NBC Sports gears up for a throwback weekend of racing from Darlington highlighted by the NASCAR Sprint Cup series Bojangles’ Southern 500 Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on NBC and the XFINITY Series race Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
NBC Sports joins Darlington Raceway in celebrating the sights and sounds of the 1975-1984 era with throwback themes integrated into this weekend’s coverage. In addition to traditional graphics and historic logos, NASCAR on NBC’s on-air team will dress in their best time period apparel. Throughout the weekend NASCAR on NBC’s pre-race set will be flanked by a series of old school cars from the decade. Music and footage from the era will also bring viewers in and out of commercial breaks.
Race day coverage kicks off with a revamped version of Blake Shelton’s NASCAR on NBC “Bringing Back the Sunshine” Open, full of racing moments spanning the track’s incredible history. Legendary NASCAR broadcasters Ken Squier and Ned Jarrett return to the booth, alongside Dale Jarrett, to call a portion of the race. Squier adds his voice to a special pre-race feature on the storied Raceway. Pre-race coverage also includes a special three car on-track preview of Darlington Raceway. In addition to Jeff Burton in the Toyota Camry on-track car, Kyle Petty will drive his father’s famed 1979 No. 43 Championship race car alongside Dale Jarrett in fellow Hall of Famer Benny Parsons’ No. 72 car.
NBC SPORTS PRESENTS NASCAR SPRINT CUP RACING FROM DARLINGTON SUNDAY AT 6 P.M. ET
NBC Sports begins its Sprint Cup coverage from “The Lady in Black” Friday with practice at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, followed by final practice at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. An on-site edition of NASCAR America wraps up the day at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Saturday’s coverage from Darlington Raceway includes NASCAR America at 1 p.m. ET followed by qualifying at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
Sunday’s race day coverage kicks off on NBCSN with NASCAR America at 5 p.m. ET. NBC’s coverage begins with Countdown to Green at 5:30 p.m. ET followed by race coverage at 6 p.m. ET. NASCAR Victory Lap at 11 p.m. ET wraps up the day.
Race announcer Rick Allen calls this weekend’s action alongside analysts Steve Letarte and Jeff Burton. Pre- and post-race coverage is handled by host Krista Voda, and analysts Kyle Petty and Dale Jarrett. Marty Snider, Mike Massaro, Dave Burns and Kelli Stavast report from pit road. Rutledge Wood, fresh off his journey to the Olympic Games in Rio, returns to bring viewers closer to the sights and sounds of the original paved superspeedway.
XFINITY SERIES RACING RETURNS TO NBC SATURDAY AT 3:30 P.M. ET
NBC Sports XFINITY coverage from “The Track Too Tough To Tame” begins Friday with practice at 12 p.m. ET on NBCSN, followed by final practice at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Race day coverage begins with qualifying on 11:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN. NBC’s XFINITY coverage begins with Countdown to Green at 3 p.m. ET followed by race coverage at 3:30 p.m. ET.
NBC SPORTS PRESENTS “SOUTHERN SPEED: THE LEGEND OF DARLINGTON” TONIGHT AT 9 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
Leading up to this weekend’s live NASCAR action from Darlington Raceway, NBC Sports presents a new one-hour special created to take fans inside the storied history of “The Track Too Tough To Tame.” Produced in partnership with NASCAR productions, “Southern Speed: The Legend of Darlington” premieres tonight at 9 p.m. ET on NBCSN, following a special 8 p.m. ET presentation of NASCAR America. This morning’s release previewing the special is available here.
ARIC ALMIROLA & “THE KING” STAR IN THIS WEEK’S “PHONE A FAN” SOCIAL WEB VIDEO
Aric Almirola and Richard Petty star in this week’s new NASCAR on NBC “Phone a Fan” web video, where unsuspecting fans receive calls from their favorite NASCAR drivers. In the video released today on the NASCAR on NBC Facebook page and twitter accounts, Barry from Egg Harbor, N.J., grills Almirola and Petty on when the No. 43 is going to make its way back victory lane. Check out the full video here.
Ben Kennedy joins Ryan on this week’s NASCAR on NBC podcast to discuss his first Camping World Truck Series victory at Bristol Motor Speedway and the outpouring of support he received from some NASCAR luminaries. Available on NASCAR Talk, iTunes, AudioBoom, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher and podcasting apps, the NASCAR on NBC podcast discusses the latest NASCAR news each week with the major players in the sport.
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