SIUE Voices from WWT Raceway!

More than 1400 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students and alumni filled a turn of the World Wide Technology Racetrack during the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 13. The race lasted about four hours. Plenty of time for Cougars to share their excitement about the experience.

Liberty Ishum, a freshman majoring in anthropology, shared her first-time experience attending a racing event. “I’ve never been to a race before, but I watch Formula One sometimes, so I understand the thrill of racing. I’m excited to be here. It’s a fun, free experience that gives students a chance to hang out with friends, make connections, and meet new people.”

Chris DuPlayee, ’05, an alumnus who majored in Psychology and Computer Management Information Systems, shared his experience on the event. “It’s very cool that the school put this on. It’s a neat event for alumni and current students. I’ve been here before for a drag event, but not a Cup race like this.”

Preston Wikoff, the Solar Car Team’s President, spent the day interacting with the community. “I’ve talked with quite a few people, answered questions about what we do and things like the car’s top speed, and interacted with members of the SIUE community. For prospective students, I would say get involved. Whether it’s Solar Car, Formula, or Baja, getting involved can help you prepare for your career, build your resume, improve your skills, and learn how to solve problems you may face in your career,” Wikoff shared.

“The main purpose of us being here is to get children, teenagers, and prospective college students interested in STEM. We want to show them what it’s like to be an engineer, what they can create, and what SIUE has to offer,” said Carson Spies, a mechanical engineering senior and former president of the Cougar Baja club.

A few feet away, Ashton Shepherd, President of the Formula SAE stood beside the team’s freshly built Car. “The car we’re showcasing today is our 2026 Cougar Formula Racing car. We built it completely from scratch without looking at previous designs. At our last competition in May, we finished three out of four dynamic events. In 2025, we finished 106th, and in 2026, we improved to 82nd. That was about a 23% improvement and gave the team a strong foundation moving forward,” he shared.

“It feels amazing to be here and showcase our car and what our team can do. For new students interested in SIUE or car clubs, I would definitely say join. Cars are fun to build, and you meet great people who share your interests. You can build friendships that last beyond college,” Shepherd added. “This is exciting, especially seeing students showcasing their machines and having the chance to meet alumni. When I toured SIUE’s labs last semester, I was impressed by students working in the machine shop and garage. Their energy reflects the spirit of doing engineering and making things happen,” said Liang Cheng, PhD, Dean of the School of Engineering.

“One key message for prospective students is that we want them to do engineering, not just study engineering. We offer hands-on experiential learning and strong industry connections. With a nearly 100% placement of graduates in the engineering field, more than 60% of our graduates find jobs in this region and stay here to build their careers, supported by a strong alumni network,” Cheng added.

“I live in Bluff Hall, so I walk by the Engineering Building and see the Formula cars they build. I think it’s cool because it can get people interested in the science and physics behind cars. For prospective students, use your resources. Check your emails because there are always opportunities and things to do. Get involved and be open to new experiences,” Ishum added.

Sarah North Starrett, graduated in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in social work and Kelly Barrett, graduated in 2008 with secondary education, were roommates and reflected on their first time experience attending NASCAR as SIUE alums.

“I like that this gave me an opportunity to include my family and show them what college can offer. You go to college, become an alum, and get to share what you did with your time there,” said Starrett.

“I am still proud of my time there. The main thing I tell incoming freshmen is to get involved in the university and do volunteer work. It helps you narrow down what you want to do in the future and understand the values you want to carry through life,” shared Barrett.

Photos by Howard Ash