Motor Racing Network
Encyclopedia
The Motor Racing Network (MRN) is the principal radio
broadcasting operation of NASCAR
, promoting themselves as "The Voice of NASCAR." It broadcasts coverage of most major NASCAR races at the top three levels of NASCAR at tracks owned by International Speedway Corporation
as well as Dover International Speedway
and Pocono Raceway
: the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the Nationwide Series at those tracks, and the entire Camping World Truck Series. The exception to these are NSCS and NNS races held at tracks controlled by Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
, which operates their own radio network called the Performance Racing Network
, and the Brickyard 400, which is broadcast by Indianapolis Motor Speedway's own radio network
in conjunction with PRN.
In development of the Camping World Truck Series in 1995, NASCAR signed a unified radio contract and unified television contract where NASCAR, not the tracks, controlled all broadcast rights. A similar move was made for television (but not radio) in the other two national series in 2001. As such, all CWTS races are broadcast on MRN, regardless of track ownership. The Sprint Showdown qualifying race and NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race
are also broadcast on MRN, despite being held at Charlotte Motor Speedway
, an SMI-owned track.
MRN was founded in 1970 by William H.G. “Big Bill” France, the founder of NASCAR
and the world famous Daytona International Speedway
. Its first broadcast was the 1970 Daytona 500
. It was the sole radio outlet for NASCAR until PRN's founding in 1988. Many stations affiliate with both MRN and PRN in order to broadcast a full NASCAR schedule.
The most prominent broadcaster associated with MRN is probably Eli Gold
, who is identified by many racing fans as personally being the "voice of NASCAR"; however, Gold's participation is somewhat limited by his association with broadcasts of University of Alabama football
, NFL football, the Arena Football League (on TNN
) and NHL hockey.
Broadcasts of Sprint Cup races receive MRN's highest ratings and hence the greatest station clearance (number of stations using the broadcasts). Audiences for the Nationwide and Craftsman Truck series are considerably smaller, and so are the number of affiliated stations. Many MRN stations broadcast all three series, with the lower series being preempted in many instances by other events.
Along with race broadcasts, MRN offers other race related programs. Many different reports, talk shows, and commentary are broadcast over the network, as well as via Sirius XM Radio's NASCAR channel.
MRN also produced syndicated condensed television broadcasts of some Winston Cup races in 1979 and 1980.
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
broadcasting operation of NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
, promoting themselves as "The Voice of NASCAR." It broadcasts coverage of most major NASCAR races at the top three levels of NASCAR at tracks owned by International Speedway Corporation
International Speedway Corporation
International Speedway Corporation is a corporation whose primary business is the ownership and management of NASCAR race tracks. ISC was founded by NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr. in 1953 for the construction of Daytona International Speedway and in 1999 they merged with Penske Motorsports to...
as well as Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned race track located in Dover, Delaware, owned by, and serving as the corporate headquarters of, Dover Motorsports, Inc. It is co-located with a harness racing track, Dover Downs, and shares the complex with Dover Downs Hotel & Casino...
and Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway also known as the Tricky Triangle, is a superspeedway located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania at Long Pond...
: the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the Nationwide Series at those tracks, and the entire Camping World Truck Series. The exception to these are NSCS and NNS races held at tracks controlled by Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
Speedway Motorsports, Inc. or SMI is an American corporation that owns and manages racing facilities that host NASCAR, IZOD IndyCar Series, NHRA, WoO other racing series. The company's headquarters are located at Charlotte Motor Speedway, in the suburbs of Charlotte, NC. SMI owns nine racing...
, which operates their own radio network called the Performance Racing Network
Performance Racing Network
The Performance Racing Network is a radio network controlled by Speedway Motorsports, Inc..Performance Racing Network broadcasts all NASCAR-sanctioned Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series events held at Speedway Motorsports-controlled tracks which include Atlanta, Bristol, Infineon, Las Vegas,...
, and the Brickyard 400, which is broadcast by Indianapolis Motor Speedway's own radio network
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network , is an in-house radio syndication arrangement which broadcasts the Indianapolis 500, IndyCar, and the Brickyard 400 to radio stations covering most of North America....
in conjunction with PRN.
In development of the Camping World Truck Series in 1995, NASCAR signed a unified radio contract and unified television contract where NASCAR, not the tracks, controlled all broadcast rights. A similar move was made for television (but not radio) in the other two national series in 2001. As such, all CWTS races are broadcast on MRN, regardless of track ownership. The Sprint Showdown qualifying race and NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race
NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race
The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, formerly known as The Winston until 2004, then the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge from 2004 until 2007, is a race open to race winners from the previous season as well as the current season, plus the past ten event winners and past decade's Cup Series champions...
are also broadcast on MRN, despite being held at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
, an SMI-owned track.
MRN was founded in 1970 by William H.G. “Big Bill” France, the founder of NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
and the world famous Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, Grand-Am and Motocross...
. Its first broadcast was the 1970 Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
. It was the sole radio outlet for NASCAR until PRN's founding in 1988. Many stations affiliate with both MRN and PRN in order to broadcast a full NASCAR schedule.
Eli Gold
Eli Gold is an American sportscaster. Gold is best known as the radio voice for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team, along with Tom Roberts, as part of the Crimson Tide Sports Network since 1988. He has also been the host of NASCAR Live on the Motor Racing Network since 1982...
, who is identified by many racing fans as personally being the "voice of NASCAR"; however, Gold's participation is somewhat limited by his association with broadcasts of University of Alabama football
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
, NFL football, the Arena Football League (on TNN
TNN Motor Sports/TNN Sports
TNN Sports was a unit of The Nashville Network, and later as The National Network . TNN Sports aired Motorsports events from 1983–2003, the XFL in 2001, and Arena Football League games from 2000–2003-History:It all began when the network launched in 1983...
) and NHL hockey.
Broadcasts of Sprint Cup races receive MRN's highest ratings and hence the greatest station clearance (number of stations using the broadcasts). Audiences for the Nationwide and Craftsman Truck series are considerably smaller, and so are the number of affiliated stations. Many MRN stations broadcast all three series, with the lower series being preempted in many instances by other events.
Along with race broadcasts, MRN offers other race related programs. Many different reports, talk shows, and commentary are broadcast over the network, as well as via Sirius XM Radio's NASCAR channel.
MRN also produced syndicated condensed television broadcasts of some Winston Cup races in 1979 and 1980.
Current
- Mike Bagley (turn & booth announcer, usually co-anchor for West Coast races, because Barney Hall doesn't travel to the West Coast races; 1992–present)
- Kurt BeckerKurt BeckerKurt Frank Becker is a former professional American football player who played guard for nine seasons for the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams. An offensive guard at the University of Michigan, Becker started in 36 consecutive games...
- Woody Cain
- Eli GoldEli GoldEli Gold is an American sportscaster. Gold is best known as the radio voice for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team, along with Tom Roberts, as part of the Crimson Tide Sports Network since 1988. He has also been the host of NASCAR Live on the Motor Racing Network since 1982...
(host of NASCAR Live; occasionally does turn announcing at Daytona and Talladega, and former lead announcer on The Nashville Network (now known as Spike TVSpike TVSpike is an American cable television channel. It launched on March 7, 1983 as The Nashville Network , a joint venture of WSM, Inc...
)) - Barney Hall (lead anchor "The Voice of Nascar")
- Kim Hart
- Alex Hayden ( pit reporter for most of the races. )
- Dan Hubbard (turn announcer, primarily at West Coast races but occasionally also Talladega)
- Glenn JarrettGlenn JarrettGlenn Jarrett is a former NASCAR driver from Conover, North Carolina and the oldest son of Ned Jarrett and older brother of Dale Jarrett. He made 10 Winston Cup starts from 1978 to 1983 with a best finish of 12th at Ontario Motor Speedway...
formerly with TNN/Spike. - Eddie IrvineEddie IrvineEdmund "Eddie" Irvine, Jr. is a former racing driver from Northern Ireland. He grew up in Conlig, County Down, and was influenced by his parents, who were also involved in motor racing...
(F1 pit reporter since 2004: he was also a guest pit reporter for the 52nd Grand Prix of Monaco1994 Monaco Grand PrixThe 1994 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on May 15, 1994 at the Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo. The race, which was the fourth race of the 1994 Formula One season, was won by Michael Schumacher and was the first race following the death of Ayrton Senna in San Marino.- Background...
in 1994.) - Winston Kelley (pit reporter; also serves as the executive director of the NASCAR Hall Of FameNASCAR Hall of FameThe NASCAR Hall of Fame honors drivers who have shown exceptional skill at NASCAR driving, all-time great crew chiefs and owners, and other major contributors to competition within the sanctioning body. NASCAR committed itself to building a Hall of Fame and on March 6, 2006, the city of Charlotte,...
). - Buddy Long (turn announcer, 1997–present; became lead turn announcer in 2001) (turn announcer, 1987–2000; lead anchor, 2001–present) (former pit reporter, now host of NASCAR USA) (pit reporter)
- Kyle Rickey (Turn Announcer, 2002–present)
- Preston Root
- Jeff Striegle (turn announcer, 2003–present)
- Jason Toy(pit reporter ), also does turn announcing.
- Danielle Frye (Spot reporting for NASCAR USA/fill-in pit reporter.)
- Tony Rizzuti
- Brian Nelson does reports from garages at various races
- Pete Pistone
Former
- Fred ArmstrongFred ArmstrongFred Armstrong is the mayor of Columbus, Indiana.-External links:...
- Rick BenjaminRick BenjaminRick Benjamin is Speed Channel's voice of the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, and has been the voice of Champ Car racing for HDNet from 2004 until then end of the final season of Champ Car in 2007...
- Now with Speed. - Allen BestwickAllen BestwickAllen Bestwick is the host of ESPN's NASCAR pre-race show NASCAR Countdown and play-by-play announcer for the Sprint Cup Series races for the same company. He took over that position in 2011 after serving as the countdown to green host from 2008-2010 and a pit reporter for the network in 2007...
- Was turn announcer 1988-95, became lead announer 1996-2000. Now host for ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
/ABCESPN on ABCESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
's coverage of NASCAR; previously race announcer then pit reporter for TNTNASCAR on TNTNASCAR on TNT is the tagname for any NASCAR series race that has been broadcast on Turner Network Television by Turner Sports.-Prior to 2001:...
and NBC SportsNBC SportsNBC Sports is the sports division of the NBC television network. Formerly "a service of NBC News," it broadcasts a diverse array of programs, including the Olympic Games, the NFL, the NHL, MLS, Notre Dame football, the PGA Tour, the Triple Crown, and the French Open, among others...
as well as ESPN/ABC. - Russell Branham - garage reporter for DaytonaDaytonaDaytona may refer to:* Daytona Beach, Florida* Daytona Beach Shores, Florida* South Daytona, Florida-Motor racing:* Daytona Beach Road Course* Daytona International Speedway, a NASCAR speedway, which hosts:** the Daytona 500 NASCAR race...
races, now a director at HB&M Sports in Charlotte, NC. - Dick BrooksDick BrooksRichard "Dick" Brooks was an American NASCAR driver. Born in Porterville, California, he was the 1969 NASCAR Rookie of the Year, and went on to win the 1973 Talladega 500...
- Dave DespainDave DespainDave Despain is an American motor sports journalist. He is the host of WindTunnel with Dave Despain on Speed Channel, and formerly the host of Inside Nextel Cup, until the latter underwent a format change at the beginning of the 2008 NASCAR Season.-Early life and career:A native of Fairfield,...
- Was turn announcer in the 1970s, worked on ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
and CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
racecasts in the 1980s-90s, now with Speed - Mark Garrow - Now co-anchor of Performance Racing Network.
- Ned JarrettNed JarrettNed Jarrett is a retired race car driver and two-time NASCAR champion.Jarrett was best known for his calm demeanor, and he became known as "Gentleman Ned Jarrett", yet he was an intense competitor when he put his two hands on the steering wheel of a NASCAR Grand National stock car...
- Also former color anaylist for CBS SportsCBS SportsCBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
's and ESPN's NASCAR coverage. - Mike JoyMike JoyMike Joy is an American TV sports announcer, who currently serves as the lap-by-lap voice of FOX Sports' NASCAR Sprint Cup coverage. His color analysts are Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds. Joy has broadcast more than 30 Daytona 500s, NASCAR's biggest event...
- Now lead voice for Fox SportsNASCAR on FoxNASCAR on Fox is the Emmy-winning branding used for Fox Sports's broadcasts of NASCAR races airing on the Fox network since 2001. The production has been in high-definition since 2005.-Background:...
' NASCAR coverage. - Mike MassaroMike MassaroMike Massaro is a racing analyst at ESPN for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. On October 12, 2006, ESPN announced that Massaro will be a pit reporter when NASCAR coverage returns to ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC in 2007....
- Now a host of ESPN 2's NASCAR NowNASCAR NowNASCAR Now is a NASCAR news and analysis show that airs year round Monday through Friday as a thirty minute show at 5:00pm ET on ESPN2. NASCAR Now, that debuted on February 5, 2007, is broadcast in HD from Bristol, Connecticut and also has a daily segment on SportsCenter...
; former pit reporter on ESPN/ABC's coverage and reporter on SportsCenterSportsCenterSportsCenter is a daily sports news television show, and the flagship program of American cable network ESPN since the network launched on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major...
. - Dr. Jerry Punch - Former lead announcer for ESPN/ABC's NASCAR coverage; currently pit reporter for the networks.
- Marty SniderMarty SniderMarty Snider is an American Sportscaster. Snider is a pit reporter for NASCAR on TNT. He has been a part of Turner Sports' NASCAR coverage since 1998. Snider also served as a NASCAR pit reporter for NBC Sports from 1999-2006. In 2006, Snider was a part of the Emmy award winning NBC/TNT NASCAR...
- Now a pit reporter for TNT's coverage of NASCAR. - Dave Sutherland - turn announcer in 1980s, now primary announcer at Monadnock Speedway.
- Ken SquierKen SquierKen Squier is an American sportscaster and motorsports editor from Waterbury, Vermont. From 1979-1997, he was the lap-by-lap commentator for NASCAR on CBS, and was also a lap-by-lap commentator for TBS from the time they had rights to NASCAR until 2000. Squier was the first announcer to give...
- Longtime voice of CBS SportsCBS SportsCBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
' Daytona 500Daytona 500The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
coverage. - Hermie SadlerHermie SadlerHerman Marion Sadler III is an American race car driver/announcer and professional wrestling promoter from Emporia, Virginia. He is also an advocate for autism research, as his daughter Hailie Dru, was diagnosed with the disorder in 2001...
- pit reporter for the 2000 spring Richmond race.
Other programming produced by the Motor Racing Network
- Coors Light Pole Updates (short reports broadcast during Sprint Cup Qualifying; full event broadcast available on a handful of affiliates, Sirius Satellite Radio and through NASCAR.com's "Track Pass" subscription service.)
- NASCAR Today (twice daily three-minute reports, one around noon and one late afternoon/early evening)
- NASCAR USA (Sunday morning country music program) Hosted by Rob Tanner.
- NASCAR Performance Live (call-in talk show featuring pit reporters and crew chiefs)
- NASCAR Live (Tuesday evening call-in talk show) hosted by Eli Gold.
- Ned Jarrett's "World of Racing" (two-minute weekday morning commentary by two-time NASCAR Champion and former MRN pit reporter Ned JarrettNed JarrettNed Jarrett is a retired race car driver and two-time NASCAR champion.Jarrett was best known for his calm demeanor, and he became known as "Gentleman Ned Jarrett", yet he was an intense competitor when he put his two hands on the steering wheel of a NASCAR Grand National stock car...
) - Monday Morning Race Refresher (two-minute update from the weekend's race aired during the Monday morning drive)
- The Race Report (a weekly one-hour show discussing what NASCAR drivers do to prepare for races and projections for the next race. They also produce two updates for weekday broadcasts updating the condition of injured drivers, what new regulations may be occurring, reviews of the previous weeks races, and what stars do during the week)