Turner to Re-Launch Multi-Platform Race Coverage
I wanted to post something about Turner’s RaceBuddy because I have had no less than a dozen people email me and ask me my thoughts about how this product was going to be repackaged for the Nascar Community starting this next week when TNT takes over. There has also been a lot of speculation as to how RaceBuddy was going to incorporate some popular elements like Twitter into their blanket race coverage. I can say with some certainty that Twitter is going to play a large role in their coverage, and here’s a clue that some other blogs out there are already reporting, be sure to follow @RaceBuddy on twitter…
As a lot of you that follow the industry closely may already be aware, Turner already owns all of the interactive rights to NASCAR, and they have for a while now. Granted, their products haven’t always lived up to the expectations of the NASCAR fanbase, I am willing to go out on a limb this time and say that I think they will hit the nail a little closer on the head this time around, especially since they (NASCAR) have managed to build such a social following. Here’s a press release posted on Turner Sports corporate website that offers a little bit of insight about RaceBuddy:
When NASCAR fans across the country gather this summer to watch NASCAR on TNT, they’ll have one more way to watch the drama on the track unfold – with RaceBuddy, NASCAR.COM’s live online companion coverage for TNT’s six-race NASCAR Sprint Cup Series telecasts, which begin June 8th with the Pocono 500 presented by EA Sports NASCAR ‘09. RaceBuddy is an animated character (click link below for image) who lives on NASCAR.COM, the official site of NASCAR, and also will make appearances on TNT to remind fans of the unprecedented live coverage available on the site during all six of the TNT races, including live feeds from the Pit Road Cam, In-Car Cameras, Battle Cam, Race Robo and Mosaic View. RaceBuddy will ride shotgun with viewers during the race by showing fans how to interact through online chats, answering poll questions and submitting questions to “Ask the Booth” which will be answered during the pre-race coverage and the race telecast by TNT announcers Bill Weber, Kyle Petty and Wally Dallenbach. From on air to online, RaceBuddy serves as a multiplatform companion designed to bring fans closer to the race action.
“The integration between TNT and NASCAR.COM allows NASCAR fans to become completely engaged in the race before, during and after the television coverage by providing an opportunity to interact with the telecast and with other NASCAR fans online,” said Lenny Daniels, senior vice president of Turner Sports production and new media. “Turner Sports is a leader in utilizing technology to offer fans innovative ways to consume the sports they love via cutting-edge multiplatform experiences.”
TNT will also have an online presence on NASCAR.COM with a page devoted to TNT’s Summer Series of NASCAR racing that offers on-demand features from TNT announcers, bios, TNT’s schedule and replays of pre-race series such as Pride of NASCAR, NASCAR Future Stars, Wally’s World and Lindsay on Location. For more details, click: http://www.nascar.com/promos/tnt/
TNT’s NASCAR announcers include pre-race host Marc Fein, play-by-play announcer Bill Weber and analysts Wally Dallenbach and Kyle Petty. Veteran NASCAR crew chief Larry McReynolds will also join the TNT announcing crew, serving in a specialty role of analyst and reporter.
Finally, the network’s announcing crew will be rounded out by veteran pit reporters Marty Snider, Matt Yocum, Ralph Sheheen and Lindsay Czarniak. Beginning on June 8th in Pocono, TNT revs up for six consecutive races of exclusive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series coverage including races in Michigan (June 15), Sonoma (June 22), Loudon (June 29), and primetime Saturday night races in Daytona (July 5) and Chicago (July 12). TNT’s widely touted Wide Open Coverage will return for the network’s marquee primetime race, the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway.
Turner Sports acquired all of NASCAR’s interactive rights in October 2000 and became the exclusive producer of NASCAR.COM in January 2001. NASCAR.COM is one of the fastest growing sports league sites on the Web, consistently ranking among the top three sport sites on the Internet. In 2003, NASCAR.COM was awarded an Emmy® by the National Television Academy for its TrackPass with PitCommand application and was nominated for an Emmy® in 2007 for TrackPass RaceView.
Turner Sports, Inc., a Time Warner company, presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised sports programming. With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATour.com and PGA.com.
Turner Network Television (TNT), television’s destination for drama and one of cable’s top-rated networks, offers original movies and series, including the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama The Closer, starring Golden Globeâ winner and Emmy® and Screen Actors Guild Awardsâ nominee Kyra Sedgwick, and Saving Grace, a provocative new drama starring Oscar® winner and Screen Actors Guild Award nominee Holly Hunter. TNT is also home to powerful one-hour dramas, such as Bones, Law & Order, Without a Trace, Cold Case, ER and Charmed; broadcast premiere movies; compelling prime-time specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is available in high-definition.
Turner Newsroom: NASCAR.COM and TNT Launch ‘RaceBuddy’ to Provide Multiplatform Race Experience
Martin Running Full Season in 2010
Martin to run full Sprint Cup season in 2010: Mark Martin will return to drive the #5 Chevy of Hendrick Motorsports for the entire 36-race NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season in 2010. It will be the 22nd full-time Cup campaign of Martin’s career and his second with car owner Rick Hendrick. Last July, Martin signed a two-year contract with Hendrick Motorsports covering one full Sprint Cup season in 2009 and one part-time schedule of 26 events in 2010.
The revised agreement was signed this week. "Week in and week out, Mark continues to be one of the best race car drivers in the world," Hendrick said. "He’s already made an incredible contribution to Hendrick Motorsports, and our entire company is excited about running another full season and winning races with him in 2010." With his April 18 victory at Phoenix, Martin became just the fourth driver to record 400 top-10 finishes in Sprint Cup competition. It was his 36th career win in NASCAR’s top series.
"It means a lot to drive the #5 Chevy for Rick and for Hendrick Motorsports," said Martin, 50, of Batesville, Ark. "I’m in the best condition of my life, I’m recharged, and I’m motivated. Going to the racetrack every weekend is still really fun, and that’s the key. There’s more gas in my tank."
Martin will continue to work alongside crew chief Alan Gustafson in 2010. Gustafson has led the #5 team since 2005, recording five wins and two berths in NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup. The #5 team’s sponsorship lineup for 2010 has not been determined.
Advertise on NascarView.com!
We finally released our Media Kit & Advertising Guide for NascarView.com today. Prior to posting it online today I made a comment on Twitter that we were preparing to post it and that we had already sent out 10 over the past few days and then we got like 5 requests via twitter so I suspect this is going to be a popular project for us.
I think that it’s a great fit for businesses that have cater to NASCAR fans and want to drive traffic to their websites. Since launching the website earlier this year we have picked up approximately 19,000 fans on Facebook and close to 2,000 on Twitter. Our website analytics show a sharp rise in traffic each week of almost 100% or more, so we know that we haven’t reached our potential by any means.
We are offering these ad spots on a first come first serve basis. If you are interested in advertising, you can download the media kit by clicking here.
Nascar Message Board, Blogs, Live Race Chat, and News – NascarView
Mark Martin on CMT Cribs
Recently Mark opened up his Batesville residence and let the crew in from MTV Cribs in to get an inside look. Here’s the video for those of you that missed it,
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Mark Martin Wins Phoenix!
I almost did a Carl Edwards last night when Mark crossed the start finish line at Phoenix. I could not be more excited this morning!!! We are going to have a lot more about Mark’s Victory on NascarView this week, so be sure to tune in…
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Nature Boy Teams Up w/ Nascar!!!
Whoooooo! Nature Boy Ric Flair is promoting the All-Star Race in Charlotte this year. A whole lot of creativity went into this ad campaign, right down to the poster design… Oh, and for the latest news on Nascar, be sure to checkout nascarview.com!!!
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All-Star Slugfest for Charlotte
Growing up a wrestling fan I can certainly appreciate this poster for the All-Star Slugfest at Lowes Motor Speedway this next month. This All-Star Race should be one for the books!!!! For more on Nascar be sure to visit: nascarview.com.
Oh yeah, did I mention that Nature Boy Ric Flair is promoting the event? Here’s a link to the Nature Boy’s videos: http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/news_photos/video/
Lowe’s Motor Speedway’s recent NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race advertising campaign turned some heads with an "All-Star Slugfest" poster that garnered an overwhelming fan reaction. The poster is now available, while supplies last, for free to race fans that purchase two NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race tickets by calling 1-800-455-FANS or visiting the Lowe’s Motor Speedway ticket office.
Billed as the "All-Star Slugfest: A Night of Fractured Fenders and Shattered Dreams," the poster features several top NASCAR drivers’ heads on the bodies of professional wrestlers in an old-school rivalry layout. Dale "Wahoo" (Earnhardt) Jr., sporting an Indian headdress reminiscent of his wrestling hero Wahoo McDaniel, is matched up against Kyle "Rowdy" Busch.
"I liked Wahoo (McDaniel) a lot when I was a little kid and we all kind of look like the same guy if they just put a face on a big muscular body," Earnhardt Jr. said about his choice of the headdress. "I figured I would get the Indian headdress on so I could be distinguished apart from the others. ‘Wahoo’ was pretty cool and he was great in the cage matches."
Also on the poster is a "Transmission Submission Match" that features Kevin "Happy" Harvick versus Tony "Smoke" Stewart. An "Intercontinental Roll Cage Match" pairs Kurt "Vegas Violator" Busch and Clint "The Destroyer" Bowyer up against Kasey "Night Train" Kahne and "Marvelous" Mark Martin. Country music duo Montgomery Gentry, who will perform a pre-race concert presented by Jim Beam, are also included on the 18-by-24-inch commemorative poster for the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
"We received a lot of calls and e-mails from fans who wanted to buy the poster," said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway. "Now race fans that buy two tickets to the Sprint All-Star Race can get it for free.
"It’s a great deal. Tickets start at just $25 and that gets you in to see a ton of great racing, including the best All-Star event in all of sports and a concert by Montgomery Gentry."
Tickets for the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 16 start at only $25, and race fans will receive a free "All-Star Slugfest" poster when they purchase two, while supplies last. To purchase tickets, call 1-800-455-FANS or visit the Lowe’s Motor Speedway ticket office. Convenient payment plan options and multi-day ticket packages are also available.
Vijay Singh’s Shot at the Masters
I am not much of a golfer myself but I can certainly appreciate Vijay Singh’s shot at the Master’s Tournament. This is crazy, probably the first time I have ever seen a ball skip across water and go in like that. Crazy stuff, there are several versions of this on YouTube but this is probably the best version that I have seen. (special thanks to Joey Taylor for sharing this w/ me.)
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Current Projects: NascarView (update)
Just wanted to post an update about our newest online property, NascarView.com. Our number continue to soar for this website and we are in the process of putting together a media kit for any advertisers that might be interested in coming on board with us (stay tuned for links to the media kit). We have also reached a milestone of sorts in that we picked up our 1000th follower this past week on Twitter for @nascarview.
Earlier this past week we added two new sections to the website as well that have been received very well by our readers. Those sections are “Back in the Day” and “Flying Helmets”. Our “Back in the Day” section takes a look at drivers from the early days of NASCAR and stock car racing in general. Some of our posts that have gotten a lot of attention in this category dealt with drivers like Alan Kulwicki and Hooker Hood.
Our “Flying Helmets” category got it’s name from an incident that happened during a race when Robby Gordon threw his helmet at Michael Waltrips car while the field was under caution. This section is geared toward those on and off the track fueds that sometimes give NASCAR fans a little drama to coincide with the races. So far this season has been light in terms of altercations between drivers, but the season is still very young, and I am sure we will have some interesting posts in this category before the chase gets here.
Our message board has also been gaining popularity as of late, and I think that it’s a realistic goal for us to expect about 200 active members by the time Talladega rolls around. If you haven’t already, I invite you to checkout NascarView.com!
Featured on TheCabin.net
Mike Allen from the Conway Log Cabin Democrat Newspaper came by yesterday and interviewed me in regards to our new NascarView project. Below you will find the article from this mornings newspaper and online edition.
There’s a new Web site designed for NASCAR fans that was launched this year, and the results have been a big hit across the nation.
Cotton Rohrscheib, who’s now working out of his home office in Conway, along with other team members, Stephen and Greg Smart, purchased the Web site NascarView.com four years ago. After presenting NascarView.com to Web viewers this year, the site has exploded in the amount of support from viewers and advertisers.
"This is a Web site geared for the fans," Rohrscheib said. "We offer a family friendly Web experience and monitor profanity or mature content from being posted. We keep it rated G, so we want the whole family to be able to use the site."
The Web site covers four areas of the sport. It has feature stories, which includes some of the biggest names in NASCAR. Team ownership and the driver’s news are also covered in depth by the Web site. NascarView.com also recaps and previews the past and future races.
"It just seemed like it was a need for a family-friendly NASCAR Web site that people of all ages can get on and take part in," Rohrscheib said. "This way people can have sort of sense of some community and social networking. Out of the 10 years that I’ve been building Web sites, this site is probably in the top two or three in terms of growth. It’s gotten that big."
NascarView.com is the only Web site that uses a Facebook connect at this time, which means Facebook users can automatically login to NascarView.com using their Facebook accounts. The Web site also just hit the 1,000 mark for followers on Twitter.com. It was recently the ninth highest Twitter feed on Twitter.com, according to wefollow.com.
"With MarkMartin.com, we already had a list of people who knew who we were," Rohrscheib said. "We’ve basically built relationship with guys over the years working in the sport. … Different guys have kind of helped us get the word out."
The Web site also features two popular podcasts: The Final Lap Radio and the Phatguys Fantasy Podcast. Rohrscheib has been a frequent guest on both. He is also good friends with NASCAR driver and Batesville native Mark Martin. According to Rohrscheib, the Web site’s biggest feature is Live Racing Chat, which takes place during the cup series races on Sundays. Bloggers from around the nation discuss the events that happen during the course of the race. The Live Racing Chat is also moderated by Cooter, who inputs in-car audio from the drivers during the race. So, fans can read what their favorite NASCAR driver is saying during the race.
"It’s an information-heavy (Web site)," Rohrscheib said. "We get our revenue from advertising on the site, so we’re looking for anyone who wants to advertise or sponsor."
Rohrscheib is also the co-founder of Pleth Networks, LLC. This year it was awarded the Best of Show for the Interactive Category by the American Advertising Federation for www.thechurchalive.org. They beat out 60,000 entrants in the Addy competition. Pleth, with 500 clients worldwide, has offices in Conway, Batesville and Jonesboro.
TheCabin.net ·· Web site helps NASCAR fans connect 03/31/09
