Dale Earnhardt Jr., “The King” Richard Petty, Jimmie Johnson, Bubba Wallace, Ryan Blaney and Other Drivers Make Appearances in NASCAR on NBC’s New Show Open

5 Days Until Live Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Racing Returns to NBC Sports – Sunday, July 1 at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 25, 2018 – NBC Sports Group has selected vocal powerhouse and multi-instrumentalist ZZ Ward to record an all-new show open and theme song for the 2018 NASCAR on NBC season. Set to Tom Petty’s hit song “Runnin’ Down a Dream,” the new show open kicks off NBC Sports’ fourth season of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series coverage this Sunday, July 1 at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN , live from Chicagoland Speedway.

Filmed at Camp North End, a historic Model T factory in Charlotte, NC, the high-energy production highlights the character and history of NASCAR. This year’s show open features both current and past NASCAR drivers, including NBC Sports’ newest on-air contributor Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Famers Richard Petty, Bill Elliott and Richard Childress, hanging out with the future stars of the sport Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Bubba Wallace and Daniel Suarez. Merging imagery from NASCAR’s iconic past with highlights from this season’s on-track action, this year’s open aims to showcase both the legacy and future of the sport.

“I’m excited to be a part of NASCAR on NBC’s open,” said Ward. “As a longtime Tom Petty fan, the opportunity to cover ‘Runnin’ Down a Dream’ and being on-set with NASCAR’s top drivers was incredible!”

“We had a good feeling that ZZ Ward would treat Petty’s ‘Runnin’ Down a Dream’ with reverence and were excited by the idea of her bringing her unique swagger and powerful vocals to create something that really rocks,” said Tripp Dixon VP and Creative Director at NBC Sports Group.

Each week throughout the 2018 NASCAR on NBC season, NBC Sports will present a fresh version of the show open, including updated on-track highlights and unseen footage from the shoot. An advanced look at the show open, prior to its full debut on NBCSN this Sunday, is available here.

NASCAR ON NBC

The official home of the NASCAR Playoffs, NBC Sports Group will present the final 20 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR Xfinity Series races, and select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events in 2018. NBC Sports Group’s NASCAR programming also includes NBCSN’s daily motorsports show NASCAR America, coverage of NASCAR’s Awards Ceremonies, the annual NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony, as well as original programming specials.

ABOUT ZZ WARD

The powerhouse singer’s genre-bending music, onstage prowess and savvy style has been called out by everyone from the LA Times, FADER, USA Today, Esquire, Complex, NYLON, Idolator, Chicago Tribune and the New York Times. Her latest album, The Storm, debuted #1 on Billboard’s Blues chart and features collaborations with Fitz of Fitz and the Tantrums, Grammy Award winner Fantastic Negrito and Gary Clark, Jr. Her debut album Til The Casket Drops, was a critical and commercial success. ZZ’s music has been licensed over 100 times and has been featured in countless TV shows, commercials and feature films.

For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–