STAMFORD, Conn. – May 1, 2019 – Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR on NBC analyst and one of racing’s most popular personalities, will experience a new kind of horsepower this weekend as he joins NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2019 Kentucky Derby this Saturday, May 4 at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
In his role, Earnhardt Jr. will take in the vibrant atmosphere at Churchill Downs for the first time. Alongside NASCAR on NBC colleague Rutledge Wood, Earnhardt Jr. will serve as the eyes and ears of fans experiencing a day at the iconic venue, visiting the infield, Millionaires Row, and experiencing the walkover.
“This is the Daytona 500 of horse racing. I’ve always loved the Kentucky Derby as a viewer, now I get to experience it in person,” said Earnhardt Jr. “It’s a privilege to be a part of the NBC Sports broadcast team, and without a doubt Rut and I will have a lot of fun sharing our experiences with the people at home.”
“We are excited to welcome Dale Jr. to the team. He is one of the most experienced names in all of racing, and his curiosity and eagerness to showcase his first time at the Kentucky Derby will offer a unique race day perspective to our coverage.” said Rob Hyland, Coordinating Producer for NBC Sports Group’s Triple Crown horse racing coverage.
Earnhardt Jr. amassed 26 NASCAR victories during his storied career, including two Daytona 500 wins, and joined NBC Sports’ NASCAR broadcast team last year following his retirement from full-time racing in 2017. He made his debut with NBC in 2018 as a contributor for the network’s coverage of Super Bowl LII and the PyeongChang Olympics.
NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Royal Ascot, and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001, and the Belmont Stakes since 2011, when NBC Sports Group reassembled the Triple Crown. The 2018 Kentucky Derby posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 15.0 million viewers across NBC and NBC Sports Digital platforms – marking the sixth consecutive year that Kentucky Derby viewership averaged at least 15 million viewers. NBC’s six-year streak averaging 15 million Kentucky Derby viewers is the longest in People Meter history (since 1988).
–NBC SPORTS–