Twitter has gone live with its NASCAR hashtag product in preparation for Sunday’s Pocono 400 Presented by #NASCAR. This new product will create an enhanced live event experience on Twitter at Twitter.com/#NASCAR.

As an avid fan of Twitter, I’m happy to see NASCAR taking this step. The sport is already one of the most engaged with its fans via Twitter through regular use by some of the sport’s biggest names -- and Brad Keselowski’s infamous tweet from the car opened a lot of eyes with the attention it got. I am glad the leadership finally realized they should take advantage of this new way to spread the sport and give fans another way to enjoy the race and discuss it.
I’m curious to see how it evolves from here, but one thing is for sure: Social media is here to stay, so they are making the right move.

Twitter.com/#NASCAR showcases the best Tweets and photos from NASCAR insiders in an effort to bring the behind-the-scenes story to life for fans during NASCAR race weekends. The page includes Tweets from drivers, pit crew members, families, media, NASCAR representatives and other industry constituencies like race tracks and sponsors. Fans also have an opportunity to see their Tweets featured.

“Twitter brings fans closer to the sports and moments they’re most passionate about,” said Jack Dorsey, co-founder and executive chairman at Twitter. “The innovation of the NASCAR organization, the spirit of the fans, and the personalities of the drivers all shine on Twitter, making NASCAR a natural partner for us. Twitter.com/#NASCAR will offer fans an all-access pass to the race weekend action as it unfolds on the track, in the pit, in the garage and in the stands.”

While currently up-and-running, Twitter.com/#NASCAR will be most active on race day before, after and in conjunction with the Pocono 400 Presented by #NASCAR from Pocono Raceway (TNT, 1 p.m. ET).

Roush notes
— Greg Biffle leads the RFR championship hunt with a one-point lead in the Sprint Cup standings over Matt Kenseth who is second. Carl Edwards is 12th. Ricky Stenhouse is second in the NNS point standings trailing by 12 points. The Nationwide Series is off this weekend.
— Roush Fenway heads to Pennsylvania and to the ‘Tricky Triangle’ of Pocono Raceway this weekend, where the team will look for its fifth win in Sprint Cup action at the 2.5-mile track.
— Roush Fenway finished second 11 times at Pocono, before finally notching the win and sweeping both Pocono races in 2005. All-in-all Roush Fenway has 12 runner-up finishes at Pocono and 15 top-two finishes. Five different drivers have finished second for Roush Fenway at Pocono, and three (Carl Edwards - twice, Greg Biffle and Kurt Bush) have won there.
— Roush Fenway has covered 78,967 miles with 168 racing entries in Cup action at Pocono. It is the second most of any track for Roush Fenway. Only at Charlotte Motor Speedway has Roush Fenway covered more miles.
— Winning Pocono Style Roush Fenway has four wins at Pocono, including Greg Biffle’s victory there in July of 2010. Carl Edwards earned Roush Fenway’s first win at Pocono in the first Pocono race of 2005. Roush Fenway went on to sweep the Pocono events that season.
— Roush Fenway will make its 171st start this weekend at Pocono, where the company has led over 900 laps, while notching four wins, 42 top-five and 66 top-10 finishes. Roush Fenway has completed over 78,000 miles of Sprint Cup racing at Pocono; the second most of any track for Roush Fenway.
— Sunday, 6/10 – Greg & Matt will be on SPEED’s “RaceDay Live” together at 10:15am