CONCORD, N.C. — Analytics has been playing an increasingly important role in sports such as baseball, football and basketball.
RFK Racing has hired David Smith, a renowned statistical analyst within the NASCAR industry, as the team’s head of analytics.
“I’m excited to bring David onto the team,” said team co-owner Brad Keselowski. “He brings credibility to analytics and data, and he will be critical to our team’s success as we embrace new technologies and processes in 2022 and beyond.”
Smith is the founder of Motorsports Analytics, a company that evaluates NASCAR driver and teams via advanced statistical measures. He has an extensive background working within the NASCAR media, and he has ties back to Keselowski when he served as a consultant for the driver during his 2012 Championship season.
Smith’s position with RFK will focus on cutting edge technology and analysis techniques for the organization, which will also extend to the pit crew department, and other applicable areas.
Dating back to 2012, he has worked with two NASCAR Cup Rookie of the Year drivers in Erik Jones (2017) and William Byron (2018), as well as 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Daniel Hemric, among others.
“It feels as if I’m on the ground floor of something genuinely special,” said Smith. “RFK Racing’s belief in the power of statistical analysis is inspiring. It’s my goal to ensure that belief is rewarded with the long-term results and accolades envisioned by RFK’s personnel, sponsor partners and fans.”