ESPN/ABC's lineup includes Andy Petree, Rusty Wallace and Jerry Punch. Credit: ESPN

ESPN may help Busch Series take next step

When it was announced that ESPN2 was the new home of the Busch Series for 2007 and beyond, there was a big jump in the high-five quotient around Charlotte and in Daytona Beach.

The country's No. 2 racing series now has an A-list television package to go with its top-flight racing action. ESPN2 is the new home of the series, with select races on ESPN and ABC.

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That's killer, according to Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig. His track hosts the first ESPN race since 2000.

"Having ESPN2 showcase the excitement and anticipation of the season-opening Daytona 300 from Daytona International Speedway is the perfect way to open the Busch Series season," Braig said. "We're excited to have ESPN's multi-media platforms showcase this great event to millions of fans around the world."

That's one of the biggest drawing points of the ESPN portion of the television contract. ESPN is known as the Worldwide Leader in Sports, and here's why: ESPN.com, ESPN Deportes, SportsCenter, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPNRadio, ESPN360, ESPN International and EOE, among other ESPN platforms.

That alone is a tipping point for sponsors, teams and tracks. ESPN has so many products, with so much reach and so many technical advantages, the Busch Series -- or the Samsung, Wal-Mart or Subway Series in 2008 -- will be able to ride the wave to independence.

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One of the interesting technical advancements for the Busch Series this year is the fact that ESPN will bring High-Definition cameras, SportVision enhancements and state-of-the-art graphics to the table -- just like for Nextel Cup races. No other motorsports series in the U.S. is completely shown in HD.

The combination of the increased reach across multiple platforms and a single television provider for the Busch Series is likely going to mean a renaissance, especially in 2008 when the new series sponsor is set to debut.

"It is great that ESPN is rejoining NASCAR," reigning Busch Series champion Kevin Harvick said. "I think it will help the sport and with ESPN's full-season broadcast of the Busch Series, I believe it will help owners secure more sponsorship dollars for their Busch programs. I also think that ESPN will bring a lot of new features to their broadcast that will entice more fans to join the world of NASCAR."

Harvick not only drives for Richard Childress, he owns a multi-car Busch Series team. He knows about sponsors and how to keep them happy. The ESPN program for 2007 will keep them happy.

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In addition to all 35 NBS races, the networks will telecast practice and qualifying from 17 races, the season-ending banquet and a season preview and review specials. There will also be a dedicated pre-race program for each race called NASCAR Busch Series Countdown as well as comprehensive coverage of the Busch Series in ESPN2's NASCAR news and information program, NASCAR Now. And, for the first time in televised motorsports, all will be produced in HD.

ESPN2 will produce more than 500 hours of Busch Series programming in 2007.

With the addition of ESPN2 as the home of the series, the Busch Series can work on its own identity. That's something NASCAR has been trying to define, really since 1982, when the series was born.

First it was a support series, then a feeder series. Now it's a testing/marketing series for Cup regulars and drivers who need seat time. With ESPN on board for the long haul -- eight years -- the Busch (for now) Series can build name recognition with its own platform inside the massive ESPN empire.

The series has always been very competitive, at least until Harvick laid waste to the field this past season. The racing is solid, the teams are solid and the series represents a place for young drivers to learn and older drivers to teach and hold onto their careers.

With ESPN's help, the Busch Series can reinvent itself one more time into the full-boogie racing series it was always meant to be.