Keeping Fans Connected During the DAYTONA 500

The DAYTONA 500, one of the world’s biggest motorsports events, is also one of the most prestigious events in NASCAR. Held annually at the DAYTONA International Speedway in DAYTONA Beach, Florida, this race attracts more than 150,000 fans annually. Over the years, technology has become a crucial part of the event, keeping operations running smoothly and helping to enable better fan experiences.

Revving up the fan experience

As a NASCAR Technology Partner, Extreme Networks provides reliable Wi-Fi connectivity and comprehensive Wi-Fi analytics for the DAYTONA 500 and other major races throughout the NASCAR season. This partnership helps keep fans connected so they can share moments from the race and access real-time information like driver livestreams seamlessly, which is an instrumental part of the modern fan experience.

Wi-Fi analytics offer valuable insights into fan behavior and preferences. By analyzing network analytics, event organizers can make informed decisions to enhance the overall experience, improve network performance, and tailor their marketing strategies to better engage with fans.

NASCAR provided a Wi-Fi Connect feature via its Track App allowing fans to take advantage of better connectivity more seamlessly. Fan could then optimally use other app features such as live leaderboards, scanner communications, video streams, and a new interactive map for precise wayfinding, as well as discovering points of interest.

Data pit stop: Key network insights

During the DAYTONA 500, Extreme Networks’ Wi-Fi network handled an impressive amount of data, connecting thousands of fans and enhancing their experiences. Here’s a look at the key network analytics insights:

Massive data transfer: A total of 31.4 TB of data was transferred during the event. To put this into perspective, that is enough data to stream the entire DAYTONA 500 race over 15,700 times in HD or to rewatch every NASCAR Cup Series race since 1949 more than 2.5 times!

Connecting thousands of fans: The network supported 40,687 unique devices, providing fans with reliable connectivity throughout the event. At its peak, 17,432 devices were using the network simultaneously.

High engagement levels: One average, each connected device used 772.7 MB of data, highlighting the level of engagement among fans. The most significant spike in data usage occurred during the Air Force One flyover, reaching a peak of 9.3 Gbps as fans shared videos and pictures of the moment.

Impressive attendance and Wi-Fi adoption: With all the fans attending the event, the Wi-Fi adoption rate was an impressive 40%. This high adoption rate underscores the importance of reliable connectivity at large-scale events and in high-density environments.

Apps in the fast lane

Beyond just looking at the numbers, ExtremeCloud Business Insights also provides NASCAR with information about what specific apps fans were using. Here are the top apps in the two major categories that fans were using:

Sports apps: Fans were keen on staying up to date with real-time scores and news through apps like the NASCAR Tracks App, ESPN, Fox Sports, Draft Kings, MLB App, and Fan Duel.

Social media apps: Social media played a significant role in the fan experience, with apps like Facebook, X, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram being most popular.

Understanding which apps are most popular among fans allows NASCAR to tailor its digital engagement strategies. The high usage of sports apps indicates that fans want to stay up to date on real-time information about not just the race they’re watching live, but other sports teams that they follow. Similarly, the popularity of social media apps highlights the importance of creating sharable content and interactive experiences. By leveraging these insights, NASCAR can develop targeted marketing campaigns, enhance fan engagement, and create memorable experiences that resonate with their audience.

Crossing the finish line on another successful event

The DAYTONA 500 is more than just a race; it’s an experience that brings fans together, both physically and digitally.  The partnership between Extreme Networks and NASCAR will continue to revolutionize the fan experience through reliable Wi-Fi and actionable Wi-Fi analytics. By leveraging this technology and data, NASCAR can continue to enhance the fan experience, making events like the DAYTONA 500 more engaging and memorable for everyone involved. 

Learn more about the partnership between NASCAR and Extreme Networks.