What the Fox Sports 1 change means to NASCAR fans

   Fox Sports Media Group made official on Tuesday its plans to change the current Speed Channel over to Fox Sports 1, a new, national, multi-sport network. The change will take effect on Saturday, Aug. 17.

    Currently, Speed hosts an abundance of NASCAR-related programming. Some of that will change, but many of the bigger changes won't take effect until after 2013.

    The following are "programming highlights" Fox provided for NASCAR coverage on the new Fox Sports 1:

    - Select NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races as soon as 2015 (the exact number was not disclosed).
    - NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
    - NASCAR Sprint All-Star race.
    - All Daytona Speedweeks events leading up to the Daytona 500 including: Daytona 500 qualifying, Sprint Unlimited at Daytona (2014, 2017-22) and the Budweiser Duel, now in prime time; Cup and Truck series practice and qualifying sessions.
    - NASCAR RaceDay, providing pre- and post-race coverage.
    - NASCAR Victory Lane, a weekly wrap-up show.
    - Race Hub, a daily mid-day studio show with the latest from drivers, owners and garages.

Reed Sorenson to sub for injured Michael Annett at RPM

   Reed Sorenson will fill in for NASCAR Nationwide Series team driver Michael Annett, who was injured in a crash at Daytona International Speedway and had to undergo surgery for a fractured and dislocated sternum.

    Sorenson will race the No. 43 Pilot Flying J Ford beginning this week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and remain the driver until Annett is healed and cleared by NASCAR officials to race. Sorenson made his Nationwide Series debut in 2004 and has four wins, 38 top-five and 85 top-10 finishes.

    "It's an unfortunate situation for the team and Michael," said Sorenson. "I have been to the hospital to see him, and he will be fine, but it's going to take some time to heal. As a friend for a long time, my initial reaction was concern. I'm glad that he's recovering now.

    "It was very unexpected to get the opportunity to step in. The best part is that my friend, Michael, will be cheering for me and the whole 43 Pilot Flying J team. I talked to him about it, and he really wants to see me do well. This is a big deal for me, and I am going to make the most of it."

Kasey Kahne, driver of the No.  5 Great Clips Chevrolet, Danny Efland, driver of the No.  4 Flex Seal Chevrolet, Jamie Dick, driver of the No.  55 Viva Motorsports Chevrolet, Michael Annett, driver of the No.  43 Pilot Ford, Johanna Long, driver of the No.  70 Foretravel Chevrolet, Mike Bliss, driver of the No.  19 G-Oil Ford, and Hal Martin, driver of the No.  44 American Custom Yachts Toyota, are involved in an incident during the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 23, 2013 in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)