Fan Access to Race Control
At the recent NASCAR San Diego Weekend, ABB and NASCAR unveiled ABB NASCAR Grid Control, a fan‑focused platform that streams eleven live video feeds directly from the sport’s command centre. For the first time, spectators can watch the same real‑time telemetry that race engineers and officials monitor, giving an unprecedented window into the inner workings of a race weekend.
The system aggregates data streams into interactive dashboards, allowing enthusiasts to follow everything from tire temperature readings to pit‑lane strategies, turning a traditionally opaque process into a transparent experience.
Sustainable Power Behind the Spectacle
The debut of Grid Control coincides with a temporary microgrid that supplies the event’s electrical needs without drawing from the local utility. A hybrid configuration blends battery energy storage systems with diesel generators, while Suburban Propane fuels concessions and electric vehicle chargers with renewable propane. Real‑time energy and carbon performance dashboards, managed by ABB’s off‑grid control system, track electricity consumption and fuel usage, enabling instant adjustments to keep the event’s carbon footprint in check.
These sustainability measures are part of NASCAR IMPACT, a program in which ABB is a founding member, aiming for net‑zero operating emissions by 2035. The initiative also showcases the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype, a vehicle that embodies the latest advances in electrification and automation, reinforcing the sport’s shift toward greener technologies.
Industry analysts Chris Shigas and Eric Nyquist highlighted the significance of the launch, noting that the combination of fan‑centric insight and clean power sets a new benchmark for large‑scale sporting events.