NBC "might bring some of the technology used in
covering ski races" to NASCAR's tracks when the network's TV
deal with NASCAR begins next July, according to David Poole
of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. During its coverage of the
Homestead race next month, NBC plans to use a "go-cam,"
developed for Alpine ski races. The camera will "run along
a wire suspended just inside the track on the backstretch,
... racing along as cars" approach and race through Turn 3.
NBC Sports NASCAR Producer Sam Flood is aware that fans
might be concerned the new rights holders will "introduce
toys such as the go-cam that will get in the way of basic
coverage." Flood: "That's one thing I guarantee we won't
do" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/12)....In Pittsburgh, Chuck
Finder writes Fox is "revving up so much" for its NASCAR
coverage that FSN Pittsburgh's "SportsBeat" "may soon start
a regular auto racing segment" (POST-GAZETTE, 10/12).
A 7.0 TARGET FOR '01? In Winston-Salem, Mike Mulhern
writes that "there is considerable cross-promotion planned
for next season" by NASCAR's new TV partners, and "it has
already started." Flood: "We were all at Daytona together,
Fox, NBC and Turner, doing everything as family, one big
unit. And we had meetings together talking about what we
need to do to grow this sport." Mulhern writes that one
"priority may be to 'grow' the ratings, which this season
have been rather drab." NASCAR's Winston Cup coverage this
season has averaged a 3.9. TV sources say that NASCAR and
its TV partners "have picked a 7.0 as their target for 2001,
an ambitious number to be sure" (W-S JOURNAL, 10/12).
NASCAR.COM'S PLANS EXAMINED: NASCAR Senior VP Brian
France said that the new NASCAR Internet deal with
AOL/Turner Sports "will change" NASCAR.com's current status
as a PR tool. France: "As we move into more of a mainstream
site, we will be using the standards and practices of Time-
Warner and letting them have an awful lot of control and
input. And that will allow our fans to have a site where
everything is available to them, not just the normal things
today where NASCAR's putting out that kind of facts and
data, but other fast-breaking stories." USA TODAY's Chris
Jenkins notes, "For the most part, official sports league
Web sites ... aren't exactly known for their candor." ESPN
Internet Ventures VP Geoff Reiss says that "any sports
league faces a fundamental challenge in trying to produce
'news' coverage about its own organization." Reiss cites
NBA.com's recent "acknowledgement" of the stabbing incident
involving Celtics F Paul Pierce, as well as the coverage of
Heat C Alonzo Mourning's illness, as "significant steps
forward" (USA TODAY, 10/12).