— Shield AI, the defense-tech company building the world’s best AI pilots and next-generation aircraft, today announced it will now serve as an official technology partner of 23XI Racing, one of the top teams competing in the NASCAR Cup Series team.
As part of the partnership, Shield AI and 23XI Racing are integrating Shield AI’s Hivemind Benchmark, a software analytics tool that collects, processes and visualizes performance data to support driver development and post-race debriefs. As the partnership progresses, 23XI Racing will evaluate correlations between modeled and live race performance, generating data-driven insights that inform race strategy, driver development, and overall competitive performance.
The partnership will be highlighted this weekend on Corey Heim’s No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE when the NASCAR Cup Series races at Chicagoland Speedway on July 5. Heim, who recently won his first career NASCAR Cup Series race, will compete at Chicagoland with Shield AI branding featured on his car. This will be Heim’s first-ever start at Chicagoland and the first time since 2019 that NASCAR has raced at the Joliet, Illinois track.
“We are fired up to bring our technology to 23XI Racing, delivering the same edge on the track that we deliver to the warfighter. Corey Heim is one of the most talented young drivers in the sport, and applying AI-driven analytics to his performance data and 23XI opens up new ways to push performance on and off the track. Doing it during America’s 250th year makes it even better,” said Brandon Tseng, president and cofounder of Shield AI and a former U.S. Navy SEAL.
“Winning on the track begins at Airspeed, 23XI’s state-of-the-art headquarters, and a technology partner like Shield AI will help ensure our teams are prepared to perform at their best each weekend,” said Steve Lauletta, 23XI team president. “This partnership will provide our team with the cutting-edge innovation and technology needed to continue competing for wins and championships.”
“Shield AI’s mission to protect those who serve our country is something I have a tremendous amount of respect for. The work they’re doing to help keep service members safe through cutting-edge technology is incredible, and it’s exciting to see how their AI and autonomy expertise can be applied in a completely different environment like racing,” said Heim. “I look forward to what our team can learn with Shield AI, and I’m excited to represent them at Chicagoland on a weekend that celebrates American independence.”