NASCAR, TV Execs To Discuss 2010 Start Times

NASCAR is expected to announce a move toward more consistent start times in 2010.

NASCAR chairman Brian France has called a Wednesday afternoon conference call with the programming heads of Fox Sports, ESPN and Turner Broadcasting Distribution. All three networks have apparently agreed to work with NASCAR on starting races earlier and at a more consistent time.

Races are currently started at different times of the day, depending on the network. The later starts and inconsistency is thought to have contributed to NASCAR's sinking television ratings.

It's not clear what Fox Sports chairman David Hill plans to do with the season-opening Daytona 500. He prefers a race that starts in late afternoon and ends in prime-time.