Prime time for Pocono Raceway: track president Ben May talks media deal, NASCAR tournament
The track will be a part of a new in-season tournament for NASCAR, and the tournament will be broadcast with a new media partner: Amazon Prime. The two sides agreed to a deal worth $7.7 billion and will air five total races, including the three tournament preliminaries: Michigan, Mexico City and Pocono.
Advertisement
"What I think about the in-season tournament is that it starts right after the Prime window. So, something happening at our race is going to matter," May told the Pocono Record. "What exactly? I don't know, I guess we shall see. But I think it's exciting to be a part of it."
He compared the stakes to when Pocono Raceway hosted the race before the Craftsman Truck Series playoffs began a few years ago. May also follows the NBA, so he's seen how the in-season tournament works for that league and is curious, along with the fans, on how it'll play out en route to a driver winning the $1 million prize.
The in-season tournament is also the primary reason why the Great American Getaway 400 was moved up a month earlier compared to last year's date of July 14.
And it wasn't that the Triangle conveniently fell into a good spot ― Amazon Prime specifically wanted Pocono to be a part of the broadcast stretch.
Advertisement
"We were flattered Amazon Prime wanted us to be in their window, and we were happy to oblige," May said. "There's a small window here that works for Pocono. June 22 is as early as we can be. We liked the July date, but NASCAR asked, 'What do you guys think about the June date?' And that's the conversation."
Pocono Raceway had its second consecutive full facility sellout, which includes sponsorships for all the races, the grandstands, the suits and the campgrounds. So, it makes sense that Amazon would want the track on its network.
"'We're on fire here," May said.
While talking with track CEO Nick Igdalsky, May now has to account for the peripheral events around the potential race date. What's on the sporting calendar? Is school still in session so children can come? How can the date impact tourism, which is a driving force in the regional economy?
Advertisement
"It's not just a Pocono Raceway thing, right? There's a lot of factors involved, and the date fits," May said. "I love anything after mid-June. We did early June for a long, long, long time, and it was a tight fit. Then you get deep into August and kids go back to school. So, there's really about six weeks where we fit. We'd like to be in the same window going forward."
Pocono's new "Prime" spot after media rights deal
May has also enjoyed the partnership with Amazon Prime as the two sides prepare for race weekend, from the site surveys to the virtual calls. It's the first time NASCAR has partnered with a non-traditional medium, so there's some inherent risk in the new venture.
Part of that risk is visibility ― not everyone has every streaming service. So how will viewership be affected with the Great American Getaway 400 not being on a traditional broadcast?
Advertisement
While the numbers on that are yet to be determined, it's worth noting that more people have access to Prime Video than they realize.
"Amazon has made this point a few times that if you have a Prime subscription, you have access to Prime Video," May said. "The connection is 'Well I pay for my yearly subscription for Prime, I get free shipping on all my stuff, but that also includes a whole bunch of other added value in live sports entertainment.'"
Another factor that benefits Pocono Raceway is that it's the last of the five races on Amazon Prime, with the two other tournament preliminaries, and Charlotte and Nashville before that. Prime Video also airs practice and qualifying all year.
So, there's a long acclimation period to Prime Video that builds up to Pocono, which should make the visibility for the Tricky Triangle easier.
Advertisement
"To the question about how it's going to be reported in terms of ratings, it's going to be very, very interesting," May said. "It's also going to be interesting dealing with a non-traditional broadcast partner, because we've always had a race where the nightly news has to show. So, the race has got to be done before a certain time because people want to see the news. That doesn't exist with Prime; it just lives in the streaming service and doesn't have to end at a certain time.
"The whole concept is interesting. It's been fun to learn."
May and his staff will have a lot of changes to account for, and racing fans will see it all come together during the third weekend in June.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Pocono Raceway president Ben May talks Amazon, in-season tournament
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Motor 1
27 minutes ago
- Motor 1
'AND THE VENT WAS CLOSED:' Woman Gets into Boyfriend's Tacoma. Then She Sees the Strategically Placed Strand of Hair
Was it a stroke of luck? A sign from above? Or just a content creator messing with us? In a recent TikTok, Laci Johnson ( @laci_johnson ) filmed what looked like a strand of blonde hair drifting out of the front side vent of her boyfriend's Toyota Tacoma. 'Late night finds, but it's his truck putting a strand of girl's hair DIRECTLY in my face as soon as I get in,' she said. 'What a real one.' Stay informed with our newsletter every weekday back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Johnson later revealed the whole thing was staged—the hair was hers, not evidence of some mystery woman—but that didn't stop commenters from swapping their own stories of discovering a partner's cheating through similarly bizarre clues. By Thursday, the video had garnered over 1.6 million views. Did Her Boyfriend Cheat? Probably not. In her first clip, Johnson implies the hair came from someone else—likely another woman her boyfriend was secretly seeing. She even refers to the mystery woman as 'a girl's girl.' Maybe she did suspect it at first. But in a follow-up video , Johnson clarifies the hair was her own. How she figured that out—or why she's certain it wasn't from someone else—remains unclear. 'When I make a video about finding a hair in my bf's truck and it gets a million views, but the hair was mine,' she says. Trending Now 'I'm Being Watched:' Tampa Woman Parks Her Mustang Near a Gas Station. Then She Decides to Stay in the Car Indefinitely 20-Year-Old Woman Tries to Buy a Car That's Been on the Lot For 1 Year. Her Negotiation Skills Stop Salesman in His Tracks Still, spotting another woman's hair in your boyfriend's car can be a gut punch—something Johnson and plenty of commenters admitted. As Johnson put it, her 'crashout' was 'valid.' Do People Leave Tokens Behind to Expose Cheaters? If someone wants to reveal an affair, they might leave something behind that's impossible to miss. It could be a pair of underwear that doesn't belong to the spouse, tucked away somewhere it's likely to be found, such as the laundry or a drawer. Sometimes it's a note or letter that explains the situation directly, eliminating any uncertainty. Other times, it's smaller, like a hair tie (or a strand of hair), a piece of jewelry, or a stray item of clothing, just enough to prompt someone to start asking questions. On Reddit, one woman in the infidelity subreddit described sleeping with someone whom she later learned was married, and she asked commenters how she should discreetly inform the spouse. The answers ranged from leaving pads and tampons in their shared bathroom to posting a photo of herself with the other person online—and tagging the spouse. A large swath of commenters, though, advised against leaving these so-called tokens and, instead, said it's better to just confront the woman directly. If she's to go this route, though, Redditors recommended providing the affected woman with irrefutable proof, such as a picture of her at their house. Of course, not everyone involved in an affair will leave a token behind. But even if they don't, other signs may still emerge. According to Choose Therapy , many affairs are discovered in different ways, such as unusual behavior, increased stress, privacy around phones, decreased intimacy, or unexplained absences. Not everyone leaves evidence intentionally. When it does occur, the outcome can be challenging for everyone involved. Viewers React Before realizing the hair in Johnson's boyfriend's car was her own, some commenters insisted she was 'protected' and needed to leave him immediately. 'That's a sign literally,' one said. 'AND THE VENT WAS CLOSED,' added a second. 'You are divinely protected,' a third chimed in. 'That's the universe saying, 'Hey girl, we need to talk,'' a fourth TikTok user quipped. While Johnson doesn't appear to be ending the relationship—especially if there was no cheating—others still joked that it was a red flag for any man to drive a Tacoma and claimed she could do better. 'He drove a Tacoma girl, no loss there,' one woman said. 'He drives a Tacoma, you should have known from the start,' wrote another. 'Girl, he's driving a Tacoma,' a third added. 'Run.' Motor1 has reached out to Johnson via a direct message on TikTok. We'll update this if she responds. More From Motor1 'Subscription?:' Man Buys New Toyota. Then He Gets a Notification 2 Years Later Saying His 'Session Has Expired' Arizona Woman Test-Drives Brand-New Black Toyota Tacoma. Then She Runs Over White Paint 'Toyota Tacoma. Chevy Tahoe:' Car Salesman Can Tell the Make And Model By the Sound Of The Hood Closing. Then He Proves It Man Says He Bought a Nissan Frontier Because of These Standard Features. Should You Consider the Same? Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Odd man out' Knicks guard likeliest to be traded this year, insider claims
'Odd man out' Knicks guard likeliest to be traded this year, insider claims originally appeared on The Sporting News A veteran New York Knicks guard could be the likeliest piece to be dealt away this season, an insider claims. That's not necessarily due to any sourced intel, more just a reasonable inference based on the Knicks' current roster after a summer of subtly crafty team-building around the periphery. New York advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in a quarter century last spring, then canned head coach Tom Thibodeau as a reward in the offseason. Still, the team brought in two-time Coach of the Year Mike Brown to spruce up the Knicks' offense, and signed free agent vets Guerschon Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson to fill out the team's bench. New York also will be the beneficiary of some unfortunate health news for the Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, all of whom lost an All-Star to an Achilles tendon tear during last year's playoffs. The Bucks opted to stretch-and-waive theirs, Damian Lillard, and bring in a decided non-All-Star, Myles Turner, with the cap space it earn from ditching him. MORE NEWS:Karl-Anthony Towns shares importance of Carmelo Anthony in his first Knicks season The Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers have now, sort of by default, emerged as the class of the conference. Some recent trades from the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks seem to have put those two teams just below New York and Cleveland near the top of the East. One roster-tweaking mechanism for the Knicks could be a trade. Sam Amico of HoopsWire posits that one incumbent player could now be expendable, thanks to a fresh free agent signing. "For the Knicks, Miles McBride is a good player who sometimes can be the odd man out in a minutes crunch," Amico writes. "That probably won't improve after Jordan Clarkson signed on. That makes McBride the name to watch here." The 6-foot-1 combo guard out of the University of West Virginia has been with the Knicks since his 2021-22 rookie season. Last year, he averaged a career-most 9.5 points on .406/.369/.813 shooting splits, 2.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals across 24.9 minutes per. Clarkson can be thrive both on and off the ball, and might indeed effectively supplant McBride this season. MORE NEWS:Knicks matchup with fellow Eastern Conference rival deemed a top 10 game to watch
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Expect detours, delays with ongoing New Bedford I-195/ Route 18 roadwork: Where to go
NEW BEDFORD — MassDOT advises drivers traveling through the area that they should expect delays, reduce speed and use caution due to ongoing work to initiate the Route I-195/ Route 18 Interchange Rehabilitation Project. All scheduled work is weather-dependent and subject to change without notice. Establishing a safe work zone in preparation for future construction operations will require various ramp closures on I-195 and various street and sidewalk closures on local New Bedford roadways, according to a press release. Walking the beat: New Bedford Police open downtown satellite station with community beat cop. What to know. The following closures and detours will be implemented as needed from Aug. 17 to Aug. 24. To view a graphic for each detour, visit the traffic detour page on the project website. Closure of Purchase Street Southbound (drivers and pedestrians) from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., as needed: Drivers and pedestrians will be detoured as follows: Turn right onto Cedar Grove Street Turn left onto County Street Turn left onto Penniman Street Closure of Cedar Grove Street between County Street and Purchase Street from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. the following morning, as needed. This closure will not be in place at the same time as the Purchase Street closure listed above. Northbound drivers will be detoured as follows: Continue onto Purchase Street Turn left onto Coggeshall Street Turn left onto County Street Turn right onto Cedar Grove Street Southbound drivers will be detoured as follows: Continue onto Purchase Street Turn right onto Weld Street Turn right onto County Street Turn left onto Cedar Grove Street Closure of County Street between Cedar Grove Street and Penniman Street from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., as needed: Northbound drivers will be detoured as follows: Turn right onto Penniman Street Turn left onto Purchase Street Turn left onto Cedar Grove Street Southbound drivers will be detoured as follows: Turn left onto Cedar Grove Street Turn right onto Purchase Street Turn right onto Penniman Street Closure of State Street between Cedar Grove Street and Penniman Street (drivers and pedestrians) from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. the following morning, as needed: Continue on Cedar Grove Street Turn left onto County Street Turn left onto Penniman Street Turn left onto Purchase Street Closure of I-195 eastbound exit 25 to Penniman Street from 7:30 pm to 5:30 a.m. the following morning, as needed: West Nile virus: New Bedford mosquito sample tests positive. What to know. Drivers will be detoured as follows: Continue on I-195 eastbound Take exit 27 Turn right onto Belleville Avenue Turn left onto Coggeshall Street Turn left onto Mount Pleasant Street Turn left onto Penniman Street Closure of Cedar Grove Street Ramp onto I-195 westbound from 7:30 pm to 5:30 a.m. the following morning, as needed: Proceed to Mount Pleasant Street Turn right onto Coggeshall Street Continue on Coggeshall Street Access I-195 westbound via the on-ramp Closure of Route 18 northbound ramp to I-195 eastbound from 7:30 pm to 5:30 a.m. the following morning, as needed: Continue northbound on Route 18 Turn right onto Coggeshall Street Turn right onto Belleville Avenue Turn left onto Washburn Street Follow detour signs to access I-195 eastbound Closure of I-195 westbound exit 28 to Coggeshall Street from 7:30 pm to 5:30 a.m. the following morning, as needed: Drivers will be detoured as follows: Continue onto I-195 westbound Take exit 24A Take exit 2A toward Cape Cod Merge onto I-195 eastbound From I-195 eastbound, take exit 27 Closure of Washburn Street to I-195 eastbound from 7:30 pm to 5:30 a.m. the following morning, as needed: Drivers will be detoured as follows: Continue on Washburn Street Turn left onto Belleville Avenue Turn right onto Kilburn Street Turn left onto North Front Street Turn right onto Logan Street Turn left onto Acushnet Avenue Turn right onto Hillman Street Take the Route 18 northbound on-ramp toward Lakeville/Taunton Additionally, there will be a lane closure on Penniman Street between State Street and Purchase Street from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. as needed. Appropriate signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work area. For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are encouraged to: Download the Mass511 mobile app or visit to view live cameras, travel times, real time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions. Dial 511 and select a route to hear real time conditions. Follow @MassDOT on X (formerly known as Twitter) to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions. Why is this roadwork being done? The five-year, estimated $400 million project will include replacing three bridges at the I-195/Route 18 interchange (I-195 east- and westbound, ramps from I-195 to Route 18); widening and reconstructing I-195 from Mount Pleasant Street to North Front Street to improve ramp safety; outside barrier and median replacement of three bridges (I-195 over North Front Street, Belleville Avenue and Acushnet River); and resurfacing and/or reconstructing Cedar Grove, Purchase, County, Penniman, Kenyon, State (roadway and sidewalk with accessibility upgrades). The project also includes developing a landscaped park within the interchange and under the bridge, with a shared-use path, skate park and the parking lot. An approximately 35-foot-high retaining wall with noise barrier will be erected along Cedar Grove Street. It will begin on I-195 westbound at Purchase Street and will end at I-195 westbound at Mt. Pleasant Street, and will be mounted on the barrier bridge, and ground mounted along Cedar Grove. A live virtual public information meeting will be held via Zoom to discuss the New Bedford I-195/Route 18 Interchange Rehabilitation Project on Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. Register here. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford 195-Route 18 roadwork ongoing: MassDOT lists detours Solve the daily Crossword
