NASCAR on TBS

Last updated
NASCAR on TBS
Genre Auto racing telecasts
Presented by Ken Squier
Allen Bestwick
Buddy Baker
Dick Berggren
See commentators section below
Opening theme"Thunder Fist" [1]
Composer Edd Kalehoff
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Production locationVarious NASCAR venues
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time4 hours or until race ended (including commercials)
Production company Turner Sports
Original release
Network TBS
ReleaseFebruary 27, 1983 (1983-02-27) – October 8, 2000 (2000-10-08)
Related
NASCAR on TNT (2001-2014)

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. [2]

Contents

Races were switched to TNT in 2001 as part of the then-new NASCAR television deal, although the initial plans [3] 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 19961998.

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.

TBS race schedule

Winston Cup Series

1980s

1983
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
2February 27 Richmond 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Cale Yarborough
29November 6 Atlanta Journal 500 Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton Ken Squier Geoff Bodine
30November 20 Winston Western 500 Riverside International Raceway, Riverside Ken Squier Cale Yarborough
1984
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
2February 26 Richmond 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Buddy Baker
10May 12 Coors 420 Nashville Speedway, Nashville Ken Squier Benny Parsons
29November 11 Atlanta Journal 500 Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton Ken Squier Glenn Jarrett
30November 18 Winston Western 500 Riverside International Raceway, Riverside Ken Squier Phil Parsons
1985
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
2February 24 Miller High Life 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Benny Parsons
26October 20 Nationwise 500 North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham Ken Squier Benny Parsons
27November 3 Atlanta Journal 500 Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton Ken Squier Dick Brooks
28November 17 Winston Western 500 Riverside International Raceway, Riverside Ken Squier Benny Parsons
1986
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
2February 23 Miller High Life 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Benny Parsons
27October 19 Nationwise 500 North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham Ken Squier Benny Parsons
29November 16 Winston Western 500 Riverside International Raceway, Riverside Ken Squier Phil Parsons
1987
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
3March 8 Miller High Life 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Lake Speed
27October 25 AC Delco 500 North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham Ken Squier Johnny Hayes, Lake Speed
28November 8 Winston Western 500 Riverside International Raceway, Riverside Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Johnny Hayes
1988
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
2February 21 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Johnny Hayes
10May 29 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Johnny Hayes
22September 11 Miller High Life 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Johnny Hayes
1989
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
4March 26 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Johnny Hayes
10May 28 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Johnny Hayes
22September 10 Miller High Life 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Johnny Hayes
25October 8 All Pro Auto Parts 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Johnny Hayes, Joe Ruttman

1990s-2000

1990
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
2February 25 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Chris Economaki
10May 27 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Neil Bonnett, Lyn St. James
22September 9 Miller Genuine Draft 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Neil Bonnett, Johnny Hayes
26October 7 Mello Yello 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Neil Bonnett, Johnny Hayes
1991
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
2February 24 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Neil Bonnett, Ken Stabler
10May 26 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Neil Bonnett
22September 7 Miller Genuine Draft 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Neil Bonnett, Ken Stabler
26October 6 Mello Yello 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Neil Bonnett
1992
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
3March 8 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Neil Bonnett
10May 24 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Neil Bonnett
22September 12 Miller Genuine Draft 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Neil Bonnett
26October 11 Mello Yello 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Neil Bonnett
1993
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
3March 7 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Neil Bonnett
11May 30 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Neil Bonnett
17July 18 Miller Genuine Draft 500 Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond Ken Squier Neil Bonnett
23September 11 Miller Genuine Draft 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Neil Bonnett
27October 10 Mello Yello 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Neil Bonnett
1994
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
3March 6 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Dave Marcis, Kenny Wallace
11May 29 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Richard Petty
17July 17 Miller Genuine Draft 500 Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond Ken Squier Barry Dodson
24September 10 Miller Genuine Draft 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Chuck Bown
28October 9 Mello Yello 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Chuck Bown, Cale Yarborough
1995
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
3March 5 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Chuck Bown, Ernie Irvan
11May 28 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Ernie Irvan, Richard Petty
17July 16 Miller Genuine Draft 500 Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond Ken Squier Dick Berggren, Chad Little
24September 9 Miller Genuine Draft 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond Ken Squier Dick Berggren, Chad Little
28October 8 UAW-GM Quality 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Dick Berggren, Ernie Irvan
1996
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
11May 26 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Dick Berggren
17July 21 Miller 500 Pocono Raceway, Long Pond Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Chad Little
28October 6 UAW-GM Quality 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Mike Wallace
ExhibitionNovember 24 NASCAR Suzuka Thunder Special Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka, Japan Ken Squier Buddy Baker
1997
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
11May 25 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Dick Berggren
18July 20 Pennsylvania 500 Pocono Raceway, Long Pond Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Greg Sacks
28October 5 UAW-GM Quality 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Buddy Baker
ExhibitionNovember 23 NASCAR Suzuka Thunder Special Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka, Japan Ken Squier Buddy Baker
1998
RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
11May 24 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Dick Berggren
18July 26 Pennsylvania 500 Pocono Raceway, Long Pond Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Dick Berggren
28October 4 UAW-GM Quality 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Dick Berggren
ExhibitionNovember 22 Coca-Cola 500 Twin Ring Motegi, Motegi, Japan Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Dick Berggren
1999
RndDateRace TitleTrackHostLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
12May 30 Coca-Cola 600 Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord Allen Bestwick Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Dick Berggren
19July 25 Pennsylvania 500 Pocono Raceway, Long Pond Allen Bestwick Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Dick Berggren
29October 11 UAW-GM Quality 500 Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker, Dick Berggren
2000
RndDateRace TitleTrackHostLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
12May 28 Coca-Cola 600 Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker, Dick Berggren
19July 23 Pennsylvania 500 Pocono Raceway, Long Pond Ken Squier Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker, Dick Berggren
29October 8 UAW-GM Quality 500 Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker, Dick Berggren

Busch Grand National Series

1995

RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
11May 27Red Dog 300 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Dick Berggren
24October 7All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Dick Berggren, Darrell Waltrip

1996

RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
10May 25Red Dog 300 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Dick Berggren, Darrell Waltrip
24October 5All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Larry McReynolds, Darrell Waltrip

1997

RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
14May 24Carquest Auto Parts 300 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Darrell Waltrip
27October 4All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Darrell Waltrip

1998

RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
12May 23Carquest Auto Parts 300 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Darrell Waltrip
27October 3All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Darrell Waltrip

1999

RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
14May 29Carquest Auto Parts 300 Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord Ken Squier Buddy Baker, Rusty Wallace
28October 9All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker, Rusty Wallace

2000

RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
13May 27Carquest Auto Parts 300 Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker, Tony Stewart
28October 7All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker, Tony Stewart

Craftsman Truck Series

1995

RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
ExhibitionNovember 4 NASCAR Supertruck 25 Homestead Motorsports Complex, Homestead Ken Squier Dick Berggren

1996

RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
3May 4Craftsman 200 Portland Speedway, Portland Ken Squier Dick Berggren
4May 11Jerr-Dan/Nelson Truck 200 Evergreen Speedway, Monroe Ken Squier Dick Berggren, Larry McReynolds
23October 26 GM Goodwrench/AC Delco 300 Phoenix International Raceway, Phoenix Ken Squier Larry McReynolds, Darrell Waltrip

1997

RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
5May 3Craftsman 200 Portland Speedway, Portland Ken Squier Dick Berggren
6May 10NAPACARD 200 Evergreen Speedway, Monroe Ken Squier Dick Berggren

1998

RndDateRace TitleTrackLead CommentatorsCo-Commentators
4April 25Craftsman 200 By NAPA Auto Parts Portland Speedway, Portland Ken Squier Buddy Baker
5May 8NAPACARD 200 Evergreen Speedway, Monroe Ken Squier Larry McReynolds
26October 24GM Goodwrench Service Plus/AC Delco 300 Phoenix International Raceway, Phoenix Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker, Dick Berggren

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

Color commentary

Pit road reporters

Studio hosts

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

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References

  1. Thunder Fist (from NASCAR on TBS) on YouTube
  2. Saying Goodbye to NASCAR (2000) on YouTube
  3. Donohue, Steve (November 14, 1999). "Fox, NBC-TBS Win NASCAR Race". Multichannel.
Preceded by
None
NASCAR pay television carrier in the United States
19832000
Succeeded by
TNT