Lots of diverse media news and information has been coming this way over the past couple of days. I'm just going to empty the old email and let you pick and choose:
For Sprint users: The company announced that the Sprint Cup Mobile application has added some new elements. Read these words from Sprint carefully.
The new design (shown above) features updated driver banners and buttons that provide customers instant access to information personalized to follow their favorite driver. The updated layout also offers improved graphics throughout and Twitter updates from drivers, crew members and other NASCAR insiders.
Beginning on Friday, Feb. 11, NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile will carry live broadcasts of Bud Shootout practice, as well as NASCAR RaceDay and NASCAR Victory Lane on Saturday, Feb. 12. The following week, fans can see both Gatorade Duel races, all practice sessions for the Daytona 500, along with NASCAR Live, NASCAR RaceDay, NASCAR Victory Lane and Trackside via the application.
That's right, select NASCAR shows on SPEED can be seen on your Sprint phone. We will see how this service performs over the weekend and review it next week. Happy to get your input on this topic at editor@thedalyplanet.tv if you try it as well.
10th anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's passing: SPEED will offer a special on Friday at 7:30PM called The Day. Previews show amazing interviews with Michael Waltrip, Kenny Schrader and former DEI executive Ty Norris. ESPN offers an exclusive interview from Marty Smith with Dale Earnhardt Jr. as the Sunday Conversation on SportsCenter. Originally airing at 10AM, the segment can also be seen on the 6 and 10:30PM shows.
NASCAR on FOX checking in: The network confirmed the same on-air line-up that viewers have come to know for Saturday night's 8PM Bud Shootout and Sunday's 1PM Daytona 500 qualifying.
Host Chris Myers along with analysts Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Hammond provide prerace coverage. Once the green flag drops, race announcer Mike Joy will be alongside Waltrip and Larry McReynolds to call the action while Dick Berggren, Steve Byrnes, Krista Voda and Matt Yocum patrol pit road.
Celebrity update: Hollywood actress Amber Heard will serve as the Grand Marshal for the 33rd annual Budweiser Shootout. Heard will next be seen in the action thriller “Drive Angry 3D” starring opposite Nicolas Cage, which is set for release on Feb. 25. Meanwhile, country music singer/songwriter Laura Bell Bundy will perform a pre and post-race concert in addition to singing the national anthem.
Big new TV show: The Speed Report has ended and on Sundays at 7PM starting this weekend, SPEED Center rolls out with host Adam Alexander. This is the start of a new concept for the network that will be expanding rapidly. Alexander will begin to appear on Saturdays and Sundays to offer highlights, news and information from all forms of motorsports. We should get a feel for the show this weekend. It's a solid move by SPEED to serve more fans.
NASCAR.com's big fantasy push: The folks over at NASCAR.com are rolling out the newest fantasy game featuring a twist. Since NASCAR.com gets all the live scoring information sent directly for its other services, the company has now created a new fantasy league featuring live lap-by-lap fantasy updates. Click here for the link.
Gossip Girl: After the new Miss Sprint Cup line-up was announced, some folks were asking about newcomer Kimberly Coon. Yes, she was on the hit TV show The Bachelor. Click here for an interview from WSOC-TV about her reality TV experience. Thanks to the eagle-eyed TDP readers.
Other side of the pond: Confirmed this week was the fact that Premier Sports TV will be carrying all the Sprint Cup Series races in the UK while Setana Sports will be handling the distribution for Ireland. Both countries have hardcore fans and loyal TDP readers.
Online motorsports programming: The SPEED2.com website is a portal for online motorsports viewing. Click here to see the homepage. Currently, Time Warner Cable and Brighthouse Networks are the two primary carriers. I am told this service is in the process of expanding and may be available to over 15 million cable TV homes by mid-year. More great news for additional racing content.
Please consider Twitter: There is no way to describe just how much fun NASCAR is on Twitter. This free social media service lets fans interact direcly with drivers, teams, officials, media members and each other as nothing before. Pictures, videos and news links are constantly flowing. One try at Twitter and you will be hooked. Check out Twitter.com and then search The Daly Planet or John Daly to see who I follow and just how much NASCAR has become Twitter nation.
Well, those are the updates before the first weekend of NASCAR racing action gets underway. Please feel free to offer a comment on any of those topics by clicking the comments button below. Email me anytime at editor@thedalyplanet.tv with suggestions.
As always, thanks for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.