NASCAR on TBS

NASCAR on TBS is the name of a former television program that broadcast NASCAR races on the TBS cable network. Select NASCAR Winston Cup Series (now NASCAR Cup Series), Busch Series (now Xfinity Series), and Craftsman Truck Series races were aired on TBS from its debut in 1983 up to the 2000 season.

Races were switched to TNT in 2001 as part of the then-new NASCAR television deal, although the initial plans were for TBS Superstation to carry the races. Instead, Turner decided that NASCAR would better fit TNT's "We Know Drama" slogan.

Coverage overview
Before the existence of ESPN, live coverage of NASCAR Winston Cup races on television was limited. CBS covered the Daytona 500, the June race at Michigan and the July race at Talladega. ABC usually did the Atlanta race in the spring.

TBS broadcast the Richmond spring race, held the week after Daytona Speedweeks, from 1983 to 1995, as well as the fall races at Rockingham (1985-1987), Atlanta (1983-1985) and Riverside (1982-1987).

For several years in the 1990s, the only Cup Series races aired on TBS were the two races from Charlotte Motor Speedway (Coca-Cola 600 from 1988-2000, UAW-GM Quality 500 from 1989-2000); TBS did not have rights to The Winston, which usually aired on TNN. Also, the channel aired the July race at Pocono Raceway from 1993 to 2000. TBS was also the home of the postseason exhibition races held at Suzuka Circuit and Twin Ring Motegi in Japan from 1996–1998.

The now defunct Prime Network meanwhile, was the first to televise NASCAR Winston Cup qualifying races on a regular basis. The telecasts were mainly for races that would be televised by TBS.

TBS aired side-by-side coverage during commercials during the 2000 UAW-GM Quality 500 in Charlotte.

Commentators
Booth announcers/analysts included Ken Squier, Buddy Baker, and Dick Berggren. After TBS made a host/booth switch, Allen Bestwick became the lap-by-lap announcer with Baker and Berggren in the booth for TBS' 2000 coverage at Lowe's and Pocono.

Lap-by-lap

 * Allen Bestwick
 * Ken Squier

Color commentary

 * Buddy Baker
 * Dick Berggren
 * Geoff Bodine
 * Neil Bonnett
 * Chuck Bown
 * Dick Brooks
 * Barry Dodson
 * Chris Economaki
 * Johnny Hayes
 * Ernie Irvan
 * Glenn Jarrett
 * Dave Marcis
 * Chad Little
 * Benny Parsons
 * Phil Parsons
 * Richard Petty
 * Greg Sacks
 * Lyn St. James
 * Ken Stabler
 * Kenny Wallace
 * Cale Yarborough

Pit road reporters

 * Jack Arute
 * Dick Berggren
 * Steve Byrnes
 * Alice Cook
 * Dave Despain
 * Chris Economaki
 * Jerry Garrett
 * Charlie Harville
 * Glenn Jarrett
 * Mike Massaro
 * Benny Parsons
 * Phil Parsons
 * Pat Patterson
 * Randy Pemberton
 * Mark Pfister
 * Bob Varsha
 * Mike Hogewood
 * Jerry Punch
 * Mike Wallace
 * Joe Whitlock
 * Matt Yocum

Studio hosts
Late 1980s broadcasts were known for an infield broadcasting "host" set called "STP Race Central."


 * Rick Benjamin
 * Allen Bestwick
 * Dave Despain
 * Mike Joy
 * Ken Squier