Castroneves drives in front of prominent NTT signage at a recent NTT IndyCar Series race. IndyCar photo
Global technology and business solutions provider NTT and its subsidiary NTT DATA have strengthened their partnership with IndyCar.
NTT and IndyCar announced on March 27 that eligibility renewals will begin in 2024 following the completion of the current agreement.
NTT and NTT DATA will continue to be Official Technology Partners of the NTT IndyCar Series, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar/NASCAR Brickyard Weekend. It will increase its engagement through its Smart Venue application at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as well as improvements to its mobile app and ongoing data integration and transformation of the sport.
The multi-year contract also includes official technology partner status.
“NTT is an excellent partner across our organization with strong expertise and a deep commitment to our sport,” said Roger Penske, Chairman of Penske Corporation. “From the smart venue technology in the world racing capital to the redesigned series
Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
mobile application, NTT transforms the fan experience in new and innovative ways. We look forward to a future together.”
NTT has been the title sponsor of the NTT IndyCar Series since 2019 and will continue in that role with this multi-year extension, effective in 2024.
NTT supports organizations like IndyCar in their digital transformation and remains committed to accelerating the future of sport.
“As a technology partner to IndyCar, we’re excited to continue our collaborations that improve and expand the motorsport fan experience and serve as proof points for data analytics, AI and other innovative digital technologies,” said Bob Pryor, Chief Executive Officer, NTT DATA Services. “For more than a century, this racing series has pioneered innovations that make driving safer for everyone, and by continuing this relationship, we will accelerate the pace of innovation and new technologies, especially around sustainability, of which ultimately organizations, communities and individuals around the world can benefit.”
NTT Smart Solutions use proprietary technology to consume, analyze and transform vast amounts of data to deliver valuable insights.
“IndyCar is a great partner for NTT DATA because of our shared commitment to driving innovation, increasing sustainability and delivering amazing experiences,” said Kaz Nishihata, Chief Executive Officer, NTT DATA, Inc. “We also appreciate how diverse IndyCar with drivers is from 15 different countries and races ranging from short ovals and superspeedways to road and street circuits. It’s both an incredible sport and a wonderful example for our world.”
Highlights of NTT and NTT DATA’s commitment to accelerating the future of esports include:
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway as an Intelligent Venue: The use of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled optical detection technologies combined with real-time data of the entrance gate flow rate provides the IMS operations and security teams with more insight into current and possible scenarios in the past venue. The technology allows staff to see a more comprehensive picture of the venue in real time, ranging from visitor and traffic flow to congestion points and security measures. at-gate’s IMS staff also have mobile POS capabilities on hand for digital ticketing and parking transactions – all to manage the venue more securely and efficiently. It will provide real-time gate wait times via the IMS app and website to fans attending one of the world’s busiest one-day events.
• IndyCar App Improvements and Growth: Powered by NTT DATA since 2019, the IndyCar app has seen dramatic increases in functionality, features and usage. In the last three years, downloads have increased by almost 50 percent, with users coming from more than 200 countries and territories. To kick off this NTT IndyCar season, a new version debuted with a modernized look, improved navigation, and enhanced pre-race, live race, and post-race experiences. It also returned fan-favorite features like driver-specific telemetry, live timing and scoring, multiple in-car cameras, and driver-to-team radio communications. The IndyCar app powered by NTT DATA is free and can be downloaded from the iOS App Store or Google Play.
• IndyCar Data Experience: NTT is providing fans with more race and driver data than ever before through multiple channels, including the IndyCar app powered by NTT DATA and NBC television broadcasts. Utilizing 140 distinct data points from every car in the field and on track, NTT delivers real-time, data-driven race insights for fans to better consume and understand how a race is unfolding. AI and predictive data analytics enable NTT to offer fans real-time access to key aspects of racing such as head-to-head driver battles for position; impact on pit stop performance; fuel strategies and tire wear; leaderboard predictions; weather influence; and much more.
“The NTT IndyCar Series will continue to be a hub of progression and discovery as this world-class partnership extends,” said Mark Miles, President and Chief Executive Officer of Penske Entertainment. “NTT is fully invested in development
Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
and growth of our sport and has already built an excellent track record in our industry with problem solving skills and access to top talent and tools.”
IndyCar and the NTT IndyCar Series are also important partners of NTT. The sanction body and series have provided NTT with valuable opportunities for brand awareness, customer engagement and a range of business-to-business (B2B) initiatives while driving a digital transformation in the industry. NTT also values its business partnership with Penske Corporation as an important B2B platform. Participation in INDYCAR’s ongoing sustainability initiatives remains important as relationships expand.
NTT is a leading global technology company providing services to consumers and businesses as a mobile operator, technology infrastructure, consulting and network provider. Its services include digital business consulting and managed services for applications, workplaces, clouds, data centers and networks, all backed by extensive global industry expertise.
As one of the top five global providers of technology and business solutions, our diverse teams operate in more than 80 countries and regions, serving over 190.
NTT DATA is a $30 billion global IT and business services innovator. The company helps clients transform through business and technology consulting, industry and digital solutions, application development and management, edge-to-cloud managed infrastructure services, BPO, systems integration and global data centers.
Follow me on Twitter. Check out my website.
I covered my first INDYCAR race at the 1981 Michigan 500 as a sports intern for The Toledo Blade. After graduating from Indiana University in 1982, I began covering NASCAR and other sports at The Gazette in Gastonia, North Carolina. I’ve done NASCAR and INDYCAR as well as other sports for news outlets like The New York Times, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, UPI, ESPN SportsTicker, Autosport, SI.com, Versus.com, FOXSports.com, NBCSports.com, AutoWeek and SPEED SPORT. I was the presenter of the Honda IndyCar Report on Race Day on ESPN Radio before moving to RACE DAY on FOX Sports Radio in 2014. I’m currently the host of Pit Pass Indy – a podcast that can be found on all major platforms. I’ve done the Indianapolis 500 36 times and the Daytona 500 34 times. I am a two-time winner of the Russ Catlin Award for Best Motorsports Writer of the Year in 1987 and 1999. I have also won several journalism awards from the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) and the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), most recently first place in the “Spot News Category” for the NMPA for 2021.
Read moreRead less
