ESPN2s NASCAR Countdown will have a live preview at 7:30 p.m. ET Friday of the Busch Series race at Daytona. Allen Bestwick will host NASCAR Countdown from the ESPN Pit Studio, joined by ESPN analyst Brad Daugherty and special guest Jimmie Johnson. Tim Brewer will report from the ESPN Chevy Cutaway Car. Rusty Wallace will work in the ESPN booth as analyst for the telecast, joined by Andy Petree. Dr. Jerry Punch will handle play-by-play. NASCAR Countdown will include segments from pit reporters Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro, and Shannon Spake as drivers visit the superspeedway to race under the lights.
NASCAR Countdown will originate from the ESPN Pit Studio at Daytona as it sets the stage for ESPN2s coverage of the Busch Series race Friday. Highlights include:
The Busch Series Season in Review: Daytona marks both the beginning and midway point of the Busch Series and Nextel Cup seasons. NASCAR Countdown will revisit the stories of the season, including Kevin Harvick’s Daytona Double in February, when he won both the Busch race at Daytona, followed up Sunday with the Daytona 500 win.
Cup Invaders vs. Busch Regulars: NASCAR racing at Daytona marks another companion weekend for Busch and Cup teams and drivers. The NASCAR Countdown booth team will discuss Nextel Cup drivers in the field for Friday nights race and the unique element of racing in this series. The addition of Cup drivers makes it fun for fans to watch but presents a challenge for the Busch Series regulars.
The Montoya Factor: After two NASCAR wins this season — one in the Busch Series and one in Nextel Cup — NASCAR Countdown will examine international racing star Juan Pablo Montoyas impact on stock car racing.
Toyota Season in Review: Car manufacturer Toyota joined the Nextel Cup and Busch Series starting with the season-opening race at Daytona, where it finished second overall in the Busch Series race. NASCAR Countdown will review Toyotas ups and downs so far this season.(ESPN PR)(7-5-2007)
