Northern Light IRL: New faces, telemetry, cameras added to Indy Racing telecasts

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

March 18, 2001

INDIANAPOLIS - Actor Jason Priestley, famous for his role on "Beverly Hills 90120," will join motorsports broadcast veterans Bob Jenkins and Larry Rice on the ABC/ESPN team of announcers for the 13-race Indy Racing Northern Light Series in 2001.

The series begins Sunday, March 18, with the Pennzoil Copper World Indy 200 at 4 p.m. (EST) live on ABC. Priestley and Rice, the 1979 co-rookie of the year at the Indianapolis 500, are the two new personalities joining Jenkins and experienced pit reporters Jack Arute and Vince Welch in covering Indy Racing in 2001, including the Indianapolis 500.

"The lineup of personalities on the ABC and ESPN broadcasts this year really blends the best in motorsports broadcasting with celebrity power and driving experience," said Tony George, CEO and president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League. "Their combined knowledge of auto racing, added to the new features fans will see on Indy Racing broadcasts, will produce entertaining coverage."

At Phoenix on Sunday, ABC will debut an enhanced coverage package for Indy Racing League events in 2001. The packaging will include a new opening segment, lower camera angles, telemetry information and driver virtual imaging.

Also new in 2001, there will be seven cars carrying two cameras in each race. One camera will be in the traditional forward position, while the second camera will be placed in a unique, distinct location.

The popular "Indy Racing 2Day" show will return before each race on ESPN2, with the first show starting at 11:30 a.m. (EST) Sunday. Qualifying will be televised from every race, with a same-day broadcast of pole qualifying highlights from Phoenix at 4:30 p.m. (EST) Saturday on ESPN2.

All races will be replayed at least once on ESPN the week after the event.

Text provided by Paul Kelly

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.