Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a Technology Company in the Defense, National Security and Global Markets, 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.
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’ 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.
“Deploying automation in a fast-moving, time-critical logistics environment like NASCAR gave us a unique opportunity to show how seamlessly Kratos’ technology fits into real-world operations,” said Maynard Factor, VP of Business Development at Kratos. “Even outside of core industries, we demonstrated that commercial fleets can adopt Kratos’ autonomous systems without overhauling their workflows or disrupting day-to-day business proving how practical and scalable this technology is.”
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.
“This technology provides us options to better manage spikes in the schedule where distance and timing are a challenge,” said Kevin Mahl, President & CEO of Champion Tire & Wheel. “By pairing a human-driven lead truck with an autonomous follower, we can keep the fleet moving efficiently to the next race venue. With Kratos autonomous systems as a tool to use when needed, we’re able to move more equipment, more efficiently, and give ourselves more flexibility in our logistics planning.”
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’s long-standing presence at the Brickyard 400—dating back to 1994—underscores a dedication to precision and performance across every terrain.
“Goodyear has long stood at the intersection of driving performance and vehicle intelligence—from the racetrack to autonomous innovation,” said Rich Cottrell, Senior Director, Commercial Marketing, Goodyear. “This deployment connects Goodyear’s racing legacy with our premium commercial tire technology and fleet solutions—helping advance performance and uptime for modern logistics. We’re proud to support this milestone with Kratos and Champion Tire & Wheel.”
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’ 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.
— Kratos —