



UPDATE: Ahead of the iconic DAYTONA 500, NASCAR and Verizon announced today a multi-year partnership to modernize 12 NASCAR-owned racetracks and bring race fans, drivers and teams improved connectivity to enhance the at-track experience. The partnership designates Verizon as the Official Wireless Telecommunications and 5G Mobility Partner of NASCAR, as well as the Official At-Track Wi-Fi Partner of 12 NASCAR-owned racetracks. As part of this agreement, Verizon will work with NASCAR to upgrade its in-venue wireless communications service, starting with delivering improved Wi-Fi service in 12 racetracks, over the next three years.

"There’s nothing like the thrill and excitement of attending a NASCAR race and now there are more ways than ever to capture and share that experience," said Craig Neeb, executive vice president and chief innovation officer, NASCAR. "Partnering with Verizon will offer fans the benefits of reliable in-venue connectivity as we usher in a new era for our sport."

"The thousands of fans attending NASCAR events across the country need reliable connectivity to share and send photos and videos of races in real-time, stay up-to-date on their favorite drivers, and connect with fellow fans inside and outside the track," said George Fischer, Senior Vice President, 5G Ecosystems and Alliances for Verizon Business Group. "As the official wireless provider for NASCAR, we are looking forward to enhancing the fan experience today and working together to revolutionize the future of the racing experience for drivers and fans."

— NASCAR —

ORIGINAL POST: NASCAR announced a deal with Verizon on Thursday intended to give fans at its 12 racetracks better access for their phones and solve a long-simmering headache over dead zones at the sprawling venues.

The deal will improve connectivity at the 12 tracks owned by NASCAR – a problem fans have complained about for years. Even when the top Cup Series was sponsored first by Nextel and then Sprint, cellular service was spotty and often only available to customers of those specific carriers.

Verizon will work with NASCAR to upgrade in-venue wireless communication service over the next three years. Verizon becomes the official wireless and 5G partner for the stock car racing series and the wi-fi partner at the 12 tracks, which host 19 of the 36 Cup Series races: Auto Club Speedway in Fontana (Calif.); Chicagoland in Joliet (Ill.); Darlington (S.C.); Daytona (Fla.); Homestead-Miami; Kansas (Kan.); Martinsville (Va.); Michigan (Brooklyn, Mich.); [Phoenix] Raceway; Richmond (Va.), Talladega (Ala.) and Watkins Glen (N.Y.).

Eleven tracks not owned by NASCAR also host Cup Series races. It will be up to their promoters to decide if a similar upgrade will be taken.

— Associated Press —