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May 22, 2007

Was There an All Star Challenge?
By Dennis Michelsen
The All Star game for any sport can sometimes be a great way to interest new fans in that sport. All the big names are there to shine and the newer fan can relate to the star power better than when the smaller names are mixed in with the big guys. In racing the All Star Challenge has also been a way to get new fans involved because these races are over faster and usually have more action from start to finish. This year SPEED Channel contracted to be the host for the All Star Challenge and NASCAR made a big mistake! Not everyone has easy access to SPEED as I found out this weekend in Toledo.

Money Over Exposure
SPEED channel is on the digital cable package in most markets. In order to get this channel you have to buy a whole bunch of other stuff you would never want to watch! (Unless your name is Harold, cause he loves the Rutabaga channel that comes with Speed on most digital cable packages) Last weekend I was on the road covering the ARCA RE/MAX series. Since Toledo Speedway is the home track for ARCA whose races are covered on SPEED I thought it would be easy to find SPEED in a hotel close to the speedway. Comfort Inn usually carries the channel at their hotels but not in Toledo! A search of area eating establishments and bars also came up empty for SPEED. Once again NASCAR took dollars over exposure for their All Star event.

How About Online Streaming
SPEED could easily have reached many more viewers by streaming the video online via their website and NASCAR.com. Even if the race were made available on a pay-per-view basis fans would have at least had a choice. I wonder how many more race fans were disappointed because they could not find the All Star Challenge in their area? Television ratings have been down for most of the regular broadcasts this season. Missing out on too many fans due to access instead of interest is not healthy for the sport's growth!

Congratulations to Kevin Harvick for a thrilling win in the NASCAR All Star Challenge. I guess I will have to wait until later in the week to catch the broadcast replay on SPEED. Maybe next season NASCAR can work with SPEED to make sure more fans have access to the yearly All Star extravaganza!