Pit Stop Radio News

NBC Sports Group surrounds the penultimate races of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series Playoffs, with more than 15 hours of trackside coverage from ISM Raceway, in Avondale, Ariz. Race coverage from “The Grand Canyon State” begins Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC, with Xfinity Series racing, and culminates with Sunday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Following the news of Kevin Harvick and the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford’s post-race penalty this past weekend in Texas, Joey Logano remains the only driver officially locked in to compete in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Kyle Busch leads the remainder of Playoff field with 4,128 points, followed by Martin Truex Jr. (4,125 points), and Harvick (4,103 points). Kurt Busch (4,100 points), Chase Elliott (4,086 points), Aric Almirola (4,068 points) and Clint Bowyer (4,052 points) all currently fall below the Championship Four cut line, heading into Sunday’s pivotal race to determine the final three spots in the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series Championship race.

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES RACING FROM ISM RACEWAY – SUNDAY AT 2:30 P.M. ET ON NBC

NBC Sports Group kicks off its Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series coverage from IMS Raceway this Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with first practice. Coverage on NBCSN continues at 7 p.m. ET with qualifying. Saturday’s coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. ET on CNBC with second practice, followed byNASCAR America at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Final practice wraps up the day at 2 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Sunday’s race day coverage begins with NASCAR America at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBC, followed byCountdown to Green at 2 p.m. ET. Pre-race coverage features an interview with all Round of 8 drivers including Kevin Harvick, to discuss his penalty in Texas which carried major championship implications. Coverage also includes an interview with platinum-selling singer-songwriter Jake Owen, and star of USA Network’s new show Real Country. Owen, Sunday’s honorary MC, will chat with NBC’s features reporterRutledge Wood about Sunday’s NASCAR race and his friendship with Harvick. NASCAR Cup Series racing begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Live on-site post-race coverage will follow the conclusion of Sunday’s race. NBCSN wraps up coverage at 6:30 p.m. ET, with Victory Lap, NBC Sports Group’s NASCAR post-race show originating from Stamford, Conn.

Lead NASCAR on NBC race announcer Rick Allen (@Rickallenracing) will call this weekend’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series action, alongside Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte(@steveletarte), from NBC Sports’ traditional broadcast booth above the start/finish line. NASCAR iconDale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) will be teamed with 21-time Cup Series race winner Jeff Burton(@Jeffburton) in NBC’s “Drivers Booth.”

Krista Voda (@KristaVoda) will host pre- and post-race coverage alongside auto racing icon Kyle Petty(@KylePetty), and Hall of Fame driver Dale Jarrett (@DaleJarrett). Marty Snider (@HeyMartysnider),Kelli Stavast (@KelliStavast), Dave Burns (@tvdaveburns) and Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) will report from pit road alongside Rutledge Wood (@RutledgeWood).

XFINITY SERIES COVERAGE FROM ISM RACEWAY– SATURDAY AT 3:30 P.M. ET ON NBC

Xfinity Series coverage from Phoenix begins Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with first practice, followed by final practice at 4:30 p.m. ET. Saturday’s race day coverage kicks off with qualifying at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, followed by pre-race Countdown to Green coverage at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.

Pre-race coverage will include a feature on driver of Richard Childress Racing’s No. 21 Chevy, Daniel Hemric, and how he met his wife racing Legends cars. Live race coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Entering this Saturday’s Round of 8 elimination race, Cole Custer, driver of Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 00 Ford, is the only driver locked in to compete in the Xfinity Championship race. Custer is followed by Tyler Reddick (3,105 points), Elliott Sadler (3,098 points) and Daniel Hemric (3,097 points). Justin Allgaier,Matt Tifft, Christopher Bell and Austin Cindric currently fall below the cut line and face elimination this weekend in Phoenix.

JEFF BURTON ON KEVIN HARVICK’S PENALTY IN TEXAS

Jeff Burton: “Going to perhaps his best race track is a great way to rebound. They have been in this position before. Kevin Harvick is mentally tough, he is the type of guy that likes being in the pressure, he jumped from no pressure to a ton of it, and is built for that. He loves these moments. I think going to Phoenix they will use that.”

NBC SPORTS DEBUTS NEW WEB SERIES “COFFEE WITH KYLE”

In advance of next weekend’s Championship races at Homestead-Miami Speedway, NBC Sports launches a new web series, “Coffee with Kyle,” hosted by auto racing icon Kyle Petty. The series debuted Monday across NBC Sports’ digital platforms, and features an interview with three-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner Tony Stewart.

In the two part interview, Stewart discusses his emotional connection to the sport, how his strong feelings sometime transpired into outbursts on the track, and how is passion for racing now continues outside the car as a team owner.

STEVE LETARTE JOINS PRO FOOTBALL TALK WITH MIKE FLORIO THIS FRIDAY, NOV. 9 AT 8:20 A.M. ET

In advance of this weekend’s pivotal elimination race in Phoenix, NASCAR on NBC analyst and enthusiastic Patriots fan Steve Letarte joins Pro Football Talk with Mike Florio, this Friday, Nov. 9 at 8:20 a.m. ET on NBCSN.

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