New Season, New Car, New Era – NASCAR on FOX Drops Flag on 13th Season

Gentlemen (and Danica) start…your…engines! FOX Sports slams the gas on its 13th season of NASCAR coverage featuring 13 Sprint Cup points races, highlighted by the 55th running of the DAYTONA 500, live on Sunday, Feb. 24 from Daytona International Speedway. Coverage of the “Great American Race” begins that day with a special one-hour prerace program (12:00 – 1:00 PM ET) from FOX’s technologically gifted mobile studio planted in the infield of DIS, the Hollywood Hotel.

The flag officially drops on FOX Sports’ 2013 Speedweeks coverage with the SPRINT UNLIMITED at Daytona, live on Saturday, Feb. 16 in prime time (8:00-10:00 PM ET), followed by live coverage of DAYTONA 500 QUALIFYING on Sunday, Feb. 17 (1:00-4:00 PM ET). Prior to the network’s prerace coverage, FOX Sports airs Fusion Evolution presented by Ford, a 30- minute Daytona special beginning at 11:30 AM ET.

One of the biggest stories of the season is the impact that the new Gen-6 car will have on racing. The new body-style for this season’s Fords, Chevrolets and Toyotas feature body panels unique to each manufacturer, making them more recognizable to the car makers’ fans. The Daytona 500 will be the first real test of how the car’s lighter and more aerodynamic body will affect the racing performance on the track.

The dynamic duo of NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip and his brother two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip return with host Chris Myers each weekend for FOX NASCAR SUNDAY, the network’s state-of-the-art prerace program. Darrell and former Daytona 500 winning crew chief Larry McReynolds return to the race booth alongside legendary race announcer Mike Joy to provide analysis during races. Veteran analyst Jeff Hammond takes his extensive experience as a former championship-winning crew chief to action in the garages and on pit road. Pit reporters Steve Byrnes, Matt Yocum and Krista Voda also return to cover teams, drivers and crewmen.

FOX’s 2013 NASCAR schedule is highlighted by races from Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, March 3; Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 10; Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 17; Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 13; Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, April 27; Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, May 5; and the NASCAR on FOX season finale from Dover, Delaware on Sunday, June 2.

FOX Sports’ coverage commands the well-earned distinction as television’s most innovative sports broadcaster. Ranking high among the network’s achievements are honors for its NASCAR coverage. NASCAR on FOX has garnered 15 Emmy Awards for its coverage including three for Outstanding Sports Series (2001, 2005, 2007), five for Outstanding Live Event Audio Sound (2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010), one for Outstanding Graphic Design (2001), five for Outstanding Technical Team Remote (2001, 2003-05, 2007) and one for Promotional Announcement Episodic for its 2008 marketing campaign.

NASCAR on FOX 2013 Schedule

Date                  Track                                                     Event                             Coverage

Sat. Feb. 16        Daytona Int’l Speedway               Sprint Unlimited                               8:00 PM

Sun. Feb. 17       Daytona Int’l Speedway                Daytona 500 Qualifying                    1:00 PM

Sun. Feb. 24       Daytona Int’l Speedway                Daytona 500                                       12:00 PM

Sun. March 3       Phoenix Int’l Speedway                 NASCAR Racing – Phoenix             2:30 PM

Sun. March 10   Las Vegas Motor Speedway        NASCAR Racing – Las Vegas          2:30 PM

Sun. March 17   Bristol Motor Speedway               NASCAR Racing – Bristol                                 12:30 PM

Sun. March 24   Auto Club Speedway                      NASCAR Racing – Fontana             2:30 PM

Sun. April 7         Martinsville Speedway                  NASCAR Racing – Martinsville      12:30 PM

Sat. April 13        Texas Motor Speedway                                NASCAR Racing – Fort Worth       7:00 PM

Sun. April 21       Kansas Speedway                           NASCAR Racing – Kansas City       12:30 PM

Sat. April 27        Richmond Int’l Raceway                NASCAR Racing – Richmond         7:00 PM

Sun. May 5          Talladega Superspeedway           NASCAR Racing – Talladega          12:00 PM

Sat. May 11         Darlington Raceway                        NASCAR Racing – Darlington        6:00 PM

Sun. May 26       Charlotte Motor Speedway         NASCAR Racing – Charlotte          5:30 PM

Sun. June 2         Dover Int’l Speedway                    NASCAR Racing – Dover                                 12:30 PM

All times Eastern; Schedule subject to change