The School of Automotive Machinists & Technology (SAM Tech), a respected pillar of high-performance engine building and machining education, has been named one of the Top 250 Vocational Schools in the United States by USA Today and Statista in their inaugural national ranking.
For a school that’s spent the last 40 years training the next generation of engine builders, tuners, and machinists, this recognition validates SAM Tech’s long-standing commitment to excellence — not only in the classroom, but in race shops and championship-winning garages across the country.
“This kind of recognition is a huge honor for our school, our students, and our instructors,” said Brian Massingill, Vice President of SAM Tech. “From the track to the classroom, our mission has always been to equip students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in high-performance industries.”
Founded in 1985 by Judson and Linda Massingill, SAM Tech has carved out a niche unlike any other in the motorsports world. The school offers hands-on training in block and cylinder head machining, CNC programming, EFI calibration, and performance engine building. It’s one of the few institutions in the country where students can earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree while learning to build 2,000-horsepower race engines.
And those students aren’t just finding jobs — they’re building careers. SAM Tech alumni have gone on to work with elite teams in NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, and other top-tier racing series. Others are making waves in aerospace, medical machining, oil and gas, and even running their own shops and race programs.
In May, the Houston Business Journal ranked SAM Tech the #2 Trade School in Houston, further spotlighting the school’s regional impact alongside its growing national profile.
What sets SAM Tech apart? A few key ingredients:
- Accredited by ACCSC and named a School of Excellence after three consecutive accreditation cycles
- Approved for the GI Bill, giving U.S. military veterans access to a high-level education in the skilled trades
- A tight connection to the motorsports industry — SAM Tech engines, heads, and graduates are powering winners at tracks across the country
For a sport like drag racing — and motorsports at large — having a school that’s actively producing future crew chiefs, tuners, and engine builders is more than important. It’s vital. As the performance aftermarket and racing industries grapple with a shrinking skilled labor pool, institutions like SAM Tech are filling the gap and keeping the wheels of this sport turning.
With additional plans to expand outreach and program offerings, SAM Tech is proving that high-level vocational training isn’t just alive — it’s thriving. And with honors like these, the rest of the country is starting to take notice.
For more information or to learn about enrollment, visit www.samtech.edu.
This story was originally published on July 27, 2025. 
