NASCAR Driver and NBC Sports Analyst Parker Kligerman Joins Automotive Journalist Sam Smith to Host High-Speed and Adrenaline-Fuelled Motorsports Show with SportsCar Champion Driver Leh Keen
30-Minute Show Tests a Variety of Cars from American Muscle and European Exotics to the Everyday Minivan
STAMFORD, Conn. – October 11, 2018 – Proving Grounds, a new reality series featuring a fast-paced immersion into auto racing and testing, debuts next Sunday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, immediately following Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series coverage from Kansas Speedway.
The first season features five episodes that test a variety of cars from American muscle and European exotics, to everyday pickup trucks and minivans, on a custom built track in Southern California. Proving Grounds is hosted by NASCAR driver and NBC Sports analyst Parker Kligerman, alongside automotive journalist Sam Smith, and features Sports Car Champion driver Leh Keen.
“Proving Grounds combines a few of my favorite things in life, automobiles, adrenaline and some friendly competition in everything from minivans to supercars. It’s ridiculous in all the right ways,” said Kligerman. “I am incredibly proud of this series and can’t wait to share it with fellow gearheads, like me.”
“Anyone passionate about cars has dreamt of getting on a test track and pushing their car to the limit. Proving Grounds does just that,” said Michael Kane, Sr. Director, Original Programming & Development, NBC Sports Group. “Proving Grounds features fast cars, big cars and even specialty cars like a police cruiser. There’s something here for everyone.”
Intended to throwback to the retro action and adventure shows of the 1980’s and 1990’s, Proving Grounds brings viewers behind the wheel as they drift, shift and dodge obstacles. Kligerman, Smith and Keen gauge speed, performance and fun across 20 different vehicles including a Porsche 718 GTS, McLaren 720S, Miata MX-5 and Corvette Z06. Each vehicle is put through a variety of obstacles including speed bumps, wet pavement, a chicane and even a herd of fake deer.
Proving Grounds complements NBC Sports Group’s robust catalogue of motorsports properties that exceeds 1,930 programming hours in 2018, including NASCAR, IndyCar, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, and Mecum Auctions.
New episodes of Proving Grounds will air Sundays on NBCSN immediately following NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races in Kansas, Martinsville, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead.
A preview of Proving Grounds is available here.
PROVING GROUNDS TELECAST SCHEDULE ON NBCSN
| Date | Show | Time (ET) |
| Sunday, October 21 | Episode 1 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, October 28 | Episode 2 | 8 p.m. |
| Sunday, November 4 | Episode 3 | 8:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, November 11 | Episode 4 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, November 18 | Episode 5 | 8 p.m. |
For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.
— NBC SPORTS GROUP —