After years of online chaos, NASCAR finally takes over the series website which will debut on January 1. Many familiar names have been hired by NASCAR to write and report. It should be fascinating to see how this change affects the flow of information and just what video offerings may be included.
Rumors include the end of the Trackside series on SPEED which was drastically changed last season into an unwatchable mess. Shows like RaceDay, RaceHub and Victory Lane are set to return. Bob Varsha is stepping into the former Leigh Diffey role and handling sports cars on SPEED beginning with the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Diffey departed SPEED for NBCSN where he will handle Formula One and IndyCar telecasts.
There have been no announcements on the TNT and ESPN portions of the Sprint Cup Series TV package changing hands. Rumors include FOX wanting the six TNT races and NBC perhaps interested in the ESPN package. You may remember that ESPN also televises the entire Nationwide Series. The current TV deal expires after the 2014 season.
This is the traditional holiday break and any TV news should be announced after the new year. Thanks for patronizing this site since 2007. It's been an interesting experience. Have a happy and safe holiday season.
26 comments:
Thanks for the update John. Hope you have a great Christmas.
Mr Editor -
"CLICK" - that's the sound when I dropped SPEED from my satellite lineup ...will miss Bob Varsha's knowledgeable and professional presentations, but nothing else ...will welcome NBCSports to follow IndyCar (or what's left of it) and Formula One
Warmest regards to one and all for the holiday season and best wishes for a joyous and prosperous New Year.
Walter
Thanks JD for all you're great contributions in 2012 and hope everyone has a great holiday!
TO JD and all of the Planeteers...I all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas and a hopeful New Year. I hope next year shows an increased interest in racing of all kinds. I think this year has turned out to be a down year for fan interest.
I really enjoy this blog and the decrease in activity has disappointed me. I hope it comes back to its former self.
Thanks JD for another year of useful / interesting information.
Happy holidays to all.
fbu1
Merry Christmas to all! I really miss your articles JD. MC
JD,
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Whatever choice you made that has stopped your daily posts I wish you well, but we miss them. I check everyday looking for more of your insight that you have given us since 2007.
Same wishes to Red, Dot, KoSoHo, Bush61,gina24,Vickyd, Ancient Racer,BToS .And all planeteers. And to Stricklinfan where ever you are.
With the new car, maybe, just maybe we will get better tv coverage of the sport.
Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year.
Lou
Jayski's reporting that SPEED will have live coverage of Daytona testing.
Thanks JD. We've all missed you, and I hope you're enjoying your 'new reality'. Wishing all the Planeteers a safe and joyous holiday season!
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all the Planeteers! Looking forward to 2013.
Merry Christmas Fellow Planeteers.
Miss the community here. Love Twitter but not the same but I know, from the past year of many personal loses, life moves on.
JD Good luck with your new endeavors.
Happy Holidays to all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, JD and all of the Planeteers.
Glad to see a new column, I've missed reading them since the banquet.
Saw the news about the showtime cancellation - not surprised.
I'm happy to hear the news that RaceHub will be back next season. Good news for Steve Byrnes in that case, I hope.
Wishing all of you a lovely holiday season. Hope that the elf on the shelf takes a good report back to Santa so that everyone gets what they want! Take care and be safe.
thanks for the good wishes, Lou! Right back at you. Wishing all of us good racing in the 2013!
Not getting too pumped up about Daytona testing on Speed. That also means a return of D.W. and his brother. Have a Merry Christmas everyone.
Glad that Bob Varsha will be doing PxP of Grand-Am Series. He will be a good addition. Sorry to see Leigh Diffy leave.
So glad you posted a new column JD.
Thanks for the SPEED shows update.
Happy holidays to you and the Planeteers.
XOXO
What SPEED in 2013? I thought it was being rebranded as Fox Sports or is it going to continue using the Fox Sports/SPEED logo now?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
I think the change is going to happen mid-2013
I'm a little late wishing Christmas greetings however hope everyone has a wonderful New Year! And what will the new year bring us at Nascar???
JD - Will NASCAR still provide TrackPass/RaceView? Any chance they'll make the changes to run on ipads/tablets?
--mike
I hope and pray that ESPN drops nascar AGAIN and gives it back to fox at least (not sure about NBC, if Bill Weber is doing it, maybe). It is hard for ESPN to cover a race when it has so many other sports that it carries already. You have to change stations to catch a race because basketball, football or baseball is running long and if you dont have espn2 or 3 or news, then your SOL. Also I never got into watching a race on espn like i did with fox. Something about the announcers I guess and the way the program is produced. When a race was on fox i watched the whole race start to finish, and when it is on espn, i usually turn it on and walk away and look at it every now and then. I didn't watch one Nationwide/Bush race this season. To me FOX networks care more for Nascar than any other network. Also ratings proves it if you pull up ratings.
Trackside was one of my favorites for many years. I tried to watch it a few times last year - could never get to the end of the show. Why do they mess the good ones up. The MW CM on Showtime might have been good, but not worth $25 per month.
Trackside was a favorite for years. Never watched an entire show this year - kept hoping they would change back to what they used to be but they did not.
As frustrated as i was at the end of last season, is it wrong to be impatient for the new one to start?!?
Happiest of all New Years to my Planeteer buddies! And here's hoping we get to meet at a track in 2013 -- especially you, Lou! Am already planning for Dover with oldest daughter's boyfriend, a new NASCAR fan!
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