Thomas van der Voort

I am currently a creative director at the Sporting News where I host and produce Rowdy, a new-media property for NASCAR fans. I helped create Rowdy in 2002 before its acquisition in 2009. It has grown from an early- stage mobile application to embrace video and audio podcasting, as well as social networking. Rowdy delivers daily in-depth news and analysis in an unexpected and humorous way. The podcast is the top-rated sports podcast on iTunes, having built a powerful relationship with a fanatically loyal audience. As the creative director, executive producer, head writer, and host (as Leonard “Bass” Masters) I developed the signature style that sepa- rates Rowdy from run-of-the-mill sports programming. Together with a single partner, I have produced over 2000 hours of Rowdy programming, developing expertise in performing (on-mic and on-camera), interviewing, news writ- ing, blogging, audio editing, and social media. I have also been a regular guest on television and radio, have emceed live at-track events with drivers like Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Rowdy also required my voice- over talents, with the creation of unique characters like Randy Bunn, Sonny Callahan, and Mel Parker.