CONCORD, N.C. - Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 ended a stretch of four consecutive Nextel Cup night races where some of those events saw a ratings increase. Will NASCAR add more night races next year?

Dick Glover, NASCAR vice president of broadcasting, says series officials are happy with the mix of night races but continue to examine the issue. Twelve of the 38 Cup races, including the two nonpoints races, are night events this season. That includes the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November.

"It does provide the opportunity to reach out a little bit to a new audience that might not be a traditional audience," Glover said of the night races. "We're always talking with the TV partners in terms of what works for them. The feeling is right now it's the right mix to provide growth, but that it's not necessary to add more."

Richmond's ratings on FX increased 16 percent from last year's event. Last weekend's all-star race on FX saw a 19 percent increase from last year. The Darlington race, shown by Fox, was run the night before Mother's Day, the first time NASCAR has run an event then, so there was no comparison from the year before.

Glover also says talks continue for the next TV contract. NBC's contract expires after the 2006 season. Fox and NASCAR have an option through 2008. Glover says the goal is to have the next TV contract done by the end of the year. It's typical for sports to have network packages finished a year before they begin.

"What we've said all along continues is that we'd like to work something out with the current partners and we're optimistic that we will," Glover said.

Reality ride

Roush Racing will team with Discovery Channel in a reality show to find the team's next driver to compete in the Craftsman Truck series next season.

Discovery Channel will broadcast the selection process that will pare 25 drivers down to the final choice. The team and channel promise behind-the-scenes access to the driver selection process as the candidates are put through a series of physical and mental tests to those dealing with the media and fan appeal.

The team is seeking driver candidates. Applicants can submit applications at www.roushracing.com or send an e-mail to roushride@roushracing.com or mail to Roush Ride, 4600 Roush Place, Concord, N.C., 28027, attention Rory Connellan. Online applications are preferred. The deadline is June15.

Big bang for win

Joyce Julius and Associates, which measures sponsor exposure during sporting events, found that Jeff Gordon gave his sponsor, DuPont, $9.4 million in exposure during his Daytona 500 victory.

The figure was based on in-broadcast mentions and how long the sponsor was in focus during the broadcast.

Joyce Julius measured how that compared with four other major sporting events - the Super Bowl, the NCAA men's basketball championship and The Masters. Only The Masters provided a higher total for a sponsor. Nike's exposure from Tiger Woods' victory was worth $10.8 million.

Alltel, the Jacksonville stadium entitlement sponsor of Super Bowl XXXIX, netted $2.1 million of exposure. Cingular, sponsor of the college basketball tournament, had $5 million in exposure.

Pit stops

Pole-sitter Ryan Newman's team found nothing wrong with his engine, so he maintained his No. 1 starting spot. Newman felt a vibration during Saturday's final practice session, causing the concern. ... Tickets for next year's Daytona 500, to be held Feb.19, 2006, went on sale Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online at www.Daytona500.com or by calling 1-800-748-7467. Tickets for the other Speedweek events also can be purchased.