HDNet Announces Second Season of Live High Definition Television Coverage of the NASC

[Gregg Lengling]

Press Release Source: HDNet


HDNet Announces Second Season of Live High Definition Television Coverage of the NASCAR Grand National Division
Tuesday April 5, 12:07 pm ET  
HDNet to Telecast 20 Races in 2005


DALLAS & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2005--HDNet and NASCAR announced today the schedule for the second season of NASCAR's high-definition television package on HDNet. This year, HDNet will feature 20 live telecasts from the NASCAR Grand National Division, a tier of NASCAR's regional racing series which includes the Busch North Series and West Series.
"NASCAR Grand National Division on HDNet" coverage began Jan. 30 from Phoenix International Raceway, and continues Saturday, April 9, with a West Series race, the Lucas Oil 150 at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif. The first Busch North Series race on HDNet will be at Thompson International Speedway on Sunday, June 12. HDNet's coverage will also feature select races from NASCAR's AutoZone Elite Division.

"We are really excited to continue our relationship with NASCAR," said Mark Cuban, co-founder and president of HDNet. "HDNet viewers are committed NASCAR fans and we are excited to provide them race action like they have never seen it before."

"We are thrilled to be entering into our second season with HDNet and their spectacular high-definition production of NASCAR," said Jeffrey Pollack, Managing Director, Broadcasting and New Media, NASCAR Digital Entertainment. "With twenty live races scheduled for broadcast, fans will be able to enjoy a front row seat for more action than ever before and the entire series will benefit from increased exposure on this cutting-edge channel."

The HDNet broadcast team of Pat Patterson, Mike Hogewood and Kandace Krueger will return to host the programs, which will be produced and telecast in 1080i HDTV.

SPEED Channel will also re-air each of the HDNet-produced NASCAR Grand National Division races in standard definition.

About the NASCAR Grand National Division

The NASCAR Grand National Division includes two independent NASCAR series -- the BNS and the West Series -- competing with identical race cars. NASCAR Grand National Division cars are similar in appearance and design to those cars used on the NASCAR Busch Series. The cars are powered by 350 to 358 cubic-inch V-8 engines with a maximum compression ratio of 12:1. Both 105- and 110-inch wheelbase cars are allowed, with a minimum weight of 3,300 pounds. They are equipped with Goodyear bias-ply tires. The West Series enters its 52nd season in 2005, making it the West Coast's oldest stock car racing circuit, while the BNS enters its 19th year of racing this season.

Notable NASCAR Grand National Division "graduates" include 2004 NASCAR Busch Series champion Martin Truex Jr. (BNS), NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers Ricky Craven (BNS) and Brendan Gaughan (West Series), NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (West Series) as well as crew chiefs Greg Zipadelli (No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet) and Pete Rondeau (No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet).

About HDNet

HDNet provides viewers with exciting and topical news, sports, music and entertainment programming. The network features up to 20 hours of original programming each week, all produced in the highest quality 1080i HDTV format -- more original high-definition programming than any other network. HDNet news and entertainment includes original series "HDNet World Report," "Face 2 Face with Roy Firestone," "Art Mann Presents," "HDNet Concert Series," and "True Music," as well as every episode of the acclaimed Warner Bros. series "Smallville." Live sports productions include NASCAR auto racing, National Hockey League and Major League Soccer games. HDNet Movies, the company's second network, features a wide selection of major studio's theatrical releases -- all uncut, unedited, and appearing in their original aspect ratio -- as well as features produced and finished in true 1080i high-definition. Co-founded by Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on Adelphia, Charter, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit //www.hd.net.

Members of the media may log on to //www.nascarmedia.com or //www.hd.net/pressroom for more information and high-resolution images.

    2005 NASCAR Grand National Division on HDNet Broadcast Schedule

 Date            Track                         Division
 ----            -----                         --------
Jan 30  Phoenix International   NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch
         Raceway                 North Series
Jan 30  Phoenix International   NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division
         Raceway
Apr 9   Mesa Marin Raceway      NASCAR Grand National Division, West
                                 Series
Apr 9   Mesa Marin Raceway      NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division
Apr 21  Phoenix International   NASCAR Grand National Division, West
         Raceway                 Series
Apr 30  Stockton 99 Speedway    NASCAR Grand National Division, West
                                 Series
Apr 30  Stockton 99 Speedway    NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division
May 15  Lee USA Speedway        NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch
                                 North Series
June 12 Thompson International  NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch
         Speedway                North Series
June 17 Stafford Motor Speedway NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch
                                 North Series
June 25 Holland International   NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch
         Speedway                North Series
July 9  Lake Erie Speedway      NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch
                                 North Series
July 15 New Hampshire Int'l     NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch
         Speedway                North Series
July 23 Irwindale Speedway      NASCAR Grand National Division, West
                                 Series
July 30 Adirondack              NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch
         International Speedway  North Series
Aug 13  Stockton 99 Speedway    NASCAR Grand National Division, West
                                 Series
Aug 21  Pikes Peak              NASCAR Grand National Division, West
         International Raceway   Series
Aug 27  Oxford Plains Speedway  NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch
                                 North Series
Sep 2   California Speedway     NASCAR Grand National Division, West
                                 Series
Sep 16  New Hampshire Int'l     NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch
         Speedway                North Series
Sep 23  Dover International     NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch
         Speedway                North Series
Oct 1   Lime Rock Park          NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch
                                 North Series
Oct 15  Mesa Marin Raceway      NASCAR Grand National Division, West
                                 Series

Please check local listings or schedule on //www.hd.net for broadcast times.



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