NASCAR's New Defense: Hendrick Motorsports Taps Cyber Leader

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. & CONCORD, N.C. – January 27, 2026 – In a move that signals a new era for professional motorsports, NASCAR powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports has announced a strategic partnership with global cybersecurity leader Check Point Software Technologies. The collaboration aims to fortify the racing giant's sprawling digital infrastructure, protecting the invaluable data that has become as critical to winning races as horsepower and aerodynamics.

As part of the new agreement, Check Point will become an associate sponsor for rising star Corey Day and the No. 17 Chevrolet team in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Series. This partnership, however, runs far deeper than logos on a race car; it represents a crucial alignment between one of the most successful teams in racing history and a pioneer in digital protection, highlighting the evolving nature of competition in the 21st century.

The New Front Line: Data in the Fast Lane

The roar of engines and the smell of burning rubber are no longer the only hallmarks of NASCAR. Today, races are won and lost in the margins, and those margins are defined by data. Hendrick Motorsports, the winningest team in NASCAR Cup Series history, operates a sophisticated, data-driven ecosystem that touches every aspect of its operation. From initial car design to split-second race day strategy, the team's competitive advantage is built on a foundation of proprietary digital information.

This digital footprint is immense. Engineers utilize advanced software for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and run countless simulations to optimize vehicle configurations before a single part is machined. In the team's state-of-the-art metrology lab, laser scanners and robotic arms precisely measure and catalog every component, creating a vast database of intellectual property. During a race, a constant stream of telemetry data flows from the car to the pit box, providing real-time insights into performance, tire wear, and fuel consumption. This torrent of information, combined with historical race data, weather analytics, and driver feedback, is processed by high-performance computing systems to inform critical decisions.

This reliance on data, while a massive performance advantage, also creates a significant attack surface. The intellectual property behind car designs, the real-time strategies that can decide a championship, and the operational systems that keep the 500-employee organization running are all high-value targets for cyber threats like ransomware, malware, and industrial espionage.

Building a Digital Fortress Around the Racetrack

Enter Check Point Software Technologies. The firm will deploy its AI-powered Infinity Platform to create a unified security shield across Hendrick Motorsports’ entire IT landscape, including its networks, cloud environments, applications, and endpoints. The core of this strategy is Check Point's acclaimed "prevention-first" approach, which focuses on proactively blocking threats before they can infiltrate a system, rather than simply detecting them after a breach has occurred.

“In today’s digital landscape, world-class organizations must protect their operations, data, and competitive advantage from ever-evolving cyber threats,” said Rachel Roberts, Americas President at Check Point Software Technologies. “We’re honored to partner with Hendrick Motorsports, bringing our prevention-first cyber security approach to help safeguard their technology and racing ecosystem so the team can stay focused on performance, innovation, and success on and off the track.”

The Infinity Platform integrates a suite of advanced tools designed for complex, hybrid environments. Its hybrid mesh network architecture, with Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) at its core, provides unified management for on-premises systems and cloud services—a critical capability for a team that collaborates and competes across the country. This helps protect against ransomware that could lock down critical systems on a race weekend, phishing attacks aimed at stealing credentials, and malware designed to exfiltrate sensitive vehicle telemetry.

A Strategic Victory Lap for Brand and Business

For Hendrick Motorsports, the benefits are clear. The partnership ensures the integrity and continuity of its high-tech operations, allowing the team to innovate without fear of digital disruption. “Hendrick Motorsports operates in a highly connected, data-driven environment, and protecting our technology ecosystem requires trusted partners with proven expertise,” noted Jeff Andrews, president of Hendrick Motorsports. “Check Point brings world-class cyber security capabilities and a collaborative approach that aligns with how we operate as an organization.”

For Check Point, the collaboration is a powerful strategic move. Sponsoring the No. 17 Chevrolet, driven by 20-year-old Corey Day, provides immense brand visibility to NASCAR's large and loyal fanbase. More importantly, it serves as a high-profile case study, demonstrating the real-world application of its technology in one of the most demanding, high-stakes environments imaginable. It showcases that cybersecurity is not just for traditional corporate offices but is essential for any organization where data drives performance.

“We know Corey and the No. 17 team will be tremendous brand ambassadors for Check Point, and we’re proud to collaborate with them to to strengthen the protection of our systems, networks and data,” Andrews added.

A Growing Trend in the Paddock and Beyond

The Hendrick-Check Point alliance is not an isolated event but rather a leading example of a significant trend across professional sports. As sports organizations have undergone rapid digital transformation, they have become attractive targets for cybercriminals. From the Formula 1 paddock, where teams like McLaren and Porsche Motorsport have established robust cybersecurity partnerships, to major leagues like the NFL and international bodies like the IOC, the sports world is waking up to its digital vulnerabilities.

These partnerships recognize that sports franchises are no longer just teams; they are complex, data-rich enterprises managing everything from athlete performance analytics and proprietary strategies to vast databases of fan information and multi-million-dollar revenue streams. Protecting these digital assets is now a fundamental aspect of preserving competitive integrity and business continuity.

The collaboration between a racing dynasty and a cybersecurity titan is a definitive statement about the future of sport. It proves that the most important defenses are no longer limited to the chassis of the car or the walls of the garage. The partnership underscores a new reality in sports: the race for the checkered flag is now fought on the digital front as much as it is on the asphalt.