ESPN reporter agrees ‘aspect deal’ to host NASCAR on – Sports News
Marty Smith is making a return to cowl NASCAR, with the ESPN reporter set to host TNT Sports’ upcoming five-race Cup Series slate of races.
Following final weekend’s All-Star Race at Dover International Speedway, which was received by Denny Hamlin, who instantly donated his $1 million in prize money to his mom, Cup Series motion returns this weekend for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Amazon will broadcast the Coca-Cola 600, as it would the next 4 races after that, earlier than TNT Sports’ takeover this summer season, which is able to start on the finish of June. Fans will probably be handled to a acquainted face on TNT’s protection in Smith, who beforehand coated NASCAR as ESPN’s lead reporter from 2007 to 2014. Meanwhile, Prime Video lately introduced its group for its slate of races.
Sports Business Journal studies that Smith will host the community’s protection of its Cup Series races for the 2026 season, thanks to a “side deal” between ESPN and TNT.
The aspect deal relates to a growing connection between ESPN and TNT. While TNT produces Inside the NBA, the favored program that includes Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Charles Barkley, the show is solely broadcast on ESPN and ABC thanks to a licensing deal settlement between the 2 sides.
Smith, who signed an extension with ESPN final month, started his profession at ESPN in 2006. The following 12 months, he turned the community’s lead NASCAR reporter from 2007 to 2014.
However, come 2014, Smith’s function with ESPN expanded into different sports activities after they broadcast its remaining race. The 50-year-old was reportedly a goal for each Amazon and TNT when the pair had been placing collectively their NASCAR rosters forward of the 2025 season.
His first project for TNT will see him host its studio show forward of the The Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma on June 28. And followers on social media are delighted to see that Smith will probably be returning to cowl NASCAR later this season.
“Good move. Marty understands and appreciates the sport as well as anyone. Does the work, knows the fans and will tell stories they want to hear. A confident and authentic voice that will bring needed swagger to NASCAR, even if for a few races,” wrote one fan on social media.
A second added: “Marty Smith covering NASCAR again… this feels just like 2011.”
A 3rd mentioned: “This is awesome. Marty does an exceptional job covering a variety of sports.”
And a fourth commented: “LET’S GO!”
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