2007 Lucas Oil Sportsman TV schedule

ESPN unveils 2007 Lucas Oil Schedule

ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will continue to air 16 one-hour shows with coverage from select NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series national events in 2007.The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will be showcased on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD on a taped-delay basis as part of NHRA's exclusive relationship with ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports.

The NHRA Lucas Oil Series has a long-standing tradition of serving as a developmental arena for the future stars of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Many of today's top professional drivers, including Brandon Bernstein, Gary Scelzi, Jeg Coughlin, Erica Enders and Ashley Force to name a few, got their start in one of the NHRA Lucas Oil Series' seven sportsman categories.
Anchoring the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series telecasts will be long-time NHRA announcer David Rieff, who will be joined in the booth by popular NHRA announcer Bob Frey. Rieff has been involved for many years with NHRA Drag Racing coverage on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD and brings a deep understanding of the sport.

In addition, the popular Sportsman Spotlight segment, which aired on NHRA 2Day last year, will continue in 2007 as part of a special feature on Inside Drag Racing, a Masters Entertainment Group production. Inside Drag Racing, a weekly show catering to drag racing and hot rod enthusiasts, debuts on The Outdoor Channel beginning Wednesday, April 4 at 8:30 p.m. (ET). In addition, Inside Drag Racing will enjoy two repeat airings each week on Friday at 9 a.m. (ET) and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. The NHRA Sportsman Spotlight on Inside Drag Racing will include features on drivers in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as spotlights on NHRA's member track network. Frey will host the NHRA Sportsman Spotlight segment.

ESPN, Inc. is the world's leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of over 50 multimedia sports assets. The company is comprised of seven domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU, ESPN Today), ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD simulcast services, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (networks, syndication, radio, web sites), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, SportsTicker, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN360 (Broadband), Mobile ESPN, ESPN on Demand, ESPN Interactive and ESPN PPV. Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.

2007 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Television Schedule
Event, Venue Air Date/Time

CARQUEST Winternationals, Pomona, Calif. Sun., Feb. 18: Noon - 1 p.m.

ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville, Fla. Sun., Mar. 25: 11 a.m. - Noon

O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals, Houston Sun., Apr. 8: Noon - 1 p.m.

NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals, Las Vegas Sun., April 22: Noon - 1 p.m.

Summit Racing NHRA Southern Nationals, Commerce, Ga. Sun., May 6: Noon - 1 p.m.

O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals, Topeka, Kan. Sun., June 10: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

NHRA Route 66 Nationals, Chicago Sat., June 16: Noon - 1 p.m.

NHRA SuperNationals, Englishtown, N.J. Sun., July 1: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Summit Racing NHRA Nationals, Norwalk, Ohio Sat., July 7: Noon - 1 p.m.

Schuck's Auto Supply NHRA Nationals, Seattle Sat., July 28: 12:30 - 1:30 a.m.

Fram-Autolite NHRA Nationals, Sonoma, Calif. Sun., Aug. 5: 11 p.m. - Midnight

Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Brainerd, Minn. Sun., Aug. 19: Noon - 1 p.m.

Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals, Reading, Pa. Sun., Aug. 26: 11 a.m. - Noon

Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis Sun., Sept. 9: 3 - 4 p.m.

O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals, Dallas Sun., Sept. 30: Noon - 1 p.m.

Automobile Club NHRA Finals, Pomona, Calif. Sun., Nov. 11: Noon - 1 p.m.

* All times Eastern. Schedule subject to change. Please check local listings.