Some people might see the second-straight crash of the FCC-sponsored NASCAR designed to promote next year’s digital TV transition as a bad sign.

Slideshow: DTV Transition NASCAR Crashes

But not FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.

"Except for the cars that win the races, the cars that are in wrecks get a lot of attention," he told reporters at a press conference Nov. 10 marking the 100-day mark to the Feb. 17, 2009, switch.

The FCC is spending $350,000 to sponsor NASCAR team No. 38 in three Sprint Cup Series races. Driver David Gilliland’s Ford Fusion features the date of the transition and the words "Are you ready for digital?" on its hood.

The price tag also covers the posting of the FCC’s transition Web site, www.dtv.gov, along the track, on the car's sides and on Gilliland's helmet and suit.

The Web site has gotten a lot of attention in two straight races, as Gilliland was part of a nine-car pileup during the Checker Auto Parts 500 on Nov. 9 in Phoenix and hit the wall during an Oct. 19 race in Virginia.

While Gilliland was able to complete the Phoenix race, finishing 35th in the field, the car was unable to complete the Virginia race.

"It was a wild wreck," Gilliland posted on his Web site following the Phoenix race. "Everybody started checking up there, and unfortunately, our Digital TV Transition Ford Fusion got involved in the mess. It was one of those chain reactions."

Gilliland will race the DTV Transition car one more time, Nov. 16 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida.

All full-power television stations in the U.S. must turn off their analog signals by Feb. 18 to free up broadcast spectrum. Viewers who receive programming through an antenna and do not own TV sets with digital capability by the time of the changeover must buy a converter box.

The government is providing two $40 coupons per household to help defray the cost.

Cable or satellite customers don't need to make any changes.

Many people aren't prepared, and The Nielsen Co. said Oct. 15 that some 9.6 million households would be left without a signal if the transition happened immediately, while at least one television in another 12.6 million homes would stop working.

While the FCC has taken some heat for the promotional deal, Martin said in an October statement announcing the sponsorship that it will help them reach a new audience.

"I believe this sponsorship is an extremely effective way for the FCC to raise DTV awareness among people of all ages and income levels across the United States who loyally follow one of the most popular sports in America," Martin said.