KANSAS CITY, Kan: Speed51 confirmed this weekend that it had been purchased by the Race Team Alliance (RTA), the organization of a majority of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams.
Speed51.com president Bob Dillner said in a statement to CATCHENCE, “Speed51 confirms that it has been purchased by the Race Team Alliance. Post-acquisition, Speed51 will continue to operate in the manner as it always has and remains committed to providing the best in live, short-track racing to the racing fan base.
The RTA, with its mission to promote North American stock car racing, is ideally suited to provide Speed51 with access to an overall larger racing fan base over time. Founder Bob Dillner will continue in his role as the President of Speed51.”
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, Germain Racing, Go Fas Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, JTG Daugherty Racing, Leavine Family Racing, Richard Childress Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, Roush Fenway Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, Team Penske and Wood Bros. Racing currently make up the Race Team Alliance which was founded in 2014.
Rob Kauffman, a partner in Chip Ganassi Racing serves as the organization’s Chairman.
The Race Team Alliance issued a statement to NBC Sports on the purchase of Speed51.com:
“Race Team Alliance confirms the purchase of Speed51, a leading live, short-track racing distribution company based in Concord, NC. The RTA, which represents the common interests of its 13 NASCAR Cup Team members, looks for strategic opportunities which both compliment the RTA’s core principles of promoting and growing the sport and advancing the common interests of the member Race Teams.
The RTA identified Speed51 as a growing company with strong synergies to RTA’s commitment to the racing community and aligns with our fan bases’ enthusiasm for grassroots racing. The Speed51 | RTA combination will explore ways to create and distribute to race fans exciting new Team related content, and allow the Teams to better connect directly with their fans.
“Speed51, which first started operating as a short-track news and information site in early 2000s, has become a prominent player in the live, short-track world, streaming over 400 races each year to a dedicated fan base.
Founded by racing and sports broadcasting personality Bob Dillner, Speed51 has consistently grown throughout the years and the RTA identified the company as one with great potential.
Post-acquisition, Bob will continue in his role as the President of Speed51 and report to RTA’s Executive Director, Jonathan Marshall.”
Kauffman also said in a statement: “On behalf of our Member Race Teams, we are very excited about our new initiative with Speed51. Bob Dillner and his team have created a great platform to cover grassroots racing, which touches the core fanbase of our sport – as well as many of our past, current and future racers and team members.
“We are looking forward to helping him grow the business and plan to work together to create even more interesting content for our fans.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
