Sirius XM Radio Inc. is broadcasting comprehensive coverage of "The Great American Race" - the Daytona 500 - and kicking off what is arguably one of the most critical seasons in NASCAR history.
On Sunday, February 14th, Daytona 500 race day, Sirius NASCAR Radio (Sirius channel 128 and XM channel 128) will start broadcasting live from the track at 7am ET and will offer listeners 15 hours of live coverage throughout the day.
Sirius NASCAR Radio will offer all the action on the track during the 52nd running of the Daytona 500, which starts a little earlier this year - at 1pm ET. Plus there will be full pre- and post-race coverage with analysis, reports from pit road and the garages, driver introductions and interviews with the race winner and others.
Faced with declining attendance and TV ratings, NASCAR has planned a series of adjustments designed to re-energize the industry. NASCAR has relaxed its stance on bump-drafting and aggressive driving in a clear response to fan complaints that the restrictions had "ruined" the race.
The decision by NASCAR to be more lenient so far has been applauded, even though the true ramifications won't be known until the checkered flag falls on the Daytona 500. The policing of bump-drafting was to cut down on the spectacular accidents that typically mar Daytona and Talladega races.
NASCAR is also relenting a bit on its stance concerning the current Sprint Cup Series car - known as The Car of Tomorrow. Designed to improve safety and cut costs, the Car of Tomorrow first ran at Daytona 500 in 2008 and has been criticized by both competitors and fans. Series officials recently announced a transition that will replace the rear wing with a more traditional spoiler. Testing on the spoiler already has started, and it could be introduced by late March.
And don't forget about formally XM-sponsored Danica Patrick, who has joined the sport.
Sirius XM will also offer additional Driver2Crew Chatter channels that will carry the in-car audio of NASCAR's top drivers as they compete.
The "Fan's Choice" channel will feature the in-car audio of a driver determined by fans who vote online from a selection of competitors. Fans can also listen in on the NASCAR Officials' communications during the race on Sirius channel 154 and XM channel 107.
Here is the channel lineup for this year's Daytona 500, available to Sirius subscribers and XM subscribers (with the "Best of Sirius" programming package):
Also today, February 11th at 6:30pm ET, Tony Stewart will host a special edition of his Sirius NASCAR Radio talk show, Tony Stewart Live, from the IMAX Theater at the Daytona 500 Experience at the speedway.
Stewart and co-host Matt Yocum will preview the Daytona 500 and the start of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Fans are welcome to attend the broadcast and will be admitted free of charge... though, as with anything at the Daytona 500, space is limited.
Sirius NASCAR Radio will offer all the action on the track during the 52nd running of the Daytona 500, which starts a little earlier this year - at 1pm ET. Plus there will be full pre- and post-race coverage with analysis, reports from pit road and the garages, driver introductions and interviews with the race winner and others.
Faced with declining attendance and TV ratings, NASCAR has planned a series of adjustments designed to re-energize the industry. NASCAR has relaxed its stance on bump-drafting and aggressive driving in a clear response to fan complaints that the restrictions had "ruined" the race.
The decision by NASCAR to be more lenient so far has been applauded, even though the true ramifications won't be known until the checkered flag falls on the Daytona 500. The policing of bump-drafting was to cut down on the spectacular accidents that typically mar Daytona and Talladega races.
NASCAR is also relenting a bit on its stance concerning the current Sprint Cup Series car - known as The Car of Tomorrow. Designed to improve safety and cut costs, the Car of Tomorrow first ran at Daytona 500 in 2008 and has been criticized by both competitors and fans. Series officials recently announced a transition that will replace the rear wing with a more traditional spoiler. Testing on the spoiler already has started, and it could be introduced by late March.
And don't forget about formally XM-sponsored Danica Patrick, who has joined the sport.
Sirius XM will also offer additional Driver2Crew Chatter channels that will carry the in-car audio of NASCAR's top drivers as they compete.
The "Fan's Choice" channel will feature the in-car audio of a driver determined by fans who vote online from a selection of competitors. Fans can also listen in on the NASCAR Officials' communications during the race on Sirius channel 154 and XM channel 107.
Here is the channel lineup for this year's Daytona 500, available to Sirius subscribers and XM subscribers (with the "Best of Sirius" programming package):
- Live race call provided by MRN - Sirius 128 / XM 128
- Jimmie Johnson in-car audio - Sirius 125 / XM 102
- Mark Martin in-car audio - Sirius 126 / XM 103
- Tony Stewart in-car audio - Sirius 127 / XM 104
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. in-car audio - Sirius 130 / XM 105
- Jeff Gordon in-car audio - Sirius 155 / XM 108
- Kurt Busch in-car audio - Sirius 156 / XM 109
- Denny Hamlin in-car audio - Sirius 157 / XM 110
- Juan Pablo Montoya in-car audio - Sirius 158 / XM 111
- Fan's Choice channel (driver TBD) - Sirius 153 / XM 106
- NASCAR Officials' channel - Sirius 154 / XM 107
Also today, February 11th at 6:30pm ET, Tony Stewart will host a special edition of his Sirius NASCAR Radio talk show, Tony Stewart Live, from the IMAX Theater at the Daytona 500 Experience at the speedway.
Stewart and co-host Matt Yocum will preview the Daytona 500 and the start of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Fans are welcome to attend the broadcast and will be admitted free of charge... though, as with anything at the Daytona 500, space is limited.
Anybody know what scanner frequencies the drivers use ?
Listening to the Daytona 500 is like watching Howard Stern with the sound down. Sort of defeats the point.