Medusa Strikes Again – NASCAR Added to Hit List
A group of cybercriminals known as the Medusa ransomware gang has claimed responsibility for a major hack on NASCAR — the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. This group, which has attacked many businesses and organizations in the past, says they’ve broken into NASCAR’s internal systems. They are now demanding a ransom of $4 million to stop them from releasing private information to the public.
According to messages posted by Medusa on the dark web, the hackers are threatening to leak internal NASCAR data if the payment is not made. The group has already posted 37 blurred images of stolen documents. These photos reportedly show business branding files, maps of NASCAR facilities, spreadsheets containing employee contact details, and what look like private notes and photographs.
So far, NASCAR has not officially responded to the claim. There has been no public confirmation or denial from the company about the alleged cyberattack. However, the information already released appears to be sensitive and real, which is worrying for the company and its staff.
What the Leaked Data Appears to Show
Some of the leaked files reportedly contain maps of NASCAR race tracks, complete with details of the buildings and layouts. There are also email addresses and the names and job titles of staff members. Some documents even seem to include login-related information, which could give hackers access to more of NASCAR’s systems if not secured.
From the initial look at the documents, it seems the attackers were able to get hold of key operational and logistical data — the kind of information that helps NASCAR run smoothly behind the scenes. These types of files can be dangerous in the wrong hands, especially if they are shared online or sold to other criminals.
Cyber Attacks on Connected Cars
This alleged hack shows that even big, well-known companies are not safe from cybercriminals. NASCAR is a giant in the world of motor racing, bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars every year. That kind of success makes it an attractive target for cyberattacks like this one.
A History of Hacks – And a Growing Threat
Medusa is not new to the cybercrime world. The group first appeared in 2021 and has been growing more active ever since. They are known for targeting large organizations and demanding huge ransoms. If the victims refuse to pay, Medusa has a habit of leaking the stolen data online — often causing even more damage.
Just in the past, Medusa has claimed responsibility for attacks on other companies such as McFarland Commercial Insurance Services, Bridgebank Ltd, and Pulse Urgent Care. One of their most talked-about attacks happened in 2023 when they hacked the Minneapolis Public Schools district. After demanding $1 million and not receiving it, the group leaked sensitive records of students and school staff.
Critical Vulnerabilities: The Dark Side of Pacemaker Technology
Interestingly, this is not the first time ransomware has targeted NASCAR. Back in 2016, another ransomware called TeslaCrypt hit one of the teams involved in NASCAR events. The ransomware infected the team leader’s computer, locked all the files, and demanded payment in Bitcoin.
These repeated incidents show that the racing world, just like other industries, is not safe from cyber threats.
As of now, NASCAR has not released any statements about the latest alleged attack. The only information available is what the Medusa group has shared on their dark web site, along with the sample files they’ve already leaked.
