NASCAR.com Adds Editorial Staff

With a little over two months until the launch of the new NASCAR.com, NASCAR Digital Media has announced four key editorial hires for the platform’s new content development team. The new content personnel added to NASCAR Digital Media are Kenny Bruce, reporter, content; Holly Cain, reporter; David Caraviello, video reporter/writer and Alan Cavanna, video reporter/host.

In addition to the unique content being produced internally by the NASCAR.com staff, fan editorial will play a key role on the digital platform as NASCAR looks to provide a deeper level of online engagement. Also announced today, fans will have the opportunity to upload their own photos, video and relevant content to help provide a more interactive experience for all NASCAR.com visitors.

“Editorial will be a key component of our new digital platform and this talented and experienced group will provide a strong and respected voice,” said Colin Smith, managing director, digital platform, NASCAR digital media. “Having the expert opinion and professional reporting of our editorial staff complemented by a content tool that allows the fans to have a larger voice is something we think will be very powerful with this new digital experience.”

NASCAR’s new digital platform, including a revamped NASCAR.com, will launch on Jan. 3, 2013. The new NASCAR.com will provide a multi-dimensional, immersive digital experience that complements NASCAR races and other key events. The site will serve the fans relevant content and encourage engagement through personalization and customization, providing visitors with a quality user experience.

Kenny Bruce comes to NASCAR after serving as assistant managing editor/writer at NASCAR Scene, SceneDaily.com and NASCAR Illustrated since 2001. Bruce is a three-time National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year and former president of the NMPA. He also was the 2012 Henry T. McLemore Award recipient, presented by the International Motorsports Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement in journalism. Bruce has 30 years of experience in motorsports journalism and is on the voting panel for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Holly Cain, who has most recently been a contributing writer for Turner Sports’ NASCAR.com, transitions to NASCAR Digital Media and will expand her current role as a reporter for NASCAR.com.Cain has been on the motorsports beat since 1990 and reported for theTampa Tribune, Dallas Morning News, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, AOL.com and FOXSports.com before joining NASCAR.com in August of 2012. Cain’s outstanding writing career has garnered her multiple accolades including the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) and Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) awards.

David Caraviello also transitions to NASCAR Digital Media from Turner Sports after five years at NASCAR.com as a senior writer. Prior to joining NASCAR.com, Caraviello served as a staff writer for three South Carolina newspapers for 15 years, includingThe Post and Courier in Charleston, The Herald-Journal in Spartanburg andThe Aiken Standard. He is a two-time winner of the Russ Catlin Award for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism.

Bruce, Cain and Caraviello will be the primary writers for NASCAR.com, traveling to race events with a focus on NASCAR’s three national series. They will also serve as experts for web-based shows and at-track video reports.

Alan Cavanna most recently served as a WSOC-TV (ABC) Charlotte reporter since 2008 following four combined years as a reporter at ABC affiliates in Joplin, Mo., and Evansville, Ind. In January, Cavanna won the 2012 Russ Catlin Award for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism for his work in the broadcast space. In his new role, Cavanna will primarily host web-based shows from the track and in the studio, but will also be charged with at-track video reporting and writing for NASCAR.com.

Stu Hothem, who assumed the role of director of content for NASCAR Digital Media in June, will manage the editorial team for NASCAR.com. Zack Albert, manager of content, will oversee the newsroom as well as serve as a reporter at-track and for other NASCAR events. Albert was previously a member of NASCAR’s Integrated Marketing Communications team after 11 years as a reporter, editor and online producer for USA Today.

Kate Davis, director of digital video production, will work in conjunction with Hothem's editorial team to create and develop original video content for NASCAR.com. Davis joined NASCAR Digital Media after overseeing the NASCAR Productions news department for five years. Matt Roper, senior manager of digital video production, will assist in the day-to-day operations of the digital video team. Before joining NASCAR Digital Media, Roper was employed by Turner Sports for 12 years including five years as a multimedia producer for NASCAR.com.