TNT's coverage continues with racing from Daytona

TNT's groundbreaking Wide Open Coverage will return for the third consecutive year during the network's exclusive coverage of the primetime Coke Zero 400 at Daytona on Sat., July 4.

The format provides continuous race coverage free of national commercial breaks and features 22 percent more unobstructed race action than that of a standard telecast by using a letterbox widescreen format. In place of the national ads, the telecast features a variety of animated sponsor messages, unique branded content and distinct on-screen graphic elements.

Wide Open Coverage debuted on TNT at Daytona in 2007 and continued in 2008; the two races resulted in only 12 missed laps of green-flag racing.

The 10 national sponsors, which matches the past two years' sponsorship commitment, featured in this year's innovative telecast include Coke Zero, US Army, Sprint, Toyota, Coors Light, Viagra, Goodyear, Burger King, Subway and the Weinstein Co. (movie Inglourious Basterds).

TNT will air the Coke Zero 400 beginning at 8 p.m. ET with play-by-play announcer Ralph Sheheen calling the race alongside analysts Kyle Petty and Wally Dallenbach in the booth. In addition, analyst Larry McReynolds will make frequent contributions from the infield as he breaks down crew strategy and analyzes car adjustments.

The network will rev up its pre-race coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET with NASCAR on TNT Live! with Marc Fein (host), Petty and McReynolds. Tony Stewart will join TNT's infield rig for an interview prior to the race. Stewart won his first race as an owner/driver during TNT's coverage of the Pocono 500. Legendary driver and owner Richard Petty will stop by the set, as well.

TNT's acclaimed Pride of NASCAR series will feature Junie Donlavey, who was a NASCAR owner for more than 50 years. Donlavey is best known for giving young drivers their first chance in NASCAR, with more than 70 drivers having raced in his car throughout his career. Donlavey still lives and works in his Richmond, Va., shop that he started in 1950.

Lindsay on Location continues this week as TNT pit reporter Lindsay Czarniak takes a tour of Juan Montoya's impressive warehouse in Miami that includes past race cars, trophies, a rock-climbing wall and jet skis.

Grammy-nominated rockers Buckcherry will perform prior to the race at Daytona, with TNT airing live footage. Buckcherry's version of Deep Purple's hit single Highway Star is the network's theme song for its 2009 Sprint Cup Series coverage.

NASCAR on TNT Live! will be followed by Countdown to Green at 7:30 p.m. ET with Fein, Dallenbach and Petty, with reports from Marty Snider, Matt Yocum, Adam Alexander and Czarniak.

During Countdown to Green, Dallenbach once again will break down race strategy during Wally's World, as he is superimposed into live race footage from last season's race at Daytona. He will virtually walk along the track to discuss its nuances, with the ability to stop the race footage.

Dallenbach will also spend time with Mark Martin to talk about how, at age 50, he stays so young. Dallenbach will take viewers behind the scenes to check out Martin's workouts that keep him in shape and competitive on the race track.

Snider will go from the asphalt of the race track to the hardwood of the basketball court with a feature on Denny Hamlin's love for the game of basketball.

Countdown to Green leads into coverage of Coke Zero 400 at Daytona at 8 p.m. ET with Sheheen, Dallenbach and Petty calling the action with frequent interaction with McReynolds, who will man the TNT Offtrack Robotic Car.

Throughout this year's NASCAR on TNT Summer Series, the network will join forces with NASCAR.COM, the official site of NASCAR, to provide TNT RaceBuddy, a multiplatform experience for race fans which features live feeds from the race track including pit road and in-car cameras, as well as live chats and polls.

REMAINING 2009 NASCAR ON TNT SCHEDULE:
(All times ET)

SATURDAY, JULY 4

6:30 -- 7:30 p.m. NASCAR on TNT Live!
7:30 -- 8:00 p.m. Countdown to Green
8:00 -- 11:15 p.m. Coke Zero 400 at Daytona powered by Coca-Cola (from Daytona Int'l Speedway)

SATURDAY, JULY 11

6:30 -- 7:30 p.m. NASCAR on TNT Live!
7:30 -- 8:00 p.m. Countdown to Green
8:00 -- 11:30 p.m. Cup Series Racing from Chicagoland presented by Papa John's (from Chicagoland Speedway)