The University of Michigan Solar Car Team on Saturday won the American Solar Challenge, an 8-day, distance-based race from Tennessee to Wyoming. The U-M team covered 2,120 miles before crossing the finish line in Casper, Wyoming, taking advantage of many of the route’s opportunities to add distance through optional loops along the way.

The U-M solar car team’s race crew for the 2024 American Solar Challenge. Photo: Holly Zumbrunnen, University of Michigan Solar Car Team.

The performance reclaims the team’s title as national champions. U-M had won six consecutive American Solar Challenges, held every other year, until finishing second in 2018. This is the first US race they’ve competed in since then, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Astrum is the 17^th car made by the Michigan Solar Car Team since its founding in 1989. The team has won the American Solar Challenge ten times, had podium finishes in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge seven times, and won the Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge in 2015. With more than 90 students from schools and colleges across the university, it’s one of the largest student organizations on campus.