List of Daytona 500 broadcasters


The following is a list of the American television networks and announcers who have broadcast NASCAR's annual Daytona 500 throughout the years. Throughout its history, the Daytona 500 has been aired on all four major networks in the U.S., including ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. In 1979, CBS covered the race live flag-to-flag for the first time. The unprecedented broadcast was considered risky by network executives, but was a rousing success when a snowstorm blanketed much of the east coast, prompting a huge viewing audience. An exciting and shocking finish capped off a telecast that was considered a ground-breaking moment in the history of NASCAR, and one of the defining moments that helped elevate the sport into the mainstream.
Currently, Fox holds exclusive rights to carry the Daytona 500 in the United States, under the terms of contract extensions that run through the 2024 NASCAR season. As part of the package, Fox also holds the exclusive rights to support events held during Daytona 500 Speedweeks, including the Clash, Daytona 500 pole qualifying, the Duels, the Truck Series race, the Xfinity Series race, and the respective practice sessions. Some of the ancillary events are aired on Fox companion channels FS1 and FS2.

Early CBS and ABC's ''Wide World of Sports'' era (1959–1978)

The first known telecast of a NASCAR race was the 1960 Daytona 500, parts of which was presented as part of CBS Sports Spectacular, with announcer Bud Palmer.
From 1962 to 1978, the Daytona 500 was shown on ABC's Wide World of Sports. During the 1960s and early 1970s, the race was filmed and an edited highlight package aired the following weekend. In 1974, ABC began the first semi-live coverage of the Daytona 500. Coverage was normally timed to begin when the race was halfway over. Brief taped highlights of the start and early segments were shown, then ABC joined the race live already in progress, picking up approximately the last 90 minutes of the race. This format continued through 1978.
The 1976 race was held on the same day of the final day of competition in the Winter Olympics. ABC carried 30 minutes of live coverage of the start of the race, then switched to the Olympics for 90 minutes to carry taped coverage of the final two competitive events, held earlier that day. Then it was back to Daytona for about an hour-and-a-half for the finish.
During the period on Wide World of Sports, the booth announcers typically served as roving pit reporters during the running of the race, as well as interviewing in victory lane. The booth commentary was recorded in post-production.
YearNetworkLap-by-lapColor commentatorPit reportersHostRatingsViewers
1959none — — — — — —
1960CBS Sports SpectacularBud PalmerBud PalmerBud Palmer
1961none — — — — — —
1962ABC's Wide World of SportsJim McKayStirling MossChris EconomakiJim McKay
1963ABC's Wide World of SportsBill FlemmingChris EconomakiChris EconomakiBill Flemming
1964ABC's Wide World of SportsBill FlemmingChris Economaki
Stirling Moss		Chris Economaki
Stirling Moss		Bill Flemming
1965ABC's Wide World of SportsBill FlemmingDan GurneyBill FlemmingBill Flemming
1966ABC's Wide World of SportsCurt GowdyRodger WardChris EconomakiCurt Gowdy
1967ABC's Wide World of SportsJim McKayChris EconomakiChris EconomakiJim McKay
1968ABC's Wide World of SportsBill FlemmingChris EconomakiBill FlemmingBill Flemming
1969ABC's Wide World of SportsBill FlemmingChris EconomakiBill FlemmingBill Flemming
1970ABC's Wide World of SportsKeith JacksonChris EconomakiChris EconomakiKeith Jackson
1971ABC's Wide World of SportsKeith JacksonChris EconomakiChris EconomakiKeith Jackson
1972ABC's Wide World of SportsKeith JacksonChris EconomakiChris EconomakiKeith Jackson
1973ABC's Wide World of SportsJim McKayJackie StewartChris EconomakiJim McKay
1974ABC's Wide World of SportsKeith JacksonJackie StewartChris EconomakiKeith Jackson10.9/2912.5 million
1975ABC's Wide World of SportsBill FlemmingJackie StewartBill FlemmingBill Flemming11.8/3115.1 million
1976ABC's Wide World of SportsBill FlemmingJackie StewartChris EconomakiBill Flemming12.8/3718.3 million
1977ABC's Wide World of SportsJim McKayJackie StewartChris EconomakiJim McKay12.9/3516.0 million
1978ABC's Wide World of SportsJim McKayJackie StewartChris EconomakiJim McKay11.8/3320.9 million

CBS era (1979–2000)

In 1979, CBS instituted the live "flag-to-flag" coverage policy. The ground-breaking 1979 broadcast ushered in the 22-year run of NASCAR on CBS. The 1987 broadcast won the Sports Emmy for "Outstanding Live Sports Special." Ken Squier served as play-by-play announcer from 1979 to 1997. In 1998, former pit reporter Mike Joy was promoted to play-by-play, while Squier moved to the host position.
The 1995 race includes a two-hour rain delay that occurred near the midpoint. Some markets in the U.S. did not have the race, as CBS lost major market affiliates during the 1994-95 season.
During its entire run from 1979-2000, CBS also carried the Busch Clash, and in most years, carried the Twin 125s. In the mid-1990s, CBS also picked up coverage of the Goody's 300, while pole qualifying for the Daytona 500 was aired on ESPN during much of the 1990s.
Since 1996, U.S. television ratings for the Daytona 500 have been the highest for any auto race of the year, surpassing the traditional leader, the Indianapolis 500. The 2006 Daytona 500 attracted the sixth largest average live global TV audience of any sporting event that year with 20 million viewers.
YearNetworkLap-by-lapColor commentatorPit reportersHostRatingsViewers
1979CBSKen SquierDavid HobbsNed Jarrett
Brock Yates		Ken Squier10.5/2915.1 million
1980CBSKen SquierDavid HobbsNed Jarrett
Brock Yates		Ken Squier8.0/2110.8 million
1981CBSKen SquierDavid HobbsNed Jarrett
Brock Yates		Ken Squier8.4/2611.2 million
1982CBSKen SquierDavid HobbsNed Jarrett
Larry Nuber		Brock Yates9.4/2711.8 million
1983CBSKen SquierDavid HobbsNed Jarrett
Larry Nuber		Ken Squier8.7/2611.0 million
1984CBSKen SquierDavid HobbsNed Jarrett
Chris Economaki
Mike Joy		Chris Economaki8.7/2312.3 million
1985CBSKen SquierDavid Hobbs
Ned Jarrett		Chris Economaki
Mike Joy		Chris Economaki8.3/239.8 million
1986CBSKen SquierDavid Hobbs
Ned Jarrett		Chris Economaki
Mike Joy		Chris Economaki8.4/2210.3 million
1987CBSKen SquierDavid Hobbs
Ned Jarrett		Chris Economaki
Mike Joy
Dave Despain		Chris Economaki9.4/2612.4 million
1988CBSKen SquierNed Jarrett
Chris Economaki		Mike Joy
Dave Despain
David Hobbs		Chris Economaki7.4/1810.0 million
1989CBSKen SquierNed Jarrett
Chris Economaki		Mike Joy
Dave Despain
David Hobbs		Chris Economaki8.1/2112.0 million
1990CBSKen SquierNed Jarrett
Chris Economaki		Mike Joy
Dave Despain
David Hobbs		Chris Economaki7.3/2010.5 million
1991CBSKen SquierNed Jarrett
David Hobbs		Mike Joy
Dave Despain
Chris Economaki		Chris Economaki7.6/2010.9 million
1992CBSKen SquierNed Jarrett
Neil Bonnett		Mike Joy
David Hobbs
Chris Economaki		Chris Economaki9.2/2513.4 million
1993CBSKen SquierNed Jarrett
Neil Bonnett		Mike Joy
David Hobbs
Chris Economaki		Chris Economaki8.4/2312.7 million
1994CBSKen SquierNed Jarrett
Chris Economaki		Mike Joy
David Hobbs
Dick Berggren		Chris Economaki9.6/2613.6 million
1995CBSKen SquierNed Jarrett
Richard Petty		Mike Joy
David Hobbs
Dick Berggren		Ken Squier7.8/2011.4 million
1996CBSKen SquierNed Jarrett
Buddy Baker		Mike Joy
David Hobbs
Dick Berggren		Ken Squier9.2/2413.9 million
1997CBSKen SquierNed Jarrett
Buddy Baker		Mike Joy
Dick Berggren
Ralph Sheheen		Ken Squier8.6/2312.8 million
1998CBSMike JoyNed Jarrett
Buddy Baker		Dick Berggren
Ralph Sheheen
Bill Stephens		Ken Squier8.6/2313.0 million
1999CBSMike JoyNed Jarrett
Buddy Baker		Dick Berggren
Ralph Sheheen
Bill Stephens		Greg Gumbel
Ken Squier		9.6/2512.9 million
2000CBSMike JoyNed Jarrett
Buddy Baker		Dick Berggren
Ralph Sheheen
Bill Stephens		Ken Squier8.4/2212.9 million

Fox/NBC era (2001–2006)

From 2001 to 2006, the Daytona 500 broadcasting network alternated between Fox and NBC under the terms of a six-year, $2.48 billion, centralized NASCAR television contract. Previously, television rights deals for races were negotiated by the individual track owners. Beginning in 2001, the television contract would now be administered by the sanctioning body. Fox carried the Daytona 500 in odd-numbered years, and NBC carried the Daytona 500 in even-numbered years. The Pepsi 400 in July followed the opposite pattern, going to the network not airing the Daytona 500 in the respective season.
Rights to other support events held during Speedweeks followed the same general pattern, alternating between Fox/FX and NBC/TNT. Ancillary events included the Budweiser Shootout, Daytona 500 pole qualifying, the Gatorade 125s, as well as coverage of "Happy Hour" practice and other practice sessions. The Busch Series race followed the same pattern, however, the Truck Series race was aired by ESPN for two seasons as part of a different contract.
In 2001, after CBS lost the rights to the Daytona 500, Ken Squier left the network and joined Fox for a one-race arrangement as special contributor and studio host.
YearNetworkLap-by-lapColor commentatorsPit reportersPre-Race HostPre-Race AnalystRatingsViewers
2001FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Larry McReynolds		Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
Matt Yocum
Jeanne Zelasko		Chris MyersJeff Hammond
Darrell Waltrip
Ken Squier		10.0/2417.1 million
2002NBCAllen BestwickBenny Parsons
Wally Dallenbach		Bill Weber
Dave Burns
Marty Snider
Matt Yocum		Bill WeberBenny Parsons10.9/2618.8 million
2003FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Larry McReynolds		Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
Matt Yocum
Jeanne Zelasko		Chris MyersJeff Hammond
Darrell Waltrip		9.8/2116.8 million
2004NBCAllen BestwickBenny Parsons
Wally Dallenbach		Bill Weber
Dave Burns
Marty Snider
Matt Yocum		Bill WeberBenny Parsons10.6/2417.8 million
2005FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Larry McReynolds		Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
Matt Yocum
Jeanne Zelasko		Chris MyersJeff Hammond
Darrell Waltrip		10.9/2318.7 million
2006NBCBill WeberBenny Parsons
Wally Dallenbach		Allen Bestwick
Dave Burns
Marty Snider
Matt Yocum		Bill WeberBenny Parsons11.3/2319.4 million

Exclusive Fox era (2007–present)

Starting in 2007, Fox became the exclusive home of the Daytona 500 under the terms of NASCAR's new television package. Contract extensions signed in 2011 and 2012 extended the exclusive rights on Fox through the 2024 season.
YearNetworkLap-by-lapColor commentatorsPit reportersPre-Race HostPre-Race AnalystRatingsViewers
2007FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Larry McReynolds		Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
Matt Yocum
Krista Voda		Chris MyersJeff Hammond
Darrell Waltrip		10.1/2017.5 million
2008FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Larry McReynolds		Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
Matt Yocum
Krista Voda		Chris MyersJeff Hammond
Darrell Waltrip		10.2/2017.8 million
2009FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Larry McReynolds		Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
Matt Yocum
Krista Voda		Chris MyersJeff Hammond
Darrell Waltrip		9.2/1916.0 million
2010FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Larry McReynolds		Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
Matt Yocum
Krista Voda		Chris MyersJeff Hammond
Darrell Waltrip		7.7/1613.3 million
2011FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Larry McReynolds		Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
Matt Yocum
Krista Voda		Chris MyersJeff Hammond
Darrell Waltrip		8.7/2015.6 million
2012FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Larry McReynolds		Dick Berggren
Steve Byrnes
Matt Yocum
Krista Voda		John RobertsMichael Waltrip
Darrell Waltrip		8.0/1413.7 million
2013FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Larry McReynolds		Steve Byrnes
Matt Yocum
Krista Voda
Jeff Hammond		Chris MyersMichael Waltrip
Darrell Waltrip		9.9/2216.7 million
2014FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Larry McReynolds		Steve Byrnes
Matt Yocum
Krista Voda		Chris MyersMichael Waltrip
Darrell Waltrip
Jeff Hammond		5.6/109.3 million
2015FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Larry McReynolds		Matt Yocum
Jamie Little
Chris Neville
Vince Welch		Chris MyersMichael Waltrip
Darrell Waltrip
Andy Petree		7.7/1713.4 million
2016FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Jeff Gordon		Matt Yocum
Jamie Little
Chris Neville
Vince Welch		Chris MyersJeff Gordon
Darrell Waltrip
Michael Waltrip
Larry McReynolds		6.6/1211.4 million
2017FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Jeff Gordon		Matt Yocum
Jamie Little
Chris Neville
Vince Welch		Chris MyersJeff Gordon
Darrell Waltrip
Michael Waltrip
Larry McReynolds		6.6/1512.0 million
2018FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Jeff Gordon		Matt Yocum
Jamie Little
Vince Welch
Regan Smith		Chris MyersJeff Gordon
Darrell Waltrip
Michael Waltrip
Larry McReynolds		5.39.8 million
2019FoxMike JoyDarrell Waltrip
Jeff Gordon		Matt Yocum
Jamie Little
Vince Welch
Regan Smith		Chris Myers
Shannon Spake		Jeff Gordon
Darrell Waltrip
Michael Waltrip
Larry McReynolds
Bobby Labonte
Ricky Craven		5.59.17 million
2020FoxMike JoyJeff GordonMatt Yocum
Jamie Little
Vince Welch
Regan Smith		Chris Myers
Shannon Spake		Jeff Gordon
Michael Waltrip
Larry McReynolds
Jamie McMurray		4.47.33 million