Ambrose to Feature on NASCAR Countdown Prior to Richmond Busch Race

04 May 2007

ESPN2’s NASCAR Countdown will preview the live, primetime NASCAR Busch Series race at Richmond International Raceway Friday at 7:30 pm USET.

NB: For Australian fans, that’s 9:30am on Saturday, May 5 on FOX Sports Two.

Allen Bestwick will host the telecast with studio analyst Brad Daugherty. Analyst Tim Brewer will report from the ESPN Cutaway Car.

The race telecast team including lead announcer Marty Reid, two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree and 1999 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Dale Jarrett will also contribute. Additionally, NASCAR Countdown will include segments from pit reporters Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake as drivers and teams prepare to race under the lights on the .750-mile track.

NASCAR Countdown will originate from Richmond International Raceway and will be telecast from ESPN’s state-of-the-art mobile pit studio as it sets the stage for ESPN2’s coverage of the NASCAR Busch Series race Friday night, May 4 (US time). Highlights will include:

AMBROSE HAVING IMPACT

Australian Marcos Ambrose has made an impact on the NASCAR Busch Series as both a driver and a personality during his rookie season. Even after crashing in last week’s race at Talladega, Ambrose joked that he had just gotten his official “Alabama Slamma.” ESPN pit reporter Jamie Little will speak to Ambrose prior to the Richmond race.

Tough Weekend for Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch had a tough time at Talladega last weekend with hard crashes in both the NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races. Busch will talk with Allen Bestwick and Brad Daugherty in the ESPN Pit Studio about coming back from the difficulties at Talladega. In addition, ESPN reporter Shannon Spake went along recently when Busch and some members of his team went fishing as a bonding outing.

Hamlin Races at Home

When the NASCAR traveling circuit comes to Richmond International Raceway, it’s a home game for Denny Hamlin of nearby Chesterfield, Va., who started his stock car racing career on local short tracks. ESPN pit reporter Dave Burns will talk to Hamlin about the rewards of racing at his home track.

Harvick Goes For Four Straight

Kevin Harvick, the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series champion, will be going for his fourth consecutive Busch Series win at Richmond. ESPN pit reporter Mike Massaro will talk to Harvick about his recent domination at Richmond and his rising success as a Busch Series car owner following his 1-2 finish last week at Talladega with drivers Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart.

Racing Under the Lights

A night race presents unique challenges to NASCAR Busch Series teams, and ESPN analyst Tim Brewer at the Chevy Cutaway Car will explain how Richmond International Raceway is tough on brakes and how teams need to manage the impact.

Courtesy Andy Hall, ESPN Communications

All media requests for interviews, press releases, information, or images to be directed to:

Melissa Arbuthnot
melissa.arbuthnot@communecom.com.au

Janina Czado
janina@communecom.com.au

CommunEcom Strategic Communications
P.O. Box 689
Balgowlah NSW 2093

Ph: +61 2 9949 9788
Fax: +61 2 9949 9688

Ambrose to Feature on NASCAR Countdown Prior to Richmond Busch Race

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