In October 2017, NASCAR and The Weather Company, an IBM Business, announced a multi-year agreement that would optimize the weather-related decision process for NASCAR as it incorporates hyper-local weather data and forecasts into their races to improve race-day operations and fan engagement. The Weather Company, via The Weather Channel brand, is now the Official Weather Partner of NASCAR.

Weather Insights Dashboard

In collaboration with Flagship Solutions Group, The Weather Company is providing critical weather information to NASCAR through an advanced weather insights dashboard developed by Flagship that is integrated into NASCAR’s racing operations and decision support system. Additionally, The Weather Channel is working with NASCAR on educational content, which will present fans with information on things like how weather impacts vehicle performance.

“There is an enormous amount of logistics and planning needed to support a NASCAR race, but the one thing we do not have control over is weather,” said Elton Sawyer, NASCAR vice president, officiating and technical inspection. “This partnership with The Weather Company and Flagship Solutions Group provides NASCAR access to critical information that can improve race operations and help minimize delays, while improving the race day experience for millions of our loyal fans.”

NASCAR's Access to World-renowned Weather Data

Through this partnership, NASCAR now has access to The Weather Company’s world-renowned weather data, as well as direct input from an onsite personal weather station, at each race. The Weather Company produces the most accurate forecast for more than 2 billion locations around the world every 15 minutes. NASCAR has incorporated hyper-local weather data and forecasts into their races to improve race-day operations and fan engagement.

“Every business needs a weather strategy - and this is especially true for a partner like NASCAR where every race has the potential to be impacted by weather,” said Bill Dow, head of media and entertainment for The Weather Company. “Having access to the most accurate, precise, and hyperlocal weather information positions NASCAR to make more informed and timely, critical business decisions that impact race day operations, as well as improve planning for future events that will help drive their success.”

The Weather Track

The Weather Track, a real-time, weather insights dashboard, developed on the IBM Cloud and leveraging Flagship Solutions’ trademarked Infralytics™ methodology, provides critical information including rain start and stop times, wind speed, lightning proximity, tornado/flash flood warnings, and more to help organizers optimize each event. Longer term, NASCAR plans to use weather forecasting and analytics to help improve planning.