McLaren Will Become Exclusive ECU Supplier for NASCAR in 2012

McLaren Automotive will extend its motorsport commitments outside of Formula 1. Starting from 2012, the British company will supply standard electronic engine control systems for the North American Stock Car Racing (NASCAR) premier series, Sprint Cup, as confirmed in a recent press release.

According to the NASCAR statement, Freescale Semiconductor and McLaren Electronic Systems will develop and integrate fuel injection systems into the Sprint Cup Series, with the former providing the latter with the necessary processors for the development of the electronic control units (ECU) that will manage the fuel and ignition systems in the engines for all Cup Series cars.

“We are excited to build on our existing relationships with NASCAR and Freescale for this critical technology,” said Peter van Manen, managing director, McLaren Electronic Systems Limited.

“McLaren has been providing reliable, high performance electronics to professional motorsports and other high performance automotive applications in North America, Europe and Asia for more than 20 years and we are both proud and delighted to be bringing our ECU technology into NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series,” he added.

Rumors about such ties between McLaren and NASCAR have made the headlines ever since the 2010 Singapore Grand Prix, when NASCAR vice chairwoman Lesa Kennedy attended the event and gave the media something to write about.

McLaren Automotive is currently the exclusive supplier of ECUs in Formula 1, while also having been a supplier to NASCAR teams since 2005.