NASCAR has taken another step in its push to make the sport more accessible and immersive with the launch of an augmented reality (AR) Masterclass, now available through its official mobile app. Designed to educate and engage fans, this new feature allows users to explore the fundamentals of stock car racing in an interactive 3D format, straight from their smartphones or tablets.
Available for free on both iOS and Android platforms, the AR Masterclass offers “foundational lessons” on topics ranging from pit stops and drafting to the role of spotters and race rules. According to NASCAR, the feature helps users gain “the essential knowledge to advance to the next level in their fan journey.”
Using AR technology, fans can project animated race scenes onto any flat surface — such as a table or living room floor — and view high-fidelity 3D visualizations of race scenarios from multiple angles. Each module includes labeled components such as crew chiefs, tire changers, and spotter commands, all meant to show “the strategy and science behind drafting and how teams choose racing lines on a superspeedway.”
The immersive scenes can be rotated and zoomed, providing fans with a unique tabletop-style experience where they can “see the action from every angle.” One scenario might break down a full pit stop sequence, while another highlights how drafting works in a high-speed pack. NASCAR emphasizes that these AR lessons are designed to provide knowledge “straight from the pros.”
Senior director of emerging platforms Mitch Rasmussen explained the intent behind the experience: the product was “designed specifically to educate and bring newer/more casual fans closer to the action on the track.” Rasmussen noted that the initial launch includes five modules covering Pit Stops, Drafting, Racing Lines, Spotters, and Rules. More content — including new tracks, car setups, and advanced tactics — is expected in the coming weeks.
The AR Masterclass was developed in-house with input from veteran crew members and NASCAR insiders, and was built in collaboration with augmented reality specialists at Trigger XR. According to the App Store listing, it features “high-fidelity 3D animations covering pit stops, drafting, race rules and more.”
This innovation is part of NASCAR’s larger effort in 2025 to enhance fan engagement through emerging technologies. The league has already experimented with immersive formats like virtual reality coverage of the Daytona 500 via Meta Quest headsets and the Xtadium app. Additionally, NASCAR is working on developing dome-style “Cosm” theaters to broadcast 360-degree live races.
As NASCAR media chief Brian Herbst put it, “We want fans to feel the race in a way that wasn’t possible before.” The AR Masterclass is a key part of that mission, enabling fans to not just watch, but actively learn about racing strategy in a new and accessible way.
To try the feature, fans simply need to download or update the official NASCAR app and locate the AR Masterclass section. After selecting a lesson, they can point their phone’s camera at a flat surface to launch the AR scene — complete with moving cars, spotter signals, and voice-over explanations. Each module functions as an interactive tutorial, bringing terms like “draft train,” “pit box,” “tow,” and “slotting” to life.
By introducing this hands-on learning tool, NASCAR continues to position itself at the forefront of digital innovation in motorsports. The AR Masterclass joins a growing list of upgrades — including AI-driven broadcast elements, expanded camera feeds, and enhanced data features — aimed at deepening fan connection to the sport. Whether they’re brand-new followers or longtime supporters, fans now have a high-tech, user-friendly way to better understand what’s happening on the track.
