04-29-2026
Sometimes, the things we least expect have the greatest impact on our lives. For me, that was seeing my first NASCAR race at six years old at the Phoenix Raceway. At the time, it was a small glimpse into the world of motorsports, and I didn’t fully understand the impact it would have. Going back to the race every year, my curiosity turned into a passion for cars and racing and showed me that I wanted to pursue this as a career.
Of course, I couldn’t drive, so at 10 years old, I started racing online on my XBOX console, using controllers or the cheapest steering wheel and pedal setup I could find on the internet. I played games such as Forza Motorsports, focusing on NASCAR racing. Through the simulator, I improved my racing skills and built connections across the industry that have directly led to the opportunities I have today. I built a strong foundation in online racing and began pursuing NASCAR simulation more seriously. The success led to my first sponsorship and go-kart, allowing me to apply what I learned online physically to the track.
In 2021, my second season of karting, I accelerated my career. Over the next year, I began competing on a national kart racing tour in the United States. That opportunity led me to represent Team USA internationally, traveling to Italy to compete against drivers from around the world, including those affiliated with Formula One teams. Racing at that level challenged me in new ways and gave me a completely different perspective.
While I continued to develop in real-world racing, I also leaned heavily into simulation. It remains one of the most valuable tools in motorsports. From my dorm room at Purdue, I can still set up my wheel and compete at a high level. Through it, I have built relationships with drivers and professionals across NASCAR, who have served as mentors and helped me explore new opportunities. These things include having the chance to drive a NASCAR Late Model and attempting to kick-start my NASCAR racing journey. Being able to do this does come with a price, so I hope I can continue to shine in my current situation to attract partners and sponsors to fuel my next endeavors.
One lesson I have learned is that racing is as much a business as a sport. While driving is my passion, it is only a small part of competing. I spend a large portion of my time in meetings, developing sponsorship proposals and building partnerships. Every step I take has pushed me to improve on the business side, especially in how I communicate and build relationships.
Purdue stood out to me because of how close it was to Indianapolis and its opportunities to pursue the business side of racing. As a General Management major, I wanted to focus on building my leadership and understanding how the industry operates beyond the driver’s seat. Even as a freshman, the Daniels School has helped me improve how I approach sponsorships, communicate with companies and think about partnerships. At Purdue, I also compete in the Grand Prix kart meeting, both in the EV and gas-powered races. Being able to take my experience into a team environment while continuing to develop as a driver has been an incredible opportunity.
Looking ahead, I want to continue pursuing opportunities in NASCAR and keep preparing for a career in motorsports management. I love driving but want to be involved in the management operations of a team. I am excited to continue racing and pursuing my education to bring a unique perspective to the industry.
If you’re interested in motorsports, my advice is to start somewhere. Whether in simulation racing or joining a motorsports-related organization, there are more entry points to racing than ever. Every role matters on a team, whether you are a driver, crew chief or marketing manager. I never expected to be here, but I am excited to learn as much as I can and continue the passion I have for the sport.
Carson Bowers is a freshman from Phoenix, Arizona, studying business management. Outside of Purdue, Carson is also a member of the Williams F1 Team driver development program and is a brand ambassador for the team. Additionally, Carson competes in the Purdue Grand Prix and Purdue EV Grand Prix, where he holds the lap record in both series. He loves to play video games, hang with friends, play basketball when he has free time, and cheer for his favorite teams the Chicago Bears and Phoenix Suns.
