MAX BIAGGI WITH APRILIA FOR THE 2011 AND 2012 SEASONS

 

Team Aprilia

The duo which dominated the 2010 world SBK championship is reconfirmed. 

  

Noale, 18 October 2010 – Aprilia Racing and Max Biaggi sealed the contract which ties the 2010 World Superbike Champion to the name which has seen him triumph from his début in the 250 Moto GP class.

Thanks to this agreement, which is valid for two years, Max Biaggi and Aprilia will be able to team up together to defend the Rider and Manufacturer titles earned this year.

In fact, 2010 was an extraordinary year in sport for the Biaggi-Aprilia duo in World SBK: ten victories, four double wins and another four podiums led the five time champion to take the rider world championship (the first Italian in motorcycling history) and Aprilia to its first triumph in the WSBK Manufacturer standings.

With confirmation of the Biaggi-Aprilia association, one of the most victorious pairs in sports history is renewed: Max boasts five world championships in a record time frame, considering the fact that sixteen years have passed since his first 250 world championship and this year’s SBK title. Aprilia boasts a collection of 45 world titles and, with 277 victories in GP, it is the most victorious name in the history of MotoGP.

“I’m obviously very happy to be continuing this winning adventure in World SBK with Aprilia” stated Max Biaggi. “After an exciting but tiring season, after many years of racing and many victories, it was only natural and right to stop and think, to reflect on such an important future commitment. And in my considerations a very decisive factor was, as it was at the beginning of this adventure with Aprilia, the fact that I feel so close to a team and a company which is so capable and so focussed on the sports objective. Now we need to prepare as best as we can for next season. We are well aware that we cannot rest on our laurels and that we will be in all of our rivals’ sights. But now I am also sure that we will be highly motivated at the start of the first race, with a bike which I have brought up and which I did not want to abandon, ready to die hard… extremely hard“.

The Safety of Your L-Category Vehicle is in Question

European Commission proposes long due Regulation on
type-approval of L-category vehicles

According to ACEM, main approach taken by the European Commission appears sound, but the specificity of the vehicles and appropriate lead-time have not always been properly considered – many crucial technical points remain open.

Brussels, 4.10.2010 – Today the European Commission adopted a long anticipated proposal on new type-approval of L-category vehicles. This proposal makes provisions on many different safety and environmental requirements for a wide range of vehicles such as two- or three-wheel powered cycles, mopeds, motorcycles with and without a side-car, tricycles, on-road quads and mini-cars. The Members of ACEM, the European Motorcycle Manufacturers Association, have been urging policy makers for a regulatory framework with a long-term vision ensuring employment and the competitiveness of the sector in Europe. 

Whilst broadly speaking the main approach of the European Commission appears sound, according to ACEM’s, in its complexity today’s proposal missed out on many important aspects which will need to be carefully considered by Council and European Parliament. These crucial technical points will also need to be addressed in the development of the four additional Regulations announced by the European Commission, which will contain test procedures, technical details and administrative provisions.
 
This regulation falls during a critical time for the motorcycle industry. The economic crisis triggered a drop in registrations of L-category vehicles. In 2010 the EU market has shrunk by one third compared to pre-crisis figures. The first semester of 2010 recorded a -30% compared to the same period of 2008, indicating that this sector is still far from recovery.

In this context, ACEM wishes to underline the utmost importance of the progressive introduction of environmental and safety measures allowing for sufficient lead-time, for new and existing types. This is particularly important given the price impact that the proposed legislative package will have, especially for small and medium displacement vehicles.  

The EC proposed provisions in regards to market surveillance are welcome to safeguard economic operators against unfair competition and, provided they are implemented effectively, will ensure re-establishing a level playing field and preventing non-compliant products from reaching the EU market, while restoring confidence in EU legislation.

The Motorcycle Industry in Europe is looking forward to working with the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council on this proposal and will release more detailed comments in the coming days.

Stefan Pierer, ACEM President and CEO of Austrian manufacturer KTM Sport Motorcycles stated: “Since 2004 ACEM Members have been at the forefront of road safety, with voluntary commitments on Automatic Headlamp On and Advanced Braking Systems.  In regards to environmental measures, Industry proposals have been laid out already in 2008 presenting the EC with a feasible roadmap.  While the document reflects some of the industry proposals, the addition of some technically unrealistic requirements, which do not take into account current production and market realities, are of serious concern and require further detailed reflections, to ensure competitiveness and employment in the sector.”

Note to editors:
ACEM, the Motorcycle Industry in Europe, is the professional body representing the interests and combined skills of 12 powered two wheelers (PTWs) manufacturers producing a total of 26 motorcycle and moped brands, and 15 national associations out of 13 European countries, guaranteeing jobs to over 150.000 people. The aggregated turnover of the PTW sector (manufacturing, plus upstream and downstream activities) amounted to Euro 34 billion in 2006. Manufacturers alone account for Euro 7 billion. The members of ACEM are responsible for 90% of the production and up to 80% of the European powered two-wheeler (PTW) market.

Reference document:
European Commission, Enterprise and Industry, Legislative Proposal:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/documents/proposals/index_en.htm

More information, statistics and policy statements at: http://www.acem.eu/

Aprilia Race Team Does it Again!

2010 World Manufacturers Champion

Magny Cours, 3 October 2010 – Thanks to the 13 points earned today by Max Biaggi in the last round of World Superbike, Aprilia is the World Manufacturer Champion in the highest championship for factory motorcycles. The final standings show: Aprilia 446, Ducati 408, Suzuki 399, Yamaha 332, Honda 309, Bmw 201 e Kawasaki 108.

 Aprilia’s 2010 WSBK season – with race 2 at Magny Cours still left to close out the championship – boasts incredible spoils: 9 wins, 7 podiums and two world titles.

Valentino Rossi going into the corner hard

 The success on the French track is a new and extraordinary result which comes just eight days after the world rider title won by Max Biaggi on the Imola circuit. An absolutely exceptional double achievement because this sweep by Aprilia comes in just the second year that they 1000 four cylinder V RSV4 has taken the track, establishing Aprilia’s sport and technical dominance in World SBK. And so Aprilia strengthens its enviable collection which now holds 45 world titles (36 in Moto GP, 2 in Superbike, 2 in trial, 5 in Supermotard) and makes it, with 277 GP titles won, the most victorious Italian and European name in the history of World Motorcycle racing.

 Maurizio Roman, Managing Director of product development and strategy for the Piaggio Group comments: “This is a result that bears witness to the our absolute state-of-the-art technology and products. The fact that this comes just 48 hours from the grand opening of our Cologne motorcycle showroom, whose queen will be precisely the most advanced road technology of our magnificent RSV4 which has dominated this world championship, fills me with joy. This is a bike which combines all of the electronic innovations utilised on the track to make the greatest technology applied to the sport bike available to enthusiasts everywhere”.

 “Aprilia Racing confirms itself today as a point of excellence with few equals in the world – states Leo Francesco Mercanti, Director of product development for the Piaggio Group and Managing Director of Aprilia Racing – We are only in our second year of racing with a completely innovative project like the RSV4, and it is only thanks to the extraordinary skills at work every day in Piaggio Group that we were able to achieve high enough levels of competitiveness and reliability to win this match against well known brands which have years of experience in this difficult championship”.

 Gigi Dall’Igna, technical and sport manager of Aprilia Racing, has been a key player on the road to this victory: “Even just one of the championships already seemed like a mirage two years ago when we began with the completely new and totally different bike from anything that we had made before. Celebrating a “world sweep” like this one today makes me happy and confirms for me that the Aprilia Alitalia team is made up of exceptional technicians and personnel. A team to whom I want to give full credit today for having made possible in only 27 races what seemed like a silly dream until just a few months ago”.

Ride the Wind, Feel the Energy

Aprilia makes you shiver again, with the 2011 750 Shiver

NEW YORK –  September 30, 2010 – Aprilia USA, the North American importer and distributor of award-winning motorcycles, announces the introduction of the 2011 Aprilia 750 Shiver. With a revised handlebar position, narrower seat and adjusted footpegs, the Aprilia Shiver boasts a much sportier riding position. Riders will find that the bike’s erognomic design is perfect for short trips as well as longer hauls.

Race-Inspired Design

The Shiver’s sportier look is attributed to the introduction of a short windshield and aggressive wave brake rotors. The Shiver also comes closer to the rider’s needs with a two-inch narrower saddle, yielding better bike control. Additionally, the rider foot pegs are set backwards and the handlebar curves set to the front end allowing the rider to assume a more race-riding position. The Shiver is also outfitted with a 5.5×17-inch rear wheel, which provides improved handling and also increases turn-in speed.

Engineered for Power, Stability and Smoothess

To ensure the rider has power and stability, the Shiver is designed with the multi-map integral Ride by Wire technology that was developed from racing experience gained with the Aprilia RSV4 superbike. With the simple touch of the starter control, the rider can select one of three maps (even while moving with closed throttle), including:

–          “Sport” to use when the rider wants to kick the bike in high gear;

–          “Touring” when smoother power delivery and fluidity are essential during the moments when the racing desires are set aside to enjoy a more relaxing ride, even two-up; 

  

–          “Rain” when the road grip is not as good as it should be and maximum safety is the main objective. 

 

Exceptional Performance

The Shiver’s V-90 engine achieves outstanding output values, with a maximum output of 95 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 81 Nm at 7,000 rpm.  The engine features the Aprilia twin-cylinder, which combines an exceptionally high level of output with maximum exploitation rates and user-friendly riding options. With top-of-the-class output levels, the Shiver delivers generous torque over most of the rpm range, insignificant vibrations and smooth full-power delivery.

The  2011 Shiver is available in Aprila Black or Crowd Silver, and retails for $8,999. For more information on the Aprilia 750 Shiver or to find a local Aprilia dealer, visit www.apriliausa.com.

About Aprilia and Piaggio Group Americas

Aprilia world headquarters are in Noale (Venice, Italy).  Founded in 1962, the company designs and manufactures motorcycles in Noale, with production facilities in Scorzè.  With 43 motorcycling world championship titles (36 road and 7 off-road)  and 274 speed GP wins under its belt, Aprilia is the only European manufacturer to have a complete on- and off-road model portfolio, ranging from sporty scooters, innovative off-road bikes and tough adventure tourers to award-winning super sport bikes.  For information on Aprilia’s complete U.S. model line, visit the company’s website at http://www.apriliausa.com.

In December 2004 Aprilia became part of the Piaggio Group, Europe’s leading manufacturer of two wheelers and one of the world’s most recognized and respected names in motorcycle and scooter production.

With approximately 7,000 employees, approximately 610,000 vehicles sold in 2009, 5 R&D centers, 7 production facilities in Europe and Asia, and commercial operations all over the world, the Piaggio Group has a consolidated leadership in the European 2 wheeler market.  Its production includes scooters, motorcycles and mopeds in the 50cc to 1,200 cc displacement range, marketed under the Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera, Derbi, Aprilia, Scarabeo and Moto Guzzi brands.

# # #

BREAST CANCER ORGANIZATIONS AND VESPA USA ZOOM TOWARD NEW PINK VESPA

BREAST CANCER ORGANIZATIONS AND VESPA USA ZOOM TOWARD NEW PINK VESPA
FUND-RAISING MILESTONES
   
NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2009 – As National Breast Cancer Awareness Month nears
the midway point, several nonprofit agencies participating in Vespa USA’s
Pink fund-raising program are reaching – and reaching for – impressive new
milestones.  The newest initiative underway is
http://www.armyofwomen.org/Pink_Vespa_Contest from the Love/Avon Army of Women, a
program of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, whose goal is to
encourage members to recruit one million women to take part in breast cancer
research.  The top five individuals who recruit the most new members for the
Army of Women will be entered into a drawing to win a pink Vespa LX 50.
Others, like Young Survival Coalition (YSC), are just a few paces away from
reaching their target of recruiting 10,000 fans on their Facebook fan page
http://www.facebook.com/youngsurvivalcoalition.

Vespa USA is working with a number of women’s organizations as part of
Lifetime Networks’ 15th annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
campaign, “Stop Breast Cancer for Life: The Power of 15.” Each agency
received a donated pink Vespa LX 50 to help raise funds for their unique
missions – from research and education to peer and resource support.
Consumers who want to help support these causes are invited to check out all
the current Pink Vespa initiatives at http://www.vespausa.com.
     
PURSUING THE CURE: MILES TO GO BEFORE WE SLEEP

Large or small, professionally organized or grassroots; it is these
nonprofit organizations that have put the national spotlight on breast
cancer and garnered strong public and corporate support to fight the
disease; by providing patients and affected families with important tools
and resources.  There is still much work to be done, and Vespa USA invites
everyone to support these or any of the great ongoing efforts by individuals
and companies alike.

Now through Nov. 23, 2009, the Army of Women is adding a special incentive
to those helping the organization reach its goal of one million members.
The top five registered member recruiters will be entered into a drawing and
will have a chance to win a limited edition pink Vespa LX 50 by recruiting
the most new members during the specified dates.  Official details for the
contest can be found at http://www.armyofwomen.com. The winner also agrees to
extend the reach of this campaign by using the pink Vespa to promote the
Army of Women and documenting their recruitment journey through a blog on
the Army of Women Web site.

Young Survival Coalition (YSC), an organization focused on women under 40
affected by breast cancer, is inviting supporters to become fans on their
Facebook page.  With a goal of recruiting 10,000 Facebook fans – currently
their page has more than 9,000 – the YSC is rapidly approaching the finish
line.  Anyone who becomes a fan prior to Nov. 16, 2009, will be eligible to
win the pink Vespa LX 50.

Vespa fans also have a chance to support breast cancer awareness by bidding
and ultimately donating their purchase price to one of a number of online
auctions.  Several auctions are ending soon, such as the Breast Cancer
Research Foundation’s (www.bcrfcure.org) online auction through
charitybuzz.com – which ends Oct. 22, 2009.

Cup With Love (www.cupwithlove.org), an organization providing emotional
support to anyone impacted by cancer; and Nueva Vida (www.nueva-vida.org),
an organization that informs, supports and empowers Latinas whose lives are
affected by cancer; are also raffling off a pink Vespa through their
respective Web sites during October.

The Vespa Pink Campaign invites all current and future scooter fans to
actively participate in one or all the Breast Cancer Awareness Month
programs. Agencies adding a pink Vespa to their October fund-raising
initiatives include: Breast Cancer Network of Strength, The Breast Cancer
Research Foundation, Breastcancer.org, Bright Pink, Cup With Love, Dr. Susan
Love Research Foundation, The Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G.
Komen for the Cure, My Vision Foundation, Nueva Vida, Prevent Cancer
Foundation, SHARE and Young Survival Coalition. For more information on all
of the participating breast cancer organization programs, visit
http://www.vespausa.com and learn how to support unique breast cancer fundraising
efforts around the country.

Breast cancer affects everyone.  This year alone, 192,370 new cases of
invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States.
It is the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 15 to 54, and nearly
half of all Vespa riders are women.  A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer
every three minutes and the disease claims a life every 13 minutes. These
women are mothers, sisters and wives – but breast cancer also directly
touches men.  Every year almost 2,000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer
and 440 will die.

ABOUT VESPA USA:

Vespa USA is a division of Piaggio Group USA. Established in 1884, by
Rinaldo Piaggio, in the industrial town of Pontedera in Tuscany, Italy – a
province of Pisa; the Piaggio Group is one of the world’s top manufacturers
of two-wheeled vehicles.  With more than 7,000 employees, an annual
production of more than 650,000 vehicles in 2008, five R&D centers, seven
production facilities in Europe and Asia, and operations in more than 50
countries – the Piaggio Group has a consolidated leadership in the European
two-wheeler market.  The company produces scooters, motorcycles and mopeds
in the 50cc to 1,200 cc displacement range, marketed under the Piaggio,
Vespa, Gilera, Derbi, Aprilia, Scarabeo and Moto Guzzi brands.  Piaggio also
manufactures three- and four-wheel light transportation vehicles for the
Ape, Porter and Quargo ranges. For more information about Vespa USA visit
http://www.vespausa.com. Get social with Vespa USA by following the latest news and
events on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/vespausa or becoming a fan on Facebook
at http://www.facebook.com/vespausa

NASCAR Now Airs Tuesday-Friday This Week

NASCAR Now Airs Tuesday-Friday This Week
 
NASCAR Now, ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program, will air Tuesday through Friday of this week with 30-minute episodes hosted by Mike Massaro. The program airs at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and at 6:30 p.m. Friday following live LPGA golf coverage on ESPN2.
 
The weekly Monday roundtable edition of the program will not air on Monday, Aug. 31, due to ESPN2’s live coverage of U.S. Open tennis. The roundtable will return the following Monday with discussion of the Labor Day weekend NASCAR events at Atlanta Motor Speedway. 
 
NASCAR Now is hosted by Massaro, Allen Bestwick and Nicole Manske and originates from ESPN’s high definition studios in Bristol, Conn. Contributors include NASCAR Insiders Marty Smith and Angelique Chengelis, analysts Ray Evernham, Tim Brewer, Brad Daugherty, Boris Said, Ricky Craven and Randy LaJoie, and ESPN.com reporters Ed Hinton, Terry Blount and David Newton. The NASCAR on ESPN team event coverage team of Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett, Dr. Jerry Punch, Andy Petree, Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Spake and Vince Welch also make frequent contributions to NASCAR Now.

President Obama To Be Interviewed Live on ESPN2’s NASCAR Now

President Obama To Be Interviewed Live on ESPN2’s NASCAR Now
President Barack Obama will be interviewed live during ESPN2’s NASCAR Now program originating from the White House in Washington, D.C., today. The one-hour program airs at 4:30 p.m. ET.
The President is honoring three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson as well as other current NASCAR drivers and some past champions of the sport in a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. NASCAR Now, ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program, will cover the festivities live, marking the first time in ESPN’s 30-year history that a regularly-scheduled ESPN program will originate and air in its entirety from the White House.
Following the ceremony, the President will join NASCAR Now host Nicole Manske and ESPN NASCAR analyst Brad Daugherty for a live interview.
ESPN analysts Dale Jarrett and Rusty Wallace, both former NASCAR Sprint Cup champions, will be among the drivers participating in afternoon ceremonies that will include a tour of the White House and photo opportunities. NASCAR Now lead reporter Marty Smith will speak with Johnson, Jarrett and Wallace as well as many of the other drivers on hand.
Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.
About NASCAR on ESPN:
ESPN and ABC have comprehensive, multi-platform coverage featuring telecasts of the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” on ABC. Additionally, ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season. All programming is produced totally in high definition. ESPN’s comprehensive, multimedia NASCAR coverage extends to ESPN.com, SportsCenter, ESPN the Magazine, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio and ESPN International, among other ESPN platforms. ESPN aired 262 NASCAR Cup Races over a 20-year period starting in 1981 and returned to NASCAR coverage in 2007. The network’s award-winning, live flag-to-flag coverage on ESPN has been honored with 19 Sports Emmy Awards, as well as many industry honors. It is widely credited for helping to popularize the sport nationwide. NASCAR races have appeared on ABC for decades, beginning with broadcasts on the award-winning Wide World of Sports program in the 1960s.

NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing from Reading on ESPN2

NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing from Reading on ESPN2
 
The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series travels to Reading, Pa., to compete at Maple Grove Raceway this weekend, and ESPN2 will air qualifying and eliminations action on a same-day basis. Qualifying from the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals airs Sunday, Aug. 23, at 1 a.m. ET (late Saturday night), and again at 10 a.m., with eliminations airing at 10 p.m. Finals coverage re-airs Monday, Aug. 24, at 2 p.m. on ESPN Classic.
 
Held in mid-September since its inception in 1985, the race moved to an August date in 2006. Maple Grove Raceway has a long history of record performances, including the first side-by-side quarter-mile four-second and 300-mph Top Fuel passes. It’s also the final event for Pro Stock Motorcycle competitors to earn points toward participation in the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle bonus event, held at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.
 
Paul Page anchors ESPN2’s coverage with analysis by 22-time NHRA winner Mike Dunn. Gary Gerould and Dave Rieff report from the pits. Rieff and Dunn host NHRA RaceDay on Sunday at 11 a.m. to set the stage for that day’s eliminations action.
 
Other NHRA programming airing on ESPN Networks this week includes highlights from the 2004 Mac Tools Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., airing Monday, Aug. 24, at 1 p.m. on ESPN Classic.
 
Also, highlights from the NHRA Lucas Oil Sportsman Series event at Brainerd, Minn., airs Sunday, Aug. 23, at 5 p.m. on ESPN2, and action from the event in Seattle airs Monday at noon on ESPN Classic.

Craven, Evernham, LaJoie on NASCAR Now Monday Roundtable

Craven, Evernham, LaJoie on NASCAR Now Monday Roundtable
 
NASCAR on ESPN analysts Ricky Craven, Randy LaJoie and Ray Evernham will be panelists on NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program on Monday, Aug. 24, at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Allen Bestwick will host the edition of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program.
 
Nicole Manske hosts half-hour episodes of NASCAR Now airing Tuesday and Thursday of this week at 5 p.m., and Friday at 7 p.m. following ESPN2’s live coverage of NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying at Bristol Motor Speedway.
 
Manske also hosts the one-hour weekend edition that airs Saturday, Aug. 22, at the special time of 9 a.m. with a preview of that night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Bristol. The weekend wrap-up edition airs at midnight Sunday, Aug. 23 (late Saturday night). Marty Smith and Angelique Chengelis will report from Bristol for both programs, while Ricky Craven will join Manske in the studio. 
 
NASCAR Now is hosted by Massaro, Bestwick and Manske and originates from ESPN’s high definition studios in Bristol, Conn. Contributors include NASCAR Insiders Marty Smith and Angelique Chengelis, analysts Ray Evernham, Tim Brewer, Brad Daugherty, Boris Said, Ricky Craven and Randy LaJoie, and ESPN.com reporters Ed Hinton, Terry Blount and David Newton. The NASCAR on ESPN team event coverage team of Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett, Dr. Jerry Punch, Andy Petree, Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Spake and Vince Welch also make frequent contributions to NASCAR Now.

NASCAR Stars Racing Under the Lights at Bristol on ESPN

NASCAR Stars Racing Under the Lights at Bristol on ESPN
 
One of the most popular and exciting races annually on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule is the night race at Bristol Motor Speedway, and ESPN will have live, flag-to-flag coverage in high definition as the stars and cars go for 500 laps on the half-mile track on Saturday, Aug. 22. The telecast is presented by Pennzoil and begins with NASCAR Countdown presented by Degree V12 at 6:30 p.m. ET. The race’s green flag is at 7:43 p.m.
 
In addition, coverage of NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying at Bristol will air Friday, Aug. 21, at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
 
The final 17 races of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule will air on the ESPN Networks, with the first six on ESPN and the final 11 on ABC, including all 10 races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
 
Also at Bristol, ESPN2 continues its season-long coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series with a live, flag-to-flag telecast as the series races for 300 laps on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. The green flag is at 8:13 p.m. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC.
 
Dr. Jerry Punch will be lap-by-lap announcer for all of ESPN’s telecasts from Bristol, with analysis by 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Dale Jarrett and two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree. Reporting from the pits will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch, with two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage.
 
Allen Bestwick will host NASCAR Countdown both nights with analysis by 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty, co-owner of a winning team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in the ESPN pit studio.
 
Also this week, ESPN Classic will take NASCAR fans on a trip down memory lane with an episode of the ESPN Classic signature series SportsCentury. The one-hour program features legendary NASCAR star Tim Flock and airs Friday, Aug. 21, at 8 a.m.