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That’s right.  Versus has now started a show for the fans by the fans.  Fanarchy gives 7  fans every week the oppurtunity to discuss and debate about what is going on in the sports world.  Launching June 7 and hosted by Zach Selwyn, Fanarchy features seven sports fans that appear on the show via webcam. These fans discuss such things on air such as what they would have done if they were the coach, bad ref calls, as well as other things that happen on and off the field.  Selwyn stated:

This show is for every armchair quarterback, sports superfan and maniacal critic who has either become your best friend or annoyed you at your local bar.  This is a chance for fans with real opinions to stand up for their beliefs and let the fate of their unique preaching and soap-boxing be decided on television, in front of a national audience. Plus, it sure beats taking your shirt off at Lambeau Field in January.”

 Fanarchy is the first show of its kind.  Every week the two guests on the show that can’t keep up with the antics of the rest of the guests on will be eliminated making way for another two fans.  The top fan on the show will be granted immunity for that week and will appear on next weeks show.  The prize at the end of the show, rewarding the top fan with a brief platform for an unrestrained rant on the topic of their choosing.

 Some of the topics that have been discussed on Fanarchy already are:

• If you were a mid level athlete, would you take steroids to become a superstar?
• Baseball is boring, If you were commisioner, what rules would you change?
• If you were a celebrity athlete who would you pick for a supermodel girlfriend and who would you have in your entourage?
• Terrell Owens was recently denied from renting a house in Buffalo.  Would you be TO’s roommate? 

If you think you have what it takes to be on Fanarchy, you can submit your webcam audition videos to www.VERSUS.com/FANARCHY. That website will also feature highlights from previous episodes, as well as voting for which fan makes it into the “On Deck Circle” to have a chance to be on the show. You can watch Fanarchy Tuesday nights at 10:30 ET on Versus.

What does Versus network have that ESPN did not?  How about 130 hours of coverage dedicated to the IndyCar Series.  The break down you ask?  Versus will air at least seven hours of IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights coverage every week in 2009 that there is a race.   Versus will also  broadcast a one hour preview show the day before a race that will show the practice and qualification highlights and all the stories that are going on that weekend.  The Monday after a race Versus will re-broadcast the race in a two hour long window. The network will also air the Firestone Indy Lights races in one hour windows the Monday after the event takes place.  The Firestone Indy Lights race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 22 will be aired live as well as the season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway.  All qualification days in the month of May will also be aired live.

The Firestone Indy Lights alone this season will see more coverage than they have ever seen.  This should help promote the drivers, teams, and help with sponsorship for the feeder series to the IndyCar Series.  Everything sounds win win and now the Firestone Indy Lights will get the exposure that they deserve.

Versus has clearly put everything on the table and is showing that they want to be here and they want to contribute to the growth of the IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights.  I think everyone will be very pleased with the race coverage when the season starts with the first race on the streets of St. Petersburg April 5th.

The programming schedule for St. Petersburg is as follows.

• April 4th 5-7 p.m. Qualifying
• April 5th 2-5 p.m. IndyCar Race
• April 6th 6-7 p.m. Indy Lights race
• April 6th 10-12 p.m. IndyCar Race (re-air)

Good morning from Homestead Miami Speedway.  Everyone was able to sleep in this morning since the cars do not need to be on track until 2:30 for another Versus network promotional shoot.  It’s another sunny and warm day at the track and is expected to stay that way for the rest of the afternoon and into the evening.  Drivers are scurrying around attending photo shoots for various media outlets while teams are fast at work in the garages prepping the cars for the on track video shoot for Versus.  The video shoot is scheduled to wrap up around 3 giving the teams 1 hour to get everything ready before the start of the test session at 4 p.m.  Dan Wheldon arrived today after doing some promos for the National Guard yesterday.  This should bring our car count to 22 for this evenings open test session.  Keep checking back during the course of the day for updates from Homestead Miami Speedway.<-->

Today was another interesting day at Homestead Miami Speedway.  Panther Racing’s rookie driver Pippa Mann remained the fastest Firestone Indy Lights driver in today’s final practice session with her teammate Martin Plowman who is also a rookie finishing in P4.  Today the media was present for the Versus network photoshoots as well as private sessions with various IndyCar Series drivers.   Milka Duno drove for Newman Haas Lanigan Racing but it has been reported by IndyCar.com that her deal has not yet been finalized for the season.  Her car is sporting the Citgo logo with a new paint scheme.  Don’t get too excited, its not totally different. Justin Wilson also tested with Dale Coyne Racing and does not yet have a finalized deal with them.  As I was strolling through the garage area I spotted Ryan Hunter-Reay talking to various teams and crew members.  Sarah Fisher made an appearance as well strolling around and speaking with old crew members and owners.  Robert Doornbos surpised everyone with his push to P4 with a speed of 209.584 mph.  The biggest issue of the evening seemed to be all the yellows that were drawn out due to tires suffering punctures on the track.  The test session ended with Scott Dixon at the top of the charts with a speed of 211.372.  He was then followed by Ryan Briscoe, Dario Franchitti, Mario Moraes, and Will Power.  The night wrapped up with video shoot of the Versus livery car driving around the 1.5 mile oval with other IndyCar Series cars for the new Versus network promotions.  IndyCar Series testing resumes tomorrow at 4 p.m.  and you can catch all the timing and scoring by checking out IndyCar.com