NEED AT SPEED There could be less NASCAR programming on SPEED Channel in the future. Sources in Phoenix reported that a new "NASCAR TV" Channel, similar to the NFL Network, NBA-TV, the NHL Channel and the soon-to-be-launched Major League Baseball network, is in work. The new entity could be launched in 2007 as part of the new network television package with ESPN/ABC and/or cable giant Comcast taking a partial ownership in the venture. In the meantime, SPEED's programming mix will include more non-NASCAR content and coverage in 2006 including additional Champ Car material and possibly short track racing led by the new National Sprint Car League.
TURN ON THE LIGHTS Another television-related item making the rounds through the NASCAR garage area the last several weeks is the shift of more races to prime time beginning in 2007, with the majority of the schedule moving to Saturday nights. Beginning with the August Bristol race, all but two of the remaining races on the 2007 schedule are expected to be held on Saturday night, avoiding the Sunday head-to-head conflict with NFL telecasts.
BUSCH MUSICAL CHAIRS Jason Keller will replace Johnny Sauter in the James Finch-owned Yellow Freight Dodge on next season's Busch Series. Also look for John Andretti to be named driver of the ppc Racing No. 10 Busch ride, replacing Brent Sherman who will move up to the BAM Racing No. 49 Dodge NEXTEL Cup ride next season.
Impound Rules Gone NASCAR's controversial impound race rules will be scratched next year as the sanctioning body has run into resistance from both track operators and television partners who want a return to the old qualifying format.
The original idea was to save NEXTEL Cup team's money by shortening a typical weekend schedule to a two-day, rather than a three-day format.
Qualifying was held on Saturday mornings at several events this season rather than the normal Friday schedule which was in place for years.
The change lopped off a day of activity for track operators, many of which lost revenue by not having a qualifying day ticket to sell.
Television partners like SPEED Channel and TNT were left without Friday programming by the absence of a qualifying session that day.
Sources report that ESPN, which is expected to take over a portion of the television schedule in 2007, was instrumental in NASCAR changing the impound rules in order to have Friday qualifying programming.
"The impound rules are under review," said NASCAR vice president of corporate communication Jim Hunter. "It is safe to say there will be significant changes to the impound model that we rolled out this season."
The Busch and Craftsman Truck Series, which used impound rules on a number of one-day shows this year, are expected to keep the format intact next season.
