Hendrick Motorsports’ Tech-First Secret to NASCAR Speed

In an era where NASCAR increasingly relies on single-source suppliers, the spotlight on robots and metrology has never been brighter. Chad Knaus, the VP of Competition at Hendrick Motorsports (HMS), has revealed insights into the team’s innovative approach.

With approximately 85% of a Next Gen car’s construction standardized across teams, HMS leverages advanced technology, including scanners, simulation tools, and robotic arms, to optimize the remaining 15%. This margin allows for innovation in assembly, fitment, tolerance stacking, and overall integration.

Knaus emphasized that NASCAR sets tolerance parameters, and it’s up to the teams to strategically stack those tolerances to enhance performance. This involves manipulating factors like weight, geometry, and shape, tailored to the unique demands of each racetrack. HMS utilizes Hexagon equipment to achieve this with precision.

At the core of HMS’ operations are 33 Hexagon Absolute Arms, 13 laser scanners, and 7 coordinate-measuring machines (CMMs), housed in a metrology lab established in collaboration with Hexagon in 2016. This lab enables HMS to construct a car in virtual space and validate its real-world counterpart. Their build process is engineered with the rigor of spacecraft construction.

HMS employs Hexagon Tempo robotic cells to load parts into scanning stations where Touch+ coordinate-measuring machines (CMMs) and laser scanners map each part’s surface geometry. Each component is automatically scanned, probed, tagged with a serial number, and logged into a central database. This data fuels HMS’ simulation software, allowing engineers to virtually assemble cars before physical assembly begins. Absolute Arms are used to scan primary chassis pieces, creating a map of potential geometries.

Quality control supervisor Roy Crump mentioned that the recent addition of new Hexagon systems prompted a re-measurement of all existing parts in their inventory. This meticulous approach is paying dividends, as HMS has demonstrated a strong start to the 2025 season, securing multiple victories and top-five finishes, with all four team cars ranking high in the Cup standings.