CONCORD, N.C. (February 8, 2011) – The Motor Racing Network will launch nine straight days of coverage from Daytona International Speedway (DIS) later this week, to include a one-hour special titled: “Dale Earnhardt: The Daytona Legacy” that will air Monday, Feb. 14.
The program will be anchored by MRN Hall of Fame broadcaster Barney Hall. Scheduled guests include Sprint Cup Series drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick and Michael Waltrip; along with team owner Richard Childress. 2011 will mark 10 years since the elder Earnhardt lost his life in a last-lap crash in the 2001 Daytona 500, which was won by Waltrip.
“Our tribute to Dale Earnhardt will give fans a look back at one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers and his Daytona legacy,” said MRN President and Executive Producer David Hyatt. “ ‘The Intimidator’s’ record of success at the World Center of Racing is second to none and we’re proud to highlight that as part of our Speed Weeks 2011 coverage.”
In a 21-year period that began in 1980, Earnhardt won 34 races at DIS: three Cup Series wins including the 1998 Daytona 500, 12 Gatorade 125 qualifying races, seven victories in the Nationwide Series, and six wins each in the Budweiser Shootout and International Race of Champions.
MRN Radio’s nine days of blanket coverage from Speed Weeks 2011 will open Saturday, Feb. 12, with live coverage of the season-opening Budweiser Shootout non-points special event. Harvick is bidding to become the first driver in the 33-year-history of the race to win three years in a row.
Daytona 500 Qualifying Presented by Kroger will air live Sunday, Feb. 13, at 1 p.m. (EST). Four nights of pre-500 programming will include the Earnhardt tribute and Eli Gold hosting two special editions of NASCAR Live. The seventh season of NASCAR Performance Live will debut at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, with the Gatorade Duel twin qualifying races coming the following day.
It all leads to MRN Radio’s complete coverage of NASCAR’s first full weekend of the new season, featuring a live broadcast of the Camping World Truck Series’ opening event – the NextEra Energy Resources 250 – on Friday night, Feb. 18. Timothy Peters is the defending race winner, Todd Bodine the reigning series champion.
The following day, MRN will broadcast the DRIVE-4-C.O.P.D. 300 Nationwide Series opener. Tony Stewart won last year’s race while Brad Keselowski was crowned series champion in 2010.
Speed Weeks concludes with complete coverage of “The Great American Race,” the Daytona 500, on Sunday, Feb. 20. Jamie McMurray is the defending race winner. Jimmie Johnson will open his bid for an unprecedented sixth straight Sprint Cup Series championship.
SPEED WEEKS 2011 / Motor Racing Network
(All times EST)
Saturday, Feb. 12 Budweiser Shootout, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 13 Front-Row Qualifying / Daytona 500, 1 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 14 “Dale Earnhardt: The Daytona Legacy,” 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 15 NASCAR Live, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 16 NASCAR Performance Live, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 17 Gatorade Duel twin qualifying races, 1 p.m.
Special Edition / NASCAR Live, 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 18 Camping World Truck Series, 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 19 Nationwide Series, 12:45 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 20 Daytona 500, 12 p.m.
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ABOUT MRN RADIO
MRN Radio, beginning its 42nd year of broadcasting, is a division of International Speedway Corporation and the primary source for NASCAR stock car racing, sports car racing and related radio programming. MRN’s award-winning play-by-play coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is delivered via satellite to over 650 radio stations nationwide plus the American Forces Network. MRN Radio is the largest independent sports radio network in America.
