(WOMR file photo)
With Coke Zero 400 at the Daytona International Speedway just a week away, NBC Sports Group has finalized the on-air broadcast team that will present the organization’s first live slate of NASCAR racing action since 2006. Next weekend a hand-picked team of proven experts and motorsports journalists make their 4th of July Weekend debut from Daytona.
“NBC Sports has always taken great pride in the belief that we surround each of our broadcasts with the very best on-air talent in the business and this NASCAR team is exemplary,” said Flood. “We’re bringing fresh viewpoints from behind the wheel and on top of the pit box, multi-generational perspectives and Hall of Fame credentials, journalistic muscle, and an entertaining style that fans will enjoy and ultimately feel closer to the action.”
Accomplished race announcer Rick Allen joins 21-time NASCAR Sprint Cup winning driver Jeff Burton and Daytona 500 champion crew chief Steve Letarte in the NBC Sports broadcast booth to call two primetime races over the holiday weekend. NBC Sports Group first race is on Saturday July 4th at 7:00pm/et with the Subway Firecracker 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series Race on NBCSN. Allen, Burton and Letarte return the next evening to call the Coke Zero NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at 7:00pm/et on NBC.
NBC Sports’ Krista Voda will sit alongside engaging NASCAR personality Kyle Petty, as well as three-time Daytona 500 champion and Hall of Fame driver Dale Jarrett, from a state-of-the-art open-air studio located atop pit road to set the stage for both races. Rutledge Wood, NBC Sports’ NASCAR features reporter and “man about the track,” will present pieces that delve into the experience of attending a race at the famed Daytona International Speedway and NBCSports.com lead motorsports writer Nate Ryan will be on hand to cover news and timely information affecting the sport. Once each checkered flag is captured, the set location will shift to Victory Lane in order to take in the post-race festivities and break down the pivotal moves and strategic decisions that dictated the outcome. Experienced motorsports reporters Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast, Mike Massaro, and Dave Burns will cover pit road during both 4th of July Weekend telecasts.
As you can see, NBC has hired some experienced, proven, and seasoned veterans, some of which have migrated to NBC from FOX and TNT this year. All in all, the quality of TV coverage should be excellent for the remainder of the 2015 season.
(The accompanying picture of Krista Voda was taken be me during her pre-race TV show at the Nov. 2014 Truck race at Phoenix.)
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
