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]

NASCAR on TBS
GenreAuto racing telecasts
Presented byKen Squier
Allen Bestwick
Buddy Baker
Dick Berggren
See commentators section below
Opening theme"Thunder Fist"[1]
ComposerEdd Kalehoff
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Production locationVarious NASCAR venues
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time4 hours or until race ended (including commercials)
Production companyTurner Sports
Original release
NetworkTBS
ReleaseFebruary 27, 1983 (1983-02-27) –
October 8, 2000 (2000-10-08)
Related
NASCAR on TNT (2001–2014)

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

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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

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Winston Cup Series

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1980s

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

1990s-2000

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1990
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Rnd Date Race Title Track City Lead Commentators Co-Commentators
2 February 25 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond International Raceway Richmond, Virginia Ken Squier Chris Economaki
10 May 27 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway Concord, North Carolina Ken Squier Neil Bonnett, Lyn St. James
22 September 9 Miller Genuine Draft 400 Richmond International Raceway Richmond, Virginia Ken Squier Neil Bonnett, Johnny Hayes
26 October 7 Mello Yello 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway Concord, North Carolina Ken Squier Neil Bonnett, Johnny Hayes
1991–2000
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Year Date Event Track Network Coverage Host Commentary Pit Reporters
Lap-by-lap Color
1991 February 24 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond TBS Live Mike Joy Ken Squier Neil Bonnett
Ken Stabler
Dick Berggren
Phil Parsons
May 26 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte TBS Live Mike Joy Ken Squier Neil Bonnett Dick Berggren
Phil Parsons
September 7 Miller Genuine Draft 400 Richmond TBS Live Mike Joy Ken Squier Neil Bonnett
Ken Stabler
Dick Berggren
Chris Economaki
October 6 Mello Yello 500 Charlotte TBS Live Mike Joy Ken Squier Neil Bonnett Dick Berggren
Randy Pemberton
1992 March 8 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Neil Bonnett Dick Berggren
Randy Pemberton
May 24 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Neil Bonnett Dick Berggren
Randy Pemberton
September 12 Miller Genuine Draft 400 Richmond TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Neil Bonnett Randy Pemberton
Glenn Jarrett
October 11 Mello Yello 500 Charlotte TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Neil Bonnett Dick Berggren
Randy Pemberton
1993 March 7 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Neil Bonnett Dick Berggren
Randy Pemberton
May 30 Coca-Cola 600 Charlottte TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Neil Bonnett Dick Berggren
Randy Pemberton
July 18 Miller Genuine Draft 500 Pocono TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Neil Bonnett Dick Berggren
Randy Pemberton
September 11 Miller Genuine Draft 400 Richmond TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Neil Bonnett Dick Berggren
Randy Pemberton
October 10 Mello Yello 500 Charlottte TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Neil Bonnett Dick Berggren
Johnny Hayes
1994 March 6 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Dave Marcis
Kenny Wallace
Dick Berggren
Randy Pemberton
Johnny Hayes
May 29 Coca-Cola 600 Charlottte TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Richard Petty Dick Berggren
Randy Pemberton
Kenny Wallace
July 17 Miller Genuine Draft 500 Pocono TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Barry Dodson Dick Berggren
Randy Pemberton
Kenny Wallace
September 10 Miller Genuine Draft 400 Richmond TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Chuck Bown Dick Berggren
Randy Pemberton
October 9 Mello Yello 500 Charlotte TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Chuck Bown
Cale Yarborough
Dick Berggren
Randy Pemberton
1995 March 5 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Ernie Irvan
Chuck Bown
Randy Pemberton
Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
May 28 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Ernie Irvan
Richard Petty
Randy Pemberton
Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
July 16 Miller Genuine Draft 500 Pocono TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Dick Berggren
Chad Little
Randy Pemberton
Steve Byrnes
Johnny Benson
September 9 Miller Genuine Draft 400 Richmond TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Dick Berggren
Chad Little
Randy Pemberton
Steve Byrnes
October 8 UAW-GM Quality 500 Charlotte TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Dick Berggren
Ernie Irvan
Randy Pemberton
Steve Byrnes
Barry Dodson
1996 May 26 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Buddy Baker
Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
Randy Pemberton
Patty Moise
July 21 Miller 500 Pocono TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Buddy Baker
Chad Little
Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
Mike Wallace
October 6 UAW-GM Quality 500 Charlotte TBS Live Rick Benjamin Ken Squier Buddy Baker
Mike Wallace
Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
Shawna Robinson
November 24 Suzuka Thunder Special Suzuka TBS Live Ken Squier Buddy Baker Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
Kenji Momota
1997 May 25 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte TBS Live Ken Squier Buddy Baker
Dick Berggren
Allen Bestwick
Mike Hogewood
Patty Moise
July 20 Pennsylvania 500 Pocono TBS Live Ken Squier Buddy Baker
Greg Sacks
Glenn Jarrett
Mike Hogewood
Matt Yocum
October 5 UAW-GM Quality 500 Charlotte TBS Live Ken Squier Buddy Baker Allen Bestwick
Steve Byrnes
Randy Pemberton
November 23 Suzuka Thunder Special Suzuka TBS Live Ken Squier Buddy Baker Allen Bestwick
Steve Byrnes
Kenji Momota
1998 May 24 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte TBS Live Ken Squier Buddy Baker
Dick Berggren
Allen Bestwick
Steve Byrnes
Randy Pemberton
July 26 Pennsylvania 500 Pocono TBS Live Ken Squier Buddy Baker
Dick Berggren
Allen Bestwick
Steve Byrnes
Randy Pemberton
October 4 UAW-GM Quality 500 Charlotte TBS Live Ken Squier Buddy Baker
Dick Berggren
Allen Bestwick
Steve Byrnes
Randy Pemberton
November 22 Coca-Cola 500 Twin Ring Motegi TBS Live Ken Squier Buddy Baker
Dick Berggren
Allen Bestwick
Steve Byrnes
1999 May 30 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte TBS Live Allen Bestwick Ken Squier Buddy Baker
Dick Berggren
Marty Snider
Alice Cook
Mike Hogewood
July 25 Pennsylvania 500 Pocono TBS Live Ken Squier Buddy Baker
Dick Berggren
Marty Snider
Randy Pemberton
Mike Hogewood
October 10
October 11
UAW-GM Quality 500 Charlotte TBS Live[a] Ken Squier Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker
Dick Berggren
Marty Snider
Steve Byrnes
Mike Hogewood
2000 May 28 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte TBS Live Ken Squier Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker
Dick Berggren
Marty Snider
Mike Hogewood
Mike Massaro
July 23 Pennsylvania 500 Pocono TBS Live Ken Squier Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker
Dick Berggren
Marty Snider
Mike Hogewood
Mike Massaro
October 8 UAW-GM Quality 500 Charlotte TBS Live Ken Squier Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker
Dick Berggren
Marty Snider
Mike Hogewood
Mike Massaro

Busch Grand National Series

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1995

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Rnd Date Race Title Track City Lead Commentators Co-Commentators
11 May 27 Red Dog 300 Charlotte Motor Speedway Concord, North Carolina Ken Squier Dick Berggren
24 October 7 All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 Charlotte Motor Speedway Concord, North Carolina Ken Squier Dick Berggren, Darrell Waltrip

1996

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Rnd Date Race Title Track City Lead Commentators Co-Commentators
10 May 25 Red Dog 300 Charlotte Motor Speedway Concord, North Carolina Ken Squier Dick Berggren, Darrell Waltrip
24 October 5 All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 Charlotte Motor Speedway Concord, North Carolina Ken Squier Larry McReynolds, Darrell Waltrip

1997-2000

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Year Date Event Track Network Coverage Host Commentary Pit Reporters
Lap-by-lap Color
1997 May 24 Carquest Auto Parts 300 Charlotte TBS Live Ken Squier Darrell Waltrip Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
Paddy Moise
Chad Little
October 3 All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 Charlotte TBS Live Ken Squier Buddy Baker
Darrell Waltrip
Allen Bestwick
Mike Hogewood
Steve Byrnes
Chad Little
1998 May 23 Carquest Auto Parts 300 Charlotte TBS Live Ken Squier Buddy Baker
Darrell Waltrip
Allen Bestwick
Mike Hogewood
Steve Byrnes
Randy Pemberton
Larry McReynolds
October 3 All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 Charlotte TBS Live Ken Squier Buddy Baker
Darrell Waltrip
Allen Bestwick
Steve Byrnes
Mike Hogewood
1999 May 29 Carquest Auto Parts 300 Charlotte TBS Live Allen Bestwick Ken Squier Buddy Baker
Rusty Wallace
Marty Snider
Mike Hogewood
Alice Cook
October 9 All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 Charlotte TBS Live Ken Squier Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker
Rusty Wallace
Marty Snider
Steve Byrnes
Mike Hogewood
2000 May 27 Carquest Auto Parts 300 Charlotte TBS Live Ken Squier Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker
Tony Stewart
Marty Snider
Mike Hogewood
Mike Massaro
October 7 All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 Charlotte TBS Live Ken Squier Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker
Tony Stewart
Marty Snider
Mike Hogewood
Mike Massaro

Craftsman Truck Series

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1995

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Rnd Date Race Title Track City Lead Commentators Co-Commentators
Exhibition November 4 NASCAR Supertruck 25 Homestead Motorsports Complex Homestead, Florida Ken Squier Dick Berggren

1996

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Rnd Date Race Title Track City Lead Commentators Co-Commentators
3 May 4 Craftsman 200 Portland Speedway Portland, Oregon Ken Squier Dick Berggren
4 May 11 Jerr-Dan/Nelson Truck 200 Evergreen Speedway Monroe, Washington Ken Squier Dick Berggren, Larry McReynolds
23 October 26 GM Goodwrench/AC Delco 300 Phoenix International Raceway Avondale, Arizona Ken Squier Larry McReynolds, Darrell Waltrip

1997

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Rnd Date Race Title Track City Lead Commentators Co-Commentators
5 May 3 Craftsman 200 Portland Speedway Portland, Oregon Ken Squier Dick Berggren
6 May 10 NAPACARD 200 Evergreen Speedway Monroe, Washington Ken Squier Dick Berggren

1998

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Rnd Date Race Title Track City Lead Commentators Co-Commentators
4 April 25 Craftsman 200 By NAPA Auto Parts Portland Speedway Portland, Oregon Ken Squier Buddy Baker
5 May 8 NAPACARD 200 Evergreen Speedway Monroe, Washington Ken Squier Larry McReynolds
26 October 24 GM Goodwrench Service Plus/AC Delco 300 Phoenix International Raceway Avondale, Arizona Allen Bestwick Buddy Baker, Dick Berggren

Commentators

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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

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Color commentary

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Pit road reporters

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Studio hosts

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

Notes

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  1. ^ The 1999 UAW-GM Quality 500 was scheduled to be on October 10th but rescheduled on October 11th due to a rain delay.

References

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  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.
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Preceded by
None
NASCAR pay television carrier in the United States
19832000
Succeeded by