Fox Using New 3-D Technology During Daytona 500

Fox To Use 3-D Technology In Select Daytona 500 Replays

Fox’ telecast of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Daytona 500 on Sunday will feature “what Fox director Artie Kempner says will be 3-D replays” that do not require 3-D glasses, according to Michael Hiestand of USA TODAY. Kempner “says the idea is to take the GPS data — tracking mph, rpm, brake use — already transmitted from cars and used for onscreen graphics and convert that data into three-dimensional animation — ‘cars look just like they’re in a video game.’” The system, developed by SportVision, will show action from “all kinds of angles” and “create some all-new sights.” Meanwhile, Hiestand reports that the Busch Series Telcel-Motorola Mexico 200 on March 4 will air in English on ESPN2 and in Spanish on ESPN, the “first time ESPN has covered an event without using English” (USA TODAY, 2/14).

TOYOTA DEBUT: Fox on Sunday will air “Chasing Sunday: The Race To Cup,” a 60-minute documentary on Toyota’s first trip to the Daytona 500. The piece, co-produced by Saatchi & Saatchi, L.A., and NASCAR Productions, covers the automaker’s “preparations for the race, including interviews with drivers and footage from Nextel Cup testing” (BRANDWEEK, 2/12 issue).