NBC official talks about sticking with NASCAR on network TV Sunday

On Monday, [SI's Richard Deitsch] spoke with NBC Sports chairman Mark Lazarus to get a sense of how the decision-making [to continue NASCAR coverage on NBC] came together. NBC was put in the situation because of a weather delay. The network had hoped the race would re-start at 4:30pm/et but it started around 4:50. Lazarus was on site for the NASCAR race.

"We figured we would end in the 7:15-7:30pm/et. range but there were a few more cautions [flags] than we counted on," Lazarus said. "It was a fluid process. From our team there was myself, [NBC Sports executive producer] Sam Flood and [president of programming] John Miller, discussing the pros and cons and the constituencies involved.

First, there is the viewers and the fans of both sports. Then there are both leagues, NASACAR and the NFL. Then there is the advertising community. Then there are our broadcast affiliates who sell football inventory and NASCAR inventory. So there is a lot of input you are trying to balance to think through. As it appeared that the race would end in the 7:45pm range, we worked quickly and were on the phone with our advertising sales people, the people who work with our broadcast affiliates to let them know our plans. I also spoke with the NFL and NASCAR officials to let them know." Sports Illustrated