Former Navy Fighter Pilot Now Works as Data Analyst for Ford Racing at NASCAR Event
Bill Evans, a former F-14 pilot, brings his unique perspective to Ford Racing as a strategic data analyst as NASCAR races around Naval Base Coronado.
- 24
- 2014
What Happened
Bill Evans, a 24-year Navy veteran who flew F-14 and F/A-18 fighter jets, now serves as a strategic data analyst for Ford Racing's NASCAR teams. He will be at the upcoming NASCAR race at Naval Base Coronado, which celebrates America's 250th birthday.
“I really enjoy the data behind it, but I also realize that in doing all this, I appreciate and enjoy watching the NASCAR races a lot more because I can see where the strategy plays out.”
“One of the parallels I really enjoy is that both platforms — race cars and fighter jets — are intentionally, in a sense, unstable.”
Evans was hired in 2014 and began working with Ford in NASCAR, WEC, and IMSA. He notes that the explosion of data in NASCAR racing started with high-frequency telemetry data, which he has helped teams process and use effectively.
Why this matters
This story shows how skills from military aviation transfer to motorsports data analysis, enriching race strategy for teams.
Terms in This Story
- telemetry
- Data transmitted from a race car to the pit crew, showing performance metrics like speed and engine status.
- Cup car
- A car used in the NASCAR Cup Series, the highest level of stock car racing.
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