The End of Speed

A lot of motorsports fans are lamenting the loss of the Speed network, particularly now that Speed Center and Wind Tunnel have aired their final shows. As most of us know by now, Speed will be replaced by the new Fox Sports 1, an ESPN wannabe channel. I have mixed feelings about the début of this new channel. On one hand I'm grateful that ESPN will finally have some real competition, which they have never really had. CNNSI didn't last very long. NBC Sports Network struggles to gain viewership, although it has done a good job of creating its own unique identity, separate from ESPN. I think the increase in multisports channels will give sports viewers more choices, and force all networks to be at the top of their game, both of which can be positive outcomes from this change.

Years ago ESPN2 had a show called RPM2Night, a show very similar to Speed Center. I'm not sure why it went off the air, but it was really the only show devoted to covering and analyzing all forms of motorsports. Speed (formerly SpeedVision) followed the same philosophy. With SpeedVision, motorsports fans finally had a consistent place to turn for their favorite sport. Now, once again, they are left without such a place and I know many fans like myself feel a void now that this place has been taken away. It's strange to me that there are so many sport-specific channels now-NBATV, NFL Network, MLB Network, NHL Network, Tennis Channel, Golf Channel...but as of Saturday there will be no motorsports channel, and I would argue that motorsports are at least as popular as hockey or tennis in this country.

I will admit, I was not a regular viewer of Speed Center or Wind Tunnel, but I would check them out occasionally. I knew that if I wanted to follow up on the IndyCar race of the weekend and get some post-race analysis, I either had to read stories online or tune into one of these two shows. They were the only ones that talked about IndyCar. Now there's only the internet, unless NBC Sports Network decides to add such a show, which they should. I'm fine with that but I understand the frustration some fans must feel at the lack of exposure other non-NASCAR motorsports will now receive. Fox Sports issued a statement reassuring fans that they would still be receiving motorsports coverage, but in their statement, they really only mentioned NASCAR and MotoGP. Oh, and Formula E, which may not even last more than one year. What I want to know is, what will happen to the 24-hour races like Daytona and LeMans? I enjoyed watching those, along with some of the other non-mainstream motorsports that Speed occasionally showed. Without consistent coverage, I fear these motorsports are doomed--and that includes IndyCar. But I must remain optimistic.

Change is difficult for most people. When I worked in retail years ago, an elderly woman asked me if we still carried a particular product. I informed her that we didn't and I explained why (although I can't remember why now). She sighed and replied, "Everything changes, but not always for the better." I have never forgotten those words, and I often repeat them to myself whenever a change occurs that I don't necessarily approve of. I pride myself on keeping an open mind so I will just have to wait and see what the future of Fox Sports 1 brings. I encourage all viewers to do the same. In the meantime, to all the folks at Speed, farewell and thank you for your years of motorsports coverage.