Allen Bestwick will serve as the play-by-play commentator for CBS Sports‘ coverage of the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) in the summer, marking his return to announcing live professional motorsport. On Wednesday, CBS announced the upstart series’ broadcast team, consisting of a four-person unit that will be joined by analysts with racing backgrounds of their own.
While Bestwick provides play-by-play, Lindsay Czarniak will serve as the studio host. Brad Daugherty and Matt Yocum will be on the move as the roaming analyst and pit reporter, respectively.
Bestwick is a longtime face in the NASCAR world, having worked as a play-by-play announcer for TBS, NBC, and ESPN. Much like Mike Joy is synonymous with Fox’s NASCAR coverage, Bestwick was the same for NBC and ESPN. Although ESPN ended its deal with NASCAR after the 2014 season, he remained with the network for its IndyCar Series broadcasts until 2017, though he stuck around to call the Indianapolis 500 on ABC. His ESPN work also included other sports such as college football and basketball.
After departing ESPN, Bestwick joined NBC affiliate SportsNet New York. When the sports world was frozen by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bestwick took his broadcasting to the virtual world by covering various iRacing events.
Czarniak currently works for Fox as a host of NASCAR Race Hub and a sideline reporter for NFL games. Prior to joining Fox in 2019, she was a colleague of Bestwick at ESPN, which included working on IndyCar coverage.
Daugherty is a NASCAR analyst for NBC after last working in the same capacity for ESPN. The former NBA star also co-owns the NASCAR Cup Series team JTG Daugherty Racing.
Yocum is no stranger to pit road, working for every major NASCAR network for two decades beginning in 2001. However, he left Fox after the 2020 season. Nevertheless, Yocum continued his duties for Dirtvision.
In addition to the four, a trio of driver analysts will provide further insight for two races each. For the first two races of the season at Stafford and Knoxville, former NASCAR and IndyCar driver Danica Patrick will fill that role, followed by IndyCar veteran James Hinchcliffe at Eldora and Nashville and four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti for the final two at Lucas Oil Raceway and Slinger.
While Hinchcliffe is still an active driver, he worked for NBC’s IMSA and IndyCar broadcasts in 2020. Patrick has also served as an IndyCar analyst, while Franchitti is a colour commentator for Formula E’s international feed.
“The exceptional broadcast crew we have put together is a great reflection of what SRX is all about, bringing together all-stars from a variety of racing backgrounds to create a made-for-TV racing experience,” SRX on CBS producer Pam Miller stated. “Each member of the team brings his or her own unique experience in the racing world with deep knowledge of the legacies involved and the entertainment value of racing. Between the amazing drivers behind the wheel, best-in-class television production and historic tracks, SRX will be a tremendous viewing experience for race fans across the nation.”
The season will begin at Stafford on 12 June.
