Skip to main content

Check out the 90-mph racing drones that broadcast NASCAR’s Daytona 500

 

Stock cars won’t be the only thing racing at the Daytona 500 — there will also be some epic drones giving viewers dynamic and incredible shots of the race. We went behind-the-scenes with Mike Davies, senior vice president of field and technical management and operations at Fox Sports, to see how they’re planning on delivering the race like you’ve never seen it before.

Recommended Videos

Speed, obviously, is a huge part of the Daytona 500, and the new drones Fox Sports is using to capture the race are no exception, reaching speeds over 90 miles per hour. “[These are] racing drones,” Davies says. “Anything you can use to make the cars look as fast as they’re actually going is a big win in our book. It gives that sense of action and dynamics that we were looking for,” he says of the drones.

Of course, you can’t just buy these specialized drones off of Amazon. These drones are total custom builds made by Beverly Hills Aerials. With these specialized drones, Davies and his team were able to get close proximity shots, and can fly close to the ground and around structures.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

A headset allows the drone operator to control it in first-person, enabling the pilots to get the best possible shots. “It’s really exhilarating,” Davies says about piloting a drone going 90 miles per hour that is following a car going close to 200 miles per hour.

But it’s not just drones. Fox Sports is also altering some of the cameras used during the NFL season to capture the same type of super-cinematic shots seen during the football season. From a camera named “The Megalodon” to a rig called “The Digi Boom,” NASCAR is set to get shots it’s never been able to get before.

And as one of the first sports to start back up during the pandemic, putting those shots together is a feat of technology, utilizing people all around the country to make a seamless broadcast. “We have a place in L.A. that we call ‘The Vault’ that will be doing replay and our ‘Fox Box.’ We have a place in Pittsburgh that’ll be doing more replay and graphics. And, of course, we have our Charlotte (North Carolina) hub where we’re going to be doing some of our preshow. We’ll actually have some people working at their houses on the live show,” Davies explains.

Fox has combined its creativity with breakout technology to deliver this year’s Daytona 500, and is set to show the race like never before. All the pieces must come together to really tell the stories of the race and the drivers.

“The thing about covering a race that happens on a two-and-a-half-mile track is that there are all these simultaneous storylines that are happening at once,” Davies says. “And what I’m looking forward to is what I always look forward to: To bring all these toys like the drone, the super-slow-motion cameras, the high-resolution cameras, the broadcast analytics … and to see it all come together in a unique way.”

Todd Werkhoven
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Todd Werkhoven's work can be read at numerous publications and he co-authored a personal finance book called "Zombie…
Slate Unveils $20K Electric Truck That Transforms Into an SUV
slate 20k ev blank  roller 1 web

Slate Automotive, a new American EV startup, has just unveiled its first vehicle: a radically minimalist electric truck that can convert into a five-seat SUV. Dubbed the “Blank Slate,” the EV made its debut this week, instantly turning heads not just for its versatility but for its incredibly low price—starting under $20,000 after federal tax incentives.

Unlike Tesla and Lucid, which launched with high-priced luxury models, Slate wants to flip the model: start cheap, scale up.
At its core, the Slate Truck is a utilitarian, two-seat electric pickup designed for simplicity and affordability. But what sets it apart is its transformative potential. Thanks to a modular accessory system, the truck can be upgraded over time—including a kit that adds a rear seat, roll cage, airbags, and SUV body panels. This means buyers can start with a minimalist pickup and evolve it into a family-friendly SUV—either themselves or through Slate’s growing network of service partners.
Customization is central to Slate’s vision. Owners will be able to choose from over 100 accessories at launch, ranging from vinyl wraps and Bluetooth-ready audio systems to larger battery packs and off-road upgrades. The company encourages a DIY approach, offering tools and tutorials through “Slate University” to empower users to modify and maintain their own vehicles.
Powering the truck is a 52.7-kWh battery for up to 150 miles of range, or an optional 84.3-kWh pack targeting 240 miles. Fast-charging capabilities and Tesla’s NACS port come standard. The vehicle is rear-wheel-drive and delivers around 200 horsepower—enough for urban commuting and light-duty hauling.
What enables the low price is Slate’s stripped-down approach to manufacturing. There’s no paint shop, no stamping, and only one trim level—everything else is modular. The vehicle features steel wheels, crank windows, and a rugged plastic body designed to take a beating and still look good. It’s a rejection of the tech-saturated, high-cost vehicles dominating today’s market.
Despite the minimalist specs, Slate isn’t skimping on safety. The truck is engineered to meet top crash test ratings and comes equipped with up to eight airbags, active emergency braking, and forward collision warning.
Backing this ambitious approach is significant investor support—including Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos. That backing, combined with a simplified production model, positions Slate to scale quickly once production begins in 2026.
Reservations are now open for $50 at slate.auto, with deliveries expected in late 2026. Whether Americans are ready for a stripped-down, shape-shifting EV remains to be seen, but Slate’s bet on affordability and customization could make it one of the most disruptive entries in the EV market to date.

Read more
ChatGPT’s awesome Deep Research gets a light version and goes free for all
Deep Research option for ChatGPT.

There’s a lot of AI hype floating around, and it seems every brand wants to cram it into their products. But there are a few remarkably useful tools, as well, though they are pretty expensive. ChatGPT’s Deep Research is one such feature, and it seems OpenAI is finally feeling a bit generous about it. 

The company has created a lightweight version of Deep Research that is powered by its new o4-mini language model. OpenAI says this variant is “more cost-efficient while preserving high quality.” More importantly, it is available to use for free without any subscription caveat. 

Read more
Star Wars legend Ian McDiarmid gets questions about the Emperor’s sex life
Ian McDiarmid as the Emperor in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

This weekend, the Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith 20th anniversary re-release had a much stronger performance than expected with $25 million and a second-place finish behind Sinners. Revenge of the Sith was the culmination of plans by Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) that led to the fall of the Jedi and his own ascension to emperor. Because McDiarmid's Emperor died in his first appearance -- 1983's Return of the Jedi -- Revenge of the Sith was supposed to be his live-action swan song. However, Palpatine's return in Star Wars: Episode IX -- The Rise of Skywalker left McDiarmid being asked questions about his character's comeback, particularly about his sex life and how he could have a granddaughter.

While speaking with Variety, McDiarmid noted that fans have asked him "slightly embarrassing questions" about Palpatine including "'Does this evil monster ever have sex?'"

Read more