Nate Ryan and Dustin Long join NBCSN’s NASCAR AMERICA lineup

NBC Sports announced Tuesday the addition of veteran journalists Nate Ryan and Dustin Long to its coverage team, dovetailing with the media group's expanded presence as a returning NASCAR broadcast partner in 2015. Ryan, who has been a regular contributor to NBC Sports Network's "NASCAR America" program since the start of the 2014 season, will leave his spot as USA Today's primary motorsports writer for a multi-faceted role with NBC.

According to a release provided by the media company, Ryan will serve as an on-air reporter during broadcasts, but will also contribute to the organization's online publishing arm as a writer. Long, who most recently served as a writer and editor with Motor Racing Network (MRN) Radio's website, will transition to the same role with NBC Sports, also working alongside Ryan to produce video content. Before his stint with MRN, Long was the lead NASCAR writer for the Landmark newspaper group. In a related move, USA Today Sports announced that Brant James — most recently a correspondent for ESPN — would fill the vacancy created by Ryan's departure on the newspaper's motorsports staff.