Motorsports at Charlotte, Sports Analytics B.S. Coming in Fall and more

May 19, 2025
Categories: Niner Insider
Motorsports at UNC Charlotte

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 YouR AI Skills

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

NC Innovation Grant

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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