March 24, 2026
The virtual version of the greatest spectacle in racing is becoming the place where Wyatt Burton dominates.
On Feb. 26, Burton, a member of Trine University’s esports team, became the back-to-back champion of the second annual Collegiate iRacing League (CiL) 500, held on a virtual Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).
The computer science and information technology major from Edinburgh, Indiana, has swept both races at the virtual IMS.
While he was in a neck-and-neck finish last year, he was more than four seconds ahead of his nearest challenger this time around. He also led the most laps and had the fastest lap.
“Usually there is a shootout at the end,” he commented. “However, I was able to break away from the draft and pull off my fuel strategy to win by the largest margin for an oval race in (the CiL’s open-wheel racing division).”
Love for the Speedway
Burton attributes his success at the virtual IMS to his love for the Indy 500 and IndyCar racing.
“I'm sure I’ve spent more time on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway than any other driver in the CiL,” he said. “It also helps that I seem to understand dirty air and aerodynamic balance better than most.”
“Winning the race in both of my attempts gives me a tremendous amount of confidence on ovals and allows me to believe I can compete with the best in the world!”
A win on March 5 at the CiL’s Birthday Boy Grand Prix put Burton in first place in the NAPA Longland Corp Formula College series, the CiL’s division for open-wheel racing. The series, which includes more than 30 racers competing on ovals, street courses and road courses, is halfway through its 12-race season.
In addition to the Indy Motor Speedway, races are held on virtual versions of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, Texas Motor Speedway and Watkins Glen International, among others.
Burton said the series is always looking for new drivers and encouraged anyone interested to contact him.
“I would be happy to help them sign up and possibly ‘coach’ them when necessary,” he said.
Trine University’s Cold Case Unit hosted its second annual Justice Unlocked: Women in Criminal Justice Symposium on March 10 in the Mark and Sarah Music/Ruoff Mortgage Esports Arena.
Trine University’s Christian Campus House (CCH) honored Stephen Carr, Ph.D., associate professor in the university’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, with its Distinguished Faculty Award during the organization’s 40th annual banquet on Saturday, March 21.
The Trine University Theatre production of “Midsummer/Jersey,” a hilarious high-octane re-telling of Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” set on the boardwalk of a seaside town in modern-day New Jersey, opens at 7 p.m. Thursday on the stage of the Ryan Concert Hall in the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts.