Microsoft is entering into the NASCAR world with multi-year agreements.
Microsoft becomes the official technology partner of NASCAR, and a major technology partner of 11-time champion-winning team Hendrick Motorsports.
Both NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports will adopt the Windows 10 platform and Microsoft Azure to deliver technology solutions to help improve performance on and off the track.
Microsoft will also support the upcoming launch of Windows 10 with primary sponsorship of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 Chevrolet at Sonoma Raceway this weekend, and at Pocono Raceway next month.
Windows 10 will be the Official Operating System of Hendrick Motorsports.
“NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports are perpetual innovators in motorsports,” said Steve Guggenheimer, Corporate Vice President, Developer Experience and Evangelism at Microsoft. “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.”
NASCAR and Microsoft first collaborated in 2014 to make car inspections more efficient and improve communication among NASCAR officials in the garage.
“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.
Windows 10 will be available July 29 as a free upgrade for qualified Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices. Earnhardt, who can be somewhat of a tech-geek, is thrilled with his role with Microsoft.
“Kicking off the Hendrick Motorsports relationship with Windows 10 is a unique opportunity, and there’s no doubt our ongoing technical partnership will help us raise the bar in many areas,” he said. “It’s great to see Microsoft is having such a positive experience with NASCAR and wants to do more across the sport.”
The announcement was made in advance of Microsoft’s participation at the NASCAR Fuel For Business Council meeting taking place Thursday in San Francisco.
