Hendrick Motorsports has partnered with Check Point Software Technologies to boost its cybersecurity defenses across its racing operations, leveraging advanced threat prevention and real-time threat intelligence to protect critical systems, networks and data as the sport becomes increasingly digital and data-driven.
Racing in the Digital Age: Why Cybersecurity Matters More Than Ever
Modern motorsports bear little resemblance to the purely mechanical sport of decades past. Today’s race teams rely on vast streams of data generated before, during, and after every race. From vehicle telemetry and simulation models to race strategy analytics and performance optimization tools, digital systems play a central role in decision-making.
At the same time, teams manage complex business operations that include logistics, sponsorships, communications, and fan engagement platforms. These systems are deeply interconnected and often accessible remotely, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals.
A single cyber incident—whether a ransomware attack, data breach, or system disruption—could compromise race-day performance, expose proprietary data, or interrupt critical operations. For a top-tier organization like Hendrick Motorsports, the stakes are exceptionally high.
This is the environment in which the partnership with Check Point was formed: a recognition that cybersecurity is no longer optional but essential to maintaining performance, resilience, and trust.
A Comprehensive Security Approach with Check Point
Under the new agreement, Check Point Software Technologies will provide Hendrick Motorsports with a unified cybersecurity management platform designed to protect against a wide range of evolving threats. This includes ransomware, malware, phishing attacks, and advanced persistent threats that increasingly target high-profile, data-rich organizations.
Check Point’s prevention-first cybersecurity approach focuses on stopping threats before they can cause damage. Rather than reacting after an incident occurs, the platform uses real-time threat intelligence, advanced threat detection, and automated protections to reduce risk proactively.
For Hendrick Motorsports, this means stronger protection across:
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Core IT infrastructure
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Racing and engineering systems
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Network communications
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Cloud-based applications
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Operational and business platforms
By consolidating security management into a single, integrated platform, the team gains greater visibility and control over its digital environment, while reducing complexity and response time.
Protecting Competitive Advantage on and off the Track
In motorsports, information is power. Data related to car setup, race strategy, performance metrics, and engineering innovations can provide a decisive advantage. Protecting this information from unauthorized access or disruption is critical to staying competitive.
Cyber threats don’t just target financial data or customer records—they increasingly aim to steal intellectual property or disrupt operations at critical moments. For a racing team, even a brief system outage during a race weekend could have serious consequences.
By strengthening cybersecurity defenses, Hendrick Motorsports ensures that its engineers, strategists, and drivers can rely on accurate, secure data at all times. This reliability supports faster decision-making, better performance optimization, and uninterrupted race operations.
Supporting Innovation Without Compromise
Innovation has always been at the heart of Hendrick Motorsports’ success. As new technologies such as advanced analytics, AI-driven simulations, and connected engineering tools become part of daily operations, the digital footprint of the organization continues to expand.
This expansion creates new opportunities—but also new vulnerabilities.
The partnership with Check Point allows Hendrick Motorsports to continue innovating with confidence. By embedding security into the foundation of its technology ecosystem, the team can adopt new tools and platforms without introducing unnecessary risk.
This balance between innovation and protection is especially important in a fast-moving environment like motorsports, where teams must constantly evolve to remain competitive.
Real-Time Threat Intelligence for a High-Speed Environment
One of the key strengths of Check Point’s cybersecurity platform is its ability to leverage real-time threat intelligence. Drawing from a global network of sensors and research teams, Check Point continuously analyzes emerging threats and attack patterns.
This intelligence is used to update protections automatically, helping Hendrick Motorsports stay ahead of new risks without manual intervention. In an environment where timing is everything, automated and adaptive security measures are essential.
By receiving up-to-date insights on the latest cyber threats, the team can respond faster and reduce the likelihood of successful attacks.
A Partnership That Extends to the Track
Beyond technology, the collaboration between Hendrick Motorsports and Check Point also includes a visible presence in the racing world. As part of the agreement, Check Point has become an associate sponsor of driver Corey Day and the No. 17 Chevrolet competing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series championship in 2026.
Check Point branding will appear on:
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The No. 17 race car
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Team fire suits
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Track equipment throughout the season
This sponsorship highlights the growing intersection between cybersecurity and elite sports. It also reflects a shared commitment to performance, resilience, and excellence—values that resonate both on the track and in the digital world.
Leadership Perspectives on the Partnership
Rachel Roberts, President of the Americas at Check Point Software Technologies, emphasized the importance of strong cyber defenses in today’s digital-first environment. She noted that Check Point’s prevention-first strategy is designed to help organizations like Hendrick Motorsports protect complex technology ecosystems while remaining focused on innovation and performance.
From Hendrick Motorsports’ perspective, President Jeff Andrews highlighted the increasingly data-intensive nature of modern racing. He stressed that trusted cybersecurity expertise is essential to safeguarding the systems that support both competitive performance and day-to-day operations.
These perspectives underline a shared understanding: in high-performance environments, cybersecurity is a strategic enabler, not just a technical safeguard.
Motorsports as a Target for Cyber Threats
The partnership also reflects a broader reality facing the motorsports industry. As teams embrace digital transformation, they become more attractive targets for cyberattacks.
Factors contributing to this increased risk include:
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High-value intellectual property
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Time-sensitive operations
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Global visibility and brand recognition
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Extensive use of connected devices and cloud platforms
By investing in advanced cybersecurity now, Hendrick Motorsports sets a strong example for how elite sports organizations can proactively address these challenges.
Enhancing Fan Engagement and Business Operations
Cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting race-day performance. Modern motorsports organizations also manage extensive digital platforms for fan engagement, merchandise sales, sponsorship activation, and media content.
Protecting these systems is critical to maintaining trust with fans, partners, and sponsors. A breach or outage could damage reputation and disrupt revenue streams.
Check Point’s unified security platform helps ensure that these business and engagement systems remain secure, available, and resilient—supporting the broader ecosystem that surrounds the racing team.
A Model for High-Performance Organizations
The Hendrick Motorsports–Check Point partnership illustrates how cybersecurity has become a foundational element of success for high-performance organizations across industries. Whether in sports, manufacturing, healthcare, or finance, the ability to protect digital assets and maintain operational continuity is now a core strategic priority.
By aligning with a cybersecurity leader, Hendrick Motorsports demonstrates foresight and leadership in addressing the risks of an increasingly connected world.
Looking Ahead: Security as a Competitive Advantage
As motorsports continues to evolve, the role of technology—and the risks that come with it—will only grow. Teams that invest in robust cybersecurity will be better positioned to innovate, adapt, and compete at the highest levels.
For Hendrick Motorsports, the partnership with Check Point is not just about defense. It’s about creating a secure foundation that enables speed, precision, and innovation—both on and off the track.
By protecting its digital ecosystem with advanced threat prevention and real-time intelligence, Hendrick Motorsports ensures that its focus remains where it belongs: on performance, competition, and winning.
In an era where milliseconds matter and data drives decisions, strong cybersecurity may be one of the most important tools in a championship-winning strategy.
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