At the beginning of 2011, NASCAR.com and SPEED Channel announced an agreement to make a Racebuddy application available, free of cost, to fans for the entire Camping World Truck Series season. The announcement was a huge step for NASCAR in online applications as there used to be very little available.
The Racebuddy feature is a four camera angle live video, with no commentators or commercials. It has two in car cameras, a battle camera, and a pit road camera angle. This combination allows fans to use the application as an extra tool to watch the race. So far in the 2012 season, it has been perfect.
With great television coverage this season, Racebuddy has been a major success. Action on the track is never missed, which allows a lot more forgiveness for fans when watching the telecast.
Contrary to what major NASCAR TV partners, like FOX and ESPN, believe, the application does not draw fans away from the race on TV, lowering the ratings. It is not an actual stream of the race, meaning fans cannot watch the same thing in multiple places. The telecast is still needed to get an understanding of the race, but Racebuddy is able to allow the fan to get even closer to the action. Remember, there are 36 to 43 cars or trucks on the track - the TV cannot show all of them. It is a perfect match for all.
As of now, there are no plans to run the Racebuddy application for the Nationwide or Sprint Cup Series (except for the TNT races in the summer). However, Racebuddy for the Truck Series was a huge step in the direction. Hopefully, it won't be long until the next big step.
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