Black and blue Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing shirt overruled black cap and gown May 12 for Justin Penix. It was his first day as a full-time employee of the IZOD IndyCar Series team, and though graduation ceremonies at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis were being held he was at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“I kind of figured I would be working so I didn’t give it much thought,” said Penix, a native of Greenfield, Ind. “My family understood where my priorities were.”

Penix, with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology augmented by a Motorsports Engineering Technology certificate, was among the five students of the initial graduating class of the Motorsports Engineering Program.

IUPUI offers the only Bachelor of Science degree in Motorsports Engineering in the nation, and prepares graduates for careers in the motorsports industry as well as automotive and engineering companies.

For the Indianapolis 500, he’s the Data Acquisition Engineer (junior engineer) for the No. 39 entry of rookie Bryan Clauson. Penix interned with the team the past two summers, and also worked with Guthrie Racing in Firestone Indy Lights.

The hands-on experience of racing-related projects and its internship program complement classroom work.  At Indianapolis this month, more than a dozen students are involved with car preparation for IZOD IndyCar Series teams.

“It’s a way to get your foot in the door and let you get the experience you need,” said Penix, who attended his first 500 Mile Race when he was 5 years old. “It’s led me down the right path. When a company hires someone out of college, the first thing they ask you is what experience you have. The school does a great job setting up internships; we’ve actually had more requests for interns from teams and companies than we have students that can fulfill what they’re looking for.

“The next couple of years it’s really going to be good for the school and there will be a lot more students out there.”

The program caught the attention of Chris Weyer of Iowa, a former micro-sprints and sprint car racer, who is pursuing a dual degree of mechanical and motorsports engineering through a five-year plan. “Always knowing that I’ve wanted to be in racing,” he’s paired with Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports.

“For me, it was about getting the tools I need and getting to know the right people to get here,” he said. “I’ve done that in my second year. I’ve been put at the right place with the right people and I’ve learned a heck of a lot both at school and at work. I think it’s going to give me a good position when I’m done with school and have a successful career.

“Hands-on experience is what makes the motorsports engineering degree so much different from others.”