ESPN2's weekday RPM 2Night's debut from Speedweeks in Daytona got off to a start that is second in racing only to Dale Jarrett.
"We're just like a race team," said host John Kernan. "We spent the winter in our shop near Charlotte and put our team and equipment together. Then we went to Daytona for our first test. Now we're back and ready to take on the season."
The half-hour program, the first daily show on television devoted to racing, is aired Monday - Friday, generally at 7 p.m. ET. It is based near Charlotte, N.C. at the studios of ESPN subsidiary Creative Sports in Fort Mill, S.C. Kenny Mayne will continue to host the Sunday evening RPM 2Night and the Sunday morning race preview show, RPM 2Day, which premiered Sunday Febriury 18th at 11 am.
ESPN2, the fastest-growing cable network throughout 1994-95, is seen in 29.9 million households and will televise more than 700 hours of live or original hours of motorsports in 1996.
The RPM 2Night staff didn't have any time to enjoy the sun and surf in Daytona. Viewers were treated to a wide variety of stories, interviews, highlights and racing news. Every night a guest (or two) appeared live on the show, including Sterling Marlin, Rusty Wallace, Derrike Cope, Geoff Bodine, Michael Waltrip, Bobby Hamilton, Rick Mast and Jeremy Mayfield.
Sometimes, the visitor made news. Jeff Purvis announced his new sponsorship live on RPM 2Night. Robby Gordon recalled hearing at the IROC drivers' meeting that tire changes were legal. He also explained why he followed eventual race winner Dale Earnhardt into the pits, "If Dale needs new tires, so do I!"
a whirlwind trip to New York for The ESPY Awards with Jeff Gordon (named Driver of the Year)
a Valentine's Day look at the racing marriage of Patty Moise and Elton Sawyer
a look at the mystique of Daytona International Speedway
and a report from IndyCar's "Spring Training" at the track in Homestead, Fla.
"We're going to cover the sport -- anything with a motor -- and not just show the highlights and report the winners," said Barry Sacks, senior coordinating producer for RPM 2Night. "We've been contacted by all the teams. Everyone knows we're here and look to give more racing more exposure than ever before.
