ESPN2 NASCAR Now host announced

ESPN2’s NASCAR Now, ESPN’s first daily program dedicated solely to NASCAR news and information, will debut February 5 at 6:30 p.m. ET. Starting February 18, NASCAR Now will also be aired Sundays at 10 a.m. Erik Kuselias will serve as NASCAR Now host, giving up his role hosting ESPN Radio’s SportsBash (4-7 p.m. M-F), but maintaining a fill-in role at ESPN Radio.

For the week of February 12, NASCAR Now will originate from Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR Now’s Daytona coverage will include the Busch Series’ Daytona 300 on February 17, the first race on ESPN2.

When NASCAR Now returns to Bristol (Connecticut, not Tennessee) Monday, Feb. 19, the show will originate from a high-tech, garage-like, HD studio.

"We’re looking forward to providing NASCAR fans the latest news, analysis and opinion in the timeliest and best format — HD — six days a week," said Jack Obringer, NASCAR Now coordinating producer. "Erik will elicit the best information from our team of NASCAR reporters, experts and insiders."

Kuselias will serve as the show’s spotter, navigating viewers through 30 minutes of highlights, opinion, debate, analysis, and the latest news from drivers, crew chiefs and insiders both on and off the track. NASCAR Now will also feature Busch Series news and fantasy elements. Additionally, joining the ESPN and ABC NASCAR team will be the front-tire changer for the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet D.J. Copp, who’ll lend pit-crew expertise as a NASCAR Now contributor.

Kuselias will be joined by reporters, crew members, drivers and former drivers, allowing NASCAR Now to cover every angle of the sport. The NASCAR Now team will include:

  • Tim Brewer, two-time NASCAR Cup champion crew chief
  • Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News NASCAR writer and columnist
  • Marty Smith, NASCAR.com senior writer
  • Angelique S. Chengelis, Detroit News NASCAR writer and columnist
  • D.J. Copp, front tire changer on the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet
  • Shannon Spake, reporter for SPEED’s NASCAR Nation and Backseat Drivers host
  • Brad Daugherty, five-time NBA All-Star and former winning NASCAR team owner

NASCAR Now viewers will also benefit from frequent contributions by the ESPN / ABC NASCAR team including Rusty Wallace, Jerry Punch, Andy Petree, Allen Bestwick, Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro, Dale Jarrett and ESPN Deportes’ NASCAR commentators Andrés Agulla and Alex Pombo.