NASCAR Media Group and Turner Sports announced today that NASCAR’s first foray into 3D programming will take place on July 3, 2010 with a special presentation of the Coke Zero 400 from Daytona, FL.
The race will air live on TNT, beginning at 7:30 pm ET. The 3D production will be made available through TNT RaceBuddy on NASCAR.com (NASCAR.com/RaceBuddy3D) as well as through DirecTV, and will complement a special television presentation on TNT, highlighted by the network’s signature Wide Open format.
NASCAR.COM will feature 3D feeds for the Daytona race in addition to the mosaic of HD-quality complementary unique camera angles available on TNT RaceBuddy on NASCAR.com throughout the six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races televised on TNT. Turner, which manages NASCAR.com, will also make the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race from Daytona International Speedway available in 3D through DirecTV.
In order to experience the event in 3D, viewers will need a 3D TV or PC display with matching 3D glasses. Fans can go to www.nascar.com/racebuddy3D to get more information about the hardware and software used to view the 3D production online.
“One of our goals here at NASCAR is to continuously explore ways to improve the viewing experience for our fans. Offering the Coke Zero 400 in 3D on NASCAR.com and select television distributors is a great example of that consistent exploration. Our fans have been asking us about 3D for several months, so we’re excited to deliver that to them for the first time ever in what will likely change how NASCAR is consumed moving forward,” said Jay Abraham, COO of NASCAR Media Group.
“At Turner Sports we pride ourselves on innovation through testing, learning and exploring new products and technologies that can better serve our audiences on a multitude of platforms. We see this as an opportunity to showcase our marquee primetime race in Daytona through our signature Wide Open format on TNT, as well as to learn more about 3D through this unique presentation online at NASCAR.com and through DirecTV,” said Turner Sports COO Lenny Daniels.
The 3D production on NASCAR.com and DirecTV will feature two custom racing feeds produced specifically for 3D. The first will provide a unique look at the racing action from strategically placed cameras around the track designed to maximize the effect of 3D. The second stream will bring the mayhem of pit row into the third dimension creating a one-of-a-kind visual experience, the announcement said.
