TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION (TNA) WRESTLING EXPANDS ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECTV AND ITS NASCAR HOTPASST

Courtesy: http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/672/84/

Nashville, Tenn. (April 2, 2008) - The worlds of professional wrestling and NASCAR mix yet again, it was announced today by officials of Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling, who will sponsor the pre- and post-race show on DIRECTV's NASCAR HOTPASST for the Samsung 500, set for Sunday, April 6, at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

TNA Wrestling's expansion into the NASCAR world also will include exposure throughout the weekend in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area on the DIRECTV HD blimp, and on various DIRECTV shows.

DIRECTV distributes TNA Wrestling's monthly 3-hour, live pay-per-view broadcasts. The Texas race will be held the week before one of TNA Wrestling's biggest pay-per-views of the year, Lockdown. Originating from the Boston area, Lockdown will feature every match held inside a steel cage, dubbed the six sides of steel, thus considered the most dangerous pay-per-view in wrestling.

Former NASCAR driver Hermie Sadler is a commentator for DIRECTV's NASCAR HOTPASS - and also a longtime ally of TNA Wrestling. He has promoted, officiated and even wrestled in TNA matches, and April 17 on "TNA iMPACT!" (Spike TV, 9 p.m. ET/PT), he will be a guest commentator for an X-Division match.

"It's great to be expanding our role with DIRECTV and working further with Hermie Sadler," said TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter. "We hope and believe this is just the start of a budding tag team between TNA Wrestling and DIRECTV's NASCAR HOTPASS."

DIRECTV's NASCAR HOTPASS had a major presence on "TNA iMPACT!" on March 27, when the show aired live on Spike TV for the first time, originating from Universal Studios Orlando. DIRECTV's NASCAR HOTPASS was featured with advertising around TNA's six-sided ring and in the backstage interview area.

DIRECTV NASCAR HOTPASS will sponsor upcoming editions of "TNA Today," one of the highest-rated Internet-based programs in the world, available exclusively at www.tnawrestling.com. DIRECTV NASCAR HOTPASS will promote upcoming episodes of "TNA iMPACT!" for the next three weeks at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Spike TV.

TNA and NASCAR collided head-on in February, days before the fabled Daytona 500, when drivers Juan Pablo Montoya, Reed Sorensen and current NASCAR commentator Jimmy Spencer appeared on "TNA iMPACT!" Montoya aligned with the Latin American Xchange (LAX) and ultimately whacked TNA Superstar Lance Hoyt of the Rock 'N Rave Infection over the head with a steel chair, leading LAX to victory.

Credit: A1 Wrestling Newsletter