Frustrated that it doesn’t get the kind of general news coverage it feels it deserves, Nascar is creating a division to generate news for newspapers, radio, TV stations and cable networks.
Nascar CEO Brian France intends to create the Associated Press of Nascar. The media division is in the conceptual stages of what could include a wire service and cable network. Nascar is already experimenting with podcasts via its password-encrypted media Web site.
Nascar is the second-highest-rated regular-season sport on TV, according to Nielsen Media Research. The desire for an all-Nascar cable network has been fueled by the NFL Network, which claims 165 million fans to Nascar’s 75 million. The NFL attracts more ad dollars as well.
