The NASCAR Nationwide Series makes its first appearance of the 2009 season at Lowe’s Motor Speedway near Charlotte this weekend, and ESPN2 will have a live, high definition telecast from the 1.5-mile track on Saturday night, May 23, at 7 p.m. ET, as the series races for 300 miles in prime time. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC. The race re-airs Sunday, May 24, at noon on ESPN Classic. Dr. Jerry Punch will be the lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s coverage from Lowe’s Motor Speedway, joined in the booth for analysis by Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. Dave Burns, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake will report from the pits, with reports by Tim Brewer from the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage. Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by Jarrett and Brad Daugherty in the ESPN pit studio. Following the race, ESPN2 will air the ESPN Original Movie 3 at 10:30 p.m. The 2004 movie, starring Barry Pepper and J.K. Simmons, chronicles the life and career of seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt.(ESPN PR)(5-18-2009)
