FORT WORTH, Texas (July 1, 2026) – Texas Motor Speedway will host high school students from across the country July 16-18 for the 30th annual Solar Car Challenge.
The annual event features three days of scrutineering, during which competitors undergo rigorous evaluation by a panel of experienced judges at “The Great American Speedway.” Teams must pass inspection before setting out for a 631.7-mile race from Fort Worth to Fort Stockton. Students apply their knowledge of science, engineering and alternative energy, along with creativity, to build the cars from scratch.
The team that accumulates the most miles over the five days of racing will be declared the winner. The route winds through the piney woods of East Texas, the rolling hills of Central Texas and the flatlands of West Texas. Drivers are required to stop for key photos at each historic Texas courthouse along the route.
A total of 24 teams from seven states, including 10 from Texas, are scheduled to compete in this year’s competition. The Challenge has more than 260 high school solar car projects in various stages of development in 39 states, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Spain, Singapore and China.
The Solar Car Challenge was established in 1993 by educator Dr. Lehman Marks. The program is designed to motivate students in science, engineering and alternative energy. Preparations for this year’s race began with educational workshops last September, though it can take teams two to three years to see their solar cars come to fruition.
ABOUT THE SOLAR CAR CHALLENGE
The Solar Car Challenge & Education Program is designed to help motivate students in Science, Engineering and Alternative Energy. We teach high school students how to plan, design, engineer, build, race, and evaluate roadworthy solar cars. Students demonstrate that green technology can create a better world. The Solar Car Challenge has 261 ongoing high school solar car projects located in 39 states, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Spain and Singapore. These teams are in the process of designing, engineering and building roadworthy solar cars in anticipation of an upcoming solar racing event. The Challenge’s Education Program provides support for schools seeking to be a part of this top project-based STEM Initiative. The Solar Car Challenge’s Education Program has served the educational community for 32 national events. More than 80,000 students have directly benefited from this program.
