Rusty auditions for ABC/ESPN IRL gig UPDATE: Don’t look now, but the IRL’s television broadcast team is about to get a new face. Actually, it figures to be an old one. Auditioning as Autoweek went to press was retiring NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace, who appears to be prepping for a switch to the Nextel Cup announcers booth when ABC and ESPN get back in the game in 2007. Hiring Wallace, an avid Indy car fan, figures to be a win-win for all parties, including the IRL, which is in desperate need of a ratings jolt. The IRL’s play-by-play voice figures to be Brian Kenny, host of Friday Night Fights on ESPN2, with former driver Scott Goodyear joining Wallace in the booth. Jerry Punch, Jack Arute and Jamie Little will be the pit reporters.(Autoweek)(1-20-2006)
UPDATE: ESPN and ABC Sports says retired NASCAR champion driver Rusty Wallace will cover NASCAR racing for the networks. Wallace's first ESPN assignment will be covering 2006 Nextel Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500 for "SportsCenter." He will report from at least 20 races this year for the sports news show. Wallace will also serve as an analyst for ESPN2's upcoming daily motorsports series. In addition, Wallace will be ABC and ESPN's lead analyst for Nextel Cup and Busch series races when the networks resume NASCAR race coverage in 2007. Wallace earlier announced he will be an analyst for the Indy Racing League's 2006 season.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(1-25-2006)
UPDATE: ESPN and ABC Sports says retired NASCAR champion driver Rusty Wallace will cover NASCAR racing for the networks. Wallace's first ESPN assignment will be covering 2006 Nextel Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500 for "SportsCenter." He will report from at least 20 races this year for the sports news show. Wallace will also serve as an analyst for ESPN2's upcoming daily motorsports series. In addition, Wallace will be ABC and ESPN's lead analyst for Nextel Cup and Busch series races when the networks resume NASCAR race coverage in 2007. Wallace earlier announced he will be an analyst for the Indy Racing League's 2006 season.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(1-25-2006)
