Kratos, Champion Tire & Wheel Launch Industry-First Automated Truck Platoon to Support NASCAR Brickyard 400 Logistics
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ: KTOS) has partnered with Champion Tire & Wheel to launch the first-ever automated truck platoon for NASCAR logistics support at the Brickyard 400. The deployment features two tractor-trailers equipped with Goodyear commercial truck tires, operating along the I-70 corridor between Ohio and Indiana.
The innovative system consists of a human-driven lead truck paired with an automated follower, utilizing advanced Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communications and automated control systems. This technology, originally developed for defense applications, demonstrates Kratos' ability to adapt military innovations for commercial use in logistics, agriculture, energy, and mining sectors.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ: KTOS) ha collaborato con Champion Tire & Wheel per lanciare il primo convoglio automatizzato di camion dedicato al supporto logistico della NASCAR durante il Brickyard 400. Il progetto coinvolge due trattori con rimorchio equipaggiati con pneumatici commerciali Goodyear, operanti lungo il corridoio I-70 tra Ohio e Indiana.
Il sistema innovativo prevede un camion guidato da un conducente umano seguito da un veicolo automatizzato, che utilizza avanzate comunicazioni Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) e sistemi di controllo automatizzati. Questa tecnologia, originariamente sviluppata per applicazioni militari, dimostra la capacit脿 di Kratos di adattare innovazioni militari per l鈥檜so commerciale in settori come la logistica, l鈥檃gricoltura, l鈥檈nergia e l鈥檈strazione mineraria.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ: KTOS) se ha asociado con Champion Tire & Wheel para lanzar el primer pelot贸n automatizado de camiones para el apoyo log铆stico de NASCAR en el Brickyard 400. El despliegue incluye dos camiones tractor-remolque equipados con neum谩ticos comerciales Goodyear, operando a lo largo del corredor I-70 entre Ohio e Indiana.
El sistema innovador consiste en un cami贸n l铆der conducido por un humano acompa帽ado de un seguidor automatizado, que utiliza avanzadas comunicaciones Veh铆culo a Veh铆culo (V2V) y sistemas de control automatizados. Esta tecnolog铆a, desarrollada originalmente para aplicaciones de defensa, demuestra la capacidad de Kratos para adaptar innovaciones militares para uso comercial en sectores como la log铆stica, agricultura, energ铆a y miner铆a.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ: KTOS)臧� Champion Tire & Wheel瓿� 順戨牓頃橃棳 NASCAR 氍茧 歆�鞗愳潉 鞙勴暅 斓滌磮鞚� 鞛愲彊頇� 韸鸽煭 頂岆灅韴办潉 Brickyard 400鞐愳劀 靹犽炒鞓�鞀惦媹雼�. 鞚� 氚办箻電� 鞓ろ晿鞚挫槫鞕� 鞚鸽敂鞎犽倶毳� 鞛囯姅 I-70 瓿犾啀霃勲 甑皠鞐愳劀 Goodyear 靸侅梾鞖� 韸鸽煭 韮�鞚挫柎毳� 鞛レ癌頃� 霊� 雽�鞚� 韸鸽灆韯� 韸鸽爤鞚茧煬搿� 甑劚霅橃柎 鞛堨姷雼堧嫟.
順侅嫚鞝侅澑 鞁滌姢韰滌潃 鞚戈皠 鞖挫爠鞛愱皜 臁办頃橂姅 靹犽弰 韸鸽煭瓿� 鞛愲彊頇旊悳 頉勳啀 彀焿鞙茧 甑劚霅橂┌, 觳嫧 彀焿 臧� 韱奠嫚(V2V) 氚� 鞛愲彊 鞝滌柎 鞁滌姢韰滌潉 頇滌毄頃╇媹雼�. 鞚� 旮办垹鞚� 鞗愲灅 氚╈渼 氇╈爜鞙茧 臧滊皽霅橃棃鞙茧┌, Kratos臧� 甑办偓 順侅嫚鞚� 氍茧, 雴嶌梾, 鞐愲剤歆�, 甏戩偘鞐� 霌� 靸侅梾鞖╈溂搿� 鞝勴櫂頃橂姅 電ル牓鞚� 氤挫棳欷嶋媹雼�.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ : KTOS) s鈥檈st associ茅 脿 Champion Tire & Wheel pour lancer le tout premier convoi automatis茅 de camions destin茅 au support logistique de la NASCAR lors du Brickyard 400. Le d茅ploiement comprend deux semi-remorques 茅quip茅s de pneus commerciaux Goodyear, circulant le long du corridor I-70 entre l鈥橭hio et l鈥橧ndiana.
Ce syst猫me innovant comprend un camion leader conduit par un humain, accompagn茅 d鈥檜n suiveur automatis茅, utilisant des communications avanc茅es V茅hicule-脿-V茅hicule (V2V) et des syst猫mes de contr么le automatis茅s. Cette technologie, initialement d茅velopp茅e pour des applications militaires, d茅montre la capacit茅 de Kratos 脿 adapter les innovations militaires 脿 un usage commercial dans les secteurs de la logistique, de l鈥檃griculture, de l鈥櫭﹏ergie et de l鈥檈xploitation mini猫re.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ: KTOS) hat sich mit Champion Tire & Wheel zusammengeschlossen, um das erste automatisierte Lkw-Platoon f眉r die NASCAR-Logistikunterst眉tzung beim Brickyard 400 zu starten. Der Einsatz umfasst zwei Sattelzugmaschinen, die mit Goodyear-Kommerziellastwagenreifen ausgestattet sind und entlang des I-70-Korridors zwischen Ohio und Indiana fahren.
Das innovative System besteht aus einem menschlich gesteuerten F眉hrungs-Lkw und einem automatisierten Folgfahrzeug, das fortschrittliche Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Kommunikation und automatisierte Steuerungssysteme nutzt. Diese Technologie, urspr眉nglich f眉r milit盲rische Anwendungen entwickelt, zeigt Kratos' F盲higkeit, milit盲rische Innovationen f眉r den kommerziellen Einsatz in den Bereichen Logistik, Landwirtschaft, Energie und Bergbau anzupassen.
- None.
- System still requires human driver in lead truck, limiting full automation potential
- Limited to specific route corridor between Ohio and Indiana
Insights
Kratos successfully deploys defense-derived autonomous truck technology in commercial NASCAR logistics, showcasing real-world dual-use application potential.
This collaboration between Kratos and Champion Tire & Wheel represents a significant milestone in the commercialization of military-grade autonomous technology. The deployment features a human-led truck paired with an automated follower vehicle to transport critical racing equipment to the Brickyard 400, addressing a real business need in time-sensitive logistics.
What makes this implementation particularly noteworthy is how Kratos has leveraged its defense-developed platooning technology for practical commercial application without disrupting existing workflows. Rather than requiring a complete overhaul of operations, the system integrates with Champion's existing logistics framework, demonstrating a pragmatic approach to autonomous vehicle adoption in commercial settings.
The strategic significance extends beyond this single deployment. This application demonstrates Kratos' dual-use technology strategy, where defense R&D investments generate commercial revenue opportunities across logistics, agriculture, energy, and mining sectors. The I-70 Truck Automation Corridor program connection further validates the technology's alignment with broader infrastructure initiatives.
For Champion Tire & Wheel, the technology solves specific operational challenges, particularly during schedule spikes when distance and timing create logistical bottlenecks. The ability to maintain continuous operations with fewer human drivers directly addresses labor constraints in commercial trucking while improving equipment utilization efficiency.
This real-world deployment in the high-stakes environment of NASCAR logistics serves as a powerful proof point for Kratos' autonomous systems, potentially accelerating adoption across additional commercial sectors by demonstrating tangible operational benefits beyond theoretical capabilities.
SAN DIEGO, July 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.聽(Nasdaq: KTOS), a聽Technology Company聽in the Defense, National Security and Global Markets,聽today announced its collaboration with Champion Tire & Wheel to deploy an automated truck platoon to the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This milestone marks the first-ever use of driverless trucking technology in motorsports logistics supporting NASCAR teams with automated delivery of wheels, tires, and pit gear.
Kratos, Champion Tire & Wheel鈥檚 Industry-First Automated Truck Platoon Successfully
Deploys to Support the NASCAR Brickyard 400
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Two tractor-trailers, outfitted with premium Goodyear commercial truck tires, will travel along the I-70 corridor between Ohio and Indiana in the automated platoon configuration, with one human-driven lead truck paired to an automated follower. Equipped with advanced Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communications, onboard sensors, and automated control systems, the automated follower truck maintains coordinated speed, braking, and steering with the lead. Originally developed for defense applications, Kratos鈥� dual-use technologies demonstrate a transformative approach to fleet logistics using automation to address challenges facing commercial logistics, agriculture, energy, and mining sectors vital to national security.
鈥淒eploying automation in a fast-moving, time-critical logistics environment like NASCAR gave us a unique opportunity to show how seamlessly Kratos鈥� technology fits into real-world operations,鈥� said Maynard Factor, VP of Business Development at Kratos. 鈥淓ven outside of core industries, we demonstrated that commercial fleets can adopt Kratos鈥� autonomous systems without overhauling their workflows or disrupting day-to-day business proving how practical and scalable this technology is.鈥�
Champion Tire & Wheel, a longtime innovator in motorsports logistics, became the first to use automated platooning to deliver equipment to a global racing event. Operating within the NASCAR supply chain, this deployment underscores how automation can strengthen business continuity and drive efficiency across commercial logistics environments.
鈥淭his technology provides us options to better manage spikes in the schedule where distance and timing are a challenge,鈥� said Kevin Mahl, President & CEO of Champion Tire & Wheel. 鈥淏y pairing a human-driven lead truck with an autonomous follower, we can keep the fleet moving efficiently to the next race venue.聽With Kratos autonomous systems as a tool to use when needed, we鈥檙e able to move more equipment, more efficiently, and give ourselves more flexibility in our logistics planning.鈥�
With a legacy of delivering high-performance tires and trusted fleet solutions, Goodyear joined the collaboration to demonstrate how advanced tire and vehicle systems can enable next-generation logistics. Goodyear鈥檚 long-standing presence at the Brickyard 400鈥攄ating back to 1994鈥攗nderscores a dedication to precision and performance across every terrain.
鈥淕oodyear has long stood at the intersection of driving performance and vehicle intelligence鈥攆rom the racetrack to autonomous innovation,鈥� said Rich Cottrell, Senior Director, Commercial Marketing, Goodyear. 鈥淭his deployment connects Goodyear鈥檚 racing legacy with our premium commercial tire technology and fleet solutions鈥攈elping advance performance and uptime for modern logistics. We鈥檙e proud to support this milestone with Kratos and Champion Tire & Wheel.鈥澛�
The Brickyard 400 deployment also builds on the I-70 Truck Automation Corridor (TAC) program, an active multi-state effort to accelerate the safe integration of automated trucking along key Midwest freight corridors. Led by DriveOhio (Ohio Department of Transportation), the Indiana Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other stakeholders, the I-70 TAC program uses Kratos鈥� auto-platooning systems deployed with EASE Logistics to support freight movements along I-70 between Columbus, OH, and Indianapolis, IN with safety riders in each vehicle.
The Kratos dual-use technology strategy of leveraging defense-developed technology for commercial applications maximizes the value of internal research and development investments across sectors. By demonstrating this technology in motorsports logistics, Kratos continues to drive innovation that delivers immediate, real-world impact.
About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.聽(NASDAQ: KTOS) is a technology, products, system and software company addressing the defense, national security, and commercial markets. Kratos makes true internally funded research, development, capital and other investments, to rapidly develop, produce and field solutions that address our customers鈥� mission critical needs and requirements. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we seek to utilize proven, leading-edge approaches and technology, not unproven bleeding edge approaches or technology, with Kratos鈥� approach designed to reduce cost, schedule and risk, enabling us to be first to market with cost effective solutions. We believe that Kratos is known as an innovative disruptive change agent in the industry, a company that is an expert in designing products and systems up front for successful rapid, large quantity, low-cost future manufacturing which is a value add competitive differentiator for our large traditional prime system integrator partners and also to our government and commercial customers. Kratos intends to pursue program and contract opportunities as the prime or lead contractor when we believe that our probability of win (PWin) is high and any investment required by Kratos is within our capital resource comfort level. We intend to partner and team with a large, traditional system integrator when our assessment of PWin is greater or required investment is beyond Kratos鈥� comfort level. Kratos鈥� primary business areas include virtualized ground systems for satellites and space vehicles including software for command & control (C2) and telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C), jet powered unmanned aerial drone systems, hypersonic vehicles and rocket systems, propulsion systems for drones, missiles, loitering munitions, supersonic systems, space craft and launch systems, C5ISR and microwave electronic products for missile, radar, missile defense, space, satellite, counter UAS, directed energy, communication and other systems, and virtual & augmented reality training systems for the warfighter.
About Champion Tire & Wheel
Champion Tire & Wheel is the leader in race tire and wheel logistics, serving NASCAR teams across the U.S. with precision handling, transportation, and support services. Champion鈥檚 innovative tracking systems, inspection technology, and logistics operations help ensure teams receive race-ready equipment wherever the schedule takes them.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements relate to a variety of matters including, without limitation, Kratos鈥� expectations regarding the use of the proceeds from the public offering, the pipeline for opportunities, and Kratos鈥� success with respect to such opportunities, as well as other statements that are not purely statements of historical fact. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Kratos and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements including, but not limited to: risks and uncertainties related to market conditions as well as general economic factors. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended聽December 29, 2024 and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the聽SEC聽by Kratos.
Press Contact:
Claire Burghoff
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