NASCAR has gained a powerful new partnership. Microsoft, a global leader in technology and innovation, has come to terms on new, multi-year agreements to become an Official Technology Partner of NASCAR. They’ll also become a major technology partner of 11-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports.
As part of the agreements, both NASCAR and HMS will adopt the Windows 10 platform and Microsoft Azure, technology designed to help improve performance on and off-track. Microsoft will also support the upcoming launch of Windows 10 with primary sponsorship of 12-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 Chevrolet SS. They’ll back him in two events: Sonoma Raceway on June 28 and Pocono Raceway on Aug. 2. Windows 10, going forward will serve as the Official Operating System of HMS.
“NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports are perpetual innovators in motorsports,” said Steve Guggenheimer, Corporate Vice President, Developer Experience and Evangelism at Microsoft in a release. “This sport demands constant innovation, to have its boundaries pushed, so that the sport delivers the exciting experiences expected by fans. The Windows mobile inspection application we launched last year is a great example of how innovative solutions can push boundaries and make the racing experience even better. We’re looking forward to the next solutions that we can deploy with both NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports to push each of our organizations forward.”
General Manager @DougDuchardt discusses new partnership w/ @Microsoft & @DaleJr as spokesman for #Windows10 launch: http://t.co/ZdkOSXvnFg
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) June 22, 2015
The agreement comes from a decision from Microsoft to increase involvement within the sport. NASCAR and Microsoft first collaborated in 2014, creating the Windows mobile inspection application to make car inspections and communication among NASCAR officials in the garage more efficient.
“Partnering with a global leader like Microsoft heightens our commitment to drive innovation and adopt state-of-the-art technologies across our sport,” said Steve Phelps, NASCAR chief marketing officer in a release. “Microsoft has a proven track record as a technology solution provider and the development of the Windows mobile inspection app has reinvented our inspection process. As we look to the future, we’re excited at the prospect of developing new applications and leveraging Windows 10 and Microsoft Azure services that will make our sport more competitive, exciting, and accessible to fans.”
Earnhardt Jr., a two-time Daytona 500 champion, will be used by Microsoft to promote Windows 10, which will be available July 29 as a free upgrade for qualified Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices. In addition, Microsoft’s new multi-year partnership with HMS will incorporate technology solutions and training across the team, including competition, business and IT functions.
“I’m a big technology user and really enjoy Microsoft products,” said Earnhardt in a release. “Kicking off the Hendrick Motorsports relationship with Windows 10 is a unique opportunity; there’s no doubt our ongoing technical partnership will help us raise the bar in many areas. It’s great to see Microsoft is having such a positive experience with NASCAR and wants to do more across the sport. We’re excited to be a part of that.”
The announcement comes in advance of the June 25 NASCAR Fuel For Business (NFFB) Council meeting in San Francisco, which Microsoft will participate in as a parenting sponsor. These quarterly meetings are held as forums for Official NASCAR Partners to meet and conduct business. The get-togethers have facilitated more than 1,000 “speed meeting” sessions among Official NASCAR Partners since 2004, fostering hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue and savings to participating members.
With the addition of Microsoft, one-in-four FORTUNE 500 companies are now invested in NASCAR, with a 50% year-over-year increase in technology companies entering the sport from 2013 to 2014.
Aaron Bearden is a Frontstretch alumnus who’s come back home as the site’s Short Track Editor. When he isn’t working with our grassroots writers, he can be found talking about racing on his Morning Warmup newsletter, pestering his wife/dog or convincing himself the Indiana Pacers can win an NBA title.
That’s a redundant headline if there ever was one.
Dale Jr. might now become the first driver to lose a race because his operating system crashed mid-race. When will they run the “blue screen of death” special paint scheme?
Can Jr. install an update during a “race?”
I guess Bill Gates has to waste his money on something. It must be for a tax write=off. Guess who pays!
How does Brian do it? He must have good pictures.
Of note: DEJ and the 88 team still lack primary sponsorship for some upcoming races. When the sport’s most popular driver and a guy locked in the Chase can’t find backing where does that leave everyone else?
So I guess if the car locks up mid-race they’ll recommend shutting it off and rebooting? Either that on prepare to wait on hold to talk to a tech in Western Asia who will start by asking for confirmation the car is plugged in?