Retired president of Toyota Racing Development David Wilson to deliver College of Engineering commencement address
After more than 35 years in motorsports, the mechanical engineering alumnus is returning to Blacksburg to share lessons learned on and off the racetrack.
David Wilson stands in front of race car at NASCAR facility
David Wilson, an esteemed alumnus and the recently retired president of Toyota Racing Development, will serve as the Distinguished Alumni Speaker for the College of Engineering’s commencement ceremony.
Wilson earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1984. During his time at the university, he was a member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, an experience he said instilled in him the values of discipline and teamwork.
Immediately after graduation, Wilson worked a corporate job at Johnson & Johnson, but he found his true calling when his brother reached out with an opportunity from Toyota Racing Development. He joined the motorsports team in 1989 as the first engineer on staff.
Over the course of 35 years, Wilson’s leadership transformed Toyota Racing Development from what he called “a modest Southern California speed shop” into a world-class motorsports engineering powerhouse. With Wilson’s guidance, Toyota achieved significant milestones in NASCAR, including multiple Cup Series championships and its first Daytona 500 victories.
In November 2024, when Wilson’s contributions to the sport were recognized with the prestigious Bill France Award of Excellence, one of NASCAR’s highest honors, he credited the award to the collaborative spirit of his team. More recently, Wilson celebrated Engineer’s Week at Virginia Tech with the Student Engineers’ Council, sharing his passion for NASCAR, his career journey, and the impact that Virginia Tech had on his success.
“What I’ve learned over a lifetime in engineering and leadership is that success isn’t just about winning — it’s about showing up, leaning into discomfort, and caring for the people around you,” Wilson said. “The path might not be straight, but if you follow your heart and invest in your team, you’ll find your purpose. That’s what Virginia Tech gave me: the foundation to keep going, to adapt, and to lead with compassion.”
Wilson’s commitment to fostering talent extends beyond the racetrack. He was instrumental in creating the Toyota Driver Development program, nurturing the careers of numerous drivers and engineers who have since made significant contributions to the motorsports industry.
As he prepares to address the graduating class, Wilson’s story serves as a testament to the importance of embracing challenges, the power of perseverance, and the transformative impact of a Virginia Tech education.
All four engineering ceremonies will feature remarks from Dean Julie Ross, and David Wilson will speak at all three of the undergraduate ceremonies. The College of Engineering undergraduate commencement ceremonies will take place Saturday, May 17, at 8 a.m., noon, and 4 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum and will feature an address from the college’s Outstanding Senior, Michael Harrigan, who is earning a dual degree in computer science and cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. The master’s commencement ceremony will take place May 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum.
For more information about the complete schedule of events, please visit Virginia Tech’s commencement website.
