Archives for June 2019

 “I’m never really satisfied with where I’m at. I always just want to get better, improve more, and learn as much as I can because obviously I have a lot to learn and a lot to get better at.” – Hailie Deegan on the On Her Turf Podcast

NASCAR Driver Ross Chastain Joins the NASCAR on NBC Podcast

NBC Sports’ Coverage of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Begins at Chicagoland this Sun., June 30 at 2:30 p.m. on NBCSN

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 27, 2019 – Leading up to NBC Sports’ portion of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series beginning this weekend, 17-year-old stock car driver and the only female to have won races in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series Hailie Deegan joins the On Her Turf podcast to discuss the start of her successful racing career and the challenges she hopes to conquer as a female in the racing world. In addition, NASCAR driver Ross Chastain joins the NASCAR on NBC podcast to discuss his roller-coaster year in racing. NBCSN presents the Camping World 400 at Chicagoland Speedway this Sunday, June 30 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ON HER TURF PODCAST:

Deegan on her accomplishments at only 17 years old: “I try really not to focus on what I’ve accomplished, but what I need to do next, what I’m working towards. I’m never really just satisfied with where I’m at. I always just want to get better, improve more, learn as much as I can because obviously I have a lot to learn and a lot to get better at so it’s all about improvement to me.”

On finding success as a female in racing: “I’ve learned that you just have to be aggressive. A lot of people assume about being a girl that they’re a little more laid back, they’re not as aggressive, they’re still trying to get to the same level as the guys, but I think that even if you ask some of the other guys, they can say that I am an aggressive driver just because I know what it’s going to take to make it. I see why a lot of other girls haven’t made it. I feel like I can depict why other girls aren’t making it and I don’t want to make the same mistakes.”

On the best advice from her father: “Remember, go out there and have fun, but you’re having the most fun when you’re winning.”

On her career goals: I just want to make it to the top levels of NASCAR, be able to win at the top levels – whether its Trucks, Xfinity or Cup, I just want to be able to go and perform at my best.”

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NASCAR ON NBC PODCAST:

Chastain: “I’m good with the fact that we have race-winning trucks and we could go out and win a bunch of races…I don’t want to sound cocky, but I am confident because I know what it’s like to not have speed and you’re struggling and you don’t have the resources.”

Chastain on the ups and downs in his racing career this past year: “It’s definitely not the way I would have written it. I don’t think they would ever even make a movie about this or write a book. It would have to be a fictional book because no one would believe it.”

In addition, new episodes of several podcasts feature a range of guests including the Boston Celtics’ four 2019 draft picks Romeo Langford, Grant Williams, Carsen Edwards, and Tremont Waters, award-winning sportscaster Bob Costas, Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg and more.

New episodes of 14 podcasts will be available for download on all major podcast platforms including: NBC Sports’ Scores app, Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn and iHeart.

Following is a sport-by-sport look at what’s on tap:

NASCAR

 

• On Her Turf:  Pushing boundaries and empowering women along the way. The On Her Turf podcast highlights amazing women- and their male allies- who are champions on and off the field and who motivate people to be the best versions of themselves. Join host Kathryn Tappen each week as she talks with a new powerhouse guest about sports, what motivates them, and lessons they’ve learned along the way.
  • On this week’s episode: 17-year-old stockcar driver Hailie Deegan joins Kathryn Tappen to discuss where she draws her confidence from, growing up in a racing household, her goals moving forward, Kevin Harvick’s importance in her career, how she sees “frenemies” every day, keeps her priorities straight, and the one thing that scares her in a race car.
  • When: Wednesday, June 26

• NASCAR on NBC: Host Nate Ryaninterviews NASCAR stars and insiders each week. Nate also discusses the latest NASCAR news, including a weekly recap of races, and looks ahead to what’s next in the sport.
• On this week’s episode:NASCAR drive Ross Chastain joins the podcast to discuss the roller-coaster ride of this year in racing so far. Chastain reflects on his experience overcoming challenges, his relationship with team owner Al Niece, how the logistics work of racing in so many series, where his career currently stands, and more.
• When: Wednesday, June 26

NFL

• Chris Simms Unbuttoned: NBC Sports’ Chris Simmsexamines everything happening in the NFL and around the sports world. Joined by a rotation of NBC Sports hosts Ahmed Fareed, Paul Burmeister and Liam McHugh, Unbuttoned features in-depth Xs and Os analysis; one-on-one interviews with players, coaches, executives, and draft prospects; game recaps and previews; gambling segments; extensive player analysis leading into the NFL Draft; and much more.
• On this week’s episodes: Simms continues the Simms Top 40 QB Countdown this week, which will be featured on Unbuttoned throughout the month. With the help of Ahmed Fareed, and Phil Simms, Simms discusses NFL quarterbacks from Cam Newton and Matt Ryan to Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson.
• When: Tuesday, June 25, and Thursday, June 27
• PFT PM: Mike Floriohas conversations with top names and newsmakers in the NFL, while updating his fans on breaking news and story lines that take place during the day and preparing listeners for what is coming next.
• On this week’s episodes: Topics include Russell Wilson’s praise of DK Metcalf’s intelligence, the potential of the Giants receiving core, and if Nick Bosa will hold out of training camp. Additionally, Florio and Simms discuss Teddy Bridgewater’s decision to stay with the Saints, potential PI review problems, and the NCAA’s threats to exclude California schools from Championships.
• When: Multiple times per week
• Redskins Talk:Redskins Talk with J.P. Finlay: Led by Redskins Insider JP Finlay, along with Pete Hailey and Mitch Tischler, Redskins Talk provides a unique brand of expert analysis, casual conversation and humorous banter for Washington football fans.
• On this week’s episodes: The crew discusses how the Redskins will score in 2019 and talk to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press about the rumor of the Redskins trading for Marvin Jones, how long a franchise can go without a playoff win, and more.
• When: Monday, June 24
• Quick Slants The Podcast:NBC Sports Boston Patriots Insider Tom E. Curran is joined by former Pro Bowl linebacker and Patriots defensive captain Jerod Mayo to break down every game, plus talk about the issues on and off the field with the team.
• On this week’s episodes: Chris Simms joins Tom to defend his ranking of Tom Brady as the NFL’s 9^th best quarterback, and then discuss if Belichick or Brady is more instrumental to the Patriots’ success.
• When: Tuesday, June 25

NHL

• Blackhawks Talk: Pat Boyle, Charlie Roumeliotis, Adam Burish, Jamal Mayersand Steve Konroyd take listeners inside the dressing room of the Madhouse on Madison to discuss all things NHL.
• On this week’s episode: After being introduced to the media, Blackhawks third-overall pick Kirby Dach sits down with Charlie Roumeliotis to talk about what it’s like to join the historic Original Six franchise, why he wears the number 77 and how he plans on breaking camp in NHL this fall.
• When: Monday, June 24

BASKETBALL

• The Habershow: NBC Sports national NBA Insider Tom Haberstroh sits down with some of the biggest names in the NBA to share the stories and the numbers behind the biggest games and biggest moments in the league.
  • On this week’s episode: ESPN’s Ryen Russillo joins Tom to discuss the winners and losers from a wild 2019 NBA Draft, including Zion Williamson going No. 1 to the New Orleans Pelicans and a head-spinning number of trades.
• Celtics Talk Podcast:The Celtics Talk podcast from NBC Sports Boston is hosted by Insiders Sherrod Blakely, Chris Forsberg, and Pre/Postgame host Kyle Draper. Guests include players, coaches, management and media members from around the NBA.
• On this week’s episode:The podcast crew sits down with the Celtics’ four draft picks Romeo Langford, Grant Williams, Carsen Edwards, and Tremont Waters. Then, the crew will talk to former Celtic Isaiah Thomas as NBA free-agency officially begins.
• When: Monday, June 24 and Sunday, June 30

BASEBALL

• White Sox Talk: Hosted by NBC Sports Chicago’s trio of White Sox experts Chuck Garfien,Ryan McGuffey, and Chris Kamka, the White Sox Talk podcast provides fans with in-depth discussion on the hottest topics and latest breaking news all year long. In addition, fans can look forward to exclusive one-on-one interviews with White Sox players, coaches, front office execs, along with MLB media insiders from coast-to-coast.
• On this week’s episodes: Among the offerings this week, the “White Sox Talk presented by Wintrust” podcast features an exclusive interview with White Sox Director of Player Development Chris Getz who chats about the minor league progress of top Sox prospects Luis Robert, Dylan Cease, and Nick Madrigal. In addition, the “White Sox Talk” crew discuss the recent injury of White Sox standout shortstop Tim Anderson and how his setback may affect his amazing year-over-year progression moving forward.
• When:Monday, June 24 and Wednesday, June 26
• Available here: The “White Sox Talk presented by Wintrust” podcast is presented cross-platform (TV/Live Streaming/”MyTeams” app) at 7:00 PM CT; https://art19.com/shows/cubs-talk-podcast, com/podcastsor via the new MyTeams by NBC Sports app
• Cubs Talk: Hosted by NBC Sports Chicago’s Luke Stuckmeyer, Cubs digital reporter/producer Tony Andracki, along with special appearances by David Kaplan and Kelly Crull, the Cubs Talk podcast provides die-hard Cubs fans with detailed discussion on the hottest topics and latest breaking news throughout the year. In addition, fans can look forward to exclusive one-on-one interviews with Cubs players, coaches, front office execs, along with MLB media insiders from coast-to-coast.
• On this week’s episodes: Three new editions of the “Cubs Talk presented by Wintrust” podcast will debut this week, including a special two-part interview with Cubs legend/Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, who discusses the infamous, nationally-televised “Sandberg Game” from 35 years ago that solidified his status as the MVP back in ’84. In addition, plus –broadcasting legend and baseball aficionado Bob Costas will join the podcast.
• When: Tuesday, June 25, Wednesday, June 26 and Friday, June 28
• Available here: https://art19.com/shows/cubs-talk podcast, com/podcastsor via the new MyTeamsby NBC Sports app
• The Michael Holley Podcast: Michael Holley of NBC Sports Boston interviews a wide variety of guests from different backgrounds and industries in front of a live audience.
  • On this week’s episode: Michael sits down with Clay Cook of Zac Brown Band to discuss Cook’s fondness for Boston sports, including the Red Sox and more.
  • When: Thursday, June 27

ROTOWORLD

• Rotoworld Football: From fantasy implications to NFL draft analysis to major events, the Rotoworld Football staff has the NFL landscape covered. Listen as Josh Norris, Evan Silva, Roto Pat, Rich Hribar and Ray Summerlin give their analysis and opinions on everything happening in the NFL.
  • On this week’s episode: JJ Zachariason joins Josh to discuss his thoughts on which QB to target in the later rounds of drafts. Plus, he shares his breakout player ahead of the 2019 season, bounce back candidates and which team could be “must-watch” this year.
  • When: Thursday, June 27
• Rotoworld Baseball: Rotoworld’s J. Short, Drew Silva, andMatt Stroup detail everything happening in fantasy baseball and what’s happening in MLB.
• On this week’s episode:George Bissell of Rotoworld and special guest Rob Silver of Baseball Prospectus discuss the fantasy fallout from the Jordan Hicks injury and Frankie Montas suspension. Then, they discuss the impressive debut performances from Zac Gallen and Adbert Alzolay, and players they’re monitoring over the remainder of the season
• When: Tuesday, June 25

– NBC SPORTS –

 

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Sam Flood

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Jeff Burton

Steve Letarte

MODERATOR: NBC Sports begins its exclusive coverage of the second half of the NASCAR season. We get started this Sunday at Chicagoland at 3 p.m. eastern on NBCSN, followed by Daytona on Saturday, July 6, at 7:30 p.m. eastern prime time on NBC.

Joining us today will be NBC Sports NASCAR analysts Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Steve Letarte, as well as our executive producer Sam Flood.

Let’s begin with the call with our executive producer, Sam Flood.

SAM FLOOD: Thank you all for joining us. We are really excited about getting going on this season. Year five of the current TV contract. We think we’ve got the best opportunity yet to keep moving that needle forward.

First half of the season FOX did a tremendous job. Their numbers were up, so we were happy to see that. We plan to continue that momentum forward.

The team has been watching all the races, going to the racetrack, communicating with everyone inside the sport, getting ready to make it special. Our job for the next 20 weeks is to tell the story of this sport, make people care, and crown a champion in late November as our fifth season gets going.

We love the team we have on air. It’s a group that started with Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte up in the booth with Rick Allen, last year we had the fun of adding Dale Jr., who in Chicago made his debut with slide job, slide job. Jeff is going to have to learn to put out the slide job, might do a slide job of his own in the Toyota racecar.

Mr. Burton, slide away.

JEFF BURTON: You’re starting to get me in trouble already early this year.

I’m so fired up about getting back going. One of the great things about our group is we all get along, have a great time together, push each other. We just love what we do. We’re fortunate enough to do something that is exciting, it’s fun.

I think the point battle this year is going to get more intense as this thing winds down to the Playoffs in the Cup Series. Xfinity Series has three young, dynamic drivers trying to make their way. That’s been a lot of fun to watch.

I don’t know that we could be at a better racetrack starting. Chicago has put on great races. Last year was a phenomenal finish. I’m just fired up to get going. Wish we were racing today.

STEVE LETARTE: I echo their comments of excitement. Much like Sam said, we’ve been around the racetrack the first half of the year kind of watching, making sure we were ready when it was our turn.

While I’m jealous of FOX’s opportunity to cover the Daytona 500, I’m not sure there’s anything I would trade for the run up to the Playoffs and the run through the Playoffs.

When I look at the Cup side, I’m not sure if I should look at the potential rivalry brewing between Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. at the top of the standings, or look down at the bottom of the standings and look at Kyle Larson, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, some big names in the sport that are going to be battling over the next 10 weeks to see who is Playoff eligible when we leave Indianapolis.

I think the storylines are unbelievable. I think the racing has been great. As Sam mentioned, we had such an amazing kickoff last year at Chicago, I can remember it vividly. I can’t wait to get up in the booth and start covering live action. There’s nothing like live racing.

DALE EARNHARDT JR.: Yeah, I’m excited just to get back to working with my booth mates, Rick Allen, Jeff and Steve. I think we all had a blast last year. We were all pretty good friends beforehand, but during that experience last year we became even closer.

I had a lot of good times just going through that process and experiencing all that. I’m excited to get back together and talk about racing.

We do have a lot of great storylines that have been building up throughout the season that I’m excited to cover. Chicago was one of the most exciting races that we saw last year. I expect that racetrack and the drivers to deliver again this year.

We’ve been out for a while, haven’t had the chance to work together. I knew when we got to the end of the season last year at Homestead, it was bittersweet because we were broadcasting an exciting finish to the season, but we weren’t going to be doing this for several months until today or this weekend.

It’s finally here. It’s been hard to be patient. But it’s such a great group. We got a lot of amazing people that work at NBC, particularly on our NASCAR broadcast. I look forward to seeing everybody and getting the whole family back together and having a great time.

MODERATOR: We can begin taking questions.

Q. Sam, I’m doing a story on Parker Kligerman. Here is a guy who was racing last weekend. I know he’s going to race at times during your schedule this year. He’s really relevant in the car. What do you think he brings to the broadcast? Why have you found him to be such a valuable part of your team?

SAM FLOOD: I think most importantly his youth and his energy. He has just a different view of the sport, different background than others. His joy that he still has. I mean, our whole booth has joy. Junior brought a whole different dynamic to it. Here is a guy, Parker, who looks at the sport from a different place. Still dying to get in the car.

Jeff and Dale are both stars and had the big-time ride, the big-time teams. To see the sport through a guy who’s fighting to get in a car that might not be the top of the line, get a ride that’s not top of the line, seeing how he fights through it to make it happen, I think bringing that experience to the show is different.

That was what makes him special, he’s fighting for these rides, able to tell his experiences. He’s not quite Dale Jr. on social media, but he’s pretty big in that space as well.

Q. Junior, how have you kind of prepared for your second season in the booth? As a driver you mentioned you used to watch film trying to prepare for your next race. Have you been watching film of your past broadcasts?

DALE EARNHARDT JR.: I think you can watch some of the broadcasts from last year, particularly maybe the last race of the season, to sort of see where you were when you finished the year.

I think just knowing what’s going on. You got to understand what’s been happening this year, what’s been going on on the racetrack, who’s been good, who’s not been good, what’s different from last year as far as performance across the teams and drivers. You just get in there and react naturally and genuinely to what’s going on, what you’re seeing.

I’ll be interested. I really can’t tell you what that sort of layoff is going to do. This is my first time sort of going through that whole process of doing last year’s broadcast, then taking all these months off, then jump right back in there. I’ll sort of have to roll with the punches.

Luckily I’ve been pretty busy throughout these months. Been put in some situations that were pretty stressful as far as going to the Derby, the Indy 500. I’d never been to either of those events. Was not that entirely educated about horse racing or even some subparts and sections of the Indy 500 world. They were kind of new to me.

NBC has never put me in a position to fail, but I certainly had to think on my feet a lot in those moments. That put the pressure on me in some of those moments. To come out of there in one piece gave me a lot of confidence going into this season. So trying to use that confidence and move it over here to this NASCAR world, my experiences there in the booth, kind of maintain.

Confidence for me is everything. If I’ve got confidence, that’s half of the battle. So been lucky to stay busy and had a lot of fun, some good successes over the last several months leading up to this broadcasting season for NBC and NASCAR.

SAM FLOOD: On Junior, the Dale Jr. Download, what he’s done this year, the evolution of that show that airs every Tuesday night on NBCSN, the interviews he’s doing, the guests he’s had on, it’s just another step in a career that’s been so much fun to watch as he evolves into a real broadcaster that can go well beyond the racing world as we saw at the Indy 500 and the Kentucky Derby. The Download is special this year.

DALE EARNHARDT JR.: Thank you, Sam.

Q. Sam, we’ve seen in years past a lot of the Batcam you guys have had on the races. Will that return this year? Are there other new technologies that will help tell the story for the rest of the season?

SAM FLOOD: We have different cameras we’re going to deploy. Charlie Dammeyer, our director, is always looking for the best possible way to show off the race. He’s still proposing some different techniques he wants to use this year.

Each racetrack creates a different challenge, a different concept that he wants to play around with. So there will be plenty of ways that we’ll work to capture the speed and energy of all this.

But ultimately I think this sport is driven by what happens with the people telling the story of the race. To me that’s where this sport is going to grow, is the more the story gets told by Jeff and Steve and Rick and Dale Jr., they’re the people that will engage you at a higher level.

The bells and whistles are one thing, but the execution of these guys and their passion for the sport is what’s going to capture and grow the audience.

Q. Sam, last year we saw you guys experiment with different combinations in the booth. What combinations are you going to start with this year? Anything new as the season goes along in terms of the booth?

SAM FLOOD: Like last year, we’re not going to give away the whole playbook in the opening call.

This weekend we’re going to do the two plus two. Rick and Jeff will be together, and Steve and Junior, which is the same combination we used a year ago in Chicago.

We’re going to mix it up. The radio call that we use in Watkins Glen will come back for three races. Then there will be times when we will certainly do at least one race with the three racers together in the booth, and Rick will go down to pit road in the pit box.

We’re going to keep having fun and mixing it up. Steve Letarte told me when we were first talking about Dale Jr. is that Dale likes to be challenged. If it’s just time to make the donuts and the pattern stays the same, he’s not going to be as engaged.

We engaged the heck out of him last year. I think we learned something, that we’re better when we have challenges with new techniques and groupings. It started as an idea that Steve dropped in our laps, and it became something that made it better. Anything that makes you better, you want to continue.

Expect to see a variety of booths and a variety of combinations all building up to that championship. But it was a smart idea by Steve and a great execution by Matt and the team to get the different voices and different combinations. I think the audience liked it, too.

Q. Jeff, do you think this year’s package will help on the mile-and-a-half in Chicago?

JEFF BURTON: 100%. I think we stand a great chance to see a better race from start to finish. I think the mile-and-a-half’s this year have been an improvement. I think the more recent ones have been better yet.

I think early in the year, it was so new, I don’t care if you go test, I don’t care about all that, it’s all different when you show up to race. The races were not as good early in the year on the mile-and-a-half’s as they’ve been as the year has advanced. I think that will continue.

I think the gap between the fastest car and the car that’s going to run 20th, I think that gap has continued to narrow because teams have started to catch on. Even though Gibbs is winning the most races, I think you’re going to see, like we saw last year with Joey Logano, you’re going to see a team or a series of teams come on strong as the Playoffs get started. That opportunity to grow is bigger because there’s so many changes this year.

I definitely think the mile-and-a-half package has been better. I think it will continue to get better as the year advances and into next year, as well.

Q. A competition question for Jeff and Dale. When they started this year at Daytona, they had restrictor plates. Now those are gone. They run Talladega. What do you expect to see with the tapered spacers here at Daytona?

JEFF BURTON: Listen, I think what I saw at Talladega was a lot of intense racing. I think that’s going to transfer to Daytona. I think it’s going to look different than the Daytona 500, the ability for cars to pull up. It was just a different kind of race at Talladega.

We’ve been talking about on NASCAR America as this point battle starts winding down, there’s some teams that are in desperate need of wins. I think the combination of the package and the drivers’ and teams’ desire to get that win is going to make Daytona crazy.

The stages, you can’t just lay around and not go get stage points. I just think Daytona has an opportunity to be a really, really fascinating race because of the combination of the two things, the points as well as the package.

DALE EARNHARDT JR.: I agree with everything Jeff said. Only thing I could probably add to it is, coming from some of the drivers that I talked to after Talladega, they said that they enjoyed that more than they enjoyed what they had at Daytona. It was because they were able to create bigger runs, the ability to drive up and try to make a move on the guy was presented to them more often.

So any time you put the car in the driver’s hands, the car is responding when you do things, want to do things, want to make a move, you’re going to like that as a driver at the plate tracks, Daytona.

I call them the ‘plate tracks’, but Daytona and Talladega, when you can create runs easier or sustain runs longer, you’re going to like that as a driver. You’re going to take more chances to pull out and make a pass because you have more confidence in your car’s ability to complete that pass.

I think the comments were favorable from the drivers going from Daytona to Talladega. I look forward to seeing that continue.

Q. Steve, from the technical part of this, can you give me a one-minute comparison of the restrictor plate to the tapered spacers?

STEVE LETARTE: I think the first biggest difference is that the tapered spacer is still going to have a lot more horsepower than restrictor plate ever had, just the size in general.

I think the biggest thing to consider is the restrictor plate was a stamped piece of one-eighth inch steel. There was variety within the stampings just from a brand-new dye to an old dye, how it was installed on the car, where tapered spacer is a machine piece, the tolerance can be kept closer, can be inspected closer.

I think it has a little less aura of magic around it. The stamped piece of steel is not a finely machined hole. They are actually pretty crude if you see them zoomed in. This machine tapered spacer is a highly finite machine piece that can be controlled from car to car to car. I think that’s the biggest change. NASCAR can feel confident in its consistency from vehicle to vehicle.

But the biggest thing is overall power. There’s much more power in the vehicle. I think that’s what you heard Dale say and Jeff say. I think the drivers like it better, more power with more drag. The driver response seems to be more favorable for the type of racing they’re looking for.

Q. Dale, did you think the ‘slide job’ during your debut would become an iconic thing? You seemed to get right in there. Did that moment kind of continue to make each broadcast easier for you?

DALE EARNHARDT JR.: When I was hollering slide job, I was yelling it at Rick Allen. I wasn’t talking to the audience. When we’re in the booth, when it’s great, I think it’s when we’re us four having a conversation with each other. We’re just talking racing, about what we’re seeing.

That moment I’m hollering at Rick, Hey, here comes a slide job. Rick is tasked with calling the final lap of the race. I was just like, Hey, buddy, look what I see, this is what I see.

It was a tribute to Rick and Jeff and Steve getting me that comfortable that quickly. I’m really a bit shy and a bit of an introvert, to be honest. They worked really hard as a group of three guys to help me get comfortable as fast as I could. We had a lot of mock broadcasts last year that helped me a ton. We talked a lot, communicated together a lot. They all went out of their way to help me get comfortable quickly.

Not every broadcast got better after that, from my point of view, from what I was doing in the booth. I remember one race in particular, Pocono, in the first stage we got done, I told them, I said, I was awful. I couldn’t figure out when to speak.

They’re like, Look, get aggressive. We’re not going to hold your hand here, stop talking so you can come in here and say what you need to say. You have to work your way into this conversation, be aggressive. You’re not going to step on anybody’s toes, bother anybody.

So I learned I think over a period of time that if I was going to talk, I had to work my way into the conversation. That was a bit out of character for me because I don’t really interject too much. I just kind of wait for my opportunity to talk. In the booth, you can’t do that. They weren’t going to wait around for me. They made that clear. They expected me to step up, right?

So I worked hard to get comfortable doing that. I think by the end of the season, we were all hitting on eight cylinders. It was awesome. We were having a lot of fun. We had a blast.

It took me a while to build up my confidence, I will say that.

Q. Jeff or Steve, because you have been doing this a little bit longer, how would you describe the chemistry that you all had together in the booth last year? How do you make sure when you pick back up after so much time off, you still have that?

STEVE LETARTE: The chemistry in the booth, it starts with Sam and everybody at NBC putting people together that somewhat belong together, I think there’s a comfort. It started with Rick, myself and Jeff the first three years.

Then I give credit to Rick and Jeff, everybody. Through my racing career, Dale and I found the most success when we spent time away from the racetrack. When we were put into competition, it was comfortable. It was a relationship that we had tested and figured out away from the pressure of the performance.

I think we approach the booth the same way in the beginning with Jeff, myself and Rick. We spent a lot of time away from the racetrack. You instantly become more comfortable with the cadence and the conversation, how everybody watches a race.

Dale has covered very well in this call how he fit into the booth. We wanted to make him comfortable. Then we pushed him to be a part of it, how he felt he needed to be. I think he fit right into that.

That’s kind of how we got comfortable last year. Really the secret to the whole sauce this year is that we may not have been on TV covering races together this year, but we’ve watched every race together if not in person by either text message chains or conversations. We talk a lot. The four of us have a group chat that gets worn out over the course of a week.

I feel that sitting here today, why we may be covering our first race at Chicago, I have watched every race this year probably with this group. I think that constant communication and effort, because Jeff has been busy at races with his son, Dale has been busy with his businesses, Rick has been busy, I’ve been busy, yet everyone’s commitment to be ready when it’s our turn in June shows through that text message.

I think that’s why I’m confident when we get to Chicago, it’s going to be hopefully like we just left Miami.

JEFF BURTON: I want to go back a little bit to what Junior said. Junior did an incredible job of jumping in, fitting in. I think he had the hardest job. We all three started the thing together. Sam gave us I don’t want to say a playbook, but he gave us a direction, here is how we’re going to do things.

Junior came in. We all wanted Junior in the worst way. We all recruited Junior, you know what I mean? He had to come in and try to figure out how to fit in, right? He did an incredible job of coming in and just fitting in.

I think the reason why is because of everything that Steve just said. We don’t have time not to be honest with each other. If Dale thinks I’m not doing something well, he can tell me. We are close enough and we respect each other enough where anybody can say anything to anybody. That goes a long way to a good friendship, to a good working relationship, to all those things.

At the end of the day I’m not sitting here thinking I’m going to Chicago tomorrow to go to work. I’m sitting here thinking I get to go to Chicago tomorrow to go do this. It’s because of the people I do it with.

That is easy to have chemistry with. There’s not a person in the crew, in the whole group, that I think, Oh, my God, I don’t want to go talk to that guy. We have this incredible group of people. So from the time you walk in the racetrack until the time you leave, it’s an enjoyable experience even in difficult moments.

When I screw up, I do something wrong, I know that my guys got my back. I know they’re there pulling for me. They’re not there competing against me. They’re there as part of a team to bring the best broadcast so the fans are the winners. It’s not about us, we’re not the show. The race is the show. We all understand that.

It’s just fun to go and cover a race. It’s four guys with some buddies in the pits, guys in the trailer, cameramen, all those guys, we’re just sitting around talking about an awesome race that we would be watching anyway.

The chemistry part is easy because of the people that Sam and Jeff put together. That’s the whole key. They put together people that want to work with other people. It’s just that part of it has been easy, been really easy actually.

MODERATOR: Thank you, everyone, for joining us today. NBC’s season kicks off this Sunday on NBCSN. Thank you, everyone.

Sunday’s Pre-Race Coverage Begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN with Countdown to Green, Featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr. Interviews with Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson

Coverage Also Includes NBC Sports’ NASCAR America Installment of “Behind the Driver”, Showcasing the Making of NASCAR Champion Joey Logano

Ty Dillon Featured Guest on Tonight’s Episode of NASCAR America Motormouths at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN

NASCAR K&N Driver Hailie Deegan Appears on Today’s Episode of NBC Sports “On Her Turf” Podcast

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 26, 2019 – NBC Sports surrounds its first race of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with fan-centric elements and pre-race features as part of the nearly 20 hours of trackside coverage from Chicagoland Speedway this weekend. Pre-race coverage from Chicago begins Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN with Countdown to Green, and will welcome race fans back to NBC Sports’ NASCAR coverage with one-on-one interviews and long-form features ahead of the green flag on Sunday on NBCSN.

Sunday’s pre-race coverage on NBCSN will include:

• Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s interviews Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson prior to the race on Sunday about the famous “Slide Job” finish to the 2018 Chicagoland race;
• The first installment of NASCAR America’s “Behind the Driver” series will showcase an individual who has been instrumental in making Joey Logano a NASCAR Champion.
• NBC Sports’ motorsports reporter Rutledge Wood and analyst Kyle Petty will doi their best “Blues Brothers” impersonation;

 

Additionally, NASCAR America Fan Fridays return this Friday at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN live from Chicagoland Speedway. The program will originate from the Peacock Pit Box amongst the fans at Chicagoland and will include numerous driver interviews.

TONIGHT’S EPISODE OF NASCAR AMERICA MOTORMOUTHS TO FEATURE GUEST TY DILLONTonight’s episode of NASCAR America Motormouths at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN will feature special guest [what team?] Ty Dillon. Dillon, who matched a career best with a sixth-place finish in the Daytona 500 earlier this year, will join Marty Snider and Dale Jarrett on the NASCAR America set as fans call in to ask their questions ahead of this weekend’s race at Chicagoland. Motormouths Wednesdays are all about the viewers, providing regular opportunities for fans to call in to NASCAR America and speak with hosts, analysts, and a rotation of current drivers live on NBCSN.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM NBC SPORTS’ “ON HER TURF” INTERVIEW WITH NASCAR K&N DRIVER HAILIE DEEGAN

Today’s episode of the “On Her Turf” podcast featured 17-year-old stock car driver Hailie Deegan. Deegan grew up racing off-road and on dirt but transitioned to competing on asphalt in 2016 to pursue a career in stock car racing. She began her career in NASCAR in 2018 at the K&N Pro Series level and is the only female to have won races in the series, doing so in the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Deegan joined host Kathryn Tappen to discuss where she draws her confidence from, growing up in a racing household, her goals moving forward, Kevin Harvick’s importance in her career, how she sees “frenemies” every day and keeps her priorities straight, and the one thing that scares her in a race car. Click here to listen to the full interview.  Following are highlights from the interview:

Deegan on her accomplishments at only 17 years old: “I try really not to focus on what I’ve accomplished, but what I need to do next, what I’m working towards. I’m never really just satisfied with where I’m at. I always just want to get better, improve more, learn as much as I can because obviously I have a lot to learn and a lot to get better at so it’s all about improvement to me.”

On finding success as a female in racing: “I’ve learned that you just have to be aggressive. A lot of people assume about being a girl that they’re a little more laid back, they’re not as aggressive, they’re still trying to get to the same level as the guys, but I think that even if you ask some of the other guys, they can say that I am an aggressive driver just because I know what it’s going to take to make it. I see why a lot of other girls haven’t made it. I feel like I can depict why other girls aren’t making it and I don’t want to make the same mistakes.”

Deegan: “There are so many different pieces of the puzzle and you have to be an aggressive personality. There’s quite a few girls who just don’t have the aggression in their personality. I feel like I grew up in a very aggressive family and my dad just being from motocross industry, it’s an aggressive, very tough sport, so that’s where I learned from him.”

On where her confidence comes from: “I think it just comes from watching everyone at this high level in the racing community. Seeing how much room there is for a girl to take over (not take over a series) but be involved in NASCAR. I just see so much room for someone to be in there and I want to be that person, and I definitely want to be one of the first to accomplish things at the high levels of NASCAR.”

On the best advice from her father: “Remember, go out there and have fun, but you’re having the most fun when you’re winning.”

On her career goals: I just want to make it to the top levels of NASCAR, be able to win at the top levels – whether its Trucks, Xfinity or Cup, I just want to be able to go and perform at my best.”

***

Following is this week’s NASCAR programming on NBCSN:

DATE	COVERAGE	TIME (ET)
Wednesday, June 26	NASCAR America Motormouths	5 p.m.
Thursday, June 27	NASCAR America Motorsports Hour	5 p.m.
	K&N Pro West – Sonoma	6 p.m.
Friday, June 28	NASCAR Xfinity Series First Practice – Chicago	4 p.m.
	NASCAR America Fan Friday	6 p.m.
	NASCAR Xfinity Series Final Practice – Chicago	7 p.m.
Saturday, June 29	NASCAR Cup Series Practice – Chicago	11 a.m.
	NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying – Chicago	12 p.m.
	NASCAR America	1 p.m.
	NASCAR Cup Series Final Practice – Chicago	2 p.m.
	NASCAR Xfinity Series Countdown to Green	3 p.m.
	NASCAR Xfinity Series Race – Chicago	3:30 p.m.
	NASCAR Xfinity Series Post-Race Show	6 p.m.
	NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – Chicago	6:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 30	NASCAR America	1 p.m.
	NASCAR Cup Series Countdown to Green	2:30 p.m.
	NASCAR Cup Series Race – Chicago	3 p.m.
	NASCAR Cup Series Post-Race Show	6 p.m.

 

NBC SPORTS’ NASCAR COVERAGE

The official home of the NASCAR Playoffs, NBC Sports will present the final 20 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR Xfinity Series races, and select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events in 2019. NBC Sports’ NASCAR programming also includes NBCSN’s daily motorsports show NASCAR America, coverage of NASCAR’s Awards Ceremonies, the annual NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony, as well as original programming specials.

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

Dial 323-794-2597 to Participate

Camping World 400 at Chicagoland Speedway Kicks Off NBC Sports’ 2019 NASCAR Season This Sunday, June 30, at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 26, 2019 – NBC Sports NASCAR commentators Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton, and Steve Letarte, as well as executive producer Sam Flood, will host a media conference call today, June 26, at 4:30 p.m. ET to preview NBC Sports’ portion of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, which begins this Sunday, June 30, with the Camping World 400 at Chicagoland Speedway at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Media interested in participating should call 323-794-2597; Passcode: 7200997.

• WHAT: NBC Sports 2019 NASCAR Media Conference Call
• WHO: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte, Sam Flood
• WHEN: Today, June 26, at 4:30 p.m. ET
• NUMBER: 323-794-2597
• PASSCODE: 7200997

***

CAMPING WORLD 400 AT CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY — SUNDAY, JUNE 30, AT 2:30 P.M. ET

Beginning with this week’s Cup and Xfinity series races at Chicagoland Speedway on NBCSN, NBC Sports will deliver more than 300 hours of combined live on-track practice, qualifying and race coverage from the Cup and Xfinity series. Click here for more information.

NBC SPORTS’ NASCAR COVERAGE

The official home of the NASCAR Playoffs, NBC Sports will present the final 20 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR Xfinity Series races, and select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events in 2019. NBC Sports’ NASCAR programming also includes NBCSN’s daily motorsports show NASCAR America, coverage of NASCAR’s Awards Ceremonies, the annual NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony, as well as original programming specials.

 

–NBC SPORTS–