Fox Nascar Adds Seven-Time Champ Duo Johnson and Knaus, Wallace As Analysts for 2019 Nascar Xfinity Series
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 FOX NASCAR ADDS SEVEN-TIME CHAMP DUO JOHNSON AND KNAUS, WALLACE AS ANALYSTS FOR 2019 NASCAR XFINITY SERIES Harvick Expands Analyst Duties to Include Eight NXS Races in FOX Sports Broadcast Booth FS1 “Drivers Only” Broadcast Set for Memorial Day Weekend in Charlotte; Pit Boss Knaus Crashes Drivers’ Party CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- When reigning MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES champion Joey Logano removes his FOX Sports headset after calling Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY SERIES season opener at Daytona, he’ll hand it off to seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson. Johnson calls his first race for FOX Sports as a guest driver analyst on Saturday, Feb. 23 (2:00 PM ET on FS1) at Atlanta. Johnson, however, has a drafting partner in his maiden trip to the FOX NASCAR broadcast booth, as 2014 champion Kevin Harvick assumes the lead analyst role alongside play-by-play announcer Adam Alexander. Harvick’s broadcast dance card expands this season with the addition of lead analyst duties for seven Xfinity Series races. For the races in which Harvick is lead analyst, he pairs with a rotation of Cup Series drivers moonlighting as guest analysts, while FOX NASCAR analyst Michael Waltrip helps anchor FOX Sports’ coverage from the Virtual Studio in Charlotte. “I’ve enjoyed calling NASCAR Xfinity Series races for FOX Sports more than I ever imagined I would, so I am looking forward to adding even more this year,” Harvick said. “I’ve made no secret of the fact I can see broadcasting in my future after racing, so this is a cool opportunity to branch out as the lead analyst and perhaps even offer some pointers to other drivers calling the races with me.” “I’m excited to come in and see the race from a different vantage point,” Johnson said. “I’ve been a big fan of Kevin’s work in the booth and feel like we’re going to have a great time and add a lot of detail to the race, so I’m excited to have that opportunity in Atlanta.” Seven-time champion and crew chief for William Byron, Chad Knaus, makes his FOX Sports race broadcast debut at Talladega alongside Alexander and Harvick, while Bubba Wallace makes his inaugural analyst appearance at Michigan after making his pit road debut during last year’s FOX Sports “Drivers Only” broadcast. In addition to Logano, Johnson and Wallace, 2012 champ Brad Keselowski, 2004 champion Kurt Busch, Clint Bowyer, Austin Dillon, Ryan Blaney and Regan Smith return to the booth this season. See complete schedule below for specifics. “DRIVERS ONLY” BROADCAST: The highly popular “Drivers Only” broadcast is back for the third consecutive year -- this time with a twist. Knaus crashes the “Drivers Only” party, joining all eight returning drivers from last season. Charlotte Motor Speedway plays host to this year’s edition on Saturday, May 25 (1:00 PM ET on FS1). For the third time, Harvick has the call alongside analysts Bowyer and Logano. Blaney, Jones and Wallace cover pit road, while Keselowski returns to host from FOX Sports’ virtual studio in Charlotte alongside Stenhouse Jr. and Knaus. FOX NASCAR driver analyst schedule for 2019 NASCAR XFINITY SERIES: Date Location Lead Analyst Driver Analyst* Race Start (ET) Network 2/16 Daytona International Waltrip Logano 2:30 PM/FS1 Speedway 2/23 Atlanta Motor Speedway Harvick Johnson 2:00 PM/FS1 3/2 Las Vegas Motor Speedway Harvick Keselowski 4:00 PM/FS1 3/9 ISM Raceway Harvick Jones 4:00 PM/FS1 3/16 Auto Club Speedway Waltrip Keselowski 5:00 PM/FS1 3/30 Texas Motor Speedway Harvick Dillon 1:00 PM/FS1 4/6 Bristol Motor Speedway Harvick Bowyer 1:00 PM/FS1 4/12 Richmond Raceway Waltrip Logano 7:00 PM/FS1 4/27 Talladega Superspeedway Harvick Knaus 1:00 PM/FS1 5/4 Dover International Speedway Waltrip Blaney 1:30 PM/FS1 5/25 Charlotte Motor Speedway Harvick, Logano, 1:00 PM/FS1 (Drivers Only) Bowyer, Blaney, Jones, Keselowski Stenhouse Jr., Wallace, Knaus 6/1 Pocono Raceway Waltrip Kurt Busch 1:00 PM/FS1 6/8 Michigan Int’l Speedway Harvick Wallace 1:30 PM/FS1 6/16 Iowa Speedway Waltrip Smith 5:30 PM/FS1 *Subject to change In appreciation of the drivers’ participation, FOX Sports will make a donation to each driver’s individual foundation or charity of choice. For more information on FOX NASCAR, please visit FOX SPORTS PRESS PASS. About FOX Sports FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing 21st Century FOX’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; FS1, FS2; FOX Sports Regional Networks, their affiliated regional web sites and national programming; FOX Soccer Plus; FOX Deportes and FOX College Sports. In addition, FOX Sports also encompasses FOX Sports Digital, including FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports app. Also included in the Group are FOX’s interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network and BTN 2Go, as well as a licensing agreement that established the FOX Sports Radio Network. --FOX SPORTS-- . .