NASCAR announces Citizen Journalists Media Corps

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR on Friday announced the members of the newly formed NASCAR Citizen Journalists Media Corps. This group of new media consists of a range of professional and amateur experience covering NASCAR. One common theme is that each site is dedicated to providing information about NASCAR to a growing readership.

"We have been overwhelmed by the positive response since our initial announcement to form the NASCAR Citizen Journalist Media Corps last month," said NASCAR managing director of corporate communications Ramsey Poston. "More voices speaking about NASCAR is good for the sport and is fan-friendly. We intend to make the most of the changing media landscape."

"The National Motorsports Press Association comprises journalists dedicated to informing the public about motorsports,'' said Dustin Long, president of the NMPA. "We welcome citizen journalists to the media center in hopes that it increases the depth of knowledge of the fan base.''

"The sport is there, the fans are there, the need for information is there," said Jim Pedley, managing editor of racintoday.com and NASCAR Citizen Journalists Media Corps member. "As more and more fans turn from newspapers to new sources for their racing information, and as more Web sites become more professional, NASCAR had to take notice and act. You've got to believe the fans will be the beneficiaries."

After a lengthy review process, which included evaluating independent Web sites on professionalism, reporting and commentary, and use of social networking tools, 28 sites were invited to be part of the new media corps.

Members of the corps will have the opportunity to apply for media credentials but like all media, will be expected to abide by the standards of professional conduct (i.e. no autographs, photos with drivers, etc.) They will also have access to other media-driven events and teleconferences and NASCAR's media-only Web site. NASCAR will provide access to the information; it's up to the journalists to tell the story.

The traditional media that cover the sport on a day-to-day basis will continue to be the cornerstone of NASCAR news and information. However, as traditional news coverage continues to decline across the board for all sports, it is important to recognize the emerging media sources that provide unique points of view to growing audiences.

The Citizen Journalists Media Corps includes:

• Autoracing1.com/nascar.asp
• Badgroove.com/
• Benchracing.onpitrow.com
• Bleacherreport.com/nascar
• Bump-drafts.com
• Catchfence.com
• Dalyplanet.blogspot.com
• Everyjoe.com/topic/auto-racing
• Thefastandthefabulous.com
• Finallapradio.com
• 4ever3blog.com
• Frontstretch.com
• Greenwhitechecker.typepad.com/greenwhitechecker
• Haddockinthepaddock.com
• Hardcoreracefans.com
• InsiderRacingNews.com
• Paddocktalk.com
• Racedriven.com
• Racejournalonline.com
• Racetake.com
• Racingnewsdigest.com
• Racintoday.com
• Rowdy.com
• Rubbingsracing.com
• Speedwaymedia.com
• Thehotlap.com
• Theracinggeek.com
• TruckSeries.com