Fan Concern Drives SPEED Center Ratings Mark

SPEED CENTER scored high ratings with live coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series crash aftermath...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted February 26, 2013 Charlotte, NC

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 32 Clorox Chevrolet, and Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge, are involved in an incident at the finish of the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300. (Photo: Getty Images)

SPEED CENTER EARNS RECORD NUMBERS AS FANS SHOW CONCERN FOLLOWING NATIONWIDE CRASH

According to Nielsen Media Research, SPEED Center, SPEED’s flagship motor sports news program, scored its highest rating in show history with a .95 (1,107,000 viewers; Live + Same Day), for extended live coverage from the aftermath of Saturday’s last-lap NASCAR Nationwide Series crash that resulted in injuries to race fans.

SPEED Center, executed its first post-accident cut-in at approximately 4:45 p.m. ET during a replay of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final practice, before coming on at 5:15 with Adam Alexander hosting, Krista Voda reporting from the Daytona International Speedway infield media center, Bob Dillner reporting from the scene and Wendy Venturini reporting from Halifax Medical Center, where many of the injured race fans had been taken.

SPEED analyst and former driver Kyle Petty offered analysis from the track, while SPEED.com Editor-in-Chief Tom Jensen collected news and information. SPEED Center offered interviews and press conference coverage, including eyewitness accounts, driver reaction and medical updates from appropriate facilities.

Live coverage from the scene continued with minimal commercial interruption until 7:30 p.m. ET, with additional updates delivered on-screen via SPEED Ticker throughout SPEED coverage off the Monster Energy Supercross race from Atlanta.