SPEED Channel will unveil changes made to its nightly program NASCAR Nation on June 27 at 7:00pm/et/pt. Chris Long, SPEED Channel’s new VP of Studio Production, has orchestrated the overhaul, changing the format, the set, the cast — even the logo. “NASCAR Nation was always intended to be a lifestyle show,” Long said. “We didn’t want it to turn into another news show or driver reality show, so I felt some significant changes had to be made. We have done some things that I expect will raise the energy level quite a bit and put more of a focus on NASCAR as entertainment. “SPEED Channel already does a fantastic job with shows like Trackside, Inside NEXTEL Cup and NASCAR This Morning, and our goal is to give all of the studio shows their own individual look and feel,” Long added. “We made some of these changes to give NASCAR Nation a very distinctive flavor. When someone tunes into SPEED, we want them to immediately know what show they are watching.” The new NASCAR Nation will feature Leeann Tweeden, along with newcomers Vicki Johnson and Craig Reynolds, in the studio. Original cast members Courtney George and John Willenborg will be joined by Charlotte’s Shannon Spake in the field. “NASCAR lives at the intersection of sports and entertainment and the new look NASCAR Nation takes fans behind the scenes and puts them center stage,” said Jeffrey Pollack, Managing Director of Broadcasting and New Media for NASCAR Digital Entertainment. The 30-minute show will originate live Monday through Thursday from the SPEED Channel studios in Charlotte, N.C.(SPEED Channel), so now we have NO daily NASCAR NEWS show to check out……..anyhow……past news and rumors on this show and the shorter Inside Nextel Cup on my TV/Media News page.(6-22-2005)
