The 2006 Daytona 500 on NBC, broadcast in high definition, will deploy 76 cameras (including 10 cars with 3-camera in-car rigs) around the 2.5-mile speedway. NBC will feature a “Crew-Cam” – a helmet-cam worn by a jack-man in Dale Earnhardt Jr’s crew while performing pit stops. In addition, NBC will have “Squash-Cam,” a lipstick-sized camera buried in the grass in the tri-oval that gives viewers the effect of being “squashed” by the cars speeding by. The NASCAR on NBC coverage is anchored by play-by-play announcer and pre-race host Bill Weber, joined by analysts Benny Parsons and Wally Dallenbach. Pit reporters Allen Bestwick, Dave Burns, Marty Snider and Matt Yocum complete the team. The “Bank of America Countdown to Green” pre-race show will feature NBC’s “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno driving the pace car; Fergie, the best-selling group The Black Eyed Peas, singing the National Anthem; and a performance by legendary rock band Bon Jovi; and also will include a feature on “The Big One,” major wrecks at Daytona. Daytona International Speedway holds the record for most cars crashed at once, 38, on February 13, 1960, on the second lap in a 73-car Sportsman 250-mile race.(NBC PR)(2-19-2006)
