IMSA and ASE announce multi-faceted partnership to strengthen technician pipeline and elevate consum

The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) today announced a multi-faceted partnership that will aim to combat some of the challenges within the industry for each of IMSA’s 18 participating manufacturers — while raising the standard of service the motoring public receives at every dealership service center those manufacturers stand behind.

Each manufacturer that races within IMSA operates its own dealer network, and most of those dealers feature service centers that care for millions of vehicle owners every year. However, there is a critical, persistent and ongoing staffing shortage of skilled technicians to support each dealer and service center — a gap the motoring public feels directly whenever a vehicle needs maintenance or repair. With IMSA and ASE working together, this partnership will provide an aligned and integrated pipeline of ASE Certified technicians prepared to work on the same sophisticated manufacturer vehicles customers drive every day.

The collaboration brings together two industry leaders who share a commitment to continuous learning, verified expertise, and sustained success. The layered approach will work with a three-pronged effort:

“ASE is excited to partner with IMSA to highlight the critical role of ASE Certified technicians — the men and women who meet the highest independently verified standards in the industry, on and off the track,” said Dave Johnson, president and CEO of ASE. “Every time a driver hands over their keys at a dealership service center, they deserve the confidence of knowing an ASE Certified technician is working on their vehicle. IMSA’s commitment to innovation and STEM education aligns perfectly with ASE’s mission, and together we are elevating the visibility of technician careers and showing how advanced training is vital to the safe service and repair of today’s technically advanced vehicles.”

For the motoring public, ASE Certification is the clearest, most trusted signal that a technician has demonstrated the knowledge, training and hands-on skill to service today’s increasingly complex vehicles. Every ASE Certified technician has passed rigorous, independently developed exams and verified hands-on experience — giving vehicle owners peace of mind that their car, truck or SUV is in qualified hands. Because the 18 manufacturers competing in IMSA depend on their dealer service networks to deliver that same quality and trust long after the sale, the alignment between IMSA’s OEMs and ASE Certified service staff translates directly to safer vehicles, more reliable repairs, and confidence for vehicle owners nationwide.

The program also aligns ASE and IMSA STEM initiatives. IMSA STEM powered by Gainbridge and Konica Minolta is now in its second year operating at both IMSA race events and digitally. The aim is to shift the focus from simply advanced degrees to greater advanced training. Essentially, this will outline what a training/career technical education path will look like compared to a standard four-plus year college degree.

“Building the next generation of technicians to service the cars on the road is as important as developing the next generation of talented drivers, crew members and workers within the IMSA paddock as a whole,” said IMSA President John Doonan. “We’ve seen remarkable participation in our IMSA STEM events already, and with this new partnership between IMSA and ASE, we’re confident that the ASE Certified technicians emerging from this pipeline will be the trusted hands the motoring public relies on at our manufacturer partners’ service centers nationwide as they work toward their certifications.”

Beyond the career development opportunity, there will be promotional elements of the partnership. ASE’s alignment with IMSA provides a window to the 18 manufacturers as well as IMSA’s 10-plus million sports car enthusiast fans — reinforcing the message that when the motoring public brings a vehicle in for service, an ASE Certified technician is the standard they should expect and the assurance they deserve.

Established by the automotive industry in 1972 as a non-profit organization, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is a driving force in the transportation industry. As an independent third party, ASE upholds and promotes high standards of service and repair through the assessment, certification and credentialing of current and future industry professionals, and the prestigious ASE Blue Seal logo identifies professionals who possess the essential knowledge and skills to perform with excellence. Today, there are ASE Certified professionals at work in dealerships, independent shops, collision repair shops, auto parts stores, fleets, schools and colleges throughout the country. For more information about ASE, visit www.ase.com.

The International Motor Sports Association, LLC (IMSA) was originally founded in 1969 and owns a long and rich history in sports car racing. Today, IMSA is the sanctioning body of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the premier sports car racing series in North America. IMSA also sanctions the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge and Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR), as well as five one-make series: Ferrari Challenge North America, Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America, Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin, Mustang Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup North America. IMSA – a company within the NASCAR family – is the exclusive strategic partner in North America with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), which operates the 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of the FIA World Endurance Championship. This partnership enables selected IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competitors to earn automatic entries into the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. For more information, please visit IMSA.com, and follow IMSA on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

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