Ralph Sheheen
Encyclopedia
Ralph Sheheen is currently a pit reporter for NASCAR on TNT
, an announcer for AMA supercross and superbike racing on the Speed Channel
, and is the lead commentator of CBS
Sports' coverage of the AMA.
Sheheen's work at Speed Channel included anchoring SpeedNews, and being the lap-by-lap announcer for the World of Outlaws
' Knoxville Nationals
. His broadcasting career began in 1988, when he did an IMSA
sports car
race for ESPN
. Sheheen's career has grown since. He has worked for ESPN2
, FSN, TNN
(now Spike TV
), and CBS
. While at TNN, his first job in 1992 was as a pit reporter for their coverage of the ASA
. He eventually moved up to the lead lap-by-lap announcer for TNN's ASA coverage around 1995. He became the lead announcer of TNN's coverage of the NHRA Drag Racing Series and shared hosting duties with Steve Evans on TNN's coverage of the World of Outlaws and of the AMA. He also occasionally anchored their now-defunct racing news show, NASCAR RaceDay
, and at CBS, he was a pit reporter for their coverage of NASCAR
Winston Cup Series (now Sprint Cup Series) races, most notably the Daytona 500
. He still works for CBS, as the lap-by-lap announcer for their coverage of the American Le Mans Series
. In 2005, Sheheen did lap-by-lap for CBS's broadcasts of the San Marino Grand Prix
, the Spanish Grand Prix
, the Canadian Grand Prix
, and the German Grand Prix
.
Until 2005, Sheheen was the host/narrator
of Speed's coverage of the World Rally Championship
, and of the network's magazine show, WRC Rally Magazine
. Sheheen has since been replaced. Speed's on-site WRC reporter, former co-champion Nicky Grist
, has seen an increase in his role.
Since 2007, Sheheen has been a pit reporter for NASCAR on TNT
. At the 2009 New Hampshire race, he filled in for Bill Weber
as the lead announcer. On July 1, 2009, it was announced by TNT and NASCAR that Sheheen will fill in for Weber at the Coke Zero 400
and the LifeLock.com 400, the final two races of TNT's 2009 schedule.
From 2007-2008, Sheheen has also been the announcer for AMA Motocross Championship on the SPEED Channel, until he was replaced with the current announcer Jason Weigandt beginning in the 2009 Season.
One of Sheheen's early positions was as a trackside race announcer at northern California's American Federation of Motorcyclists (AFM) road course races at Sears Point Raceway (now Infineon Raceway) in the early 1980s.
NASCAR on TNT
NASCAR on TNT is the tagname for any NASCAR series race that has been broadcast on Turner Network Television by Turner Sports.-Prior to 2001:...
, an announcer for AMA supercross and superbike racing on the Speed Channel
SPEED Channel
Speed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
, and is the lead commentator of CBS
CBS
CBS 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...
Sports' coverage of the AMA.
Sheheen's work at Speed Channel included anchoring SpeedNews, and being the lap-by-lap announcer for the World of Outlaws
World of Outlaws
The World of Outlaws is an American motorsports sanctioning body. The body sanctions two major national touring series. It is best known for sanctioning a national tour of sprint cars. It later purchased a national tour of late model stockcars called the World of Outlaws Late Model Series...
' Knoxville Nationals
Knoxville Nationals
The Knoxville Nationals is an annual sprint car event held at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa. An Associated Press writer called winning the event "sprint car racing’s premiere title". It is nicknamed "The Granddaddy of Them All."-History:...
. His broadcasting career began in 1988, when he did an IMSA
International Motor Sports Association
The International Motor Sports Association is an American sports car auto racing sanctioning body based in Braselton, Georgia. It was started by John Bishop, a former employee of SCCA , and his wife Peggy in 1969 with help from Bill France, Sr...
sports car
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
race for ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment 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....
. Sheheen's career has grown since. He has worked for ESPN2
ESPN2
ESPN2 is an American sports cable television network owned by ESPN. The channel debuted on October 1, 1993.Originally nicknamed "the deuce," ESPN2 was initially branded as a network for a younger generation of sports fans featuring edgier graphics as well as extreme sports like motocross,...
, FSN, TNN
Spike TV
Spike is an American cable television channel. It launched on March 7, 1983 as The Nashville Network , a joint venture of WSM, Inc...
(now Spike TV
Spike TV
Spike is an American cable television channel. It launched on March 7, 1983 as The Nashville Network , a joint venture of WSM, Inc...
), and CBS
CBS
CBS 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...
. While at TNN, his first job in 1992 was as a pit reporter for their coverage of the ASA
American Speed Association
The American Speed Association is a sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States formed in 1968. The Association was based in Pendleton, Indiana and currently is headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida. ASA was most famous for a national touring series which began in 1973 but was...
. He eventually moved up to the lead lap-by-lap announcer for TNN's ASA coverage around 1995. He became the lead announcer of TNN's coverage of the NHRA Drag Racing Series and shared hosting duties with Steve Evans on TNN's coverage of the World of Outlaws and of the AMA. He also occasionally anchored their now-defunct racing news show, NASCAR RaceDay
NASCAR RaceDay
NASCAR RaceDay is a pre-race show on Speed Channel. Hosted by John M. Roberts, the show features driver–analysts Kenny Wallace and Kyle Petty, as well as pit reporter Wendy Venturini, who provide news from the track right before each weekend's race. Hermie Sadler came on board in 2008...
, and at CBS, he was a pit reporter for their coverage 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...
Winston Cup Series (now Sprint Cup Series) races, most notably the 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....
. He still works for CBS, as the lap-by-lap announcer for their coverage of the American Le Mans Series
American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is a sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. It consists of a series of endurance and sprint races, and was created in the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC...
. In 2005, Sheheen did lap-by-lap for CBS's broadcasts of the San Marino Grand Prix
San Marino Grand Prix
The San Marino Grand Prix was a Formula One championship race which was run at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in the town of Imola, near the Apennine mountains in Italy, between 1981 and 2006...
, the Spanish Grand Prix
Spanish Grand Prix
The Spanish Grand Prix is a Formula One race currently held at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain, as part of the annual Formula One championship season.-History:...
, the Canadian Grand Prix
Canadian Grand Prix
The Canadian Grand Prix , abbreviated as gpc, is an annual auto race held in Canada starting in 1961. It has been part of the Formula One World Championship since 1967...
, and the German Grand Prix
German Grand Prix
The German Grand Prix is an annual automobile race.Because Germany was banned from taking part in international events after World War II, the German GP only became part of the Formula One World Championship in 1951...
.
Until 2005, Sheheen was the host/narrator
Narrator
A narrator is, within any story , the fictional or non-fictional, personal or impersonal entity who tells the story to the audience. When the narrator is also a character within the story, he or she is sometimes known as the viewpoint character. The narrator is one of three entities responsible for...
of Speed's coverage of the World Rally Championship
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
, and of the network's magazine show, WRC Rally Magazine
WRC Rally Magazine
WRC Rally Magazine was a show on Speed Channel. The show always preceded the network's coverage of a World Rally Championship event. It had the latest news and notes from the championship, while previewing the upcoming event. The show debuted in January 2004 just before the Monte Carlo Rally. Ralph...
. Sheheen has since been replaced. Speed's on-site WRC reporter, former co-champion Nicky Grist
Nicky Grist
Nicky Grist is a Welsh former rally co-driver, born in Ebbw Vale. His factory team career in the World Rally Championship lasted from 1993 to 2002. He won 21 rallies and one World championship titles, with more than one driver....
, has seen an increase in his role.
Since 2007, Sheheen has been a pit reporter for NASCAR on TNT
NASCAR on TNT
NASCAR on TNT is the tagname for any NASCAR series race that has been broadcast on Turner Network Television by Turner Sports.-Prior to 2001:...
. At the 2009 New Hampshire race, he filled in for Bill Weber
Bill Weber
Bill Weber is a former television sports commentator, perhaps best known for his work on TNT and NBC NASCAR broadcasts. Weber was also the lead announcer for Champ Car World Series events and other auto racing series on NBC. He currently is working as an illusionist.-Early life and career:Weber...
as the lead announcer. On July 1, 2009, it was announced by TNT and NASCAR that Sheheen will fill in for Weber at the Coke Zero 400
Coke Zero 400
The Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona is a 160 lap, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held annually, beginning in 1959, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida; the second major stock car event held at Daytona on the Sprint Cup circuit...
and the LifeLock.com 400, the final two races of TNT's 2009 schedule.
From 2007-2008, Sheheen has also been the announcer for AMA Motocross Championship on the SPEED Channel, until he was replaced with the current announcer Jason Weigandt beginning in the 2009 Season.
One of Sheheen's early positions was as a trackside race announcer at northern California's American Federation of Motorcyclists (AFM) road course races at Sears Point Raceway (now Infineon Raceway) in the early 1980s.