noah Gragson claimed the final spot on the grid, via the Fan Vote.

Christopher Bell went on to win the race with an aggressive late-race pass for the lead while Joey Logano finished second, failing to go back-to-back in the exhibition race. 

Now, let’s take a look at the biggest winners and losers from the weekend…

WINNER: North Wilkesboro proves it deserves a points race

Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford

Photo by: David Jensen / Getty Images

The NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro featured far better racing than the previous two years as the track begins to age. Perhaps the most exciting short track now on the schedule, the event featured 18 lead changes — the most in All-Star Race history. Of the 23 starters, eight different drivers took a turn out front, and the closing laps showcased a thrilling three-way battle for the win. In fact, the race was good enough that many think the historic short track shouldn’t just host the All-Star Race in the future, but actually deserves a points-paying date on the championship calendar.

LOSER: The promoter’s caution, and not just because Michael Waltrip dropped the flag

This was a controversial concept when first introduced and it was handled in a rather amusing, but honestly, corny way. 1996 All-Star Race winner Michael Waltrip ascended the flagstand, engaging with the crowd as we waited for him to throw the yellow at any point of his choosing, but before 30 laps to go. Just as this was unfolding, Kyle Larson clobbered the wall and slowed down abruptly. Before a natural caution could occur, Waltrip quickly waved the yellow … and then dropped it onto the actual race track as fireworks were launched into the air. It’s a bit funny how the entire point of the yellow flag was to spice things up, but there was likely to be a natural caution anyway at that point. In the future, this ‘gimmick’ yellow probably isn’t necessary and if NASCAR really wants to break up the action, just include a scheduled competition caution instead.

WINNER: Bell for earning a big payday 

Watch: Christopher Bell: ‘Absolutely incredible’ to win All-Star Race

Bell is an All-Star Race winner for the first time in his career. He finished no higher than tenth in his previous four attempts, but Bell was fast all weekend at North Wilkesboro. He and the No. 20 team made the right call, pitting for fresh right-side tires and quickly finding a path through the cars that stayed out. He methodically worked his way around Logano for the race lead, rubbing fenders with him as he cleared the Penske driver. It was an exceptional drive for the win after a strong weekend overall for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver.

LOSER: Logano for being sour over the way Bell raced him

Watch: Logano on Bell: ‘If I could’ve got to him, he was going around’

Logano was not happy after Sunday’s race. He dominated until the late-race promoter’s caution, choosing to stay out while Bell and several others came down pit road for fresh rubber. Bell fought his way around Logano, sliding him up the track with just ten laps to go. Logano, who has a reputation as one of the most aggressive drivers in the field, took issue with that, as well as the promoter’s caution for setting up the sprint to the finish. Talking about Bell’s move, he said: “I did all I could do to hold him off and he got under me and released the brake and gave me no option. Kind of just ran me up into the wall, and if I could’ve got to him, he was going around after a move like that, I just couldn’t get back to him.” Bell was surprised to hear how upset Logano was, replying: “I’ve seen Joey do much worse.”

WINNER: Chastain for coming back from a mid-race wreck to finish third

Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images

In the middle of the All-Star Race, Chastain went for a contact-filled spin after Austin Cindric got into him. Undeterred, he marched forward from the rear of the field, reaching 11th before the promoter’s caution. He stayed out and while most of the drivers who did that fell back, he was the only one who didn’t lose any spots from his restart position. Chastain actually reached as high as second and was lurking just behind the battle for the lead, finishing third for his best result yet in the All-Star Race.

LOSER: SVG and Preece for giving away transfer spots

Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: David Jensen / Getty Images

Both Shane van Gisbergen and Ryan Preece were in a great position to advance into the main event on Sunday night. SVG dominated the first half of the race, but chose to take four tires while many of those around him made a two-tire stop. This was a critical mistake as SVG never recovered the lost track position, failing to make the show. Meanwhile, Preece put himself in a good spot as well, holding the final transfer spot for a late restart with better tires than the leader. And that’s when he ran over the choose box, resulting in an end-of-line penalty that eliminated him from contention. In fairness to Preece, it was difficult to see and NASCAR chose to repaint it before the main event, but he was still the only driver to run over it in a devastating unfortunate error.

The 41st running of the NASCAR All-Star Race is sold out, North Wilkesboro Speedway officials announced today. The capacity crowd for tonight’s NASCAR All-Star Race will include fans from 43 states and nine foreign countries, including Australia, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

“For the third straight year, we’ve had tremendous support from fans not only in North Carolina but around the world who are captivated by the return of North Wilkesboro Speedway to the NASCAR circuit,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “Like Lambeau Field to football and Fenway Park to baseball, North Wilkesboro Speedway has become America’s throwback racetrack.

“We’re incredibly thankful for every race fan who supports North Wilkesboro Speedway and blessed to host the NASCAR All-Star Race. Along with NASCAR nation, we look forward to a fantastic show on this historic short track tonight and then another history-making weekend in Charlotte at the Coca-Cola 600 next week.”

Fans can also tune in to FS1 at 8:00 p.m. ET for tonight’s NASCAR All-Star Race as 23 Cup Series competitors battle in the grand finale of the week for $1 million.

For 2026, fans who renew North Wilkesboro Speedway NASCAR tickets and camping tomorrow through June 17 will get a free pair of Shady Rays sunglasses along with the best available pricing.

KEEP TRACK:

Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway by following on X and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the North Wilkesboro Speedway mobile app.

SMLLC PR

NASCAR on Prime officially drops the green flag on its exclusive Cup Series coverage on Sunday, May 25 at 5:00 p.m. ET with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Prime Video’s compelling slate of NASCAR action includes five consecutive races including the series’ first-ever international points event in Mexico City, wraparound booth and trackside coverage headlined by NASCAR Hall-of-Famers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Carl Edwards, innovative streaming technology, and a signature new anthem from mega-stars Eric Church and John Fogerty.

NASCAR on Prime features a distinguished and well-rounded announce team that combines unparalleled racing expertise with seasoned broadcasting talent. Adam Alexander leads as race caller, joined in the booth alongside Earnhardt Jr. and former DAYTONA 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte. On pit road, DAYTONA 500 champion Trevor Bayne links with experienced reporters Kim Coon and Marty Snider to provide real-time updates on drivers, tactical decisions, and other critical developments as races unfold.

Additionally, esteemed broadcaster Danielle Trotta hosts Prime Video’s trackside pre- and post-race coverage with analysts Edwards and current Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie. Prime Video’s extensive wraparound coverage features candid conversations and exclusive driver interviews fresh off the track, in-depth analysis, previews and breakdowns of the races, and developing storylines that help bring viewers closer to both the action and the personalities behind the wheel.

Immersive Streaming Presentation

The streamer will also elevate the NASCAR experience for fans through a best-in-class viewing presentation and flawless streaming quality, with the following features.

• Double-Box Commercial Format
  • Every Prime Video race will feature end-to-end live coverage of green flag racing with a double-box commercial format, ensuring that viewers never miss a moment of action.

• Key Moments
  • Prime Video leverages real-time data to provide fans with an ability to view race highlights and every flag change on demand while watching NASCAR on Prime. A bank of pivotal moments builds as the race progresses, offering viewers immediate access to these key moments.
• Rapid Recap
  • Assists those who join the race in-progress and want to catch up on the action they missed before entering the livestream. Accessible after selecting “Watch,” Rapid Recap employs real-time data to compile highlights, with the full recap lasting no longer than two minutes. Once caught up, fans are automatically dropped into live action.
• Robust Equipment Arsenal to Capture all the Action
  • Prime Video will deploy 70+ cameras at each race, including in-car and POV cameras with mics, all connected by up to 10 miles of fiber optic cable.
  • A drone will also patrol the sky at select races to capture unique angles and the high-octane atmosphere of the track.
• Premium Viewing Experience and Next-Generation Productions
  • Each race to be produced in 1080p native High Dynamic Range (HDR) with Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, delivering an unparalleled race-day experience for fans with visceral sound, more vivid colors, and greater contrast between light and dark.
• Proprietary Ultra-Low-Latency Technology
  • Prime Video and AWS technology combine to create a proprietary, end-to-end livestreaming solution that delivers ultra-low latency, eliminates drift and ensures synchronization. Prime Video delivers streams with unparalleled quality from the track to the screen, with delivery speeds that match and often surpass what fans receive from traditional cable and broadcast networks.

NASCAR on Prime Anthem and Commercial Campaign

Last month, Prime Video announced an electrifying new anthem that brings together country superstar Eric Church and rock legend John Fogerty. The reimagined “Up Around The Bend (Amazon Music Original)” with Eric Church and John Fogerty transforms the iconic song into the signature sound for NASCAR on Prime, capturing the excitement of race day with a high-energy track.

The anthem debuted as part of the NASCAR on Prime marketing campaign featuring racing icon Dale Earnhardt Jr., veteran analyst Steve Letarte, and Cup Series star Chase Elliott. The full anthem will officially premiere during next Sunday’s presentation of the Coca-Cola 600, and will be woven into broadcasts throughout the exclusive five-race NASCAR Cup Series package.

Both the collaborative version and a solo version by Eric Church will be available to stream exclusively on Amazon Music beginning May 25.

NASCAR on Prime’s Full Cup Series Schedule

Prime Video’s NASCAR Cup Series coverage will feature five races from May 25 to June 22. Below is the full schedule (All times ET).

• Sunday, May 25: Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway — 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, June 1: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Nashville Superspeedway — 6:30 p.m.
• Sunday, June 8: Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway — 1:30 p.m.
• Sunday, June 15: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City — 2:00 p.m.
• Sunday, June 22: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania — 1:00 p.m.

Fans in the U.S. will be able to watch NASCAR live at home or on the go, and across hundreds of compatible devices, streaming from the web, or using the Prime Video app on smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, game consoles, and connected TVs. For a complete list of compatible devices, visit amazon.com/howtostream. Subscription required, 30-day free trial available.

Amazon Studios PR

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. – Before NASCAR celebrated its biggest and brightest at North Wilkesboro Speedway with the All-Star Race, FOX honored one of the greatest to ever work behind the scenes. 

Longtime communications professional at Hendrick Motorsports, Jon Edwards, was named the 2025 recipient of the organization’s “Byrnsie Award”, named after longtime broadcaster Steve Byrnes, who succumbed to cancer in 2015. Presented every season since Byrnes’ death, the award is presented to someone in the NASCAR Cup Series, “who exemplifies principles Byrnes embodied in his professional and personal life — preparation, teamwork and family.”

Edwards, who worked closely with Jeff Gordon throughout his driving career and also with Kyle Larson since 2021, passed away last month at 53 years old. Edwards had most recently been serving as the organization’s director of communications since 2022.

“Jon was the prototype for great PR reps with Jeff Gordon, and he was the perfect choice to guide Kyle Larson’s return to NASCAR and his rise to stardom,” FOX NASCAR play-by-play announcer Mike Joy said. “In an arena with massive egos, Jon’s own was never on display. As an enabler — not a gatekeeper – Jon set a very high standard, all the while being a good and loyal friend. He truly embodied the way Steve Byrnes lived his life.”

The award is voted on by the NASCAR broadcast team and Joy presented the award to Edwards’ family on Sunday. Edwards’ parents, Randy and Judy Edwards, and his brother, Jay Edwards, were in attendance. 

Past winners of the Byrnsie Award

• 2015 – Rodney Childers
• 2016 – Chris Osborne
• 2017 – Tony Gibson
• 2018 – Jimmie Johnson
• 2019 – Darrell Waltrip
• 2020 – Bubba Wallace
• 2021 – Rick Hendrick
• 2022 – Justin Marks
• 2023 – Peter Larsson
• 2024 – Nelson Hastings
• 2025 – Jon Edwards