Oct 30, 2006

Facebook Meets NASCAR

Do you want to meet, network with and generally hang out with other NASCAR fans? One way to do that, of course, is to attend NASCAR races or host NASCAR TV viewing parties in your basement rec room. But now you can do it without having to buy others beer or chips. The Official NASCAR Members Club has announced new online social networking capabilities that will enhance the club's current offline benefits. The new service enables fans to publish individual blogs, customize the NASCAR news they want to receive and communicate with like-minded NASCAR fans who share similar interests.
 
"In addition to their passion for the sport, NASCAR fans share many common interests that include a diverse range of social, outdoor, hobby and lifestyle activities," said Patrick Brady, chairman and CEO of Stoneacre, Inc., the operator of the Official NASCAR Members Club (ONMC). "It's as if 'Facebook' or 'MySpace' had actual Club events, NASCAR ticket packages and VIP experiences to offer everyone that listed NASCAR as one of their passions."

The new social networking tools are expected to accelerate the viral growth of NASCAR's Official Club. The tools enable NASCAR fans to create a personal profile to search and connect with other fans in the community. Through RSS technology available on the ONMC home page, fans can also customize the NASCAR news alerts they wish to receive at their desktop, and instantly learn about exclusive ONMC benefits such as advanced sales of exclusive race ticket packages, opportunities to attend NASCAR driver events, and invitations to local NASCAR activities organized by local chapters of the club.
 
"Social networking particularly appeals to NASCAR's younger fans, which is a rapidly growing audience. Research shows that NASCAR's viewership among 12 to 17 year olds grew 37 percent over the last five years." Brady said. "More importantly, NASCAR fans are the sporting industry's most loyal, and don't exhibit the fickleness attributed to other social network communities."

If you'd like to connect with other non-fickle, like-minded fans, log onto the NASCAR Web site.