LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 15, 2026) — Monon Rahman, a 2019 graduate of the University of Kentucky Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, will make his competitive racing debut this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, competing as a Legend Car driver in the INEX Winter Heat Series and representing UK on a national motorsports stage.
Rahman, a Frankfort, Kentucky native who earned his degree in mechanical engineering, will compete in the Legend Cars division Jan. 16-18 and Jan. 23-25, racing a car and wearing a fire suit featuring the UK Alumni Association logo.
Drawn to motorsports at a young age, Rahman set his sights on engineering as a pathway into racing and chose UK after earning a full-ride scholarship through the Governor’s School for the Arts. While on campus, he balanced rigorous coursework with hands-on experience — managing the UK Solar Car Team and leading aerodynamics and body work for the Formula Kentucky racing team — gaining real-world technical and leadership skills that prepared him for the demands of motorsports.
“Ultimately, Kentucky was my best bet,” Rahman said in the Winter 2025 edition of Kentucky Alumni magazine. “I ended up getting everything I needed to succeed right at home.”
Rahman will take to the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, a 2.28-mile road course, with practice scheduled for Friday, followed by competitive racing Saturday and Sunday. The Winter Heat Series showcases emerging drivers from across the country and is known for its challenging layout, that combines elements of a traditional oval track with an infield road course. This marks the first time in history Legend Cars will race the full Charlotte Motor Speedway road course.
Fans can watch the racing action online via U.S. Legend Cars TV, which will stream Winter Heat Series events live and on demand throughout the 2026 season. You can also follow along with Rahman this weekend on the University of Kentucky Instagram, @universityofky.
Rahman’s journey — from UK engineering student to competitive racer — is outlined in the Winter 2025 issue of Kentucky Alumni magazine. Read the full story here.
The UK Alumni Association is committed to fostering lifelong engagement among alumni, friends, the association and the university. For more information about the UK Alumni Association, visit www.ukalumni.net or call 800-269-2586.
