Performance Racing Network

The Performance Racing Network is a radio network controlled by Speedway Motorsports, Inc..

Performance Racing Network broadcasts all NASCAR-sanctioned Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series events held at Speedway Motorsports-controlled tracks which include Atlanta, Bristol, Infineon, Las Vegas, Charlotte Motor Speedway, New Hampshire, Kentucky Speedway and Texas. It also assists the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network for the Brickyard 400, where their staffers work both races. This is in contrast to other NASCAR events (operated by ISC, Dover Motorsports, and the Mattioli family), which are broadcast by ISC-controlled Motor Racing Network. Performance Racing Network and Motor Racing Network on most occasions share the same radio affiliates. (IMS also, although Performance Racing Network jointly produces the IMS race) in order to broadcast a complete NASCAR schedule.

Performance Racing Network's schedule includes the following:

  • Fast Talk: Doug Rice hosts the show with a rotating host, usually a driver. The driver co-hosts include Kyle Petty, John Andretti, Kenny Wallace, Jeff Hammond and Phil Parsons. The rotating host format was adopted after the death of Benny Parsons, who had hosted the show during the first 14 seasons. It is a call-in show that airs Mondays at 7 PM Eastern Time. Fast Talk is heard on 220 stations, fifty-two weeks a year.
  • Garage Pass: Mark Garrow and Steve Richards (substitute) anchor this four-minute NASCAR news program. Garage Pass is heard on 450 stations across the USA. The program was created by Garrow in 1986 under the name "Winston Cup USA" and ran on a handful of stations for one year. In 1987, Garrow partnered with Capitol Sports Network in Raleigh, North Carolina to network and sell the program. The name was changed to "Winston Cup Today" and grew to approximately 480 stations at its peak. Richards produced the program, served as substitute host and covered the majority of the scheduled NASCAR events. Midway into the 1999 season the show was ended by Capitol Broadcasting when NASCAR demanded rights fees for the use of audio originating from the racetrack. In 2000, Garrow partner with Performance Racing Network as the show was resurrected and renamed "Garagepass" as the rights fee issue was settled. 2011 marks the 25th year Mark Garrow has produced a daily NASCAR news program. Steve Richards, who began his radio career in 1977, has been covering the sport on a full-time basis for about 15 years, and before that on a part-time basis from 1985. He also covered Duke, NC State and University of North Carolina basketball and football from 1986 until the mid-nineties for WRAL-FM and the North Carolina News Network. Richards produced and anchored the scoreboard shows on the Duke and NC State football networks.
  • O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters: Brett McMillan hosts a panel-driven show with journalists discussing the issues of the week in NASCAR Racing, primarily in the Sprint Cup. Other forms of racing are occasionally talked about if the news is important enough.
  • ZMax Racing Country: A weekly, two-hour country music-oriented program hosted by WKKT morning disc jockey Paul Schadt along with Cathy Martindale, with news from both country music and NASCAR. Top country artists and NASCAR drivers are featured in interviews as are a rundown of the week's popular country songs. This is a 52-week program (no off-season breaks). The program dates back to 1989 and was formerly known as NASCAR Country before losing the rights to the NASCAR name circa 2000. Its slogan is the two fastest hours on the radio.

All Performance Racing Network shows with the exception of the pre and post race shows originate from Performance Racing Network's studios at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

All Performance Racing Network race broadcasts are available via the NASCAR Radio channel on Sirius XM Radio via both Sirius Satellite radio and XM Radio's "Best of Sirius" package. Fast Talk is also carried on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio on Wednesdays at 10PM EST. Fast Talk, The O'Reilly Pit Reporters and Garage Pass can all be heard online at goprn.com

Read more about Performance Racing Network:  Announcers

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