Vinnie Meskelis’ career is on the fast track. Meskelis will compete in the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series while balancing his racing aspirations with his full-time academic pursuits in mechanical engineering.

Engine noise fills the room as Vinnie Meskelis hits the accelerator of his professional racing simulator. The University of Texas at Dallas student is training at home for the biggest challenge of his career: the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series.

The mechanical engineering sophomore in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science qualified to compete in the series’ pro division after an impressive showing in December at a recruitment test in Fontenay-Le-Comte, France.

As he prepares to race against Europe’s top NASCAR drivers, Meskelis balances his racing career with a full-time schedule of classes this semester.

“Being a UT Dallas student has been so helpful for both my professional and personal life,” he said. “I’ve made what I hope will be lifelong friendships and learned many things through the mechanical engineering program that I’ve been able to apply to my racing career. It’s truly been an incredible experience, and I can’t wait to see what there is in store for me during the rest of my time at UT Dallas.”

Vinnie Meskelis trains in his professional racing simulator as he prepares to compete in the NASCAR Euro Series, which begins April 18.

Competing in the NASCAR Euro Series is a dream come true for Meskelis, who moved with his parents from Brazil to Texas in 2014. The first race is scheduled on April 18 in Spain, followed by races in France, the U.K., Czech Republic and Italy. The season finale will be Oct. 18 in Belgium. In addition to racing the NASCAR Euro Series, Meskelis finished second this year in his debut for the TransAm TA2 Series in the U.S. He still has five races scheduled throughout the year, closing the season in November, close to home at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.

Beyond the race schedule, Meskelis follows a strict workout routine that includes training in the simulator and exercising his neck to prepare for g-forces generated during high-speed braking and cornering. The simulator replicates the racing experience, including the weight of the steering wheel, as he navigates a virtual race car at speeds of more than 160 mph around a track projected onto a large screen.

“Nothing beats the feeling you get in an actual race car,” he said. “But this is the closest thing to it.”

He also is making sure his academic career stays on track.

Dr. Tomoki Ohsawa, associate professor of mathematical sciences in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, said Meskelis was one of the top students in his calculus class last year. Meskelis’ Mazda Motorsports baseball cap sparked conversations between the two about racing during office hours, including when Meskelis sought help with a particularly tough homework problem.

“Many students would have given up on the question, but Vinnie kept grinding through it,” Ohsawa said. “He’s very determined.”

Meskelis’ parents, Simone and Wladimir, initially dismissed the idea of their only child pursuing a racing career.

Vinnie Meskelis, with his parents, Simone and Wladimir.

“I think my exact words were ‘We’re not going to do that; we’re not that kind of family.’ I was thinking I’m pretty sure we cannot afford the lifestyle of car racing,” Simone said. “I thought that was the end of it.”

For her son, it was the beginning.

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down school and activities, Meskelis persuaded his parents to let him buy a go-kart with money he had saved from mowing lawns. Since money was tight, he learned to become his own mechanic and taught himself how to use data to optimize his performance.

Wladimir and his son spent hours on the road, driving to competitions across the country.

“To see him grow, not only in age but in skills, was amazing. We’re definitely very proud of him,” Wladimir said.

Meskelis won a $50,000 scholarship from Mazda Motorsports in 2024 and the opportunity to participate on the Mazda Factory Club Race Team, which develops racers in the MX-5 class who drive third-generation MX-5 Miatas.

“Over time as he progressed, we are now faced with the reality of ‘Who am I to say it can’t be done?’” Simone said.

As the NASCAR Euro Series approaches, Meskelis is eager to take on the challenge ahead.

“I’m superexcited to get the NASCAR season started,” he said. “I’m trying to do my best to prepare and make sure that I start the season on the right foot.”