ARCA Thunder Versus
Inside the ARCA RE/MAX Series
by Dennis Michelsen - Special Guest Writer; RaceTalkRadio.com
04/08/2008

The recent announcement of a radio show called "Inside the ARCA RE/Max Series has raised a lot of questions with listeners here at RaceTalkRadio. Confusion among fans, drivers, and teams over our name change caused major issues with our development. Our goal today is to clarify the changes that have been made in our ARCA programming over the past four months. Hopefully this will answer everyone's questions once and for all.

Why Did RaceTalkRadio Change Names?

RaceTalkRadio signed an agreement with the ARCA RE/MAX Series to use the name "Inside the ARCA RE/MAX Series" for 2007. We were granted the right to use the name within the context of our radio show covering the series. RaceTalkRadio management felt it was important to have the name "ARCA" in the show title so everyone would understand the content that was intended. RaceTalkRadio asked for this name usage to be allowed again for the 2008 season but we were told we would have to change names.

At the time of these discussions with ARCA we indicated our concerns if another entity used our old name. RaceTalkRadio worked hard to build our reputation with the teams and drivers in ARCA. ARCA management turned down our request to use "Inside the ARCA RE/MAX Series" in 2008 and beyond. We began discussions with ARCA well in advance but no decision was made until late last year. The final decision was to allow us to use the ARCA name within our new show name and the title "ARCA Thunder" was developed for 2008. RaceTalkRadio is NOT affiliated with the new "Inside the ARCA RE/MAX Series show nor responsible for their content. Our ARCA show is now titled "ARCA Thunder."

Who are These New Guys?

Charlie Turner and Steve Wronkowicz are the show hosts of the new "Inside the ARCA RE/Max Series" show. Steve and Charlie have been running a NASCAR content radio show called "On Pit Row" for the past seven years on local radio stations in Northwest Ohio and broadcast live from the Toledo Speedway Grill. RaceTalkRadio has rebroadcast their NASCAR show "On Pit Row" for almost a full year. Their production company contracted with ARCA to use our old show's title for this season.

Any questions about show content and format should be presented to Charlie and Steve. ARCA has picked their show title for them despite RaceTalkRadio concerns about show identity. ARCA owns all names associated with their brand and had the right to make all decisions on name usage. But RaceTalkRadio is disappointed that the new ARCA show is using our old name since we spent time and effort to promote that brand.

Will RaceTalkRadio Broadcast This ARCA Show Too?

There are no plans to rebroadcast the new ARCA show at this time on RaceTalkRadio. RaceTalkRadio will continue our Tuesday night "ARCA Thunder" show at 8pm ET and the show will be available 24/7 on our website. Our broadcasters have been ARCA fans and supporters for many years! "ARCA Thunder" host Mike Harper writes a column on the ARCA RE/MAX Series for SPEED TV's website and has covered the series since 2002! Our ARCA Insider Chris Knight has provided PR for ARCA teams and drivers since the 2000 season.

Over fifty different guests have appeared on RaceTalkRadio shows including leading drivers, teams owners, and officials from ARCA. At the time of its launch last season RaceTalkRadio provided the only radio show covering ARCA exclusively!

Will RaceTalkRadio Still Cover ARCA?

RaceTalkRadio's "ARCA Thunder" is the definitive, unedited weekly look at ARCA racing! From day one in our negotiations with ARCA we have insisted on complete autonomy of show content. RaceTalkRadio broadcasters decide which guests will be invited on the show and what topics will be discussed. RaceTalkRadio personnel have been the strongest supporters of the ARCA RE/MAX Series and will continue to support the most competitive racing series in the business!

Will Our Show Change Names Again in the Future?

That will be up to the management at ARCA and RaceTalkRadio ownership. RaceTalkRadio believes that ARCA teams and drivers do not get enough recognition in a NASCAR dominated media. Our goal is to let NASCAR fans know about tomorrow's NASCAR stars today while providing the best coverage of the ARCA RE/MAX Series available anywhere!

RaceTalkRadio understands that we cannot proceed on a year-by-year basis with our show name with the potential of our branded names being contracted to other broadcasters after we make the show name popular. RaceTalkRadio has supported ARCA teams, drivers, and sponsors since the debut of "Inside the ARCA RE/MAX Series" last season. Despite the confusion over the name change and contracting of our old name to a new production company, RaceTalkRadio remains committed to ARCA-Ville USA!

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