Lucas TV package hits CBS, 4 other networks
After an increase in viewership and ratings in 2011, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has increased its televised programs to 25 one-hour shows on five networks for the 2012 season.
The Lucas Oil package includes one event on CBS — the Dart Show-Me 100 from Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo. — along with three on the NBC Sports Network, 10 on the Speed cable network and 10 events on the MavTV Network.
“Lucas Oil Products has really stepped up to offer even more Dirt Late Model racing on TV than ever before," series director Ritchie Lewis said in a press release. "Our many loyal fans and partners will benefit greatly from the increased TV coverage."
Lucas Oil Production Studios will tape each event using state of the art HD cameras and the popular Helicopter Cam at most TV races. Programs will also include in-car cameras and the cutaway car to show fans more about the inner workings of Dirt Late Models.
The televised Lucas Oil Series programs will reach an estimated 116 million households receiving CBS, 80 million receiving Speed, 75 million receiving NBC Sports Network and 40 million households receiving MavTV.
The marquee event, the $30,000-to-win Dart Show-Me 100, will appear on CBS as part of CBS Sports Spectacular, one of the oldest and longest-running sports programs on television. The crown jewel event scheduled for May 25-26 will be shown on television at 2 p.m. (EST) on June 24. A replay will be shown on CBS Sports at 8 p.m. on Dec. 8.
The first event to be taped for broadcast will be the Commonwealth 100 at Virginia Motor Speedway in Jamaica, Va. The two-day event is scheduled for April 13-14 and pays $25,000 to the winner. The race is scheduled for television on Speed at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 13, and also on NBC Sports Network at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 10.
The final event to be taped for broadcast will be the season finale, the Dirt Track World Championship scheduled for Oct. 19-20 at Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park. The DTWC is scheduled to appear on Speed at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 18. The complete schedule appears below.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series television schedule
• 7:30 p.m., March 2 (MavTV)
Correction: Fixes to five total networks, sted four.
