Ray Evernham to serve as NBCSN race analyst

Ralph Sheheen to join champion crew chief on Modified events

Play: NASCAR Fantasy Live

NBC Sports announced Wednesday that NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and three-time premier series champion Ray Evernham will analyze 14 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour events this season with longtime motorsports broadcaster Ralph Sheheen.

The Whelen Modified Tour celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2015, and Evernham and Sheheen will begin their partnership by calling the season-opening Icebreaker at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in Thompson, Connecticut on Saturday at 12:30 a.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.

“We’re thrilled to continue our 2015 NASCAR Touring Series with the knowledge and experience of Ray Evernham and Ralph Sheheen behind the microphone,” Jeff Behnke, vice president of NASCAR Production for NBC Sports and NBCSN, said in network statement. “This is a win for all race fans and the enthusiastic followers of the Whelen Modified Tours.”

Crew chief for Jeff Gordon‘s first three titles, 47 wins and two Daytona 500s and the owner who spearheaded Dodge’s return to the sport in 2000, Evernham began his career working on short track cars as a 15-year-old.

“I grew up watching and racing modifieds and still get goose bumps every time I watch them race,” said Evernham. “I am really looking forward to being part of NBCSN’s motorsports coverage.”

Evernham and Sheheen, who has broadcast motorsports on national TV for 27 years and is the owner of SPEED SPORT, join an NBC team that includes analysts Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte, Kyle Petty and Dale Jarrett, race announcer Rick Allen, pre- and post-race host Krista Voda and pit road reporters Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast, Mike Massaro and Dave Burns.

“Big power, open wheels and passionate fans—the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tours might be the coolest series in racing,” said Sheheen. “Ray and I are going to have a lot of fun calling these races.”

Check out a complete list of Modified events on the NBCSN schedule. All times are ET.

On July 23, 2013, NASCAR and NBC Sports Group reached a comprehensive agreement that grants NBCUniversal exclusive rights to the final 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR XFINITY Series events, select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events and other live content, beginning in 2015.

With this partnership, NBC’s 20 Sprint Cup race schedule includes a designation as the exclusive home to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, when the elite national series races through its final 10 events of the season. The Chase culminates with the season-ending championship event, which returns to network television in 2015 for the first time since 2009. Of NBC Sports Group’s 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, seven will be carried on NBC annually, with 13 airing on NBCSN. Four of NBC Sports Group’s 19 NASCAR XFINITY Series races will air on NBC, with 15 airing on NBCSN.
MORE: