NASCAR Cutting-Edge Concord Hub: NASCAR continues its upward trajectory, marking yet another significant milestone with the unveiling of a state-of-the-art facility in Concord, Massachusetts. This new hub focuses on research and development and is set to accommodate over 140 employees, housing multiple departments, including a dedicated space for content production and radio facilities.
Spanning approximately 58,000 square feet and strategically positioned west of Concord Airport, this facility stands as a pivotal advancement for NASCAR’s Media and Productions. Brian Herbst, Senior Vice President of NASCAR Media and Productions, expressed the significance, stating, “This marks a monumental moment for us. It strategically places us to deliver high-quality content and live event production capabilities to our media partners and devoted fans. It signifies a substantial investment in the sport’s growth.”
The establishment of this new facility embodies a considerable investment aimed at fortifying NASCAR’s future and expanding the sport’s reach. Serving as the primary broadcasting center for races, this development follows NASCAR’s recent game-changing $7.7 billion media deal, marking the sport’s move towards streaming platforms for broadcasting a historic shift.
Beyond its content production facilities, the facility comprises three additional studios, including a room dedicated to race control personnel and another designed for remote race commentary. Sources indicate the facility’s inaugural use is slated for late January 2023, during the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, serving as a critical trial run ahead of the 2024 NASCAR Cup season.
Herbst emphasized, “Everything within this facility is geared toward supporting our broadcast partners, while also being designed to cater to Monday through Thursday content, and future endeavors in digital media. Strategically located in Concord, North Carolina, proximity to team shops was a consideration. This positions us for upcoming media rights discussions and anticipated demands for increased production work.”
Historically, broadcasting responsibilities during races were shared between Fox Sports and NBC Sports. However, the new multi-billion-dollar deal ushers in Amazon, TNT Max, and Warner Brothers Discovery. Herbst also hinted at the prospect of opening the facility to non-motorsport entities, emphasizing its potential for regular use beyond race weekends.
Aside from housing NASCAR Productions and Studios, the Motor Racing Network finds its place in these studios, boasting spacious rooms, the largest being around 1,500 square feet, with others spanning 1,200 and 400 square feet. The facility boasts an array of amenities, including eight control rooms, four audio control rooms, announce booths, edit suites, and audio sweetening rooms.
Undoubtedly, the stock car racing series is on an upward trajectory. With recent strides like new tracks, the introduction of the Next Gen car, the debut of the first-ever NASCAR street race, among other developments, the sport showcases a mix of successful endeavors and a few misses. Nonetheless, NASCAR is steadily expanding and, with this latest initiative, aims to tap into an entirely new audience.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Where did NASCAR start in NC?
Back in 1947, the North Wilkesboro Speedway made its debut as a dirt track, drawing in over 10,000 eager spectators. The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources reports that Font Flock was the victor of the very first race held at the venue.
Where is the home of NASCAR?
Since 1948, NASCAR has been led by the France family, with Jim France taking over as CEO in August 2018. The company is based in Daytona Beach, Florida and oversees more than 1,500 races annually across 100 tracks in 48 states, as well as in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Europe. NASCAR’s hub is located in Charlotte, North Carolina.
What is the modern era of NASCAR?
RJR’s participation in the series and the decrease in the number of races from 48 to 31 per year in 1972 marked a significant turning point for NASCAR. This period is often referred to as the “modern era” of spectator sports.
How did NASCAR become popular?
In 1979, NASCAR made a significant shift from being a regional sport to a global phenomenon. This transformation was marked by the decision to broadcast their races on national television, which catapulted the sport to new heights of popularity. This change was a game-changer for NASCAR, as it opened up new opportunities for growth and expansion. Today, NASCAR is recognized as one of the most popular and exciting sports in the world, with millions of fans tuning in to watch the races every year.
