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NASCAR on Fox notched a 4.7/10 that Sunday for the Kobalt Tools 500 from Atlanta, easily the top sports rating of the weekend. Thanks in part to much tougher college basketball competition from CBS, yesterday’s 4.7/10 is down -16% compared to last year’s 5.6/12. This year’s Atlanta race rating matches 2007′s 4.7/10, but note that the 2007 rating came against second-round NCAA Tournament games on CBS. Metered market ratings have been a relatively weak indicator of NASCAR’s national ratings this season. |
Through last weekend’s Las Vegas race, FOX’s national ratings have been an average of +6 percent better year-to-year than the overnight ratings comparisons. Every FOX race to date has compared more favorably to last year in the nationals than in the overnights. Through four point’s races, NASCAR On FOX is down -13 percent for the year in the metered markets (5.9/11 vs. 6.8/13). This report came from Fox PR.
Bruton Smith, Chairman of the SMI BOD, made it a point at the Atlanta race to tell the media that NASCAR’s decision to end the season at the Homestead Speedway in Fla. does not make sense. He feels that this event should go to one of his venues like Vegas. Because Sin City is a major destination for both US residents and off- shore folks looking for some fun. Bruton makes a good point that this could be a better fit for the Cup finale.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series broadcast from Atlanta Motor Speedway scored a Nielsen Household Rating of 1.29 (943,000 households), peaking at 1.63 (1,197,000 households. The Nielsen Rating is a 23-percent increase over last year’s 1.05 (753,000 households) and a 61-percent increase over the 2007 Atlanta race (.80). After 19 of 22 NCWTS races on SPEED saw Nielsen Ratings growth in 2008, 15 in double digits, numbers continue to climb in 2009 on SPEED as Daytona enjoyed a 21-percent increase to open this season. This came SPEEDtv PR.
Michael Waltrip Racing owner/driver Michael Waltrip flew to Hollywood last week to film an upcoming episode of the NBC sitcom, “My Name is Earl.” “In my opinion, ‘My Name is Earl’ is an instant classic,” said Waltrip, who is currently 16th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship point standings. “I am proud to be a part of this show, as it always tells a great story about Earl’s need to do good things for people. How he gets to the resolution is absolutely hilarious.” This item came from StockCarGazette.com.
Also from StockCarGazette.com are these report. Two of NASCAR’s richest people have dropped off Forbes’ list of the world’s billionaires. Roger Penske, who owns Penske Racing in NASCAR and other teams in a variety of other auto racing series, had a net worth of $2.7 billion last year, but he isn’t on the list of billionaires this year. Neither is Bruton Smith, the chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., who had a net worth of $1.2 billion last year, according to the magazine. NASCAR Vice Chairman/Executive Vice President Jim France is listed as having a net worth of $1 billion and being tied for 701st among the world’s richest people. Last year, France, who also is chairman of the publicly traded International Speedway Corp., was listed with a net worth of $1.4 billion with a ranking of 843rd. France, the brother of former NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr., and the uncle of current NASCAR Chairman Brian France, co-owns NASCAR with niece Lesa France Kennedy, according to documents in Kentucky Speedway’s antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and International Speedway Corp.
International Speedway Corp. issued smaller bonuses to its two top executives in 2008 than it did in 2007. According to its 2009 proxy statement filed Wednesday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, ISC Chairman Jim France’s total compensation was $1.04 million in 2008 – $48,000 less than what he made in 2007 with his bonus about $28,000 less than a year ago. ISC President Lesa France Kennedy’s bonus was more than $25,000 less than a year ago, and her total compensation was $768,454, down from $814,159 in 2007.
The French authorities have selected a suitable site for a new home for the French Formula One Grand Prix. The Autosport website reports that the move brings the return of the French Grand Prix to the F1 calendar a step closer. A new €112 million track will be constructed at Flins-Les Mureaux, north-east of Paris, a site which beat competition from four other venues on the French shortlist. It was the cheapest of the short listed sites.
Autosport reports that the team designing and building the track would be led by French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte and British construction experts Apex Circuit Design, who helped build the Dubai Autodrome. It is expected to be ready for the 2011 season, although a final decision about the return of the French GP to the F1 circuit will be made by Bernie Ecclestone. This item came from SportsBusinessInternational.
Also from the same source, Malaysian car manufacturer Proton has become the seventh constructor to compete in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC). Proton joins Abarth, Honda, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Skoda and Volkswagen amongst the IRC competitors. It will compete in the rally with its new Satria Neo Super 2000 car. Proton Managing Director Datuk Syed Zainal said, “The IRC provides the ideal format for manufacturers to showcase their products around the world. “We are very excited to register for the IRC this year, alongside many of the leading manufacturers in motorsport.“Although we are still developing the Proton, the IRC will provide the perfect opportunity to gauge the competitiveness of the car, and ultimately to take the project forward.” The IRC is run by Eurosport Events, the sports event organizing arm of pan-European sports broadcaster Eurosport.
Auto Club Speedway looks to provide fans with the same racing excitement during the AMA Suzuki Superbike Challenge in 2009 as it did in 2008 when Ben Spies nipped teammate Mat Mladin at the finish line by .011 seconds – the speedway’s closest finish ever when the all-new AMA Pro Road Racing series roars into Auto Club Speedway this weekend, March 20-22.
The nation’s top motorcycle riders will compete in the AMA Pro Road Racing series’ AMA Pro American Superbike, AMA Pro Daytona SportBike and AMA Pro SuperSport divisions at the 2.36-mile, 21-turn layout motorcycle course at Auto Club Speedway.
Along with a weekend full of on track excitement, plan to experience a full weekend of entertainment in the Auto Club Speedway Opportunity, California Motorcycle Expo, located in the infield. There, fans will find bike manufacturers like Suzuki whose display will be filled with motorcycles and rider gear; Buell, Harley-Davidson will be onsite with motorcycle demo rides for fans wanting a piece of the action and in between all the racing and entertainment, the Speedway food court will keep fans replenished. A rider autograph session is also scheduled this Sunday, March 22 at 12:15 p.m. at the Opportunity, California Motorcycle Expo.
Jack Beckman, NHRA Funny Car driver, on success by females in drag racing. “They have a good mental approach. I don’t think they are as affected by egos as the typical male.” That came from the Valvoline Track Talk Newsletter.
Here’s some highlights of what’s being aired on the tube this week after a weekend off with no NASCAR action. ESPN2 will NASCAR Now at 5 p.m. from Monday through Thursday. Also on Thursday Speed offers a preview of the ALMS Series at 7 p.m.
Friday’s offerings are numerous with a noon airing of Sprint Cup Practice from Bristol on Speed followed by Nationwide Practice from that same track at 1:30 p.m. Speed/TSN then air the NASCAR Sprint Cup Qualifying at 3:30 p.m. At 5 p.m. it’s Nationwide Final Practice from Bristol and NASCAR Now on ESPN2 at 6 p.m.
Saturday has Speed getting the action off early at 10 a.m. with the start of the 12 Hours of Sebring. Speed/TSN offer coverage of Nationwide Qualifying at noon. At 2 p.m. Speed returns with more of the 12 Hours of Sebring. ABC/TSN kick in with the Nationwide race from Bristol at 2:30 p.m. At 6 p.m. ESPN2 airs Saturday Night at Bristol. At 11 p.m. Speed airs Sportsbikes from Daytona.
Sunday has another busy schedule with a 10 a.m. airing of NASCAR Now on The Duce. At 11:30 a.m. Speed offers NASCAR Raceday while Fox/TSN both offer the Cup race from Bristol at 2:20 p.m. Speed comes back at 5 p.m. with two hours of AMA SuperX from Daytona. Then the Speed Report at 7 p.m. followed by Victory Lane from Bristol and WindTunnel with Dave Despain at 9 p.m. (END)
NOTE: INFORMATION FOR THIS COLUMN CAME FROM VARIOUS REFERENCED SOURCES, PRESS RELEASES, NOTES AND OTHER SOURCES.
