NBCSN Presents First Race in NASCAR Sprint Cup Playoff Round of 8

Aside

nas_nbcsn_fullcolor_rgb_positive

NASCAR SPRINT CUP PLAYOFF ROUND OF 8 SUNDAY AT 12:30 P.M. ET

NBC Sports kicks off its second consecutive standalone Sprint Cup coverage Friday with Sprint Cup practice at 11 a.m. ET on NBCSN, followed by qualifying at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. An on-site edition of NASCAR America from Martinsville Speedway wraps up the day at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Saturday’s coverage includes practice at 9 a.m. ET on CNBC, followed by final practice at noon ET on NBCSN. Race Day coverage begins on NBCSN with NASCAR America at 12 p.m. ET followed by Countdown to Green at 12:30 p.m. ET. Race coverage of the first playoff race in the Round of 8 begins at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN. The checkered flag is immediately followed by an on-site post-race show, as well as a trackside edition of Victory Lap beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

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 contributes to NBCSN’s coverage Friday and Sunday.

One More Time!

Dale Earnhardt Jr Returns to NBCSN Broadcast Booth for Martinsville

After  last week’s successful visit as a guest analyst in the NBCSN broadcast booth in Talladega, Dale Earnhardt Jr. returns this Sunday to lend his knowledge as an analyst during NBCSN’s coverage from Martinsville Speedway. Earnhardt will again work alongside his former crew chief Steve Letarte, race announcer Rick Allen and fellow analyst Jeff Burton.

NBC Sports Network

Hamlin Hopes to Lock Up Championship 4 Berth

Photo - Getty Images

Photo – Getty Images

Denny Hamlin’s championship aspirations came 0.006 seconds away from evaporating at Talladega last Sunday. Fortunately for the No. 11 Toyota driver, he beat Kurt Busch to the finish line by 0.006 seconds (approximately two feet) for a third-place result that earned him the final spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Round of 8 over Austin Dillon.

Now holding the same amount of points as the remaining eight Chase-eligible drivers, Hamlin is back at square one heading into Sunday’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at his hometown track – and also one of his best tracks – Martinsville Speedway at 1 pm ET on NBCSN. Continue reading

Byron Ready for Next Step at Title Hunt

Photo - Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

Because he won the first race of the inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase, the last two events of the Round of 8 had little to no impact on William Byron’s title chances.

The heat is back on Byron now as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase Round of 6 kicks off with Saturday’s Texas Roadhouse 200 at Martinsville Speedway at 1:30 pm ET on FOX Sports 1.  Continue reading