Building the Future of Motorsports: Belmont Abbey’s Motorsport Management Program (Quinn Beekwilder)

This episode features Quinn Beekwilder, assistant professor and coordinator of Belmont Abbey College’s Motorsport Management program, who shares his path from a political science degree and real estate to graduating from the program, working a decade at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and returning to teach. He recaps the program’s origins with Belmont resident and Charlotte Motor Speedway leader Humpy Wheeler, created to reduce industry turnover by preparing students for motorsport’s demanding realities. Once NASCAR-centric, the curriculum now spans global disciplines, emphasizes motorsport history, and requires multiple internships and experiential trips (Rolex 24, IndyCar St. Petersburg, World of Outlaws, PRI). Belmont Abbey has grown to 60+ undergraduates, launched the nation’s first fully online M.A. in Motorsport Management with 20+ first-semester students, started the Accelerate Abbey high school summer camp, and received Colonel Donald Capps’ motorsport collection for its library. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00 Meet Quinn Beekwilder 01:25 Quinn’s Career Path 02:16 Why Motorsport Education? 03:32 Program Origins with Humpy Wheeler 05:26 Degree Growth and Expansion 06:27 Broadening Beyond NASCAR 07:58 Teaching History and Context 09:40 First Masters of Arts in Motorsport Management 11:47 "Accelerate Abbey" Summer Camp 13:13 Don Capps Collection Donation 14:31 Alumni Network in Action 16:42 Experiential Trips and Internships 19:10 Building the Full Ecosystem 20:02 What’s Next and Thanks ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family - and was recorded in front of a live studio audience.