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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

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  Debate

Debate

Can NASCAR's new fan engagement project reignite the passion among long-time supporters?

What’s better than weekly NASCAR action to keep fans engaged? A 24/7 channel, of course! Online job postings indicate that the organization is on the verge of announcing an interesting new project, which could point towards a subscription service or a dedicated TV channel that will cater to stock car enthusiasts. As things stand, NASCAR is currently hiring a Manager of Content Programming to run the day-to-day operations of the channel and help grow the digital platform.

While NASCAR has declined to comment on a 24/7 channel dedicated to stock car racing, they have confirmed that the job posting, which has been uploaded on LinkedIn, Indeed, and their website, is real.

NASCAR’s latest project is an exciting initiative

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For some of the older fans, the possibility of a 24/7 platform dedicated to NASCAR will remind them of the classic SPEED channel. The Fox-owned cable network wasn’t only dedicated to stock car racing when it started, offering fans a one-stop destination for everything motorsports-related, such as Formula 1, ALMS, Grand-Am, Australia’s V8 Supercars, and more. However, the new 24/7 digital platform, referred to as “NASCAR Channel (FAST)” in the job listing, is expected to feature not just archived footage but also new and original content to keep fans entertained.

As per the job posting, the requirements for the manager of content programming include “leveraging NASCAR’s extensive portfolio of new original content and historical video archives to program the NASCAR Channel (FAST). The manager will work to optimize consumption to help grow the emerging digital platform and manage the day-to-day functions of the channel.” It remains to be seen if the channel will be called “FAST” or if it’s an acronym for free ad-supported television. If it’s the latter, the channel won’t charge a subscription fee and will be available to fans for streaming on Roku channels.

According to writer ‘nascarman’, an announcement is expected to be made in the upcoming weeks about a dedicated NASCAR channel, which will be up and running for the 2025 season. Fox is reportedly helping the organization build the channel, and sources indicate that all the necessary deals have already been signed. The sport has been looking to grow its digital footprint in the last few years, with NASCAR Studios helping with the production of the Xfinity Series from 2025.

What’s your perspective on:

Can NASCAR's new fan engagement project reignite the passion among long-time supporters?

Have an interesting take?

While not much is known about the new 24/7 channel yet, the organization may use the NASCAR Studios facility for the FAST channel as well. However, if the job listing is anything to go by, it’s clear that the sanctioning body is aiming to make its new channel into a full-fledged TV product. Applicants are expected to know how to manage the program schedule system as well as oversee video-on-demand options for digital streaming platforms.

A new channel brings several opportunities for NASCAR. By having a studio that can produce high-quality content, the organization can initiate many fan-engaging programs such as podcasts, shows, and in-house coverage of the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series. It’s also a great way to preserve the heritage of the sport by broadcasting some of the historic races on the channel for younger audiences. The possibilities are endless, and fans have taken to social media to share their views about the rumored 24/7 NASCAR channel.

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Fans voice their opinion about NASCAR’s dedicated channel

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It didn’t take long for fans to share their opinions about the speculated 24/7 NASCAR channel. Considering it a good opportunity to grow the sport’s audience with the channel being reportedly free, one fan expressed their belief that it could be the perfect strategy to capture the attention of the masses. The fan wrote,Even if it’s just a generic Pluto TV app…having that come standard on TVs is gonna open up to a pretty big casual audience that wouldn’t otherwise be watching racing.”

Another fan drew parallels with the SPEED channel, which was created by Fox in the early 2000s. While the channel wasn’t entirely dedicated to NASCAR, featuring Formula 1, Germany’s DTM, and the World Challenge, among others, it didn’t stop the X user from making comparisons. The fan wrote, “This is basically what SPEED Channel was, except SPEED wasn’t totally focused on NASCAR. Still, I am here for this. Echoing that sentiment, another fan said, A reborn Speed Channel? Yes, please. Especially if they bring back trackside stages for shows throughout the race weekend like the Speed days.”

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Hoping that the dedicated NASCAR channel won’t be priced at an exorbitant sum, one fan outlined his expectations for the digital platform. The X user wrote, Give me all 3 series. Practice, qualifying, news, etc and I’m in. Just don’t price it like NFL network. Another fan was immediately won over by NASCAR’s initiative of having a digital platform entirely dedicated to stock car racing. The fan wrote on Reddit, “Sounds like a great idea to me. I’m in.”

What are your thoughts about a dedicated NASCAR digital platform? Let us know in the comments!