By SEMA News Editors
SPEED SPORT 1 Launches on Amazon Freevee
SPEED SPORT 1, "The Live Racing Network," has announced its debut on Freevee, Amazon's free ad-supported television platform. With an emphasis on live domestic and international racing, SPEED SPORT 1 will bolster Amazon's growing sports content portfolio.
The Freevee partnership marks a significant milestone for the network. To date, SPEED SPORT 1 is accessible as an app on all major mobile devices and on various free ad-supported television platforms, including Sling Freestream, LocalNow, Sports.TV and more. With the addition of Freevee, SPEED SPORT 1 is now available in more than 100 million households and devices.
"The timing of our Amazon launch is perfect," said SPEED SPORT 1 President Dan Teitscheid. "As we enter the heart of the racing season, we are thrilled to bring our extensive lineup of live events to Amazon Freevee. This partnership allows us to reach an even broader audience and share the excitement of motorsports with more fans than ever before. Kicking off with marquee events such as the ADAC GT4, Ferrari Challenge and the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, we are set to deliver unparalleled racing action right from the start. Our goal is to provide fans with front-row seats to the most thrilling moments in motorsports."
SPEED SPORT 1's live coverage includes the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe and America, DTM (German Touring Car) and Australia's Repco Supercars Championship.
SPEED SPORT 1's primetime lineup during the week features informative news and magazine-style programs such as Mobil 1 The Grid, GP Confidential and Fastzone, with new content added daily. SPEED SPORT 1 is also enhancing its grassroots racing content, showcasing some of the best short-track racing in the United States each week with the "Prime Cuts Racing" series, along with live and tape-delayed events. Additional programming is in development and will be announced soon.
To access SPEED SPORT 1 on Amazon Freevee, look for the Freevee app on your connected TV or navigate to free live programming via Amazon Prime. SPEED SPORT 1 content will also be available on-demand on Freevee and AmazonPrime. Select live content will be presented in the Live Guide on the platform as well. For a complete list of platforms and apps, program listings and more, visit SPEEDSPORT1.com.
INDYCAR ButtKicker iRacing Pro Series to Debut in September
iRacing, INDYCAR, and ButtKicker are partnering to launch the INDYCAR ButtKicker iRacing Pro Series, a virtual INDYCAR series set to debut in September.
With a total prize pool of $50,000, the top open-wheel sim racers in the world will compete starting September 19 in a series that features many INDYCAR SERIES venues. Each race will be broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET on Thursdays via iRacing social channels and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES YouTube channel and website.
It also becomes the latest professional iRacing eSports series to be managed in conjunction with one of the world's premier racing series, joining efforts with NASCAR, Porsche, the World of Outlaws and more.
Qualifying for the INDYCAR ButtKicker iRacing Pro Series will begin in July and August. More information on the qualifying series and both series schedules will be released in the coming months.
In addition, iRacing has also announced the inaugural FIA F4 eSports Global Championship, a new series that will kick off September 14, with global qualifying beginning in June. The all-new, pro-level eSports series is the latest step in the successful partnership between the two parties around the Formula 4 platform. The four-event, eight-round series will see drivers from around the world battle for a $25,000 prize pool. Races will be broadcast live across iRacing social-media channels. To discover more about the partnership and access an iRacing license via your local ASN, visit FIA.com/iracing.
For more information, visit iracing.com.
NASCAR Wins 2024 Sports Business Awards 'Event of the Year' for Chicago Street Race
NASCAR was awarded 'Event of the Year' for the first-ever Chicago Street Race during the 2024 Sports Business Awards, a ceremony hosted by Sports Business Journal.
The event was the first NASCAR Cup Series street race in its 75-year history, resulting in more than 80% of ticket buyers attending a NASCAR event for the first time.
"We're incredibly proud of the first-ever Chicago Street Race, and we're honored to have Sports Business Journal recognize it as the 'Event of the Year'," said Steve Phelps, president, NASCAR. "Following the leadership of Ben Kennedy, Julie Giese and many others, the entire NASCAR industry and the city of Chicago banded together to pull off something truly extraordinary that has opened up an entirely new world of possibility for this sport moving forward. We can’t wait to get back to Chicago for the second running this July."
The race also helped NASCAR establish local partnerships, including trophies designed by local artists, relationships with Chicago Public Schools, Special Olympics of Illinois, the Art Institute of Chicago, and more, in addition to opening a new, permanent Chicago office in 2022. Led by longtime executive and track president Julie Giese, the office currently has around 20 full-time employees.
Joining the Chicago Street Race as finalists for the 'Event of the Year' award were the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, NHL Stadium Series, Super Bowl LVIII, U.S. Open Tennis Championships and the World Baseball Classic.
For more information, visit nascar.com.
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