Motor Racing Network Plans Major Chase Coverage

“NASCAR Performance Live,” a weekly production of the Motor Racing Network, will help launch opening-week festivities for the 2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with a special broadcast from Navy Pier in Chicago on Wednesday, Sept. 11. 

MRN’s Steve Post and FOX Sports 1 NASCAR analyst Larry McReynolds will co-host the “NASCAR Contenders Happy Hour,” sponsored by Toyota and Sprint, from Harry Caray’s Tavern.  Wednesday’s live event will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. (CDT), with “NASCAR Performance Live” airing from 6 to 7 p.m. featuring NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton, ESPN analyst and former Cup Series champion Dale Jarrett, and FOX Sports 1 NASCAR commentator Kenny Wallace. 

“Once again, our special broadcast of ‘NASCAR Performance Live’ will help get the post-season started,” said MRN President and Executive Producer David Hyatt.  “Motor Racing Network will open the Chase on Sunday from Chicagoland Speedway and we’ll be there when champions are crowned at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November.” 

“NASCAR Performance Live” is a weekly look under the hood and behind the scenes with the crew chiefs, engineers and officials driving the sport.  It airs each Wednesday during the season from 7-8 p.m. (EDT) and – like all MRN programming – is streamed live at www.motorracingnetwork.com. 

Wednesday’s special edition, to be produced by Rich Culbreth, will feature a preview of the 2013 Chase with a look at Sunday’s opening round of the 10-race title series, the GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. 

Matt Kenseth of Joe Gibbs Racing enters the post-season as the No. 1 seed with a series-best five race wins.  Jimmie Johnson has four victories, led the standings much of the regular season and is the No. 2 seed.  He’s the only driver who has participated in all 10 years of the Chase format since it debuted in 2004. 

Wednesday’s airing of NASCAR Performance Live is part of MRN’s 2013 schedule that features 89 live broadcasts from 35 venues across the country.  That includes coverage of Sunday’s GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.  Motor Racing Network – “The Voice of NASCAR” – will broadcast seven of the 10 Chase races this fall, culminating with Ford Championship Weekend on Nov. 15-17 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. 

MRN’s September broadcast slate features 16 live events from nine venues, including the upcoming weekend tripleheader at Chicagoland Speedway: the Camping World Truck Series on Friday night, Nationwide Series on Saturday afternoon and then Sunday’s GEICO 400, the opening round of the 2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. 

MOTOR RACING NETWORK Remaining September Broadcast Schedule

(All times Eastern)

Friday, Sept. 13 --         5 p.m. Sprint Cup Series Qualifying from Chicagoland Speedway

                                       (Streaming only @ MotorRacingNetwork.com)

8 p.m. EnjoyIllinois.com 225

                                    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
                                       Chicagoland Speedway

  Saturday, Sept. 14 --   3 p.m. Dollar General 300 Powered by Coca-Cola

                                       NASCAR Nationwide Series
                                       Chicagoland Speedway

Sunday, Sept. 15 --       1 p.m. GEICO 400

                                        NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
                                        Chicagoland Speedway

Friday, Sept. 27 --          3 p.m. Sprint Cup Series Qualifying from Dover

                                        (Streaming only)

Saturday, Sept. 28 --      2:45 p.m. GRAND-AM Championship Weekend

                                        Rolex Sports Car Series
                                        Lime Rock Park

                                        3 p.m. Dover 200

                                        NASCAR Nationwide Series
                                        Dover International Speedway
                                        
                                         8 p.m. Smith’s 350
                                         NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
                                         Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Sunday, Sept. 29 --         1 p.m. AAA 400
                                         NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
                                         Dover International Speedway