Live From Daytona 500: SMT Amplifies Fox Sports' New Graphics Package With Heart Rate Telemetry, Real-Time Position Tracking

Live From Daytona 500: SMT Amplifies Fox Sports' New Graphics Package With Heart Rate Telemetry, Real-Time Position Tracking Virtual-car graphics will also reflect the new Next Gen car model By Kristian Hern ndez, Associate Editor

Saturday, February 19, 2022 - 10:06 am

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The 2022 NASCAR on Fox season will be marked by a handful of changes to applications seen on the broadcast. Aside from the show's being in 1080p HDR, the network is rolling out a brand-new graphics package with advanced features for new and traditional fans. The new elements will include the hard work of SMT, which is supplying stats integration for real-time position tracking, enhancements to the virtual GhostCar, and driver information like heart rate and RPM.

Broadcast elements have been completely redesigned this year, and they're definitely the biggest lift we have ever done for NASCAR, says Paulus Weemaes, senior director, motorsports, SMT. Changing the look is fairly straightforward, but we're now animating a lot of new features.

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Deeper Storytelling: Crew Provides Real-Time Tracking, Driver Telemetry From left: Paulus Weemaes, Eric Darnell, Nate Karamanski, AJ Mead, David Ball, and Chris Stoddard pose in front of SMT's onsite truck at the Daytona 500.

Last year, after the conclusion of the NASCAR Cup Series, SMT participated in the offseason testing of NASCAR's new Next Gen car model. After experimentation laps at Daytona International Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Phoenix Raceway, Weemaes and company worked with the organization to develop equipment and broadcast solutions that would cater to the final version of the vehicle. By fall 2021, SMT collaborated with Fox Sports to bring data-centric information to the broadcaster's new graphics.

Nate Karamanski (right) is running the operation as associate producer.

From a creative standpoint, the company will continue to provide its own proprietary solution for the Restart Zone graphic, but, in an added twist, it will be animating the Fox Box after years of a stationary background. On a more statistical front, SMT's scoring software will infuse these 2D and 3D graphics with accurate data through a custom-built interface system. One of these new activations is real-time tracking of the cars via optical in-car pointers powered by Vizrt's Viz engine.

Another feature, one that focuses on the physical attributes of both the driver and the car, will put the fan into the cockpit. Using a prototype version of the WHOOP exercise bracelet, SMT will monitor the heart rate of five drivers throughout the weekend: No. 11 Denny Hamlin; No. 47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and No. 99 Daniel Su rez in the NASCAR Cup Series and No. 27 Jeb Burton and No. 11 Daniel Hemric in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

SMT's AJ Mead is at the helm of the new team-analytics implementation.

We have our system modified to retrieve that live information from them, and it has become part of the elements that we render, says Weemaes. We started doing it last year with the Camping World SRX Series on CBS Sports. Lead Producer Pam Miller was very supportive and knew what we could do with it.

Any new invention requires trust and open communication with the drivers in the field as well as with Fox Sports NASCAR Cup Series Producer Barry Landis. This could be seen as a massive hurdle to overcome, but, for Weemaes and company, Fox Sports' long history at this race and within NASCAR makes the process a lot easier.

Graphics will highlight new features like throttle and driver heart rate.

Most of [the drivers] were okay with [the bracelet] since they're familiar with it, he adds. This is our 23rd season in NASCAR and the ninth season with the same vectors on the roof, so these drivers are very familiar with us and how we work.

Breaking Down the Action: Fans Experience New Team Analytics Fans who enjoy the analytical side of the Daytona 500 will be treated to an even broader offering of statistics. Through vectors installed inside the roof of the car - which was done by one person from the SMT team to adhere to COVID-19 safety - both on-screen and team analytics will showcase new information on all cars on the track. As for the virtual GhostCar used to compare the pace of a pair of drivers, the overlay will reflect the exterior changes to the car, including the single lug nut on each tire and other touches by the Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota teams. SMT was able to replicate these alterations through 3D files sent by NASCAR and car scans sent by Fox Sports. Given the mix of telemetric data and up-to-date car locations, SMT is hoping to present an engaging variety of insights.

Team analytics will have new visual charts this year.

I can now output full virtual video with charts, which we hadn't been able to do before, says AJ Mead, digital product manager, SMT. For example, [race analyst] Clint Boyer can use this to dissect a driver's launch in qualifying, look at their throttle, and talk about shifting.

These charts will also include a leaderboard based on lap time for practice and qualifying; a bird's-eye, side-by-side view in virtual video; and a focus mode setting. Teams are able to access this treasure trove of knowledge, and, heading into Sunday, SMT

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