NASCAR VP/Broadcasting Bray Cary says that The NASCAR
Channel "should be up and running early next season,
although precisely what shape it will have is still
unclear," according to Mike Mulhern of the WINSTON-SALEM
JOURNAL. Cary: "I can tell you it's in such good shape
right now that I'm not doing any work on it." But Cary
added, "This whole project has been a lot more difficult
than we anticipated." Also, Cary confirmed NASCAR's
acquisition of Charlotte-based Street & Smith's Productions,
which will be renamed NASCAR Images. NASCAR Images will be
a joint venture with Fox Sports, with the Charlotte division
continued to be run by Street & Smith's Productions
President Tom Grabowski. Meanwhile, although Cary "wouldn't
confirm it," NASCAR sources indicate that a "major" NASCAR-
AOL deal "is in the works." Cary said, "We're very close to
a deal that would make NASCAR's web operation the No. 1 web
site in sports next year, or certainly within two years"
(WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL, 9/25). Cary says that the plan is
for the NASCAR Channel to "begin programming in February
when the season begins" (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 9/25).
