NHRA Sportsman Spotlights, showcasing NHRA member track network, to air on ESPN2
GLENDORA, Calif. (Feb. 22, 2011) – The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will once again be televised in 16 one-hour shows on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD, with coverage from select NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series national events it was announced today by the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning organization. In addition, the popular NHRA Sportsman Spotlights, focusing on NHRA’s member track network, will air on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD as part of the race coverage.
The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will air on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD on a tape-delay basis as part of NHRA’s relationship with ESPN, which enters its second decade as the exclusive home of NHRA Drag Racing. All 16 telecasts will air on Saturday or Sunday. The NHRA Lucas Oil Series has a long-standing tradition of serving as a highly-competitive developmental arena for the future stars of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.
Returning as anchor of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series telecasts will be long-time NHRA announcer David Rieff, who will be joined in the booth by popular NHRA announcer Bob Frey. Rieff has been involved for many years with NHRA coverage on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD. ESPN2 is now available nearly 100 million households.
In addition to his race coverage duties in the booth, Frey also will host the popular NHRA Sportsman Spotlight segments, which will be featured within the race broadcasts on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD. The segments will showcase unique and interesting stories from NHRA Member Tracks in each of the sanctioning body’s seven divisions. Frey’s schedule of appearances include: New England Dragway in Epping, N.H. (Aug. 13: Division 1); Northwest Tennessee Motorsports Park in Gleason, Tenn. (Oct. 9: Division 2); Tri-State Dragway in Hamilton, Ohio (July 2: Division 3); Tulsa Raceway Park in Tulsa, Okla. (Sept. 11: Division 4); West Colorado Dragway in Grand Junction, Colo. (July 16: Division 5); Saskatchewan International Raceway in Saskatoon, Sask., Canada (June 11: Division 6); and Maui Raceway Park in Kahului, Maui (May 28: Division 7).
2011 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Television Schedule
Event - Air Date/Time
Kragen O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals Sunday, March 13: 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Pomona, Calif.
Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals Saturday, March 19: 11 p.m.-Midnight
Gainesville, Fla.
SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals Saturday, April 9: 3-4 p.m.
Las Vegas
NHRA 4-Wide Nationals Sunday, April 24: 6-7 p.m.
Charlotte, N.C.
O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals Sunday, May 8: 3-4 p.m.
Houston
NHRA Summer Nationals Saturday, May 28: Noon – 1 p.m.
Topeka, Kan.
NHRA SuperNationals Sunday, June 12: Noon - 1 p.m.
Englishtown, N.J.
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Sunday, July 3: 1 – 2 p.m.
Norwalk, Ohio
O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals Sunday, July 17: 2 – 3 p.m.
Chicago
O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals Sunday, Aug. 14: 7 – 8 p.m.
Seattle
Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Sunday, Aug. 28: 11 p.m. - Midnight
Brainerd, Minn.
Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Sunday, Sept. 11: 5 – 6 p.m.
Indianapolis
AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals Sunday, Oct. 2: 3 – 4 p.m.
Dallas
Uni-Select Auto Plus NHRA Nationals Sunday, Oct. 9: 3 – 4 p.m.
Reading, Pa.
NHRA Las Vegas Nationals Sunday, Nov. 6: 1 - 2 p.m.
Las Vegas
Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals Sunday, Nov. 20: 1 - 2 p.m.
Pomona, Calif.
* All times Eastern. Schedule subject to change. Please check local listings.
