One of the big changes to NASCAR in 2015 is the ability to report transactions outside of the traditional point-to-point structures. Gone are the days of wondering if you made the right choice in pit roads or at merchandise booths.
As a result, we’re now seeing more drivers engage with the media than ever before, and interviews and appearances are now a significant part of the driver package. This means new opportunities for people who are interested in a career in journalism, and it also means the opportunity to provide more value to interviewers and show organizers.
Traditional Journalism
For decades, NASCAR fans have gotten their news from one place – the three newspapers located in the nearest town to the racetracks (and sometimes the wire services as well). They would all come together to form one comprehensive, three-edition “point-by-point” newspaper on Sunday, which was later reprinted in larger papers across the region.
This was the primary source of news for NASCAR fans in the pre-Internet era. While the amount of content published online has increased over the years, this still represents a significant portion of most people’s news consumption. Furthermore, this type of journalism often relies on the goodwill of the drivers and owners to provide interviews and access to the sport.
New Digital Journalism Trends
While the format may be unchanged, the way we access news has changed significantly in recent years. Instead of waiting for our newspapers to print everything on Sunday, we have become accustomed to getting news stories instantly and being able to access them at any time. This trend has trickled down to NASCAR as well, with media outlets now able to offer digital editions that are updated throughout the week.
Now, having a steady stream of news content available has made it easy for NASCAR fans to follow the news as it happens. This has helped fuel the growth of social media channels in NASCAR, as fans now have access to news and information whenever they want it. This in turn has helped create a more engaged audience, one that is better positioned to connect with the sport in meaningful ways.
How Is This Changing What We Do?
These changes are having an effect on every aspect of NASCAR, from the way we follow the sport to the way we experience it. The availability of more content has led to more people becoming interested in the sport, with average weekly audiences increasing by 30% in the U.S. since 2014.
Having more people involved in NASCAR means more people to speak with and more content to explore. This in turn creates more opportunities for everyone. The more we can do to encourage this type of participation, the better off we’ll all be.