From FinTech to Fast Cars: How Rob Carman is Driving Learning Innovation at NASCAR
In the fast-paced world of motorsports, learning and development might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But for Rob Carman, Senior Director of Learning and Development at NASCAR, it's about much more than "training people to turn left." Since joining NASCAR in early 2023, Carman has been revolutionizing how the organization approaches employee development and creating new opportunities for growth across the entire enterprise.
Listen to the full interview on Spotify, Apple or watch the Youtube version below:
A Unique Career Journey
Rob’s path to NASCAR has been anything but conventional. Starting with early aspirations of joining the military, he eventually found his way into sales before recognising the importance of education. His career took him through telecommunications giants like Verizon Wireless and Sprint, where he transitioned into learning and development during the Sprint-T-Mobile merger. He then ventured into the FinTech world, working with companies like Robinhood and Kraken cryptocurrency exchange.
What drew him to NASCAR? A combination of personal passion and professional expertise.
"I had an uncle in the early 2000s that was a diehard NASCAR fan," Rob recalls. "He got me to start watching the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte and the Daytona 500."
That initial exposure grew into a genuine love for the sport, particularly as he learned more about the technical aspects and competitive nature of racing.
Building NASCAR University from the Ground Up
In NASCAR's 75-year history before Rob’'s arrival, there had never been a structured enterprise learning focus for continued education and development. Rob and his team have transformed this landscape, creating NASCAR University – a comprehensive learning platform available to all full-time and regular part-time employees, serving approximately 1,500 people across the organisation.
Within his first year, Rob's team:
- Evaluated and cleaned up outdated learning materials
- Developed over 350 internal learning pathways
- Created NASCAR-specific content by customizing learning materials with relevant branding and examples
- Established new programs for professional certifications and continuing education
Innovation in Learning
Carman's approach to learning and development at NASCAR emphasizes diversity of thought and experience.
"I try very hard to get people that don't necessarily look like me or don't sound like me or talk like me that bring in a different concept and a different idea," he explains.
This commitment to diverse perspectives helps ensure that NASCAR's learning programs resonate with all employees.
Advice for Aspiring NASCAR Employees
For those interested in joining NASCAR, Rob emphasizes that skills are transferable across industries. Whether you're in finance, marketing, or human resources, your expertise can find a home in motorsports. His key advice for applicants:
- Focus on your core competencies first
- Demonstrate how your skills will benefit NASCAR
- Let your passion for the sport complement, not overshadow, your professional qualifications
- Be authentic in your approach
"NASCAR wanted somebody that had experience with a Fortune 100 company... somebody who had startup experience... somebody that would be able to come in, take risks, innovate and grow," Rob reflects.
"I fit the box for that because I was me, not because I made myself reflect what NASCAR wanted."
The Future of Learning at NASCAR
Under Rob’s leadership, NASCAR's learning and development initiatives continue to evolve. With a focus on growing the learning culture within NASCAR as their number one strategy, his team is constantly looking for new ways to engage employees and provide valuable development opportunities.
In summary, Rob says:
"We want to make the sport better. We want to make you better. We want to make the people that work here better. We want to make our fans better. We just want to grow it. And that starts with everybody."
