NASCAR and IT: How America’s fastest-growing sport uses Information Technology
Introduction
• Justin Rogers
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Hometown: Fort Dodge, Iowa
Major: Marketing and Management Information Systems
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Year: Junior
California Speedway • • Worked in the Media Center Trip was made possible with funding from the Stine Undergraduate Research Fund
Brief History of NASCAR
• NASCAR
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National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
Organized in 1947 by Bill France Sr. 36 races a year at tracks all across the U.S.
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43 fastest drivers from qualifying compete in each race
Legends: Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Three Levels of Technology Usage
• Racetrack Level
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Team Level
NASCAR Officials Level
Technology Usage – Racetrack
• Technology provided and maintained by the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) at California Speedway Technicians from the ISC travel only to races at ISCowned tracks and they ensure the technology functions properly during race weeks They check LAN/WAN connections, routers, cables and set up wireless Internet access points Primary users of Internet: racetrack staff, media personnel who are covering the race, and the PR representatives for the drivers
(Erik Vincent)
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Technology Usage - Teams
• Simulations
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Wind Tunnels - used to ensure the aerodynamics of the car are at optimal performance, creating as much down force as possible
“7-Post-Rig” - seven hydraulic lifts controlled by computers test chassis of racecars in order to fix handling problems (being too tight or too loose) Penske Technology Group offers aerodynamic and vehicle dynamic testing, scanning and surfacing of three dimensional objects and fullsize vehicles, CAD modeling, rapid prototyping, custom instrumentation, engineering and design.
(Deb Williams)
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Technology Usage - NASCAR
• Some NASCAR Officials and now even fans carry the “NASCAR Nextel Fan View” which is a portable media player that operates on the 2.5 GHz frequency that provides real-time scoring and updates of the current race
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New statistical analysis software is able to grab realtime data from sensors located on the racetrack, analyze the data, and put it in report form for easier reading
(Finkelstein)
Technology Usage - NASCAR
How the database works:
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Electronic scoring sensors are positioned along pit road, at the start/finish line, and every 100 yards around the track
Transponders located in each racecar communicate with sensors when it drives past them on the track, recording position and speed of the car That data is then sent to the timing and scoring database where it takes the data and organizes it so that it can be analyzed and put into report form
(Levinson)
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Technology Usage - NASCAR
• Post-Race Report contains reports of:
1) Average Running Position, 2) Box Score, 3) Closers, 4) Consecutive Laps With A Pass, 5) Consecutive Passes Without Being Passed, 6) Driver Rating, 7) Fastest Drivers Early In A Run, 8) Fastest Drivers Late In A Run, 9) Fastest Drivers By Straightaway, 10) Fastest Drivers By Turn Number, 11) Top 25 Fastest Laps, 12) Fastest On Restarts, 13) Laps Driver Improved Position, 14) Passing Breakdown for Each Driver, 15) Quality Passes, 16) Speed In Traffic, 17) Top-5 Drivers Performance Graph
--Reports used with permission from NASCAR
(Auto Club 500)
Highlights of the trip
• Experience
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Great learning experience
Saw first-hand how powerful computers are Was a real world/out of classroom experience
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Met new people and created new contacts
Police escort – Kasey Kahne & Ray Evernham Close proximity to drivers and other celebrities Richard Petty Driving Experience – 170 MPH!
Memories
Works Cited
“Auto Club 500.” Post-Race Report. 26 Feb. 2006. Finkelstein, Jake. “Watch Those Crashes Up Close.” . Levinson, Meredith. “IT Supercharges NASCAR.” 1 Feb. 2006. .
Interviewed:
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Deb Williams – Penske Racing Public Relations
Eric Vincent - Solutions Center Tech, ISC Josh Hamilton – NASCAR Public Relations Michael Payne – NASCAR Statistical Services
Questions?