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NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
VENTURINI: Social Media And NASCAR
Twitter and Facebook have changed the way we communicate with each other...
Wendy Venturini  |  Posted March 24, 2010   Charlotte, NC
SPEED's Wendy Venturini. (Image: SPEED)
It’s no secret that Twitter and Facebook have changed the way we communicate with each other but what has been even more interesting to watch is the way these social networks have transformed NASCAR.

In what is often thought of as a “traditional” sport, the ever-increasing popularity of Facebook and Twitter has enabled drivers and fans alike to sound off on current topics with the press of one “send” button on their phone. This phenomenon has allowed competitors and other NASCAR personalities to connect with their fans on a daily and intimate basis. Drivers and we in the media now know instantly what is on fans’ minds and they are able to hear from us 24/7 at-will.

From random thoughts to strong opinions to the mundane daily routine details, fans become acquainted with their favorites in a much more personal manner than any TV interview or autograph session could ever offer. This stands in such stark contrast to the days of Cale Yarborough, Richard Petty and David Pearson, when flag-to-flag television coverage of an entire race was a big deal. Can you imagine those guys climbing from their cars and tweeting their thoughts about the race to their fans?

But social media is not for everyone. Jimmy Spencer calls it “child’s play,” but I think it’s a great way to connect if used in the proper context. It has brought NASCAR to life for scores of fans who might not otherwise have been exposed to the sport. Additionally, it offers drivers, teams and sponsors unique ways to relate to their supporters. In short, these networks have brought new “eyes” to NASCAR, and those newcomers are enjoying instantaneous access to information and news literally seconds after it happens. Social networking has redefined “breaking news” as we knew it.
MY SPEED is devoted to the passionate fans who celebrate motorcycles, motorsports and the automotive lifestyle.

Initially, only a few of us tweeted from the NASCAR garage area and we would get in trouble for doing so during commercial breaks or production meetings. SPEED now encourages us to reach out to fans across social networks, which is great for people like Kenny Wallace and Kyle Petty who are twittering fools from the SPEED stage during NASCAR RaceDay Built By the Home Depot. I’m not talented enough to tweet while running from motorcoach to motorcoach or garage stall to garage stall in between interviews, but I think I keep SPEED fans informed before, during and after a race weekend while also keeping them in-tune with my (uneventful) life away from the garage.

We have fun with social networking behind-the-scenes, too. Many members of our production staff use social media to present a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on during a show or race weekend. We take candid photos and instantly post them on Twitter, but you won’t find many of us snapping shots of drivers simply for the sake of posting a photo. That’s what our show is for! Our photos are usually silly and meant to show fans what really goes on when the cameras aren’t rolling, such as me applying lip gloss to Hermie Sadler (see Sunday’s photo right before NASCAR RaceDay started at Bristol).

And while each of us has our own personal Twitter and Facebook page, we also use SPEEDtv.com for our “official” thoughts, comments and opinions. SPEED allows us to utilize our own personal accounts to reach to fans without our SPEED “hat” on. We all try to represent our network in a favorable manner but we also are permitted to use our personal pages to sound off when necessary.

Some drivers and NASCAR personalities are more vocal on Twitter and/or Facebook than I naturally am. I don’t cuss or swear in my everyday language so I definitely don’t do so in social media. I can’t say the same for everyone, though, and I sometimes can’t believe what I read on my phone on Twitter!

Fans are just as opinionated, too, about a variety of topics. And while difference of opinions is good for our sport, I don’t tolerate negativity on my pages. I usually won’t “block” a person from following me even when he or she posts an offensive comment. However, I simply re-tweet it with a gracious “thank you” note for all to see and then sit back while the other fans attack the offending party. I find it quite funny that the “fan” usually goes away on his or her own. Kenny Wallace recently discovered this social media tactic, too. It works and keeps us from going insane with negative feedback.

So, please keep the comments coming. We try to respond to everyone but that’s not always possible. But if you’re ever feeling negative, be careful when posting on my page - the fans will bite back! See you on the ‘Net.. (Twitter: @wendyventurini)

Wendy Venturini is a reporter for NASCAR RaceDay Built by the Home Depot. She also serves as a pit road reporter for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series practice and qualifying sessions on SPEED, as well as the ARCA Racing Series races. In July 2007, Venturini became the first woman in history to call an entire race on a national level during the Sprint Cup race at Infineon Raceway for DirecTV. She joined the SPEED family in 2001 as a feature producer for NASCAR This Morning (now NASCAR RaceDay) on FOX Sports Net and since has worked her way up to reporting duties in the ARCA, Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events. Follow Wendy Venturini on Twitter (Twitter: @wendyventurini)

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