UNOH Grad Josh Hamming '02 Named IHRA National Tech Director
Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2025
2002 UNOH Graduate Josh Hamming
Written by contributing columnist Melanie Barnas-Simmons, VP Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations
Roanoke, Indiana native and 2002 UNOH graduate Josh Hamming has built a career by following the roar of engines—and the opportunities behind them. This summer, Hamming was appointed National Tech Director for the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), overseeing the organization’s entire technical department and inspections program.
“It’s an honor to help steward the safety and integrity of the sport I love,” Hamming says. “The IHRA has an incredible history, and I’m excited to be part of the team bringing it back to its heyday.”
Hamming’s dad was a hotrodder as a teenager, but he put that part of his life behind him once he had a family. Josh’s path started at 16 with his first project car: a 1984 Chevy Camaro that needed more than a little TLC. With limited funds, he learned by doing.
“I couldn’t afford to pay someone to fix it, so I had to figure it out myself,” he recalls. “It was a lot of trial and error and hours spent on online message boards.”
After beginning in engineering at Purdue University Fort Wayne, Hamming pivoted when he just wasn’t enjoying that educational path. He discovered UNOH’s hands-on automotive programs through friends. He spent his days working in a Wapakoneta body shop and taking classes at night.
Like many UNOH students, Hamming dreamed of going straight to a professional race team. Timing wasn’t on his side when he graduated in May 2002 with most crews already set for the season. So he headed home, taking roles at Advance Auto Parts and later Lingenfelter Performance Engineering in technical support. The break came in 2003 when the crew chief for Cruz Pedregon’s Nitro Funny Car called.
After a few seasons, the grind of constant travel wore thin. Hamming made a big move to ProCharger Superchargers in Kansas City in 2004—a city he’s called home for two decades.
The 2008–09 recession prompted another pivot: he launched a Matco Tools franchise, running it for eight years before returning to the performance world with WELD Racing Wheels, where he built wheels and provided tech support. Along the way, he began part-time NHRA event staff work, eventually moving full-time to NHRA as the Top Fuel/Funny Car Tech Specialist, overseeing inspections at the sport’s highest levels.
A few months ago, Hamming took the helm of IHRA’s technical operations. The role keeps him on the road 12–14 races a year, a more sustainable pace for family life while still impacting the sport on a national level.
“Tech is where performance meets safety,” he says. “Our job is to ensure every car and team competes on a level playing field and gets home safe. When we do it right, the racing is better, the fans are happier, and the sport grows.”
Hamming knows many UNOH high performance motorsports students arrive on campus with a singular goal: working on a race team. He encourages them to see the bigger ecosystem.
“There are so many rewarding careers in motorsports beyond the pit box—technical roles, manufacturer support, compliance, event operations, business management,” he notes. “UNOH gave me a foundation in both the mechanical side and the business of racing. That combination is what opened doors for me.”
He adds, “Chase the travel and the team experience when you’re young—you’ll learn a ton. But don’t overlook the paths that let you build a long-term career and a life. There’s real pride in finding that balance.”
Hamming remains eager to support fellow Racers. “If a UNOH student or alum wants advice on breaking into the industry—or navigating a career transition—I’m happy to talk,” he says. “I’m glad to give back.”
Students and alumni interested in connecting with Josh can email alumni@unoh.edu for an introduction.
Category: Applied Technologies
Keywords: IHRA, High Performance, Alumni
