NASCAR surveys fans on broadcasts

NASCAR is surveying Fan Council members about TV broadcasts, asking fans if they watch the races on TV with the sound turned down to hear the radio broadcast and how often they do so.

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said the survey is part of typical research series officials do throughout the year with the 12,000-member Fan Council. The survey features about 20 questions and not all are related to the TV broadcasts.

NASCAR has become outspoken on what chairman Brian France has labeled excessive criticism from broadcasters. Poston wrote a blog after the Talladega race earlier this month questioning how ABC's broadcasters portrayed that race.

Poston said Tuesday that the questions for this survey, which were sent to a portion of Fan Council members, were planned before the Talladega race.

Andy Hall, an ESPN/ABC spokesman said of the survey questions: "We are very familiar with the NASCAR Fan Council and have frequently collaborated with NASCAR on research.''

Among the questions asked to Fan Council members is how many races they watch with the TV sound turned down while listening to the radio broadcast. Fans are also asked how much of a race they view like that and why they would watch the race on TV and listen to it on the radio.