TNT to Provide “All-Access” Pass to 2013 NASCAR Summer Series

The green flag is set to wave on TNT’s 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series action with the network offering all-access coverage throughout the six-week NASCAR Summer Series beginning Sunday, June 9, at Pocono Raceway at 1 p.m. ET. TNT’s all-access pass will include behind-the-scenes content featuring a select driver and their team (one per week) throughout the NASCAR Summer Series along with special “off the track” segments and more.

TNT will follow a driver and their team over the course of the entire week as they travel and prepare for the upcoming race, with coverage beginning when the driver leaves the previous track and continuing throughout the network’s next NASCAR Summer Series telecast. Featured drivers will include Denny Hamlin (Pocono), Brad Keselowski (Michigan), Juan Pablo Montoya (Sonoma) and Kurt Busch (Kentucky), among others. The all-access pieces will air weekly during the pre-race Countdown to Green Presented by Kelley Blue Book show.

Additionally, TNT will televise a special feature each week highlighting a select driver away from the track. During the Pocono telecast, TNT will focus the spotlight on Dale Earnhardt, Jr. TNT’s Ralph Sheheen and Earnhardt will talk racing and life outside of NASCAR while visiting with Earnhardt at his “Whisky River” property including his “Car Graveyard.”

Inside Trax will also return for another season and will showcase audio and video from select crew chiefs and teams during each race telecast.

“We’re bringing fans an all-access pass to TNT’s NASCAR Summer Series coverage this year,” said Craig Barry, senior vice president and executive creative director, Turner Sports. “These deeper layers of access will provide fans with a look under the hood to some of the great personalities and teams in the sport and the level of teamwork and commitment it takes to be successful.”

TNT, in its 31st consecutive year of exclusive NASCAR Summer Series coverage, will feature six consecutive races – Pocono (June 9), Michigan (June 16), Sonoma (June 23), Kentucky (June 29), Daytona (July 6) and New Hampshire (July 14). Each of the six races feature a diverse blend of tracks – ovals with three turns (Pocono); the first road race of the year (Sonoma); a long track (Michigan) and a short track (New Hampshire) – which have led to unpredictable outcomes. Over the last 14 races airing on TNT, dating back to 2010, there have been 14 different winners crossing the finish line.

The network will return its marquee commentator crew with analysts Kyle Petty, Wally Dallenbach and Larry McReynolds joining play-by-play announcer Adam Alexander for each race. Alexander will also host the network’s 60-minute Countdown to Green presented by Kelley Blue Book pre-race show with Petty, Dallenbach and McReynolds. In addition, veteran reporters Sheheen, Marty Snider, Matt Yocum and Chris Neville will patrol pit road to bring viewers comprehensive coverage and access prior to and during each race.

Fans engaging via social platforms during TNT’s NASCAR coverage are encouraged to use @NASCAR_TNT.

TNT’s 2013 NASCAR Summer Series Schedule:
(All Times Eastern)

Sunday, June 9
Noon – 1 p.m. ET Countdown to Green presented by Kelley Blue Book
1 – 4:30 p.m. Party in the Poconos 400 presented by Walmart
(Pocono Raceway)

Sunday, June 16
Noon – 1 p.m. Countdown to Green presented by Kelley Blue Book
1 – 4:30 p.m. Quicken Loans 400 (Michigan International Speedway)

Sunday, June 23
2 – 3 p.m. Countdown to Green presented by Kelley Blue Book
3 – 6:30 p.m. Toyota/SaveMart 350 (Sonoma Raceway – Sonoma, CA)

Saturday, June 29
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Countdown to Green presented by Kelley Blue Book
7:30 – 11 p.m. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Racing from Kentucky presented by KFC (Kentucky Speedway)

Saturday, July 6
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Countdown to Green presented by Kelley Blue Book
7:30 – 11 p.m. Coke Zero 400 at Daytona powered by Coca-Cola (Daytona International Speedway)

Sunday, July 14
Noon – 1 p.m. Countdown to Green presented by Kelley Blue Book
1 – 4:30 p.m. NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing from New Hampshire
(New Hampshire Motor Speedway)

Turner Sports PR