RPM 2Night live from Mac Tools U.S. Nationals

RPM 2Night To Air Live From Indianapolis Raceway Park During Prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals

CLERMONT, Ind. - ESPN2's RPM 2Night, the only daily news program covering all of motorsports, will air live from Indianapolis Raceway Park throughout the week of the 48th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, further increasing ESPN's commitment to NHRA POWERade Drag Racing.

John Kernan will anchor the show from the famed all-purpose motorsports facility beginning on Monday, Aug. 26 through Friday, Aug. 30, while weekend anchor Whit Watson will host both Sunday shows -- RPM 2Day and RPM 2Night --on Sept. 1, live from IRP.

"We're very excited that RPM 2Night is bringing its entire operation to the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, further signifying the race as one of the elite events annually on the motorsports calendar," said Jerry Archambeault, NHRA vice president of public relations and communications. "This is a terrific opportunity to showcase our drivers to motorsports fans across America, as well as highlight many great things the sport of NHRA drag racing offers -- like the sensory appeal of the fastest vehicles in the world and the unmatched behind-the-scenes accessibility the fans are allowed."

NHRA drivers scheduled to appear on the show during the week include Top Fuel points leader Larry Dixon, Funny Car points leader John Force, Tony Schumacher, Kenny Bernstein, Doug Kalitta and Pro Stock points leader Greg Anderson, among others.

"The NHRA had been tremendous to ESPN and RPM 2Night long before we were partners," said Barry Sacks, ESPN senior coordinating producer. "The NHRA drivers and people that we deal with are always very cooperative and we've always wanted to find a week to take RPM 2Night on the road to an NHRA event. We're really excited to get to Indianapolis and continue the relationship at this great event."

The weekday RPM 2Night will air each evening at 6:30 p.m. (ET). There will be two shows on Sunday, Sept. 1 -- 11:30 a.m. and Midnight (ET). On Monday, Sept. 2, Kernan will interview the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals winners and wrap-up the weeklong event at 6:30 p.m. (ET).

RPM 2Night's presence will compliment the expanded coverage of the race planned by the sports network. ESPN2 will provide 12 hours of coverage of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals during the weekend. ESPN2 will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at noon (ET) on Aug. 31. ESPN2 will air two broadcasts on Sept. 1, beginning with a three-hour qualifying show at 1 p.m. (ET) and continuing with additional qualifying highlights and Budweiser Shootout coverage during a 150-minute show at 9:30 p.m. (ET). On Sept. 2, ESPN2 will televise five hours of eliminations action beginning with two hours of early round coverage at 11 a.m. (ET) and concluding with three hours of final round coverage at 4:30 p.m. (ET).

In addition, NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute NHRA magazine show, also will air live from the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals on Sunday, Sept. 1, at 11 a.m. (ET) on ESPN2.

=-nhra-