FOX Sports to produce NASCAR 2005 coverage in 720p

[Gregg Lengling]

FOX Sports will cover the NASCAR Nextel and Busch Series races in 720p HD next season.

NASCAR on FOX, which will be produced in 720p HD with Dolby 5.1 surround sound, begins Feb. 12 with coverage of the Bud Shootout from the Daytona International Speedway. FOX Sports' HD NASCAR lineup includes the 47th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20. According to Fox Sports chairman David Hill, the HD production will give race fans "the visceral experience of NASCAR action." In total, the network will air 15 NASCAR Nextel Cup races and five NASCAR Busch Series races. NASCAR on FOX will enter its fifth year in 2005.

Turner Network Television and NBC have announced that their NASCAR coverage next year will be done in 1080i.