ESPN2s NASCAR Countdown will preview the live, primetime NASCAR Busch Series race at Richmond International Raceway Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Allen Bestwick will host the telecast with studio analyst Brad Daugherty. Analyst Tim Brewer will report from the ESPN Cutaway Car. The race telecast team including lead announcer Marty Reid, Andy Petree and Dale Jarrett will also contribute. Additionally, NASCAR Countdown will include segments from pit reporters Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake as drivers and teams prepare to race under the lights on the .750-mile track. NASCAR Countdown will originate from Richmond International Raceway and will be telecast from ESPNs state-of-the-art mobile pit studio as it sets the stage for ESPN2s coverage of the NASCAR Busch Series race Friday night, May 4. Highlights will include:
Tough Weekend for Kyle Busch: Kyle Busch had a tough time at Talladega last weekend with hard crashes in both the NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races. Busch will talk with Allen Bestwick and Brad Daugherty in the ESPN Pit Studio about coming back from the difficulties at Talladega. In addition, ESPN reporter Shannon Spake went along recently when Busch and some members of his team went fishing as a bonding outing.
Ambrose Having Impact: Australian Marcos Ambrose has made an impact on the NASCAR Busch Series as both a driver and a personality during his rookie season. Even after crashing in last weeks race at Talladega, Ambrose joked that he had just gotten his official Alabama Slamma. ESPN pit reporter Jamie Little will speak to Ambrose prior to the Richmond race.
Hamlin Races at Home: When the NASCAR traveling circuit comes to Richmond International Raceway, its a home game for Denny Hamlin of nearby Chesterfield, Va., who started his stock car racing career on local short tracks. ESPN pit reporter Dave Burns will talk to Hamlin about the rewards of racing at his home track.
Harvick Goes For Four Straight: Kevin Harvick, the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series champion, will be going for his fourth consecutive Busch Series win at Richmond. ESPN pit reporter Mike Massaro will talk to Harvick about his recent domination at Richmond and his rising success as a Busch Series car owner following his 1-2 finish last week at Talladega with drivers Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart.
Racing Under the Lights: A night race presents unique challenges to NASCAR Busch Series teams, and ESPN analyst Tim Brewer at the Chevy Cutaway Car will explain how Richmond International Raceway is tough on brakes and how teams need to manage the impact.(ESPN PR)(5-3-2007)
