NASCAR drivers and fans consider Richmond International Raceway one of the most competitive tracks in the sport, and racing on the .750-mile track takes on even more excitement at night under the lights. ESPN2 will have a live, prime-time telecast as the Nationwide Series races at Richmond Friday night, May 2, beginning at 7 p.m. with NASCAR Countdown. The telecast also will air in high definition on ESPN2 HD. Marty Reid will be the lead announcer for ESPN2’s coverage, joined in the booth for analysis by Rusty Wallace and Andy Petree. Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake will report from the pits, while Tim Brewer will be in the ESPN DISH Tech Center. Allen Bestwick will host NASCAR Countdown with analysis by Wallace and Brad Daugherty in the ESPN pit studio.(ESPN PR)(4-28-2008)
UPDATE: Friday night’s ESPN production of the Nationwide Series race from Richmond has been moved to ESPN Classic and also will be simulcast on ESPN360.com and SPEED. The telecast begins at 7 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown. The change was made to accommodate NBA playoff game six between Washington and Cleveland. Additionally, for fans without ESPN Classic, a special encore presentation of the race from start to finish will air that evening following the NBA game beginning at approximately 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2.(EPSN PR)(5-1-2008)
UPDATE 2: Here is the revised broadcast plan for the race:
* The live telecast of the race in its originally scheduled time slot (710:00 p.m. ET) will air simultaneously on both SPEED and ESPN Classic.
* ESPN2 will join the race live immediately following the Cavaliers Wizards game and will also re-air the race in its entirety immediately following the conclusion of the race broadcast.
* Both NASCAR.com and ESPN.com will stream the race live.
* ESPN and SPEED will begin on-air promotion today (Thursday, May 1).
* SPEEDs live coverage from Richmond begins at 1:00 p.m. ET with NASCAR LIVE and will continue straight through the live broadcast of the race until 10:00 p.m. ET.(NASCAR PR)(5-1-2008)
