TNT Summer Series offers more features, RaceBuddy

Turner Network Television is gearing up for its Sprint Cup Series six-week race package with its marquee roster of announcers, the return of the network's acclaimed "Pride of NASCAR" series and the launch of a new, supersized TNT RaceBuddy on NASCAR.COM.

The green flag will drop on TNT's coverage at Pocono on June 7, followed by consecutive weeks of Cup Series race coverage at Michigan (June 14), Sonoma (June 21), Loudon (June 28) and primetime Saturday night races in Daytona (July 4) and Chicago (July 11).

This summer marks Turner's 26th consecutive year of Cup Series coverage.

TNT's staple pre-race segment "Wally's World" will return this year with analyst Wally Dallenbach breaking down the strategy of each race in virtual reality. Dallenbach will be superimposed into live race footage from last season as he walks along the track to discuss the nuances necessary to be successful on each of TNT's six tracks, with ability to stop the race footage and interact with the cars virtually. The segment will air each week during pre-race coverage.

Also airing during the network's pre-race show, TNT's popular "Pride of NASCAR" series will feature racing legends such as Darrell Waltrip, Dan Gurney and Dave Marcis among others. The series explores the rich history of the sport by profiling NASCAR greats who helped make the sport what it is today, with exclusive interviews with each driver profiled.

TNT's 90-minute pre-race coverage will feature "Countdown to Green," hosted by Bill Weber, which will take the telecast to green-flag racing with reports from the network's stable of announcers, including Weber (host), Kyle Petty (analyst), Dallenbach (analyst), Larry McReynolds (analyst/cut-away car specialist) and pit reporters Marty Snider, Matt Yocum, Ralph Sheheen and Lindsay Czarniak.

Prior to "Countdown to Green," TNT's coverage will rev up with "NASCAR on TNT Live!" hosted by Marc Fein. He will be joined by Petty and McReynolds for commentary and analysis, interviews with drivers, and several regular features.

TNT RaceBuddy, the award-winning multiplatform experience, will return to ride shotgun with viewers to provide companion coverage on NASCAR.COM. RaceBuddy's new enhancements include a dedicated pit reporter, social media interaction and new views of the race. The entire complement includes:

• Pit Road Plus: An enhanced produced feed that shows the action and features a pit reporter dedicated to providing ongoing reports and updates exclusively on NASCAR.COM.

• Battle Cam: A camera that will stream the most intense head-to-head competition between drivers on the track throughout the race.

• In-Car Driver Cam: Users have the ability to vote for their favorite driver to watch and listen from inside his car; drivers change periodically throughout the race.

• Track Cam: Video streaming from various camera angles of the racetrack.

• Mosaic View: Fans can view all four streams -- Pit Road Plus, Battle Cam, In-Car Camera, Driver Cam and Track Cam-- at one time.

• Virtual: Using TrackPass RaceView technology, fans can watch amazing 3-D views from unique angles not available anywhere else.

• Pit Buddy: Real-time text updates from pit reporters direct from pit road.

• Enhanced LIVE Leaderboard: Full featured leaderboard showing all the vital lap speeds, positions and more.

• Connect and chat: Using MySpace, Facebook and Twitter, or all three at once in a seamlessly integrated experience, allowing fans to stay connected with friends as well as other fans, while watching the race.

• Live Photostream: See the race from a different perspective with constantly updating photos that capture the exciting race moments.