Zips Racing team gets immersive experience during NASCAR weekend

Members of The University of Akron (UA) Zips Racing Team had a unique and memorable experience when they got an up-close look at what it takes to compete in NASCAR during a race weekend in Watkins Glen, N.Y.

Six members of the Zips Racing team traveled to the Watkins Glen International road racing facility to observe qualifying and practice rounds for the 2025 Go Bowling at the Glen, a race on the main NASCAR Cup Series that was held the following day. The Zips Racing team members also watched the Mission 200 at the Glen, a race on the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a second-tier series. The UA students were guests of Kaulig Racing, a stock car team owned and operated by Matt Kaulig '96, an award-winning entrepreneur, business executive and philanthropist.

Zips Racing team members were immersed in behind-the-scenes visits with the Kaulig support staff. During the visit they attended a technical inspection, including a laser inspection of a car hood to ensure it met standards before the race. The team met with Kaulig technical, operations, vehicle dynamics and marketing staff, and had a chance to walk through the pit area and meet the Kaulig drivers.

"We really got a general overview of NASCAR and how a team operates on race day," said Andrew Raineri, a senior aerospace systems engineering major who is the Zips Racing team captain. "We saw how many hands are on a car, how regulated it is, how much history is involved in it and how Kaulig plays a part in that."

Established in 1989, Zips Racing is UA's Formula SAE team. Formula SAE (SAE formerly stood for the Society of Automotive Engineers) challenges college students to conceive, design, fabricate and compete with formula-style racing cars. Teams spend 8-12 months designing, building and preparing their vehicles for a competition. Zips Racing is starting the design phase for its next fully electric vehicle, known as ZR26, which will start its competitive season in April 2026.

Participation in UA student design teams such as Zips Racing is one of the most valuable hands-on learning opportunities offered by the College of Engineering and Polymer Science at UA. These student-led projects allow members to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges and gain hands-on skills in design, fabrication and teamwork.

"We're very thankful to Matt Kaulig and Kaulig Racing for inviting us to Watkins Glen," Ranieri said. "It was amazing to be able to get up close to their cars and their team. We learned so much that we couldn't have learned anywhere else, so we're very grateful."

Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476, [email protected]