Big Names Launch Superstar Racing Experience (Update)
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| Tony Stewart |
UPDATE Press Release:
NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 13, 2020) — CBS Sports and Superstar Racing Experience (SRX), a new sports property created by The Montag Group, NASCAR Hall of Famers Ray Evernham and Tony Stewart, and investor George Pyne have entered into a multi-year partnership to produce a six-race, short-track series that will air Saturday nights in primetime on CBS Television Network and CBS All-Access in the Summer of 2021.
The SRX brings an entirely new entertainment concept to the marketplace – both competitively and commercially. The series features short, sprint races with a total emphasis on head-to-head competition among elite drivers from diverse racing backgrounds. Each race will include a variety of drivers, courses and elements of reality to bring fans new and exciting stories every week across every screen.
The at-track experience will be exceptional, and marketers will have incredible flexibility, unprecedented options for exclusivity, and the ability to integrate end-to-end – broadcast/digital, track and team – efficiently and effectively. The leadership team designed all of this based on decades of experience building best-in-class sports and entertainment properties worldwide.
"We are looking forward to teaming with Superstar Racing Experience to bring this exciting new auto racing series to CBS in primetime," said Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports. "This innovative racing series will feature great drivers competing on short tracks and will provide viewers with unique, behind-the-scenes access, bringing fans closer to the action. With the backing from legends in the racing industry, the quality of the drivers and competition, and the atmosphere that short tracks will help to create, the Superstar Racing Experience is a great addition to our live summer sports programming that racing fans will embrace."
“SRX is a series where the cars will be so evenly matched that talent instead of equipment will win the race," said Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who also won the 1997 INDYCAR Series title. “The competition will be intense, and thanks to the vision of such strong leaders in the sports and entertainment industry, millions will be able to watch live and in primetime on CBS."
Said Evernham: “We’ve set this up to bring the focus back to the drivers and their ability to compete head-to-head as opposed to the car deciding who wins. That’s going to create a unique dynamic for fans at the track and everywhere else. Adding superstar-caliber drivers and our unique racing features, you’re going to see all kinds of emotions playing out live. It’s going to be quite exciting and rekindle why a lot of people love short-track racing."
Legendary and iconic drivers and mechanics from many of the world’s top circuits, including Stewart and Evernham, as well as rising stars, will compete on various short tracks around the country. There will be approximately 90 minutes of racing time within the two-hour television window. Races will have no pit stops but a “halftime" where the drivers and crew chiefs will make adjustments and strategy decisions. The TV production will feature all of the behind-the-scenes and human drama that comes with high-intensity competitions.
Sandy Montag, CEO of The Montag Group: “We are enthused to be involved in creating a dynamic new property that will amplify the sport of auto racing. In partnership with CBS, we look forward to bringing the fans unique content and access, all while creating an exciting and competitive race with the focus 100 percent on the drivers. With an experienced ownership group and one of the most accomplished drivers in the history of the sport, we look forward to redefining short-track racing through this back-to-the-basics racing series."
Said Pyne, an SRX Board Member and advisor: “Packed tracks, great drivers, under the primetime TV lights – is all pretty exciting stuff. What I especially like about SRX is that it’s an entertainment platform built around the great personalities and drama of racing, and will be produced for the way today’s fan consumes media. And because it’s a ground-up build, the team can be more aggressive and imaginative in the ways it works with partners. That’s why we believe SRX has the potential to become something very special."
CBS Sports' broadcast coverage will be available to stream live via the CBS All Access subscription service.
About SRX:
The Superstar Racing Series was created by a team consisting of Sandy Montag and The Montag Group, George Pyne, NASCAR Hall of Famer Crew Chief and Owner Ray Evernham, and legendary driver Tony Stewart. The Montag Group will lead business operations. Ray Evernham will oversee all racing operations. Pyne, is a member of the Board and will serve as an advisor.
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| Ray Evernham |
07/13/20 Sports Business Journal reports that two of the biggest names in motorsports – NASCAR hall of famers Ray Evernham and Tony Stewart – will launch a racing circuit that has the potential to be the biggest disrupter to the auto racing business in decades.
With top agent Sandy Montag and former NASCAR COO George Pyne rounding out the four-person board, Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) will feature six short-track races starting next summer. SRX already has a TV deal in place with CBS, which has committed to carry the Saturday night races in prime time next year.
During interviews last week, SRX’s board members took pains to say the new group had no plans on competing with NASCAR. But it’s clear that they see openings where they believe NASCAR has fallen short. That includes:
â- A television strategy that will fit races into two-hour prime-time windows, presenting a contrast to NASCAR’s races that can run twice that long.
â- A focus on driver performance, rather than auto technology. Evernham will design the cars so that everyone races with the same equipment.
â- It will include racers and crew chiefs who are well known. Each race will have 12 drivers randomly matched with a crew chief.
â- It will feature racing under the lights at short tracks in the American heartland.
â- It is being positioned as an easier sale for sponsors that want to buy time on TV and at the event. “They make one phone call to be integrated in all aspects of the broadcast and the event," Pyne said. SBJ