NTT, a leading global technology and business solutions provider, and NTT DATA have extended the entitlement partnership with INDYCAR, North America’s premier open-wheel motorsports series, through a multiyear agreement that also includes official technology partner status.

NTT has been the title sponsor of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2019 and will continue in that capacity with this multiyear extension that goes into effect in 2024. NTT and NTT DATA will continue as the Official Technology Partner for INDYCAR, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR Brickyard weekend.

“NTT is an excellent partner across our enterprise with strong expertise and a deep commitment to our sport,” said Roger Penske, chairman, Penske Corporation. “From Smart Venue technology at the Racing Capital of the World to the reimagined series mobile application, NTT is transforming the fan experience in new and innovative ways. We look forward to a bright future together.”

NTT helps organizations like INDYCAR with its digital transformations and remains committed to accelerating the future of sports. Of note, NTT's Smart Solutions use proprietary technology to consume, analyze and transform massive amounts of data and 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 INDYCAR is so diverse, with drivers from 15 different countries, and races that range from short ovals and superspeedways to road and street courses. It’s both an incredible sport and a wonderful example for our world.”

Some of the highlights of NTT and NTT DATA’s commitment to accelerating the sport’s future include:

• Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a Smart Venue: The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled optical detection technologies, combined with real-time entry gate flow rate data, provide the IMS operations and security teams more insight into current and possible scenarios at the historic venue. The technology allows the staff to see a broader venue picture in real time ranging from visitor and traffic flow to congestion points and security. At-gate IMS personnel also have mobile point-of-sale capabilities at their fingertips for digital ticketing and parking transactions – all to help manage the event venue more safely and efficiently. It also provides fans attending one of the world’s largest-attended, single-day events with real-time entry gate wait times through the IMS app and website.
• INDYCAR App Enhancements and Growth: Powered by NTT DATA since 2019, the INDYCAR App has made dramatic gains in functionality, features and use. Over the last three years, downloads have grown by nearly 50 percent with users representing more than 200 countries and territories. A new version debuted for the start of this NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with a modernized look, upgraded navigation, and enhanced pre-race, live race and post-race experiences. It also returned fan favorite features such as driver-specific telemetry, live timing and scoring, multiple in-car cameras and driver-to-team radio communication. The INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA is free and available for download 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 different data points from each car in the field and also the track, NTT delivers real-time, data-driven racing insights for fans to better consume and understand how a race is unfolding. AI and predictive data analytics allow NTT to provide fans real-time access to key in race aspects such as head-to-head driver battles for position, pit stop performance impact, fuel strategies and tire wear, leaderboard predictions, weather impact and much more.

"The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will continue to be a hub for progress and discovery with the extension of this world-class partnership,” said Mark Miles, president & chief executive officer, Penske Entertainment. “NTT is fully invested in the development and growth of our sport and has already established a terrific track record in our industry with problem-solving capabilities and access to top talent and tools.”

INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES have also been important partners to NTT. The sanctioning body and series have provided NTT with valuable opportunities for brand awareness, client engagement and a range of business-to-business (B2B) initiatives while spearheading a digital transformation within the industry. NTT also values its Penske Corporation business partnership as an important B2B platform. Participation in INDYCAR’s ongoing sustainability initiatives remains important as the relationships extend.

“As INDYCAR’s Technology Partner, we’re thrilled to continue our collaborations that enhance and expand the fan experience for motorsports 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 making driving safer for everyone, and by continuing this relationship, we will accelerate the pace of innovations and new technologies, particularly related to sustainability that ultimately can benefit organizations, communities and individuals around the world.”

To learn more about the NTT INDYCAR SERIES visit: https://us.nttdata.com/en/about-us/content/ntt-indycar-series

NTT IndyCar Series PR

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team overcame the loss of first gear early in Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, and came away with a 22^nd-place finish.

Burton started Sunday’s scheduled 68-lap race from 16^th place, but lost first gear on a pit stop with two of 15 laps remaining in the opening Stage.

The loss of the lowest gear meant Burton couldn’t be as aggressive on restarts and in negotiating the slow-speed corners on the 3.41-mile, 20-turn race course. 
 
He finished the first Stage in 34^th place and the second 15-lap Stage in 28^th.
 
Crew chief Brian Wilson elected to stretch the fuel in the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang before making the second stop of the day at Lap 39.
 
A caution flag flew just after the stop. As other drivers made their pit stops, Burton advanced to the front row for the subsequent restart with 25 laps left to run.
 
Without low gear he fell back and was running 28th when a caution flag flew four laps shy of the checkered flag.
 
Wilson brought the No. 21 Mustang to pit road for fresh tires and fuel.
  
Dodging wrecks ahead of him while being as aggressive as he could under the circumstances, Burton gained three spots on the first attempt at a green-white-checkered-flag finish. He continued his move forward over the final two Overtime runs, gaining three more positions and taking the checkered flag in 22^nd place.
 
Burton and the No. 21 team now head to Richmond Raceway for next Sunday’s 400-lapper on the three-quarter-mile oval.

WBR PR

Kaulig Racing PR

Chris Buescher and the Fifth Third Bank team employed a never give up approach in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at COTA to earn a solid eighth-place finish, Buescher’s sixth-straight top-10 in road course racing.

“It was our first bumper car race of the year,” Buescher said after the race. “Our Fifth Third Ford Mustang ended up pretty solid there towards the end, we got a solid top-10 out of it. That’s a big testament to this team and its ‘never give up’ attitude.

Buescher had his work cut out for him starting from the 32^nd position, but wasn’t fazed, even earning stage points in stage two on his way to the team’s second top-10 of the season.

“I had to really power through, and we had some issues there that probably came from getting run into … backwards a couple times. But, I’m proud of everybody. That was a good finish for a really hard-fought day.”

The opening stage of 15 laps had a pair of cautions, one on lap two for a spin by teammate Brad Keselowski, and the other at lap 11 as crew chief Scott Graves immediately called the No. 17 to pit road as the caution flew. Buescher was 19^th on the ensuing restart and ended the stage in 20^th.

Stage two, also 15 laps in distance, was less hectic with no full-course yellows. Buescher ran long on track and ultimately gained the lead for a lap before finishing fifth in the stage. From there, he was solidly inside the top-15 for the remainder of the day working to 11^th by lap 43 on a restart.

After the last pit cycle played out with around 10 to go, Buescher got back to 16^th on a restart with seven laps remaining before a string of yellow flags occurred, resulting in three-straight NASCAR Overtime restart attempts.

Despite a chaotic ending, Buescher maintained composure and maneuvered to seventh on what was the final restart, going on to finish eighth.

The No. 17 team returns to action next week at Richmond Raceway. Race coverage Sunday is set for 3:30 p.m. on FOX. Radio coverage can be heard on MRN and SiriusXM Channel 90.

RFK PR

In the return to COTA for the NASCAR Cup Series’ third event at the 20-turn circuit, Brad Keselowski’s day ended prematurely due to a mechanical failure. He finished 35^th.

NASCAR’s newest road course rules were on display Sunday for the first time as stage breaks are eliminated, with stage points being awarded at the scheduled lap end of each stage under green-flag conditions. Keselowski worked his way up to 21^st by the end of the opening stage of 15 laps that saw a pair of caution flags early, the first resulting from a spin by the No. 6.

Stage two ran all green as Keselowski finished 28^th. He again powered his way into the top-20, advancing to 19^th at lap 48 with 20 to go. Then, with 11 to go, his Ford Mustang came to a rest on the track as a mechanical failure sent him to the garage for the afternoon.

The No. 6 team returns to action next week at Richmond Raceway. Race coverage Sunday is set for 3:30 p.m. on FOX. Radio coverage can be heard on MRN and SiriusXM Channel 90.

RFK PR

 Team Penske PR

Restart after restart, Tyler Reddick put up a monster performance under the hot Texas sun to earn his first win of the season and the first this year for 23XI Racing at Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas (COTA).

After leading only two laps in two previous EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix starts, Reddick had the dominant car Sunday, leading 41 circuits and outlasting the field in a raucous triple-overtime finish. Eight cautions bunched up the field, including three overtime attempts, but strong restarts kept Reddick out of the melee and in command of the race. 

“It means the world,” Reddick said. “This whole 23XI team has been working all winter long to make the road course program better. The only thing that was really on my mind today was how to hang on. It was pretty warm in the car. Thankfully we didn’t have one more overtime; I might have been in trouble. I wouldn’t say I was nervous. I didn’t quite get every restart done perfectly, but we got the one that mattered – the last one.”

When the dust settled, Kyle Busch, who made the move to Reddick’s former Richard Childress Racing team during the offseason, finished second.

“Tyler obviously is a really good road racer,” said Busch. “He proved it driving this car last year. I was able to get in it and run right back to him. I've been trying to emulate the things he did in order to make this car fast last year, but not quite all the way there. They had a whale of a car.”

Alex Bowman finished third, with Ross Chastain’s battered Trackhouse Racing machine crossing the finish line fourth after contact with several cars in Turn One led to the final overtime caution. Polesitter William Byron was fifth.

“That’s just how this stuff goes; I’m mad at a bunch of people, and a bunch of people are mad at me,” Chastain said. “Nobody had anything for Tyler. We were all clawing. I love this place, and I love road course racing. The fight to get better never stops. We ended up with a good finish, but it wasn’t the prettiest.”

Reddick’s performance impressed his boss, team owner and fellow NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin, who finished 16th.

“We knew that they were fast, knew that it was a matter of time before they would march their way to the front,” Hamlin said. “Certainly, they’ve got a lot of opportunity to build a lot of Playoff points and hopefully make a run.

“It’s a big pressure situation for Tyler. You’ve been the dominant car all weekend. There’s not much to gain. It’s yours to lose. To be able to manage those pressure situations, it’s huge.”

Tickets:

Fans can lock in their seats for the 2024 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas online at www.nascaratcota.com/events/renewals.

Follow Us:

Keep track of all things NASCAR at COTA by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@NASCARatCOTA). Keep up with all the latest information on the NASCAR at COTA website and mobile app.

COTA PR

Race Winner:  Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing (Toyota)

Stage 1 Winner:  William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet)

Stage 2 Winner:  Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing (Toyota)

Overview:

Jenson Button finished 18th in his NASCAR Cup Series debut Sunday at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. The 2009 Formula One world champion qualified 24th for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix and kept his No. 15 Mobil 1 Ford Mustang relatively clean throughout the 68-lap race around the 3.426-mile, 20-turn road course. Button was joined on the grid by fellow F1 champion Kimi Räikkönen and the duo spent much of the race in close quarters. Räikkönen qualified just ahead of Button in 22nd, but Button got the better of Räikkönen in the race, finishing 11 spots ahead of the 2007 title winner.

Jenson Button, Driver of the No. 15 Mobil 1 Ford Mustang:             

“It was an emotional rollercoaster. At first, it was terrible. I mean, I must’ve been last by the end of it, and I was just like, ‘Everyone, go. I just need to drive and find a rhythm.’ I’ve never gone through a corner two wide, so often. And trying to place my car in the right place – I just got it wrong every time. Normally, if you’re a little bit slow through a corner, nobody tries to overtake you from the outside – because they’re not going to make it all the way on the next one. But here they do, because they get a wheel inside for the next one, and if you turn in, you turn around. The first stint was really bad. It was embarrassing for me. I was like, ‘Alright guys, we need to pit, freshen the tires and I need some air. I need some fresh air.’ I got that. The pace was good, consistency was good. I was really happy, and passed a few cars, which was nice. We got a little bit unlucky with the safety car because it was just two laps before our window. Pitted, then the next stint was mayhem. We also made a couple of changes that just didn’t work. Big oversteer – went from the car feeling great to really difficult to drive. I also had a massive whack from Kimi (Räikkönen), and it fell off after that. The car wasn’t quite right. Every time I turned in, the rear tires would chatter, then immediately to oversteer. It was really difficult, but toward the end, we made some good calls stopping and putting on fresh tires. I enjoyed the last three restarts – got good placement and good overtaking moves from the outside. Finished 18th after almost stopping because I had heat exhaustion. It was so hot. I don’t have a fan in my seat, which really didn’t help me too much. It was so hot, I thought I was going to faint in the car. So, I stopped twice for a minute. They put ice on me, gave me loads of water, and I went back out. I was so close to getting out of the car because I thought I was going to faint. I must’ve drank eight-nine bottles of water during the race. The team kept me calm, and it’s the reason why we got a good result in the end. So, I was happy.”

Notes:

●  This was Button’s sixth overall start at COTA. He made five Formula One starts at the track between 2012-2016 with a best finish of fifth in the 2012 United States Grand Prix.

●  Button won 15 grands prix in a nearly two-decade F1 career (2000-2017), including a dominant six-win campaign in 2009 that netted him the championship. Upon retiring from F1 in 2017, the British driver has taken on a variety of challenges with NASCAR being the latest. It began with sports cars in the Japanese Super GT Series’ GT500 class, where he won the 2018 championship. He then ran a five-race stint in the 2018-2019 FIA World Endurance Championship, a drive that included the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Button has even competed in off-road endurance racing, running the Mint 400 and the Baja 1000 in 2019.

●  Tyler Reddick won the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix to score his fourth career NASCAR Cup Series victory, his first of the season and his first at COTA. His margin over second-place Kyle Busch was 1.411 seconds.

●  There were eight caution periods for a total of 17 laps.

●  All but 10 of the 39 drivers in the race finished on the lead lap.

●  Ross Chastain leaves COTA as the championship leader with a 19-point advantage over second-place Busch.

Next Up:            

Button’s next NASCAR Cup Series race is the Grant Park 220 on July 2 on the streets of downtown Chicago. The 100-lap race around the temporary 2.2-mile, 12-turn street course begins at 5:30 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast live on NBC and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Button’s final Cup Series race of the 2023 season is the Verizon 200 at The Brickyard on Aug. 13 on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

TSC PR

Noah Gragson, No. 42 Black Rifle Coffee Company Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

START: 10TH FINISH: 20TH POINTS: 26TH

Noah Gragson Post-Race Thoughts: “Had a solid day in our Black Rifle Coffee Camaro. We ran inside the top-10 and top-15 for a large part of the day with good speed. We kept working on the car. Luke Lambert and the rest of the guys called a great strategy. The pit crew did an awesome job. We put ourselves in position during the green-white-checkers to be in the top-10. I ended up getting spun and rallied back. We never quit. I’m very proud of our Black Rifle Coffee team and excited to get to Richmond and try it again."

Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

START: 8TH FINISH: 23RD POINTS: 21ST

Erik Jones Post-Race Thoughts: "“Frustrating day here in at COTA. I felt like we had a pretty fast Allegiant Chevy but it seemed like we kept getting hit. There were a couple times there on restarts that we just flat got ran over. Wrong place wrong time for sure, and it stinks that we weren’t really able to have anything to show for the speed we had. I’m thankful that we were able to show as much promise as we did early on with a good run in qualifying, and I can tell we are moving in the right direction at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. Onto Richmond.”

Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Club Wyndham Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

START: 31ST FINISH: 38TH POINTS: 38TH

Jimmie Johnson was collected on a Lap 1 multi-car accident at Circuit Of The Americas. Post-race thoughts: “What a disappointing finish. Unfortunately we got off to a slow start yesterday and qualified poorly. We all know what happens when you start in the back and unfortunately we were caught up in that.  Just a wild and crazy first lap that was taking place. I thought I had the wreck missed, but I just saw a flash of red out of nowhere. I guess there was more going on the outside of the No. 6 car (Brad Keselowski) as it was spinning, and I saw him and just got collected. I’m most disappointed for Club Wyndham. They came on board for this race, and they’ll be with me at the Coca-Cola 600. Really disappointed we couldn’t give them a better show.”

LMC PR

Race Winner:  Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing (Toyota)

Stage 1 Winner:  William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet)

Stage 2 Winner:  Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing (Toyota)

SHR Race Finish:            

●  Kevin Harvick (Started 29th, Finished 13th / Running, completed 75 of 75 laps)

●  Chase Briscoe (Started 19th, Finished 15th / Running, completed 75 of 75 laps)  

●  Aric Almirola (Started 39th, Finished 30th / Running, completed 74 of 75 laps)

●  Ryan Preece (Started 26th, Finished 32nd / Accident, completed 68 of 75 laps)

SHR Points:

●  Kevin Harvick (4th with 186 points, 25 out of first)

●  Chase Briscoe (23rd with 96 points, 115 out of first)

●  Aric Almirola (28th with 70 points, 141 out of first)

●  Ryan Preece (29th with 69 points, 142 out of first)

SHR Notes:        

●  Harvick finished fourth in Stage 2 to earn seven bonus points.

●  Briscoe finished ninth in Stage 2 to earn two bonus points.

●  Preece finished 10th in Stage 1 to earn a bonus point.

Race Notes:       

●  Tyler Reddick won the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix to score his fourth career NASCAR Cup Series victory, his first of the season and his first at COTA. His margin over second-place Kyle Busch was 1.411 seconds.

●  There were eight caution periods for a total of 17 laps.

●  All but 10 of the 39 drivers in the race finished on the lead lap.

●  Ross Chastain leaves COTA as the championship leader with a 19-point advantage over second-place Busch.

Next Up:

The next event on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the Richmond 400 on Sunday, April 2 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway. The race begins at 3:30 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by FS1 and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

TSC PR