DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.: NASCAR announced Wednesday a strategic digital partnership with Speed Sport, the media platform synonymous with motor sport in America since 1934.
Speed Sport Network will now distribute select NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series events in 2020. SpeedSport.com also joins the NASCAR digital media platform for content sharing, ad sales, podcast distribution and website hosting.
NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series tracks that choose to participate can now work directly with Speed Sport Network to distribute – and monetize – their events. TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold will continue to show weekly series races and coordinate with Speed Sport Network to deliver an even wider variety of quality broadcasts on both platforms.
The first live event available on both TrackPass and Speed Sport Network will be the Sun Fun 101 at Myrtle Beach Speedway on August 15 at 6:45 p.m. ET. It will be the final race hosted at the historic track where Dale Earnhardt Jr. launched his career.
“We’re excited to partner with such a reputable brand as Speed Sport to further spotlight the thrilling competition and passion that’s displayed in grassroots racing nationwide,” said Tim Clark, NASCAR senior vice president and chief digital officer. “The biggest beneficiaries of this partnership are race fans, who now have access to more quality content and live grassroots racing.”
NASCAR Digital Media will revamp and oversee the technical infrastructure and design of SpeedSport.com, as well as distribute Speed Sport podcasts.
“We’re thrilled to see this partnership become a reality. Speed Sport Network is the ideal fit for NASCAR’s Weekly tracks – and we look forward to helping them develop broadcast strategies that allow them to thrive even during these tough times,” Speed Sport CEO Joe Tripp said. “And on our editorial side, by joining NASCAR digital media, we are going to be able to vastly expand the audience for our award-winning content and better support our growing advertising base, while maintaining 100% control of our editorial independence.”
TrackPass begins its live motorsports coverage this weekend with the first NASCAR regional series race at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course – the ARCA Menards Series’ General Tire 100 (Friday at 5 p.m. ET).
NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series tracks and Speed Sport Network are working to roll out more broadcast plans. Fans should follow their favorite track’s news for event announcements. All content will also be available on-demand on SpeedSport.tv, home to the widest variety of motorsports events, shows and features.
“Speed Sport is the undisputed motorsports authority. At 86 years old, nobody has covered NASCAR longer than Speed Sport, starting with the races on the beach, the first ever Daytona 500 and every race since,” Speed Sport publisher Ralph Sheheen said. “Of course, Speed Sport covers it all and has deep and loyal connections to the grassroots racing scene. Today, Speed Sport is a complete media company offering so much more for fans and the industry. It’s exciting that our two legendary brands are now working together helping to elevate grassroots racing and to tell its amazing stories to a much broader audience.”
