The NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series will be returning to ESPN2 for the 2007 season with a dynamic programming package that will comprise part of the motorsports-oriented ESPN2 Garage.

The season will be showcased in eight race telecasts and eight Stylefest telecasts that will air back-to-back on ESPN2, during its ESPN2 Garage, a block of 19 different shows dedicated to the automotive and motorsports world. Two of the shows will be “King of the Strip,” a reality drag racing game show hosted by NHRA POWERade Series husband and wife racers Melanie Troxel and Tommy Johnson, Jr., and also “P.I.P.E.S,” which involves sport-tuner cars. ESPN2 is available in 91 million homes.

This full hour of NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series telecasts will provide the enthusiast of the series with prime-time viewing. The telecasts will be shown during three consecutive Tuesdays in July and five consecutive Tuesdays in October.

“The 2007 TV schedule offers consistent airing during the months of July and October for fans to capture the exciting on and off track action,” said Josh Peterson, general manager of the NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series. “We want to thank ESPN2 for inviting us to join the ESPN2 Garage programming. This shows that we are making great progress in recognition within the world of motorsports.”

Eight NHRA Xplōd series races will be shown in one-half hour telecasts. The telecasts will include the pro-category eliminations (Pro RWD, Pro FWD, Hot Rod, Modified, and Honda Tuning Magazine All Motor). Included in the racing telecasts will be the finals of the sportsman categories (Urbanracer.com Sport FWD, Sport RWD, BFGoodrich Tires Street Stock, and Quick 16).

“We believe that a consistent schedule at this part of the day will allow young fans to find and enjoy this exciting style of racing,” said Frantz Cayo, ESPN director of motor sports programming. “We recognize the interest that exists in all forms of drag racing and are pleased to present this programming for out viewers.”

In addition to the Xplōd Sport Compact Racing telecasts, ESPN2 will be dedicating eight separate original telecasts for the NHRA Xplōd Stylefest. The Stylefest will include NHRA Tuner Car Show, which offers the best sport compact show cars, the Modified Magazine NHRA Bikini Xhibition, concerts by today’s hottest artists and other extreme sports exhibitions.

Each of the eight NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series telecasts and the eight NHRA Xplōd Stylefest telecasts will be produced by Zboy Entertainment. Within these telecasts Zboy Entertainment will be emphasizing the stars of the series and developing coverage that builds upon years of motorsports production.

Returning to the announcing booth will be Kenny Sargent, co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show “SpeedFreaks,” and experienced drag racing announcer Bruno Massel. Joining Sargent and Massel in the booth in 2007 is Amanda Amann. She has been a producer and writer on various shows for BET, CNN and MTV. Amann says she is looking forward to her new experience with the NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series because she has a deep love and interest in cars.


2007 ESPN2 XPLOD SPORT COMPACT RACING TELEVISION SCHEDULE

Palm Beach NHRA Sport Compact Nationals, March 31- April 1
Moroso Motorsports Park, Jupiter, Fla.
Race: Tuesday, July 10, 5 p.m.
Stylefest: Tuesday, July 10, 5:30 p.m.

NHRA Virginia Sport Compact Nationals, April 21-22
Virginia Motorsports Park, Richmond, Va.
Race: Tuesday, July 17, 5 p.m.
Stylefest: Tuesday, July 17, 5:30 p.m.

NHRA Sport Compact Springnationals, May 5-6
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, N.J.
Race: Tuesday, July 24, 5 p.m.
Stylefest: Tuesday, July 24, 5:30 p.m.

Northeast NHRA Sport Compact Nationals, June 9-10
Atco Raceway, Atco, N. J.
Race: Tuesday, Oct. 2, 5:30 p.m.
Stylefest: Tuesday, Oct. 2, 6 p.m.

Las Vegas NHRA Sport Compact Nationals, July 13-14
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas
Race: Tuesday, Oct. 9, 5:30 p.m.
Stylefest: Tuesday, Oct. 9, 6 p.m.

NHRA Sport Compact Nationals, Aug. 18-19
O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, Indianapolis
Race: Tuesday, Oct. 16, 5:30 p.m.
Stylefest: Tuesday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m.

NHRA Sport Compact Fallnationals, Oct. 6-7
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, N.J.
Race: Tuesday, Oct. 23, 5:30 p.m.
Stylefest: Tuesday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m.

NHRA Sport Compact World Finals, Oct. 20-21
Pomona Raceway, Pomona, Calif.
Race: Tuesday, Oct. 30, 5:30 p.m.
Stylefest: Tuesday, Oct. 30, 6 p.m.


All times Eastern. Check local listings; all times subject to change.

 

awesome, this is great news

 

We gotta wait so long to watch it on TV

 

props to NJ to have the most races in one state