FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 30th, 2017

NBC SPORTS JETS BACK TO THE 1980’S WITH RIGHTEOUS RETRO COVERAGE OF DARLINGTON RACEWAY’S NASCAR CUP SERIES RACE – SUNDAY AT 6 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

NBC Sports Group Presents 19 Rad Hours of NASCAR Cup and XFINITY Series Coverage from “The Track Too Tough To Tame”

 

Legendary NASCAR Broadcasters Ken Squier and Ned Jarrett Join Epic NASCAR on NBC Broadcast Team to Call Sunday’s Race

 

NASCAR Cup and XFINITY Series Race Telecasts to Feature Sweet Retro Graphics, Logos, and 1980’s Inspired Fashion for On-Air Team

Ray Evernham, Dale Inman and Ken Squier Join NASCAR America from NASCAR Hall of Fame – Happenin’ Tonight at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN

 

STAMFORD, Conn.August 30, 2017 – NBC Sports Group celebrates Darlington Raceway’s throwback weekend of racing, with retro themes, graphics and style from the 1985-89 NASCAR era, integrated throughout 19 hours of trackside coverage from “The Track Too Tough to Tame,” in Darlington, South Carolina. Race coverage begins Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with XFINITY Series racing, and culminates Sunday night at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series racing.

 

With only two races remaining before the Playoffs begin, Martin Truex Jr. holds the lead atop the 2017 Cup Series Playoff standings, with 4 wins and 35 playoff-points. Truex Jr. is followed by Kyle Busch (2 wins, 20 playoff-points), Kyle Larson (3 wins, 18 playoff-points), Jimmie Johnson (3 wins, 16 playoff-points), and Brad Keselowski (2 wins, 14 playoff-points). Chase Elliott, Jamie McMurray and Matt Kenseth currently hold the three remaining Playoff spots based on points, but have yet to secure a race win to guarantee their positions.

 

In addition to live television coverage on NBCSN, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs – will provide comprehensive streaming coverage of this weekend’s NASCAR action.

 

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES RACING FROM DARLINGTON – SUNDAY AT 6 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

 

NBC Sports Group kicks off its Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series coverage from Darlington Raceway, this Friday at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Final practice begins at 3:30 p.m. ET, followed by NASCAR America at 5 p.m. ET. Saturday’s coverage includes a special 30-minute edition of NASCAR America at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN, followed by qualifying at 1:30 p.m. ET.

 

Sunday’s race day coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with NASCAR America, and leads into NBC Sports Group’s pre-race show, Countdown to Green, at 5:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

 

Race day coverage starts with a throwback edition of Blake Shelton’s NASCAR on NBC “Bringing Back the Sunshine” Open, featuring a collection of racing moments spanning the track’s 60 year history. In addition to retro graphics and logos, NASCAR on NBC’s on-air team will dress in their best 1980’s Miami Vice and Madonna inspired fashion.

 

Pre-race coverage also includes a special three car on-track preview of Darlington Raceway. Jeff Burton will drive AJ Foyt’s 1980 No. 51 Valvoline Oldsmobile, alongside Dale Jarrett driving Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s 1981 No. 2 Wrangler Pontiac, and Mark Martin in his own 1990 No. 6 Folgers Ford.

 

1985 Southern 500 winner, Bill Elliott will join NASCAR on NBC’s pre-race set live to discuss the honor of returning to Darlington to serve as Sunday’s pace car driver alongside Richard Petty. Ken Squier will voice a special feature on Dale Earnhardt Sr. and the superstars of the 1980’s.

 

In addition, Rutledge Wood will quiz today’s drivers on their 80’s knowledge, and showcase some of the best throwback outfits throughout the track. Sunday’s coverage will feature footage from Darlington Raceway’s special Dale Earnhardt Sr. tribute event, occurring at the track on Saturday evening.

 

NASCAR Cup Series racing begins at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN, and is followed by a live on-site NASCAR Cup Series post-race show. NBCSN wraps up coverage at 11 p.m. ET with Victory Lap, NBC Sports Group’s NASCAR post-race show, originating from Stamford, Conn.

 

NBC Sports Group’s lead race announcer Rick Allen (@Rickallenracing) will call this weekend’s Monster Energy and XFINITY Series action, alongside Daytona 500 winning crew chief Steve Letarte (@steveletarte), and “The Mayor” of NASCAR Jeff Burton (@Jeffburton).

 

Legendary NASCAR broadcasters Ken Squier and Ned Jarrett will return to the booth Sunday, alongside Dale Jarrett, to call a portion of the race.

 

Krista Voda (@KristaVoda) will host pre- and post-race coverage alongside auto racing icon Kyle Petty (@Kylepetty), and Hall of Fame driver Dale Jarrett (@DaleJarrett). Marty Snider (@HeyMartysnider), Kelli Stavast (@Kellistavast) and Dave Burns (@tvdaveburns) will report from pit road.

 

XFINITY SERIES COVERAGE FROM DARLINGTON – SATURDAY AT 3:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

 

NBCSN’s XFINITY Series coverage from Darlington begins Friday, with first practice at 12 p.m. ET, followed by final practice at 2:30 p.m. ET. Coverage continues Saturday, with XFINITY Series qualifying at Noon ET on NBCSN.

 

Pre-race Countdown to Green coverage starts at 3 p.m. ET, followed by race coverage at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Saturday’s pre-race show includes a special feature on William Byron and his throwback paint scheme, which pays tribute to the late Ricky Hendrick. A live on-site post-race show wraps up the evening at 5:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

 

NASCAR LEGENDS RAY EVERNHAM, DALE INMAN AND KEN SQUIER JOIN NASCAR AMERICA FROM NASCAR HALL OF FAME – TODAY AT 5 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

 

NASCAR America honors the tradition of “The Track Too Tough to Tame,” with a special edition tonight at 5 p.m. ET, featuring NASCAR legends Ray Evernham, Dale Inman and Ken Squier.

Three-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion crew chief Evernham, eight-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion crew chief Inman, and legendary NASCAR broadcaster Squier, will join NASCAR America host Marty Snider, Hall of Fame driver Dale Jarrett, and Daytona 500 winning crew chief Steve Letarte, live from the NASCAR Hall of Fame, in Charlotte, N.C.

The three legends will share memories from Darlington Raceway, and discuss highlights from their storied careers, as the sport comes together to celebrate “The Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR.” NBC Sports joins Darlington Raceway in commemorating the sights and sounds of the 1985-1989 era, with throwback themes integrated throughout this week’s coverage.

 

NASCAR ON NBC CELEBRATES 80’S, WITH KRISTA VODA’S DARLINGTON #NASCARTHROWBACK MIX – AVAILABLE ON SPOTIFY

 

Lover of 1980’s Hair Band rock music, NASCAR on NBC’s Krista Voda takes over the NBC Sports Spotify account with her own Darlington #NASCARThrowback Mix. Chalk full of Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, and AC/DC, Krista’s playlist features the best of the 1980’s era, and sets the scene for NASCAR on NBC’s throwback weekend of coverage from Darlington Raceway.

 

Listeners can find the podcast here on Spotify, and by searching for “Krista’s Darlington #NASCARThrowback Mix” on Spotify.com and the app.

 

MARK MARTIN AND CLINT BOWYER JOIN NATE RYAN’S NASCAR ON NBC PODCAST THIS WEEK

 

A busy week in motorsports, NBCSports.com’s lead motorsports writer, Nate Ryan (@nateryan) presents two NASCAR on NBC podcasts this week. In the first, released today, Ryan is joined by Clint Bowyer. Bowher discusses his Southern 500 paint scheme, his thoughts on how tracks can improve the race-day experience for fans, and how he spends his free time with his family on their farm.

 

The second episode, set to be released Thursday, will include 40-time Premier Series race winner Mark Martin. Martin talks about why Darlington’s throwback weekend has become a cannot miss event of the year, and how he made the decision to finally retire from NASCAR. The NASCAR on NBC podcast is available on NASCAR Talk, Apple Podcasts, AudioBoom, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher and podcasting apps. For more info click here.

 

UPCOMING NBC SPORTS GROUP NASCAR PROGRAMMING

 

DATE COVERAGE TIME (ET) NETWORK
Wednesday, August 30 NASCAR America 5:00 PM NBCSN
Friday, September 1 NASCAR XFINITY Series First Practice – Darlington 12:00 PM NBCSN
NASCAR Cup Series First Practice – Darlington 1:00 PM NBCSN
NASCAR XFINITY Series Final Practice – Darlington 2:30 PM NBCSN
NASCAR Cup Series Final Practice – Darlington 3:30 PM NBCSN
NASCAR America 5:00 PM NBCSN
NASCAR Southern Speed: Legend of Darlington 6:00 PM NBCSN
Saturday, September 2 NASCAR XFINITY Series Qualifying – Darlington 12:00 PM NBCSN
NASCAR America 1:00 PM NBCSN
NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – Darlington 1:30 PM NBCSN
NASCAR XFINITY Series Countdown to Green 3:00 PM NBCSN
NASCAR XFINITY Series Racing – Darlington 3:30 PM NBCSN
NASCAR XFINITY Series Post-Race Show 5:30 PM NBCSN
NASCAR K&N Series –  Douglas 8:30 PM NBCSN
NASCAR Whelen Series – Seekonk 9:30 PM NBCSN
Sunday, September 3 NASCAR Southern Speed: Legend of Darlington 10:30 AM NBCSN
NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – Darlington (Encore) 11:30 AM NBCSN
NASCAR America 4:00 PM NBCSN
NASCAR Cup Series Countdown to Green 5:30 PM NBCSN
NASCAR Cup Series Racing – Darlington 6:00 PM NBCSN
NASCAR Cup Series Post-Race Show 10:30 PM NBCSN
Victory Lap 11:00 PM NBCSN

 

NASCAR ON NBC

 

In 2017, NBC Sports Group will present the final 20 NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR XFINITY Series events and select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events.

 

NBC Sports Group’s NASCAR programming also includes NBCSN’s daily motorsports show NASCAR America, coverage of NASCAR’s Awards Ceremonies, the annual NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony, as well as original programming specials. NBC Sports Group concluded the 2016 NASCAR season presenting more hours of trackside coverage and programming than ever before.

 

In 2016, NBC Sports Group continued to innovate and entertain race fans with 630 hours of NASCAR programming, including interactive watch parties, documentary specials and new shoulder programming, in addition to its 366 live trackside hours from 22 different states. In 2016, overall consumption of NASCAR content on NBC Sports’ Digital properties was up 50% vs. 2015, and NASCAR on NBC’s social platforms generated a triple-digit increase in video views, as well as double-digit increase in fan base and impressions compared to the 2015 season.

 

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 —