SPEED to open coverage in '09 with series of specials

SPEED will open its 2009 NASCAR coverage with the first episode of NASCAR 39/10: Reviewing the 60th Season on Jan. 7. The series of 10 three-hour specials, loaded with race highlights and extensive pre- and post-race interviews, will premiere from noon to 3 p.m. ET on Wednesdays and Thursdays and run for five weeks, leading into the network's extensive NASCAR programming schedule from Daytona Speedweeks in February.

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"January is all about getting jacked up for Daytona," SPEED president Hunter Nickell said. "We're going to give race fans a chance to relive their favorite moments from 2008 in a unique way, while at the same time, setting the stage for the new season ... it's a very cool time for all of us."

The specials, produced by NASCAR Media Group, will air in High Definition and feature Cup Series footage not seen in the original race broadcast, as well as interviews, sync scanner sound and 16mm film footage.

In addition, SPEED also will kick off its annual Preseason Thunder coverage at 6 p.m. ET on Jan. 12, with 17 original 30-minute shows and a one-hour special from the Daytona Fan Fest on Jan. 17.

The popular Trackside Live with Larry McReynolds, Jeff Hammond and Steve Byrnes will open the 2009 season with five consecutive shows from Daytona, airing at 7 p.m. ET on Jan. 19-23.

NASCAR racing returns to the track with live coverage of qualifying for the All-Star Showdown at 10 p.m. ET on Jan. 23 and live race coverage at 10 p.m. ET on Jan. 24. Mike Joy and Phil Parsons will be in the booth, with Dr. Dick Berggren and Jim Tretow reporting from the pits.