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There was an interesting post by our friend John Daly today over at The Daly Planet regarding Showtime’s weekly NASCAR show, Inside NASCAR (see it here).  Apparently since it’s inception, many fans have been angry that such a great NASCAR show is only available on a premium channel; especially since SPEED canceled their weekly show, This Week In NASCAR, in the off season.  Fans have expressed their feelings about the show on a few different posts by Daly, and many have used Inside NASCAR’s Facebook page as a place to voice their displeasure.

We had some discussion with a few folks today on Twitter about the situation, and between that and reading all of the fan responses, I thought a post with my two cents was in order. 

Inside NASCAR is one of the few racing related shows I do have the opportunity to watch on a regular basis.  Since I have Showtime, I often check it out.  The show is taped in the NASCAR Media Group’s studios, which are a part of the complex that will house the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte.  The show has much of that Media Group flair we’ve gushed about in the past.  Inside NASCAR is hosted by Chris Myers, Brad Dougherty, Randy Pemberton, and Michael Waltrip, and features a race recap, interviews, analysis, and features.  In my own opinion, it’s a solid show that has a lot to offer, even if it does have a few quirks and issues.

With the demise of SPEED’s TWIN, it appears much of the anger from fans revolves around the fact that the only way to see Inside NASCAR is to subscribe to Showtime.  And that’s a problem because Showtime is a premium movie channel that often adds a significant charge to monthly cable or satellite bills.

My response to those folks who won’t subscribe to Showtime, but still demand to be able to see the show?

Tough.

Showtime is a television network that makes it’s revenue from subscriber fees.  When you watch the channel, there is no advertising.  And as such, it’s the job of Showtime’s management to create and bring content to the channel that is compelling and will make people want to pay extra for access to the channel.  Besides movies, their own series, and other sports programming, Showtime, in conjunction with the NASCAR Media Group, developed Inside NASCAR to add to their inventory.  The network also carries the similarly formatted “Inside The NFL” series.

The most common solution offered by angered fans is for NASCAR and Showtime to put episodes of Inside NASCAR online where they can be downloaded for free.  But by doing so, Showtime relinquishes the value the show provides.  If a viewer can just download the episodes for free, then they won’t need to subscribe to Showtime.  And by not having to subscribe to Showtime, the network ends up engaging in a losing proposition by producing the show.  So my question to these fans, is what does Showtime owe you, and why should they allow you to consume their content for free?

I understand that many of you miss having a weekly program dedicated to breaking down the previous weekend.  But NASCAR, SPEED, Showtime, or any other network are under no obligation to offer you NASCAR programming for free just because you are a NASCAR fan.  This whole thing is after all, a business.  If having a weekly NASCAR show is a money making endeavor, then you’ll have what you want - if it isn’t, like in the case of SPEED and TWIN, then it goes away.  Don’t forget too that both SPEED and ESPN are premium pay channels as well.  They may not be as expensive as Showtime, but their business models are very similar.

Something else that bothers me about some of the fan comments, are those people that say this is just another way for NASCAR to squeeze more money out of the fans.  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  Many folks almost make it sound like there was some back door, shady meeting where SPEED, Showtime, and NASCAR all got together to move TWIN to Showtime, give it a new name, and charge a gazillion dollars for it.  Unfortunately for them, this just isn’t true.  Showtime does pay rights fees to NASCAR for the show, but so does ESPN/ABC, FOX, and SPEED for their respective programming.  The difference is that Showtime is 100% supported by their subscriber revenue, while the other networks rely more on advertising.  The reason NASCAR charges those rights fees, is because they own the racing.  Just like Showtime, NASCAR creates content/entertainment (i.e. the racing), and they charge for the access to watch.  You may not always have to pay a direct cost to consume that content, but an exchange is occurring.

I’m probably going to get blasted by some of you about the opinions I’ve shared here, but that’s fine.  I understand the passion, and I understand that you want as much NASCAR as you can get.  I don’t blame you for either, in fact I’m grateful to you for it because it keeps me and many others employed.  Don’t forget though that the entertainment NASCAR provides is a product that has a cost, not a right that you are entitled to.

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It’s a busy NASCAR week, as the Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour means a ton of news and announcements.  And the Media Tour means we inch ever closer to Daytona.  And as we do, it’s Wednesday again, and that means more of your questions and our answers.  If you don’t know what this post is, we answer any and all reader questions every Wednesday, right here.  So if you’ve got one, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send one to us.  On to the questions…

1. From Ric:

Have heard that sometimes they adjust tire pressure on the inner tire to make a difference in the outer tire pressure. Is this common practice?

Yes, at the tracks where inner liners are used (they aren’t at places like Martinsville) the pressure of the liner affects handling characteristics and it is adjusted.  Somebody who knows more about tires could tell you why, but you don’t want the pressures to be equal.  When this happens, you’ll hear the TV guys say the tire has “equalized.” – T.C.

2. From Connie:

I saw something on TV about Jimmie Johnson  doing some show on/at Daytona before the new season starts ?

Jimmie is doing HBO’s 24/7 series. It’ll be four episodes and is being billed as a behind the scenes look at Jimmie Johnson and the #48 team. It starts next Tuesday (the 26th) at 10 p.m. and airs the next three Tuesdays at the same time. More info here. You might also want to check out Speed’s show on Joe Gibbs Racing’s push to Daytona. It too is four episodes and starts Sunday at 6 p.m. – Journo

3. From Ella:

NASCAR  is considering changing to a spoiler on the COT.  If that happens this season, will that change how the cars run?  Will it negate the test data collected on the cars so far?  Will it be a big impact or a small glitch for the crew chiefs, drivers and crews?

Yes, the handling of the cars will be different with a spoiler.  Teams will pretty much be starting over with data, because a spoiler will affect a car differently than the wing.  There will definitely be an adjustment period for the teams and the drivers, but just how big of a deal it will be remains to be seen.  I think we won’t know for sure until the teams get some track time with the new configuration. – T.C.

4. From Kevin:

Hey guys, I read something last week about RCR and their troubles last year.  They referenced a very specific part of their cars that was the root of their problems.  They didn’t say exactly what it was, but it was clear they all knew what it was, and after they realized what it was and started changing it on all their cars they got it turned around.  It appears it worked and they did run better in the Chase.  Do you guys know the part of the car they were referring to?

Let me put it this way.  If I don’t work for RCR, I probably don’t know what it is, as they aren’t saying.  If I do work for RCR, I can’t say because I don’t want other teams to know what we figured out.  So either way, I can’t say. – T.C.

5. From Patrick:

With the rear wing on its way out will we see more rear deck lid ads?

Every car that I know of (except maybe Penske) still utilizes the decklid for sponsor space. It will certainly be more visible, but it won’t change from what they do now. – Journo

6. From BB:

Just wondering why Michael Waltrip is running the 51 as opposed to the 55 this year, and if you have any news on why SPEED cancelled TWIN?

From Michael Waltrip’s Twitter: “i needed a change from the 55. we won Daytona in the 15. 51 is a variation of that. sorta in memory of.” And as far as TWIN goes, Speed President Hunter Nickell told Sports Business Journal, “the news and analysis format, hosted by Steve Byrnes, Michael Waltrip and a variety of other guests, “just wasn’t connecting with the fans anymore.” So TWIN will not be returning. Speed is adding several new shows though. Check out the article here (SBJ subscription required). – Journo

And that brings yet another “Ask The Insiders Wednesday” to a close.  Thanks to everyone who sent in questions.  And remember, if you’d like to be a part of next week, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send your question in!