ESPN

Chase for NASCAR Sprint Cup Continues at Phoenix

The NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will be at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend and both races, as well as selected practice sessions, will appear on ESPN networks. Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race will be the next-to-last race in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. All NASCAR programming on ESPN and ESPN2 is also available on computers, smartphones and tablets with the WatchESPN app and WatchESPN.com.

Telecast schedule (all times Eastern):

Announcers:

Booth: Lap-by-Lap announcer Allen Bestwick (Sprint Cup); Marty Reid (Nationwide); analysts Dale Jarrett, Andy Petree.

Pit reporters: Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch, Vince Welch.

ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage: Tim Brewer

NASCAR Countdown: Nicole Briscoe (host); Rusty Wallace, Brad Daugherty (analysts).

NASCAR Now Schedule

The one-hour weekend edition of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program NASCAR Now will air on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 9 a.m. with a preview of that day’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway. Mike Massaro will host with analyst Ricky Craven while reporting from the track in Phoenix will be Shannon Spake and David Newton. On Monday, Nov. 14, NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program will air at 2:30 p.m. with Craven, ESPN analyst Dale Jarrett and ESPN the Magazine senior writer Ryan McGee as panelists with Massaro hosting.

NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will have its season finale this weekend with the Auto Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., and ESPN2 and ESPN3 will have coverage.

Qualifying airs Sunday, Nov. 13, at 1:15 a.m. ET (late Saturday night) on ESPN2, while eliminations action airs Sunday at 7 p.m. NHRA fans can watch the entire day of eliminations on ESPN3 starting at 2 p.m. and Friday qualifying on Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. Paul Page anchors for ESPN with analysis by 22-time NHRA winner Mike Dunn. Gary Gerould, John Kernan and Dave Rieff will report from the pits.

Motorsports on Other ESPN Platforms

ESPN.com — RacingLive! on ESPN.com is a live blog where fans can engage in debate and discussion with ESPN.com writers and editors during the NASCAR Sprint Cup races. On Sunday, Nov. 13, RacingLive! Phoenix will kick off to coincide with ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway. Fans can join ESPN.com’s NASCAR experts in dissecting every aspect of the race live at http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/. ESPN.com motorsports writer David Newton will be on hand at Phoenix.

ESPN Radio — Each weekend morning, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay starts its engines at 6 a.m. ET with host Pat Patterson anchored from the site of the race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay listeners get an hour of news, previews and analysis, as well as profiles and interviews with NASCAR’s biggest names and newsmakers and the involvement of listeners via calls and e-mails.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

ESPN

Chase for NASCAR Sprint Cup Continues at Texas

The NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will be at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth this weekend and both races, as well as selected practice sessions, will appear on ESPN networks. Sunday’s 500-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup race will be the third-from-last race in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. All NASCAR programming on ESPN and ESPN2 is also available on computers, smartphones and tablets with the WatchESPN app and WatchESPN.com.

Telecast schedule (all times Eastern):

Announcers:

Booth: Lap-by-Lap announcer Allen Bestwick (Sprint Cup); Marty Reid (Nationwide); analysts Dale Jarrett, Andy Petree.

Pit reporters: Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch, Vince Welch.

ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage: Tim Brewer

NASCAR Countdown: Nicole Briscoe (host); Rusty Wallace, Brad Daugherty (analysts).

NASCAR Now Schedule

The one-hour weekend edition of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program NASCAR Now will air on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 9 a.m. with a preview of that day’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. Mike Massaro will host with analyst Ricky Craven while reporting from the track in Texas will be Marty Smith and Shannon Spake. On Monday, Nov. 7, NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program will air at 2:30 p.m. with Craven and Smith joining NASCAR driver Ken Schrader as panelists with Massaro hosting.

NHRA Drag Racing

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series has the weekend off before the series finale at Pomona, Calif., Nov. 12-13. This weekend, NHRA fans can see action involving the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Modified Series from the recent event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

One hour of highlights featuring the Lucas Oil Series will air Sunday, Nov. 6, at 1 p.m. on ESPN2, followed at 2 p.m. by 30 minutes of action with the Pro Modified Series.

Motorsports on Other ESPN Platforms

ESPN.com — RacingLive! on ESPN.com is a live blog where fans can engage in debate and discussion with ESPN.com writers and editors during the NASCAR Sprint Cup races. On Sunday, Nov. 6, RacingLive! Texas will kick off to coincide with ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Fans can join ESPN.com’s NASCAR experts in dissecting every aspect of the race live at http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/. ESPN.com motorsports writer Terry Blount will be on hand at Texas.

ESPN Radio — Each weekend morning, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay starts its engines at 6 a.m. ET with host Pat Patterson anchored from the site of the race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay listeners get an hour of news, previews and analysis, as well as profiles and interviews with NASCAR’s biggest names and newsmakers and the involvement of listeners via calls and e-mails.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

ESPN

Chase for NASCAR Sprint Cup Continues at Martinsville

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway for a 500-lap race on NASCAR’s smallest track on Sunday, Oct. 30, airing live on ESPN. The race is the seventh in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and the only short track race. NASCAR Countdown presented by NAPA airs at 1 p.m. ET with the race’s green flag at 1:43 p.m. All NASCAR programming on ESPN is also available on computers, smartphones and tablets with the WatchESPN app and WatchESPN.com.

Announcers:

Booth: Lap-by-Lap announcer Allen Bestwick; analysts Dale Jarrett, Andy Petree.

Pit reporters: Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro, Dr. Jerry Punch.

ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage: Tim Brewer

NASCAR Countdown: Nicole Briscoe (host); Rusty Wallace, Brad Daugherty (analysts).

NASCAR Now Schedule

The one-hour weekend edition of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program NASCAR Now will air on Sunday, Oct. 30, at 9 a.m. with a preview of that day’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway. Michelle Bonner will host with analyst Ricky Craven while reporting from the track in Martinsville will be Marty Smith and Ryan McGee. On Monday, Oct. 31, NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program will air at 2:30 p.m. with Craven joining NASCAR drivers Johnny Benson Jr. and Ken Schrader as panelists with host Allen Bestwick.

NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series

With only two events remaining in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season, the series competes this weekend in the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals on The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Coverage of qualifying airs Saturday, Oct. 29, at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, while eliminations action airs Sunday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. NHRA fans can watch the entire day of eliminations on ESPN3 starting at 2 p.m. and Friday night qualifying on Oct. 28 at 6:15 p.m. Paul Page anchors for ESPN with analysis by 22-time NHRA winner Mike Dunn. Gary Gerould, John Kernan and Dave Rieff will report from the pits.

Motorsports on Other ESPN Platforms

ESPN.com — RacingLive! on ESPN.com is a live blog where fans can engage in debate and discussion with ESPN.com writers and editors during the NASCAR Sprint Cup races. On Sunday, Oct. 30, RacingLive! Martinsville will kick off to coincide with ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway. Fans can join ESPN.com’s NASCAR experts in dissecting every aspect of the race live at http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/. ESPN.com motorsports writer David Newton will be on hand at Martinsville.

ESPN Radio — Each weekend morning, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay starts its engines at 6 a.m. ET with host Pat Patterson anchored from the site of the race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay listeners get an hour of news, previews and analysis, as well as profiles and interviews with NASCAR’s biggest names and newsmakers and the involvement of listeners via calls and e-mails.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

ESPN NASCAR Logo

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Tricky Triangle Live on ESPN

ESPN continues its coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with a live, flag-to-flag telecast of the 500-mile race at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., on Sunday, Aug. 7. The uniquely-shaped track, which has three turns instead of the usual four, is known as the “Tricky Triangle.” The NASCAR Countdown pre-race show kicks off the day at noon ET with the race telecast starting at 1 p.m. and the race’s green flag at 1:18 p.m.

ESPN’s coverage from Pocono also includes a telecast of NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying on Saturday, Aug. 6, at 10:30 a.m. on ESPN2.

Analysts Dale Jarrett, the 1999 driving champion, and two-time champion crew chief Andy Petree will join lap-by-lap announcer Allen Bestwick in the booth to call the action. Two-time champion crew chief Tim Brewer will report from the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage, while pit reporters will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch and Vince Welch.

NASCAR Countdown from the ESPN pit studio will be hosted by Nicole Briscoe with analysis by 1989 champion driver Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty. The studio team will interact with the booth during the telecast of the race.

NASCAR Nationwide Series Live in Prime Time from Iowa on ESPN2

ESPN2 continues its season-long coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series with a live, prime time telecast of the event at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, on Saturday night, Aug. 6. NASCAR Countdown presented by OneMain Financial airs at 7 p.m. ET and the race’s green flag flies at 7:44 p.m.

The Iowa race is the second in the 2011 Nationwide Insurance Dash 4 Cash, a bonus program designed to reward Nationwide Series championship contenders. Drivers Justin Allgaier, Jason Leffler, Reed Sorenson and Michael Annett are eligible for a $100,000 bonus to be paid to the highest-finishing of the four in the race. Sorenson, who won the bonus in the first Dash 4 Cash race at Daytona, has the possibility of winning $1 million over the course of the four select races.

Marty Reid will call the action for the race with analysis by former NASCAR Sprint Cup race winners Ricky Craven and Ken Schrader. Schrader, who has been a panelist on ESPN2’s NASCAR Now roundtable discussion programs this year, will be working as an ESPN race telecast analyst for the first time. Pit reporters will be Rick DeBruhl, Jim Noble and Shannon Spake.

ESPN’s Pit Reporters to Debate on NASCAR Now Roundtable

Three pit reporters for ESPN’s coverage of NASCAR will be panelists on NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program airing Monday, August 8, at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Allen Bestwick will host the edition of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program with Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch and Vince Welch.

Nicole Briscoe hosts half-hour episodes of NASCAR Now airing Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week at 5 p.m. while Mike Massaro hosts an episode airing Friday at 3 p.m. Massaro also hosts the one-hour weekend edition of NASCAR Now airing at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 7, with a preview of that day’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway. Marty Smith and David Newton will report from Pocono along with analyst Dale Jarrett.

NHRA Concludes Western Swing with Seattle Event

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series concludes its annual three-event Western Swing this weekend with the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways near Seattle. ESPN2 will air action from qualifying on Saturday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m. ET and coverage of eliminations airs Sunday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. NHRA fans also can watch the full day of eliminations live on ESPN3.com starting Sunday at 2 p.m.

One of the tour’s most breathtaking environments, the facility is parked in the shadow of majestic Mount Rainier and surrounded by towering trees that add more than beauty at the first stop on the Western Swing: They emit tons of power-enhancing oxygen to feed the appetites of the high-horsepower machines, resulting in prime performances.

Paul Page anchors for ESPN with analysis by 22-time NHRA winner Mike Dunn. Former NHRA driver Whit Bazemore will be a guest reporter for the three-race Western Swing. Gary Gerould and Dave Rieff will report from the pits.

American Le Mans Series Races at Mid-Ohio

Mid-Ohio Sports car Course in Lexington, Ohio, will be the setting for the fifth round of the American Le Mans Series season and sports car racing fans can watch the race live on ESPN3.com on Saturday, Aug. 6, at 2:45 p.m. ET. Also from Mid-Ohio, ESPN3.com airs coverage of qualifying on Friday, Aug. 5, at 2:20 p.m. John Hindhaugh and Jeremy Shaw will call the action on the ESPN3.com telecasts.

Highlights from the Mid-Ohio race will air on ESPN2 in a two-hour format on Sunday, Aug. 7, at 10 p.m. Brian Till, Bill Adam and Johnny O’Connell will be in the TV booth with pit reporters Jamie Howe and Kelli Stavast.

ESPN.com Offers RacingLive! During Pocono Race

NASCAR fans looking for an online gathering during ESPN’s telecasts of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series now have a place to go on ESPN.com.

RacingLive! on ESPN.com is a live blog where fans can engage in debate and discussion with ESPN.com writers and editors during the NASCAR Sprint Cup races. On Sunday, Aug. 7, RacingLive! Pocono will kick off to coincide with ESPN’s live telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway. Fans can join ESPN.com’s NASCAR experts in dissecting every aspect of the race live at http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/.

ESPN Radio Raceday Airs Saturday, Sunday

Each weekend morning, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay starts its engines at 6 a.m. ET with host Pat Patterson anchored from Daytona Beach, Fla. Patterson also originates the broadcast from several racetracks with key races during the season. On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay listeners get an hour of news, previews and analysis, as well as profiles and interviews with NASCAR’s biggest names and newsmakers and the involvement of listeners via calls and e-mails.

Additionally, many of ESPN’s NASCAR reporters and analysts contribute each week as ESPN networks televise the entire NASCAR Nationwide Series and the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” championship. A list of ESPN Radio affiliates can be found at www.espnradio.com.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

ESPN NASCAR Logo

NASCAR Nationwide Series Live from Iowa on ABC

The NASCAR Nationwide Series races at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, this weekend and ABC will have a live telecast of the race on Sunday, May 22. NASCAR Countdown airs at 1:30 p.m. ET with the race’s green flag at 2:14 p.m.

Allen Bestwick will call the action with analysis by Dale Jarrett, the 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, and two-time champion crew chief Andy Petree. Two-time champion crew chief Tim Brewer will report from the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage, while pit reporters will be Dave Burns, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake.

NASCAR Countdown from the ESPN pit studio will be hosted by Nicole Briscoe with analysis by Jarrett and Brad Daugherty, a team owner in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. The studio team will interact with the booth during the telecast of the race.

Classic Track Tour on NASCAR Now

NASCAR Now, ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information show, will take viewers on a five-day tour featuring classic racetracks of the sport starting Tuesday, May 17, with a different track each day through Saturday, May 21. ESPN the Magazine’s Ryan McGee will visit Bowman Gray Stadium, Hickory Motor Speedway, Rockingham Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway and Greenville-Pickens Speedway. Guests will include Richard Childress and Ned Jarrett. NASCAR Now airs at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday with host Michelle Bonner.

On Monday, May 23, NASCAR Now’s Monday roundtable discussion program will air from the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C. ESPN analyst Dale Jarrett and and NASCAR Now lead reporter Marty Smith will be panelists with host Allen Bestwick. Special guests will include Bobby Allison, Ned Jarrett and David Pearson, Hall of Fame inductees.

NASCAR Now will preview the NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in a one-hour edition airing Saturday, May 21, at 11 a.m. Bonner will host and Smith will report from the track.

NHRA Action from Topeka on ESPN2, ESPN3.com

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series races this weekend in the NHRA Summer Nationals at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kansas. ESPN2 will air action from qualifying on Saturday, May 21, at 5:30 p.m. ET and coverage of eliminations airs Sunday, May 22, at 7 p.m. NHRA fans also can watch the full day of eliminations live on ESPN3.com starting Sunday at noon.

Sprawling multipurpose Heartland Park Topeka has been a Midwest favorite since it opened in 1989, but its dragstrip has gained the majority of headlines. The event, originally in the fall, has featured numerous record performances, the most significant of which was the shattering of the quarter-mile four-second and 300-mph barriers in Funny Car in 1993. The event moved to its current spot on the schedule in 2001.

Paul Page anchors for ESPN with analysis by 22-time NHRA winner Mike Dunn. Gary Gerould, and Dave Rieff report from the pits.

Also this week, ESPN2 airs highlights of the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Modified Series event at Atlanta Dragway on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. In addition, an episode of NHRA Thrills and Spills airs Saturday at 5 p.m.

ESPN.com Offers RacingLive! During NASCAR All-Star Race

NASCAR fans looking for an online gathering during ESPN’s telecasts of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series now have a place to go on ESPN.com.

RacingLive! on ESPN.com is a live blog where fans can engage in debate and discussion with ESPN.com writers and editors during the NASCAR Sprint Cup races. On Saturday night, May 21, RacingLive! All-Star will kick off to coincide with the NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Fans can join ESPN.com’s NASCAR experts in dissecting every aspect of the race live at http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/.

ESPN.com motorsports writer David Newton will be onsite at the race to report on the weekend’s action and news.

ESPN Radio Raceday Airs Saturday, Sunday

Each weekend morning, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay starts its engines at 6 a.m. ET with host Pat Patterson anchored from Daytona Beach, Fla. Patterson also originates the broadcast from several racetracks with key races during the season. On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay listeners get an hour of news, previews and analysis, as well as profiles and interviews with NASCAR’s biggest names and newsmakers and the involvement of listeners via calls and e-mails.

Additionally, many of ESPN’s NASCAR reporters and analysts contribute each week as ESPN networks televise the entire NASCAR Nationwide Series and the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” championship. A list of ESPN Radio affiliates can be found at www.espnradio.com.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

ESPN NASCAR Logo

NASCAR Nationwide Series Live from Dover

ESPN continues its coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series with a live telecast of the 200-mile race at Dover (Del.) International Speedway on Saturday, May 14. NASCAR Countdown airs at 1:30 p.m. ET on ESPN with the race’s green flag at 2:15 p.m. Also from Dover, ESPN2 will air NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

Marty Reid will call the action with analysis by Dale Jarrett, the 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, and two-time champion crew chief Andy Petree. Two-time champion crew chief Tim Brewer will report from the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage, while pit reporters will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little and Vince Welch.

NASCAR Countdown from the ESPN pit studio will be hosted by Allen Bestwick with analysis by Wallace and Brad Daugherty, a team owner in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. The studio team will interact with the booth during the telecast of the race.

Benson, Brewer, Craven on NASCAR Now Roundtable

NASCAR driver Johnny Benson Jr. joins ESPN NASCAR analysts Tim Brewer and Ricky Craven as panelists on NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program airing Monday, May 16, at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Allen Bestwick will host the edition of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program.

Mike Massaro hosts half-hour episodes of NASCAR Now airing at 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday of this week and Thursday at 5:30 p.m. There is no show on Friday due to live NASCAR programming. Massaro also hosts a special edition of NASCAR Now airing Saturday, May 14, at 10 a.m. prior to NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying at Dover International Speedway. The one-hour weekend edition will preview Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Dover and airs Sunday at 9 a.m. Nicole Briscoe and David Newton will report from Dover, joined by analyst Brad Daugherty.

NHRA Action from Atlanta on ESPN2, ESPN3.com

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series races this weekend in the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. ESPN2 will air action from qualifying on Saturday, May 14, at 7 p.m. ET and coverage of eliminations airs Sunday, May 15, at 7 p.m. NHRA fans also can watch the full day of eliminations live on ESPN3.com starting Sunday at noon.

One of NHRA’s long-established events — the race celebrated its 30th anniversary last season — this belle of the South has gained a reputation as one of the tougher events on the tour to win. With summer approaching, warm temperatures can turn the event into “Hotlanta” and throw crew chiefs a curve as they try to glue their charges to the facility’s 660-foot concrete launchpad. The event also includes Pro Stock Motorcycles and Pro Mods.

Paul Page anchors for ESPN with analysis by 22-time NHRA winner Mike Dunn. Gary Gerould, and Dave Rieff report from the pits.

ESPN.com Offers RacingLive! During Dover Race

NASCAR fans looking for an online gathering during ESPN’s telecasts of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series now have a place to go on ESPN.com.

RacingLive! on ESPN.com is a live blog where fans can engage in debate and discussion with ESPN.com writers and editors during the NASCAR Sprint Cup races. On Sunday, May 15, RacingLive! Dover will kick off to coincide with the race at Dover International Speedway. Fans can join ESPN.com’s NASCAR experts in dissecting every aspect of the race live at http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/.

ESPN.com motorsports writer David Newton will be onsite at Dover to report on the weekend’s action and news.

ESPN Radio Raceday Airs Saturday, Sunday

Each weekend morning, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay starts its engines at 6 a.m. ET with host Pat Patterson anchored from Daytona Beach, Fla. Patterson also originates the broadcast from several racetracks with key races during the season. On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay listeners get an hour of news, previews and analysis, as well as profiles and interviews with NASCAR’s biggest names and newsmakers and the involvement of listeners via calls and e-mails.

Additionally, many of ESPN’s NASCAR reporters and analysts contribute each week as ESPN networks televise the entire NASCAR Nationwide Series and the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” championship. A list of ESPN Radio affiliates can be found at www.espnradio.com.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

Brian France On ESPN's NASCAR Now and SportsCenter

On SportsCenter, France told anchor Kevin Negandhi that the sport has momentum. “We started off with a really neat champion in the Daytona 500, Trevor Bayne, a young kid with an old team, so we had some neat storylines. Some of the drivers that had been struggling, like Jeff Gordon, have already won and they’ve put notice that they’re going to contend for the championship. Jimmie Johnson could do something historic and get to six, and then Dale Earnhardt Jr. is running well, he’s well within our playoff structure to make it, and he’s competing at a high level, so we see a lot of neat things going on right now.”

Some more quotes from France’s appearance on SportsCenter:

What does it mean to the sport of NASCAR when Dale Earnhardt Jr. is succeeding?

“He’s the biggest franchise in NASCAR. It would be great if he continues to figure out the chemistry of the team. He’s done that, and I think his confidence is finally back to where it was a few years ago. He went through a pretty good slump, so it’s nice to see him competing at a high level.”

Why do you think Jimmie Johnson doesn’t get enough credit?

“I don’t think that’s something he runs around trying to promote and figure out. I think he just puts his game face on and wins when he needs to win. He’s a great guy, he’s represented us well, and we’ll see what he does on (championship) No. 6.”

What’s your favorite thing when you go out to the track?

“The size of it, the huge crowds that file in, the energy level when the green flag comes out. It’s just a different feeling than perhaps any other sport.”

France later joined part of the one-hour Monday roundtable edition of NASCAR Now to discuss the sport with ESPN NASCAR analyst Ricky Craven, ESPN.com senior writer Ed Hinton, NASCAR Now lead reporter Marty Smith and host Allen Bestwick.

About NASCAR on ESPN:

ESPN produces comprehensive, multi-platform coverage featuring telecasts of the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Additionally, ESPN2 is the television home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series. ESPN’s NASCAR coverage extends to ESPN.com, SportsCenter, ESPN the Magazine, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio and ESPN International, among other ESPN platforms. ESPN aired 262 NASCAR Cup Races over a 20-year period starting in 1981 and returned to NASCAR coverage in 2007. The network’s award-winning, live flag-to-flag coverage on ESPN has been honored with 19 Sports Emmy Awards, as well as many industry honors. It is widely credited for helping to popularize the sport nationwide.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

ESPN

NHRA Action from

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series races this weekend in the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston. ESPN2 will air action from qualifying on Saturday, April 30, at 6 p.m. ET and coverage of eliminations airs Sunday, May 1, at 7 p.m. NHRA fans also can watch the full day of eliminations live on ESPN3.com starting Sunday at noon.

Royal Purple Raceway benefits from incredible atmospheric conditions because of its proximity to Trinity Bay, which feeds the facility cool air. The track’s first NHRA national event, in fall 1988, established RPR as one of the sport’s quickest with NHRA’s first four-second Top Fuel quarter-mile pass and a new national record. Since then, the track has hosted a dizzying array of record runs, including the first sub-4.5-second Top Fuel quarter-mile pass by Larry Dixon in 1999. Pro Stock Motorcycles and Pro Mods will also compete at the event.

Paul Page anchors for ESPN with analysis by 22-time NHRA winner Mike Dunn. Gary Gerould, and Dave Rieff report from the pits. Also, ESPN.com national motorsports writer Terry Blount will be onsite at Houston to report from the event.

Craven, Hinton, Smith on NASCAR Now Roundtable

ESPN NASCAR analyst Ricky Craven, ESPN.com senior writer Ed Hinton and NASCAR Now lead reporter Marty Smith will be panelists on NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program airing Monday, May 2, at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Allen Bestwick will host the edition of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program.

Nicole Briscoe hosts half-hour episodes of NASCAR Now airing at 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday of this week and at 1 a.m. Friday (late Thursday night). There is no show on Friday due to live NASCAR programming. Briscoe also hosts NASCAR Now’s weekend edition airing Saturday, April 30, at noon with a preview of that night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway. Smith and Shannon Spake will report from Richmond.

ESPN.com Offers RacingLive! During Richmond Race

NASCAR fans looking for an online gathering during ESPN’s telecasts of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series now have a place to go on ESPN.com.

RacingLive! on ESPN.com is a live blog where fans can engage in debate and discussion with ESPN.com writers and editors during the NASCAR Sprint Cup races. On Saturday, April 30, RacingLive! Richmond will kick off to coincide with the race at Richmond International Raceway. Fans can join ESPN.com’s NASCAR experts in dissecting every aspect of the race live at http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/.

ESPN.com motorsports editor K. Lee Davis will be onsite at Richmond to report on the weekend’s action and news.

ESPN Radio Raceday Airs Saturday, Sunday

Each weekend morning, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay starts its engines at 6 a.m. ET with host Pat Patterson anchored from Daytona Beach, Fla. Patterson also originates the broadcast from several racetracks with key races during the season. On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay listeners get an hour of news, previews and analysis, as well as profiles and interviews with NASCAR’s biggest names and newsmakers and the involvement of listeners via calls and e-mails.

Additionally, many of ESPN’s NASCAR reporters and analysts contribute each week as ESPN networks televise the entire NASCAR Nationwide Series and the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” championship. A list of ESPN Radio affiliates can be found at www.espnradio.com.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

ESPN NASCAR Logo

NASCAR Nationwide Series Live from

ESPN continues its coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series with a live telecast of the 300-mile race at Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday, April 23. NASCAR Countdown airs at 2 p.m. ET with the race’s green flag at 3:16 p.m.

Marty Reid will call the action with analysis by former NASCAR Sprint Cup race winner Ricky Craven and Brad Daugherty, a team owner in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. Reports from two-time champion crew chief Tim Brewer will air from the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage, while pit reporters will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little and Shannon Spake. Burns will host NASCAR Countdown.

Also from Nashville, ESPN will air NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying at noon on Saturday, followed at 1 p.m. by an airing of the ESPN 30 for 30 film Tim Richmond: To the Limit prior to NASCAR Countdown at 2 p.m.

NASCAR Now Schedule

Half-hour editions of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program NASCAR Now will air Tuesday through Friday of this week. The program airs at 6 p.m. ET Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday of this week and at 5 p.m. Thursday. Mike Massaro will host.

With the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series taking the weekend off, there will be no weekend edition of NASCAR Now and no Monday roundtable edition. NASCAR Now returns Tuesday, April 26.

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Action Sunday

Highlights from the recent event for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at zMax Dragway near Charlotte, N.C., will air in a one-hour format on Sunday, April 24, at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will return to action over the weekend of April 30-May 1 in Houston, with coverage on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com.

ESPN Radio Raceday Airs Saturday, Sunday

Each weekend morning, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay starts its engines at 6 a.m. ET with host Pat Patterson anchored from Daytona Beach, Fla. Patterson also originates the broadcast from several racetracks with key races during the season. On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay listeners get an hour of news, previews and analysis, as well as profiles and interviews with NASCAR’s biggest names and newsmakers and the involvement of listeners via calls and e-mails.

Additionally, many of ESPN’s NASCAR reporters and analysts contribute each week as ESPN networks televise the entire NASCAR Nationwide Series and the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” championship. A list of ESPN Radio affiliates can be found at www.espnradio.com.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

ESPN NASCAR Logo

NASCAR Nationwide Series in Prime Time from

ESPN2 continues its coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series with a live telecast of the 300-mile race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Tex., in prime time on Friday night, April 8. NASCAR Countdown airs at 8 p.m. ET with the race’s green flag at 8:46 p.m. Also from Texas, ESPN2 airs NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying on Friday at 5 p.m.

Marty Reid will call the action with analysis by Rusty Wallace, the 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, and two-time champion crew chief Andy Petree. Two-time champion crew chief Tim Brewer will report from the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage, while pit reporters will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch and Vince Welch. 

NASCAR Countdown from the ESPN pit studio will be hosted by Allen Bestwick with analysis by Wallace and Brad Daugherty, a team owner in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. The studio team will interact with the booth during the telecast of the race.

Schrader Joins Craven, McGee on NASCAR Now Roundtable

NASCAR driver Ken Schrader joins ESPN analyst Ricky Craven and ESPN the Magazine senior writer Ryan McGee as panelists on NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program airing Monday, April 11, at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Allen Bestwick will host the edition of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program.

Mike Massaro hosts half-hour episodes of NASCAR Now airing at 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, Friday at midnight (late Thursday night), and Friday at 6 p.m. Massaro also hosts NASCAR Now’s weekend edition Saturday at 10 a.m. with a preview of that night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. McGee and Nicole Briscoe will report from Texas with analyst Rusty Wallace.

NHRA Action Airs Saturday on ESPN2

Action from the recent NHRA event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be featured in 90 minutes of drag racing action airing Saturday, April 9, on ESPN2.

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series is up first at 3 p.m. for one hour of highlights, followed at 4 p.m. by the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Modifieds.

ESPN.com Offers RacingLive! During Texas Race

NASCAR fans looking for an online gathering during ESPN’s telecasts of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series now have a place to go on ESPN.com.

RacingLive! on ESPN.com is a live blog where fans can engage in debate and discussion with ESPN.com writers and editors during the NASCAR Sprint Cup races. On Saturday, April 9, RacingLive! Texas will kick off to coincide with the race at Texas Motor Speedway. Fans can join ESPN.com’s NASCAR experts in dissecting every aspect of the race live at http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/.

ESPN.com national motorsports writer Terry Blount will be on-site at Texas to report on the weekend’s action and news.

ESPN Radio Raceday Airs Saturday, Sunday

Each weekend morning, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay starts its engines at 6 a.m. ET with host Pat Patterson anchored from Daytona Beach, Fla. Patterson also originates the broadcast from several racetracks with key races during the season. On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay listeners get an hour of news, previews and analysis, as well as profiles and interviews with NASCAR’s biggest names and newsmakers and the involvement of listeners via calls and e-mails.

Additionally, many of ESPN’s NASCAR reporters and analysts contribute each week as ESPN networks televise the entire NASCAR Nationwide Series and the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” championship. A list of ESPN Radio affiliates can be found at www.espnradio.com.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

ESPN NASCAR Logo

IZOD IndyCar Series Season Kicks Off Live on ABC

The IZOD IndyCar Series begins its 2011 season Sunday, March 27, on the St. Petersburg, Fla., street circuit and ABC will have a live telecast of the event starting at 12:30 p.m. ET. The race is the first of five that will air on ABC this season, including the 100^th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 on May 29.

The telecast from St. Petersburg will include 30 minutes of pre-race with the green flag at 1 p.m.

Marty Reid will anchor with former IndyCar winner Scott Goodyear providing analysis. Reporting from the pits will be Rick DeBruhl, Jamie Little and Vince Welch.

NASCAR Nationwide Series Live from California

ESPN continues its coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series with a live telecast of the 300-mile race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., on Saturday, March 26. The telecast is presented by CiCi’s Pizza and begins with NASCAR Countdown at 5 p.m. ET. The race’s green flag is at 5:46 p.m.

Allen Bestwick will call the action with analysis by Rusty Wallace, the 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, and two-time champion crew chief Andy Petree. Two-time champion crew chief Tim Brewer will report from the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage, while pit reporters will be Dave Burns, Mike Massaro, Dr. Jerry Punch and Shannon Spake. 

NASCAR Countdown from the ESPN pit studio will be hosted by Nicole Briscoe with analysis by Wallace and Brad Daugherty, a team owner in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. The studio team will interact with the booth during the telecast of the race.

Schrader Joins Craven, McGee on NASCAR Now Roundtable

NASCAR driver Ken Schrader joins ESPN analyst Ricky Craven and ESPN the Magazine senior writer Ryan McGee as panelists on NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program airing Monday, March 28, at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Allen Bestwick will host the edition of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program.

ESPN SportsCenter anchor Michelle Bonner guest-hosts half-hour episodes of NASCAR Now airing at 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, Friday at midnight (late Thursday night), and Saturday at 12:30 a.m. (late Friday night). Bonner also hosts NASCAR Now’s weekend edition Sunday at 11 a.m. with a preview of that day’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Marty Smith and Shannon Spake will report from California with analyst Andy Petree.

ESPN.com Offers RacingLive! During California Race

NASCAR fans looking for an online gathering during ESPN’s telecasts of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series now have a place to go on ESPN.com.

RacingLive! on ESPN.com is a live blog where fans can engage in debate and discussion with ESPN.com writers and editors during the NASCAR Sprint Cup races. On Sunday, March 27, RacingLive! California will kick off to coincide with the race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Fans can join ESPN.com’s NASCAR experts in dissecting every aspect of the race live at http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/.

ESPN.com motorsports writer David Newton will be on-site at Bristol to report on the weekend’s action and news.

ESPN Radio Raceday Airs Saturday, Sunday

Each weekend morning, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay starts its engines at 6 a.m. ET with host Pat Patterson anchored from Daytona Beach, Fla. Patterson also originates the broadcast from several racetracks with key races during the season. On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, ESPN Radio’s RaceDay listeners get an hour of news, previews and analysis, as well as profiles and interviews with NASCAR’s biggest names and newsmakers and the involvement of listeners via calls and e-mails.

Additionally, many of ESPN’s NASCAR reporters and analysts contribute each week as ESPN networks televise the entire NASCAR Nationwide Series and the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” championship. A list of ESPN Radio affiliates can be found at www.espnradio.com.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

ESPN NASCAR analysts Rusty Wallace (l) and Dale Jarrett - Photo Credit: Phil Cavali/ESPN

Jarrett and Wallace drove for about 25 minutes together around the 2.5-mile oval while recording material that will be used in the NASCAR Countdown program that airs prior to ESPN2’s live telecast. During the run, ESPN’s signature news and information program SportsCenter did a live look-in and viewers were able to watch the cars make several laps and hear Wallace and Jarrett describing the action. To stay current as analysts, the two champions were driving on the new Daytona pavement for the first time.

“We’ve been talking to the drivers about how the new pavement feels, but there’s nothing like experiencing it for yourself,” said Jarrett, a three-time Daytona 500 winner. “They really did an incredible job. It’s like you were used to driving on a bumpy dirt road and then they pave it and it’s like a different road.”

The drivers were lapping the track in the 175-180 mph range. On their final lap, Wallace bumped Jarrett’s car from behind, making a large dent in the rear bumper. “Just thought I’d do a little bump draft,” he said.

“Rusty cheated,” said Jarrett. “His rev limiter was set higher than mine.”

Wallace a

ESPN analysts and former NASCAR champions Rusty Wallace (l) and Dale Jarrett race on the track. - Photo Credit: Phil Cavali/ESPN

Asked if the experience made him want to return to racing, Jarrett was quick to answer. “No thanks, I’m good,” he said. “It was fun with just two cars out there but that’s plenty for me now. I’m happy I just get to watch them and talk about them on TV.”

NASCAR Countdown airs at noon on ESPN2 on Saturday, Feb. 19, followed by the race telecast at 1:15 p.m.

About NASCAR on ESPN:

ESPN produces comprehensive, multi-platform coverage featuring telecasts of the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Additionally, ESPN2 is the television home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series. ESPN’s NASCAR coverage extends to ESPN.com, SportsCenter, ESPN the Magazine, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio and ESPN International, among other ESPN platforms. ESPN aired 262 NASCAR Cup Races over a 20-year period starting in 1981 and returned to NASCAR coverage in 2007. The network’s award-winning, live flag-to-flag coverage on ESPN has been honored with 19 Sports Emmy Awards, as well as many industry honors. It is widely credited for helping to popularize the sport nationwide.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

ESPN NASCAR Logo

Some highlight quotes from the news conference:

What can be done about the commercial load in ESPN’s NASCAR telecasts?

RICH FEINBERG — “The commercial ratio that we use is less than we are contractually allowed. We could actually be putting more commercials in our telecasts. With our agreement with NASCAR, we would be allowed to do so and obviously that would generate us more revenue. We choose not to do that in an effort to show as much green flag racing as we can. We’ve done studies between our commercial volume versus the other media partners of NASCAR and it is very, very similar. We’ve also actually done some internal studies to look at some of those websites that track commercials and have found a lot of inaccuracies in their system. The reality is that it’s a business. With the rights payments that we have to make to have our partnership with NASCAR, and with production costs, marketing and personnel, we’re a business as well, and we need to recoup those expenses and hopefully make ourselves profitable. So it’s a balance. I think there are ways to try and strike a better balance than we have now. Currently we are not allowed to do side-by-side per our rights agreement with NASCAR but I know that in our partnership we have discussions with them about that. The reality is we try to minimize the impact on the presentation of the show as much as possible. We’ve had a lot of success in the placement of our commercials and offering the end of a race without as many commercials as we can possibly do.”

Your reaction to the remarks by Tony Kornheiser on Tuesday’s PTI?

RICH FEINBERG — “I did not see the show, but it’s been relayed to me what he said. It’s sort of my take on it that that’s a show of opinion, and it’s primarily based on his and Michael’s (Wilbon) opinion, and they are entitled to their opinion. Hopefully they present it with responsibility and in a dignified way, which from my take, it’s an Emmy Award winning show they do for the most part. But they’re entitled to their opinion, you’re entitled to your opinion, I’m entitled to my opinion, and I disagree with what I was told he said. And I can tell you for sure that ESPN doesn’t agree with his opinion yesterday, but that’s the nature of commentary, and not all the time are we going to get a rosy picture when people are offering their opinions.”

Dale Jarrett, what does it mean to you when one of your colleagues makes a remark like that?

DALE JARRETT — “It wouldn’t matter who said it or what network it might have been on, but it pisses me off that somebody thinks that from being inside, and knowing how hard a lot of years that myself and a lot of others that I worked with and around, worked on our race cars to try and make them the best. All you have to do is look around throughout the history of the sport at crazy things that happened. You get in a wreck with somebody one week, and the next week you qualify side-by-side and you’re in a truck riding around the track together. Did NASCAR plan that? Why hell no. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is in a very good race car down here. He’s always run well here given good equipment. He’s my pick to win this race. Was it because it’s the 10^th anniversary of his father’s death? Well no, it doesn’t have anything to do with that. It aggravates you that that perception is out there. I can assure everyone that it can’t happen. To set something up, there’s too many people that would have to be involved. You couldn’t keep something like that quiet. It’s unfair to the competitors and to the people who work their tails off to put a quality product out there. We have a very good sport with a lot of integrity out there and to have it questioned is unfortunate.”

Andy Petree would you weigh in on that?

ANDY PETREE – “We’re hearing opinions of people who really have no idea. This is my 30^th Daytona 500 that I’ve come down to. I have spent a career trying to get an advantage under the hood or anywhere I can with that car. And I’ve done it with numerous drivers, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Harry Gant, and I can tell you I’ve never, ever in my life seen anybody get the call to have something done to their car. These guys are too smart in the garage area. You’re working right next to every team in there. If I saw something on somebody else’s car that I thought wasn’t right, I’m going to be the first one to make sure somebody knows about it, and they’re going to do the same thing to me. That’s not possible in this garage area. The integrity of this sport, I can vouch for after 30 years of doing it.”

Dale Jarrett on getting back into a race car on Friday to run laps with fellow ESPN analyst Rusty Wallace …

DALE JARRETT – “I’ve talked to a lot of the drivers about the pavement and how the racing has changed, obviously watched how that has changed, and when ESPN called Rusty and myself about this opportunity, it was one I certainly jumped at to be able to go out there in more than just a pace car or something like that. To actually get in a race car and go at some good speeds and see just how different this place really is from what Rusty and I raced on. All the years that we were here, it was the same surface and it just kept getting more and more worn. It’ll give us an opportunity to better speak about the changes to the track and what has changed, more than just getting it from our friends in the garage area. Really looking forward to it and we certainly appreciate Daytona and NASCAR giving us this opportunity, and hopefully we’ll be able to convey to the millions who will be watching over the weekend just how much it has changed and how different things are going to be.”

Marty Reid on calling the first NASCAR Nationwide Series race on the new Daytona pavement …

MARTY REID — “You know there are still some questions. We’re waiting to see what happens, based on what we saw at the Shootout, how much of a change it’s going to affect for the Nationwide cars. I don’t think it’s going to be as drastic, from what everybody’s been telling us, but it’s still going to be fun to see how the new pavement handles and how the drivers adjust, and how much bump drafting we actually see. The cars don’t match up as well in Nationwide, so that’ll be a factor as well, so you won’t be able to run up on somebody and push them as much as we saw in the Shootout.”

Andy Petree on how crew chiefs have to deal with rule changes such as those announced following the Bud Shootout …

ANDY PETREE – ““You work all winter on the cars and try to get a package that you feel like you‘re gonna be competitive with and be able to win with. When they throw that at you, it’s aggravating for crew chiefs, but they have to react to it. Whoever reacts to it the best, the quickest, those are the guys that are going to have a leg up. So I always looked at it as an opportunity to maybe get a leg up on the competition, and that’s the great thing about this sport, it never stays the same, not even minute to minute, and that’s what’s always kept me interested as long as I’ve been in it.”

About NASCAR on ESPN:

ESPN produces comprehensive, multi-platform coverage featuring telecasts of the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Additionally, ESPN2 is the television home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series. ESPN’s NASCAR coverage extends to ESPN.com, SportsCenter, ESPN the Magazine, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio and ESPN International, among other ESPN platforms. ESPN aired 262 NASCAR Cup Races over a 20-year period starting in 1981 and returned to NASCAR coverage in 2007. The network’s award-winning, live flag-to-flag coverage on ESPN has been honored with 19 Sports Emmy Awards, as well as many industry honors. It is widely credited for helping to popularize the sport nationwide.

- ESPN Communication, Press Release

NASCAR on ESPN -- (l to r) Marty Reid, Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree - Photo Credit: Phil Cavali/ESPN

Thirty-three of the 34 races on the NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule this season will appear on ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC. ESPN also will televise the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races of the season, including all 10 races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Fourteen of the 17 races will air on ESPN, with three Saturday night races appearing on ABC. ESPN’s NASCAR Sprint Cup coverage begins July 31 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway while the Chase begins Sept. 18 at Chicagoland Speedway.

In addition to race coverage for both series, the networks also will televise practice and qualifying from select races, season preview and review programs and a special Chase preview. Each race includes a dedicated pre-race program and comprehensive coverage of NASCAR appears on ESPN2’s NASCAR news and information program, NASCAR Now.

ESPN’s team of announcers has four former NASCAR Sprint Cup champions returning to their analyst roles in 2011, including 1999 champion driver Dale Jarrett and 1989 champion Rusty Wallace. Two-time champion crew chiefs Tim Brewer and Andy Petree also will offer expert analysis during the season.

Lap-by-lap announcer Marty Reid will join Jarrett and Petree in the booth for race telecasts, with pit reporters Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch and Vince Welch. From the newly-designed ESPN Pit Studio, Allen Bestwick will host NASCAR Countdown with analysts Wallace and Brad Daugherty. Brewer will report from the Emmy-winning ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage during race telecasts to help viewers better understand the technical and mechanical aspects of NASCAR racing.

Bestwick and Burns will each step into the lap-by-lap announcer position as fill-ins for Reid for some NASCAR Nationwide Series telecasts while NASCAR Now co-host Nicole Briscoe will host NASCAR Countdown for several races. Wallace, Daugherty and NASCAR Now analyst Ricky Craven also will help call some races from the booth as fill-ins for Jarrett and Petree. NASCAR Now co-hosts Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake will work as pit reporters for selected races as will Rick DeBruhl, a pit reporter on ESPN’s coverage of the IZOD IndyCar Series, and Jim Noble.

ESPN’s NASCAR race telecasts will be produced under the oversight of ESPN vice president, motorsports, Rich Feinberg and senior coordinating producer Jill Frederickson. NASCAR Sprint Cup races and selected Nationwide Series races will be produced by Jamie Shiftan while Jim Gaiero will produce other Nationwide Series races. Richie Basile will be director.

ESPN’s multimedia approach to coverage of NASCAR touches multiple ESPN platforms, including ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN2, ESPN2 HD, ABC, ABC HD, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes, ESPNEWS, ESPN Radio, ESPN International, ESPN Mobile and Jayski.com.

NASCAR race schedules for the ESPN Networks in 2011 are as follows:

2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Schedule on ESPN Networks

(All Times Eastern)

2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series Schedule on ESPN Networks

Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.

About NASCAR on ESPN:

ESPN produces comprehensive, multi-platform coverage featuring telecasts of the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Additionally, ESPN2 is the television home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series. ESPN’s NASCAR coverage extends to ESPN.com, SportsCenter, ESPN the Magazine, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio and ESPN International, among other ESPN platforms. ESPN aired 262 NASCAR Cup Races over a 20-year period starting in 1981 and returned to NASCAR coverage in 2007. The network’s award-winning, live flag-to-flag coverage on ESPN has been honored with 19 Sports Emmy Awards, as well as many industry honors. It is widely credited for helping to popularize the sport nationwide.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release

ESPN Analysts Dale Jarrett

Jarrett and Wallace will make high-speed laps together around the 2.5-mile oval while recording material that will be used in the NASCAR Countdown program that airs prior to ESPN2’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona the following day. The two champions will be getting a feel for the new Daytona pavement to help them in their analysis for ESPN.

ESPN’s cameras around the track will document the event and each vehicle will be equipped with in-car cameras. In addition, Jarrett and Wallace will be able to speak with each other while on the track via radio communication. NASCAR Countdown airs at noon on Saturday, Feb. 19, followed by the race telecast at 1:15 p.m.

“We are very fortunate to have two of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers as analysts and this is an opportunity to serve our viewers with unique insight,” said Rich Feinberg, ESPN vice president, motorsports, event and studio production. “And I think D.J. and Rusty are going to have a lot of fun doing it.”

ESPN Analysts Rusty Wallace

Wallace, the 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, retired following the 2005 season and has often said that his biggest regret is never winning the Daytona 500. The 55-time race winner’s best finish in NASCAR’s biggest race was third in 2001. He was last in a race car when he tested the newly-designed NASCAR Nationwide Series car last summer at Colorado’s Pikes Peak International Raceway.

About NASCAR on ESPN:

ESPN produces comprehensive, multi-platform coverage featuring telecasts of the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Additionally, ESPN2 is the television home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series. ESPN’s NASCAR coverage extends to ESPN.com, SportsCenter, ESPN the Magazine, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio and ESPN International, among other ESPN platforms. ESPN aired 262 NASCAR Cup Races over a 20-year period starting in 1981 and returned to NASCAR coverage in 2007. The network’s award-winning, live flag-to-flag coverage on ESPN has been honored with 19 Sports Emmy Awards, as well as many industry honors. It is widely credited for helping to popularize the sport nationwide.

- ESPN Communications, Press Release