Full Throttle

NASCAR has announced its intention to invite the top independent NASCAR-related Web sites to join a newly formed “NASCAR Citizen Journalists Media Corps.”

NASCAR is providing this group of new media access to cover the sport while maintaining their independence. The initial list of Citizen Journalists will be formally announced in the coming weeks.

NASCAR has apparently discovered there’s something out there beside MSM hacks beat reporters and is looking to expand it’s reach into the blogosphere and other Web 2.0 phenomena like social networking.

For those that don’t know NASCAR has it’s own media only, super-duper password only website. Don’t ask, I’d have ta kill ya, and pay tribute to The Peoples Commissar of NASCAR Affairs. (PCNA a/k/a Brain France.

According to their press release (non- P/W version) the selection process will entail looking at a cite/authors “professionalism, reporting and commentary, use of social networking tools.”

“Professionalism?” Guess that counts me out, good thing I already have access huh? But I digress.

One interesting perk to becoming a Citizen Journalist is selected columns written by them will be featured on NASCAR’s official website. In addition, they will given access to “credentials to race events, access to media centers, press boxes, press conferences, teleconferences, news releases, video, audio, photos, stats and graphics.”

“NASCAR has the hardest working media in all of sports. We will continue to rely on the traditional media to cover the sport on a day-to-day basis, but as the media world changes so must NASCAR,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France.

“It’s fair to say that NASCAR fans are vocal about the sport and have something to say. We want to embrace that spirit and ensure they have the best access to better have their voices heard,” said France.

Yeah, that’s fair to say, and proof positive was heard on Sirius Radio last night as word spread Carl Long’s suspension was upheld. The airwaves were positively smokin’ with words bleeped and at an ever quickening pace as the night wore on.

A last word for Brian France, be careful of what you wish for, the current state of NASCAR Nation is something less than placid at present. I sense a groundswell of support for a little pitchfork and torches action.