NBC Sports Group and Motor Racing Network will partner to present NASCAR Xfinity Series race coverage from Watkins Glen International, at 2 p.m. ET Saturday, August 5 on NBCSN. Featuring a collaboration of NBC Sports Group and MRN’s expertise covering live NASCAR races, Saturday’s race telecast will be called from multiple vantage points throughout the historic 2.45 - mile road course in Watkins Glen, NY.
NASCAR on NBC race announcer Leigh Diffey (@leighdiffey), and Daytona 500 winning crew chief Steve Letarte (@steveletarte), will call the race from NBCSN’s traditional broadcast booth above the start-finish line. In addition, MRN announcer Mike Bagley (@TheMikeBagley), as well as NASCAR on NBC analysts Jeff Burton (@Jeffburton) and Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman), will each contribute to the race telecast from three individual locations around the track.
In total, NBCSN’s lap-by-lap coverage of Saturday’s race will be called from four different vantage points, offering viewers comprehensive coverage from NBCSN’s broadcast team strategically positioned around the road course. Bagley will be stationed in “The Esses” along the track, and will report as the cars make their way through the preliminary turns. Kligerman will catch the cars next, in the “The Carousel,” and Burton will add perspective as the cars maneuver through “Turn Six.” The differing vantage points will allow NBCSN to cover the on-track battles first-hand, throughout the course.
“The final road course of the season is the perfect location for this unique presentation,” said Jeff Behnke, Vice President of NASCAR Production, NBC Sports Group. “The four-point perspective, with our veteran road course specialist Leigh Diffey behind the mic, will add a compelling element and fresh viewpoint to the telecast.”
“I’m excited to bring the traditional radio perspective to NBCSN’s XFINITY telecast,” said Bagley. “Road course racing presents a unique and challenging opportunity to provide turn-by-turn in-depth analysis.”
Serving in their customary race day roles, NASCAR on NBC pit reporters Marty Snider (@HeyMartysnider),Kelli Stavast (@Kellistavast) and Dave Burns (@tvdaveburns) will contribute coverage, from pit road.
The Motor Racing Network’s traditional live radio broadcast of Saturday afternoon’s race from “The Glen” will also be available across MRN’s nationwide network of radio stations as well as live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Select members of the NASCAR on NBC broadcast team join The Morning Drive, on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Wednesdays at 9 a.m. ET, to review and discuss the latest NASCAR news.
NASCAR ON NBC
In 2017, NBC Sports Group will present the final 20 NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR XFINITY Series events and select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events.
NBC Sports Group’s NASCAR programming also includes NBCSN’s daily motorsports show NASCAR America, coverage of NASCAR’s Awards Ceremonies, the annual NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony, as well as original programming specials. NBC Sports Group concluded the 2016 NASCAR season presenting more hours of trackside coverage and programming than ever before.
In 2016, NBC Sports Group continued to innovate and entertain race fans with 630 hours of NASCAR programming, including interactive watch parties, documentary specials and new shoulder programming, in addition to its 366 live trackside hours from 22 different states. In 2016, overall consumption of NASCAR content on NBC Sports’ Digital properties was up 50% vs. 2015, and NASCAR on NBC’s social platforms generated a triple-digit increase in video views, as well as double-digit increase in fan base and impressions compared to the 2015 season.