SPEED SPORT and NASCAR have announced a digital partnership, which will see the two venerable motorsports companies work together to share content and promote grassroots racing.
We’ve received numerous questions regarding this partnership, and have called on Joe Tripp, Turn 3 Media Managing Partner and CEO, to answer these questions. Turn 3 Media is the parent company of SPEED SPORT, SPEED SPORT Network and Sprint Car & Midget Magazine.
Q: Is SPEED SPORT now part of NASCAR?
TRIPP: No, SPEED SPORT hasn’t changed in that regard. We’ve formed a strategic partnership with NASCAR — an agreement to work together if you will — but have not sold any interest in the company to them.
Q: How does this impact me as a subscriber?
TRIPP: It will be positive to be sure. As always, we’ll be investing back into our content…and subscribers will continue to enjoy the same award-winning contributors.
Q: How does SPEED SPORT benefit from partnering with NASCAR?
TRIPP: SPEED SPORT, as a company, is focused on serving grassroots racing and the grassroots racing fan. The strategic partnership with NASCAR Digital Media, and with NASCAR TrackPass, allows our two companies to work together to provide quality content to a broader audience, to provide meaningful support and technical capabilities for NASCAR’s Weekly Series tracks, and to develop tangible ways to add value for our sponsors, fans and stakeholders.
Q: How do I get SPEED SPORT Network?
TRIPP: The best way to explore everything that SPEED SPORT Network offers is to visit SPEEDSPORT.tv. Every week, SPEEDSPORT.tv showcases the best events of the previous week, across the entire network of nearly 100 plus individual affiliates. From there, it is easy to drill into specific affiliate/track broadcast sites and explore their various subscription or PPV offerings.
Q: Will SPEED SPORT continue to cover other forms of racing?
TRIPP: We will continue to cover all forms of racing. If anything, SPEED SPORT will be expanding content — specifically in areas that we may currently be underserving.
Q: How do you think Chris Economaki would react to this partnership?
TRIPP: Our company continues to be guided by the principle WWCD. … “What would Chris do?” Chris Economaki was a pioneer in innovating the way the media functioned within the motorsports industry — but never compromised the editorial integrity of the content that was published. Many don’t know, but Mr. Economaki was instrumental in guiding NASCAR as it grew into television — and he and Bill France Sr. were great friends — and established a bond of mutual respect and trust between the two entities, which we’re proud to say continues today. Thus, we think CE would approve.
Q: Do I have to buy SPEED SPORT Network and TrackPass subscriptions to watch NASCAR Weekly Racing events?
TRIPP: NASCAR Weekly Series events will be available by subscription or PPV on participating track websites, by subscription on SPEEDSPORT.tv, and (select events) through TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold.
Q: Will this change what I see and what I read about on SPEEDSPORT.com or in The Daily newsletter?
TRIPP: Because SPEED SPORT will now have access to content from NASCAR’s other content partners, readers will likely see much more content. However, SPEED SPORT remains 100 percent in control of its editorial voice and will expand, not reduce, its editorial team in order to continue to deliver the best and broadest motorsports news in the business.
Q: Many people remember National Speed Sport News, but are not aware of what SPEED SPORT has become. What is SPEED SPORT?
TRIPP: Who in motorsports doesn’t remember that grand paper — it was the Bible of motorsports! The reality though, is that it was already in trouble when Ralph and I first got involved. Not because the content was any less valuable — but because the medium had not kept up with changes in the way people consume it. What we’ve done is to put a modern chassis and engine into it; its now a proper modern media company but still has the great lines of a classic.
SPEED SPORT is the halo brand for our company, which includes several different units all working toward a common goal to deliver the best in motorsports content across all forms of media.
SPEED SPORT Magazine – America’s Monthly Motorsports Authority – available in print or digital. The magazine is the direct descendent of National Speed Sport News…rich in features, in-depth articles and insightful editorial.
SPEEDSPORT.com — America’s Online Motorsports Authority — the undisputed leader in accurate, timely racing news and information 24/7.
SPEED SPORT Network — America’s fastest growing and largest network of live motorsports programming. SPEEDSPORT.tv is the flagship channel of SPEED SPORT Network.
SPEED SPORT Productions — Home of our television and special production project units, SPEED SPORT Studios and SPEED SPORT Films.