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New CEO Introduced at Iowa Speedway

Video from the introduction of Doug Fritz, formerly of Richmond International Raceway, as CEO of Iowa Speedway. Doug also held leadership positions in NASCAR and goes back 20 years with Conrad Clement, head of the new Iowa Speedway ownership group. Video als features comments from the old Super Deuce (Rusty Wallace), lots of NASCAR talk but no mention of IndyCar. (Insert anxiety-evoking music here.)

Video streaming by Ustream

NASCAR to Unveil 2012 Cup Schedule at Noon, Invites Fans to Chat Via Twitter

From NASCAR PR ---

NASCAR will unveil the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule via its social/digital channels on today, Sept. 28, at noon ET.

NASCAR.COM will first unveil next year’s schedule on its homepage, with a question-and-answer Twitter chat session to follow involving NASCAR (@NASCAR) and NASCAR Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Steve O’Donnell (@odsteve). Fans, media, teams and tracks are encouraged to participate throughout the one-hour interactive Twitter forum.

A special hashtag – #2012Schedule – will accompany each tweet, and followers are encouraged to use it as well. As always, the hashtag #NASCAR also will be used. Links to special coverage on NASCAR.COM will direct followers to additional content.

Video of the New Car Test at IMS

Couresty of IndyCar PR ...

NASCAR NHMS TV Ratings Up 19% Compared to Last Year Despite NFL Competition

From ESPN PR (Motto: TV Ratings ARE YOUR BUSINESS)

ESPN’s live telecast of the Sylvania 300 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 25, earned a 3.1 household coverage rating, averaging 4,235,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company.

The rating was up 19 percent from last year’s New Hampshire race, which also aired on ESPN and earned a 2.6 rating.

The telecast also saw double-digit growth in key audience demographics, including a 28 percent rise in the Male 18-34 demographic and a 20 percent rise in the Male 18-49 demographic. The audience also saw 33 percent of growth in the Persons 55+ demographic.

Sarah and Zoey

Sarah Fisher and her daughter, Zoey Marie O'Gara. Posted primarily because I can.

Motegi Race Attacts 112,000 Viewers

The IndyCar race at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan attracted 112,000 viewers, according to information tweeted by John Ourand (@Ourand_SBJ) of Sports Business Journal. Ourand said the Sunday repeat of the broadcast drew 109,000 viewers.

Orand did not say what 112,000 equated to in ratings points. For comparison, the Versus broadcast of the IndyCar race at Mid-Ohio attracted 309,000 viewers for a 0.2 rating.

Oval Race Economics 101

IndyCar oval track race fans are learning a hard-yet-beautiful truth lately: Here in America, The Market is a mercurial thing. Mercurial as in "characterized by rapid and unpredictable changeableness of mood."

The Market is also a honey badger, because at the end of the day it doesn't give a shit what you say or think, it's only interested in what you buy. And finally, The Market is like gravity. It's invisible, yet it exists, and you deny its existence (by, say, jumping off a building) at your own peril.

Two Concerts During Kentucky Race Weekend to Benefit Family of Chris Griffis

Two free concerts during Kentucky race weekend will include opportunities to make donations to the family of Chris Griffis of Sam Schmitt Motorsports. Griffis died unexpectedly at the age of 45 on Sept. 12. Donations will go to his wife, Mari, and two daughters, Clair (16) and Sophia (10).

From a flyer distributed by IndyCar Ministries ...

September 30 -- Belterra Casino Resort & Spa Center Stage - Michelle Murray Concert 8:00 – 9:15 PM

Enjoy an exciting evening as Michelle Murray takes center stage at Belterra to perform songs from her soon to be released CD “Long Road To Fame”, including the hit single “Love Me Like You Love Your Truck” and “It Won’t Be If But When” (Sam’s Song).

October 1 -- Elk Creek Winery – Michelle Murray Amphitheater Concert – Gates open at 6:00PM concert 7:00 to 8:30 PM

Enjoy the great outdoors as Michelle Murray takes the amphitheater stage at Kentucky’s largest winery to perform her latest original music including “Watching Candle’s Melt”, “Anything Else” and of course “Love Me Like You Love Your Truck” and “It Won’t Be If But When” (Sam’s Song).

For complete Michelle Murray weekend events including who to contact for more info, click here.

 

Wheldon Out to Ensure 2012 Car "is Driven As Hard as it Can Be" During Tests

Amid all the media interviews and photos of both him and the 2012 IndyCar, test driver Dan Wheldon said the series of new car tests has serious purpose.

Wheldon and the new IndyCar made a test run at Iowa Speedway on Tuesday, the first test of the car on an oval. Far from glorified parade laps, Wheldon said he was up on the wheel from the start.

Rain-Delayed Chicagoland Cup and Nationwide Ratings Released

From ESPN PR --

ESPN’s live telecast of the rain-delayed Geico 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on Monday, Sept. 19, earned a 1.8 household coverage rating, averaging 2,179,000 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company. The race was rained out on Sunday, Sept. 18, and rescheduled for the following day.

ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 17, earned a 1.1 household coverage rating, averaging 1,453,000 viewers.

Both races were at new places on the schedule this year. In past years, Chicagoland Speedway’s combined NASCAR Sprint Cup-NASCAR Nationwide Series weekend had been held in July.