View source for Motor Racing Network

{{short description|American radio network covering motor racing events}}
{{Infobox radio network
| name                 = Motor Racing Network
| logo                 = Motor Racing Network logo.svg
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| type                 = [[Radio network]]
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| country              = United States
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| radiostations        = 328
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| broadcast_area       = National, via affiliates
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| parent               = [[NASCAR|NASCAR Holdings]]
| key_people           = [[Bill France, Sr.]] (founder)<br />[[Ken Squier]] (network founder)
| established          = 1970, [[Concord, North Carolina]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Elkins|first=Ken|title=Motor Racing Network building in Concord sells for $2.75M|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/outside_the_loop/2013/04/motor-racing-network-building-sold-in.html|access-date=September 3, 2015|work=Charlotte Business Journal|publisher=[[American City Business Journals]]|date=April 15, 2013}}</ref>
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| launch_date          = {{Start date|1970}}
| dissolved            = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} -->
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| website              = {{url|mrn.com}}
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'''Motor Racing Network''' (MRN) is an American [[radio network]] that syndicates broadcasts of [[auto racing]] events, particularly [[NASCAR]]. MRN was founded in 1970 by NASCAR founder [[Bill France, Sr.]] and broadcaster [[Ken Squier]], and is a wholly owned subsidiary of NASCAR. Its first broadcast was the [[1970 Daytona 500]].

MRN is one of the two main radio broadcasters of the [[NASCAR Cup Series]] and [[NASCAR Xfinity Series|Xfinity Series]], covering events held at tracks owned by NASCAR, along with [[Pocono Raceway]] and [[Gateway Motorsports Park|World Wide Technology Raceway]]. It also broadcasts the [[NASCAR All-Star Race]]. Almost all of the remaining Cup and Xfinity races are broadcast by the [[Speedway Motorsports]]-owned [[Performance Racing Network]] (PRN), besides the [[Brickyard 400]] (which is broadcast by the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network]] in association with PRN); many stations have affiliations with both MRN and PRN in order to air a full NASCAR schedule. PRN and MRN, as of 2025, also collaborate as the [[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series#Television and radio|NASCAR Racing Network]] to carry all [[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series]] events, with distribution handled by MRN (although clearance of Xfinity and Truck races varies by station). All races are also carried on [[Sirius XM NASCAR Radio]].

In addition to NASCAR races, MRN broadcasts the majority of the [[ARCA Menards Series]] and once had exclusive coverage of the [[United SportsCar Championship]] (IMSA now does the radio broadcasts) and [[Formula One]], including the [[United States Grand Prix]], which returned in the [[2012 Formula One season|2012 season]] at the [[Circuit of the Americas]] in [[Austin, Texas]] and offers other race related programs.

The MRN flagship station is [[WNDB]], which serves [[Daytona Beach, Florida]]. The network headquarters moved near [[Charlotte, North Carolina]] in 2008.

==Programs==
While MRN's primary role is doing radio broadcasts of NASCAR races, they also produce daily radio programs that are carried by some of their affiliates. They also stream the programs on their website and offer most shows as a podcast on Apple iTunes.

*''Busch Pole Updates'' (Short reports broadcast during NASCAR Cup Series qualifying; full event broadcast available on some affiliates, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and through NASCAR.com's "Track Pass" subscription service).
*''NASCAR Today'' (Twice daily three-minute reports, one around noon and one late afternoon/early evening with the hosts of MRN Outloud!).
*''MRN Outloud!'' (Extended review of the past weekend's racing action with Woody Cain and Joey Meier). <sup>'''Podcast'''</sup>
*''Rip The Fence'' (Former Voices of USAC Dillon Welch and Tyler Burnett talk Silver Crown, Midgets and Traditional Non-Winged Sprint Car Racing). <sup>'''Podcast'''</sup>
*''American Racing Snobs'' (Eric Morse and Tony Rizzuti discuss the world of racing with an emphasis on the Formula 1 World Championship, plus other disciplines such as [[IndyCar Series|IndyCar]] and IMSA). <sup>'''Podcast'''</sup>
*''Sunday Money'' (NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie, FOX Sports personality Daryl Motte and MRN's own Lauren Fox bring you tales from both on and off the racetrack). <sup>'''Podcast'''</sup>
*''Winged Nation'' (Winged sprint car news and interviews hosted by  Erin Evernham and Steve Post). <sup>'''Podcast'''</sup>
*''NASCAR Live'' (Tuesday evening call-in show hosted by Mike Bagley). <sup>'''Podcast'''</sup>
*''MRN Crew Call'' (Motor Racing Network Host Rocko Williams talks to the guys that sit atop the pit boxes and jump over the wall). <sup>'''Podcast'''</sup>
*''The Straightline'' (NHRA news and interviews hosted by Doug Herbert and Ralph Sheheen). <sup>'''Podcast'''</sup>
*''NASCAR Coast to Coast'' (NASCAR local, regional and international talk with Hannah Newhouse and Kyle Rickey). <sup>'''Podcast'''</sup>
*''MRN Classic Races'' (Rebroadcasts of classic races (formerly known as Flashback Friday and Throwback Thursday)). <sup>'''Podcast'''</sup>
*''Ned Jarrett's World of Racing'' (Two-minute weekday morning commentary by two-time Grand National Series champion and former MRN pit reporter [[Ned Jarrett]], hosted by Suzy Armstrong).

Three MRN announcers also host daily call-in shows on [[Sirius XM NASCAR Radio]] channel 90 year round. [[Mike Bagley]] and [[Pete Pistone]] co-host ''The Morning Drive'' Monday through Friday from 7:00 to 11:00&nbsp;a.m. Eastern time. [[Dave Moody (sportscaster)|Dave Moody]] hosts ''Sirius XM Speedway'' from 3:00 to 7:00&nbsp;p.m. Monday through Friday. Moody was also the first NASCAR personality to host a show on satellite radio back in 2003 on [[Sirius Satellite Radio]] despite the fact NASCAR races and other NASCAR-related shows were exclusively on [[XM Satellite Radio]]. This changed on January 1, 2007 when MRN's [[Barney Hall]] announced the launch of Sirius XM NASCAR Radio on Sirius XM.

==Affiliate stations==
MRN has about 600 affiliate stations, including:

; Alabama

* Birmingham: [[WYDE (AM)|WYDE]] / [[WXJC-FM]]

; Arizona

* Phoenix: [[KGME]]

; Delaware

* Dover: [[WDSD]]

; Florida

* Daytona Beach: [[WNDB]] / [[WKRO-FM]]
* Miami/Fort Lauderdale/West Palm Beach: [[WMIA-FM|WMIA-FM 93.9 HD3]]

; Iowa

* Decorah: [[KVIK]]

; Kentucky

* Calvert City: [[WCCK]]
* Lexington: [[WLXO]]

; Michigan

* Detroit: [[WDFN]]

; Minnesota

* Buffalo: [[KRWC]]

; Missouri

* Kansas City: [[WHB]]

; New Hampshire

* Lebanon: [[WXXK]]

; New York

* Newark: [[WACK]], [[WUUF]]

; North Carolina

* Charlotte: [[WEND]]

; Ohio

* Newark: [[WCLT-FM]]
* Sandusky: [[WKFM]]

; Texas

* Dallas: [[KRLD (AM)]] / [[KRLD-FM]]

; Virginia

* Bristol: [[WWTB|WFHG]] / [[WXBQ-FM]]
* Richmond: [[WRNL]], [[WRVA-AM]]
* Norfolk: [[WTAR]] (except during [[Washington Commanders]] seasons in September–November)
* Stanleytown:  [[WZBB]]
* Danville: [[WAKG]]

==Announcers==

===Current===
[[File:MRN Radio Announcers 2013 Johnsonville 200 at Road America.jpg|thumb|right|2013 Motor Racing Network announcers (from left to right) Buddy Long, Kurt Becker, Alex Hayden, [[Mike Bagley]] and Kyle Rickey riding in a golf cart at [[Road America]].]]

====Booth announcers====

=====Cup=====
*Alex Hayden (Lead booth announcer, 2019–present)
*[[Mike Bagley]] (booth announcer, 2025–present, co-host of The Morning Drive)
*[[Rusty Wallace]] (booth announcer, 2015–present)
*[[Todd Gordon]] (booth announcer, 2022–present)

=====Xfinity and Trucks=====
(For Companion Races; Alex Hayden, Steve Post and Dave Moody Rotate Week to Week)
*Kurt Becker (Stand-Alone Booth Announcer)
*Dan Hubbard (Stand-Alone Booth Announcer)
*Kyle Rickey (Stand-Alone Booth Announcer)

====Turn announcers====

=====Cup=====
*[[Dave Moody (sportscaster)|Dave Moody]] (Turn announcer, 1987–present, Lead turn announcer 2001–present, host of ''Sirius XM Speedway'')
*Tim Catalfamo (Turn announcer, 2019–present)

=====Standalone races/fill-in as needed=====
*Kyle Rickey (Turn Announcer) (Primary 2nd Turn Announcer at Daytona, Talladega, Pocono and Watkins Glen)
*Dan Hubbard (Lead West Coast Turn announcer, Stand-Alone Events Booth Announcer)
*Kurt Becker (Turn announcer)
*Chris Wilner (Turn announcer)
*Eric Morse (Turn announcer)
*Tony Bokhoven (Turn announcer)

====Pit reporters====
=====Cup=====
*Steve Post (Pit reporter, co-host of ''Winged Nation'').
*Kim Coon (Social Media/Garage reporter; Co-Host of NASCAR Live Today Pre-Race Show)
*Dillon Welch (Pit reporter, Also Fill In Turn Announcer; son of Fox NASCAR pit reporter Vince Welch;  part-time, as he will do some [[IndyCar Series on NBC|NBC Sports INDYCAR]] coverage to replace Marty Snider when NBC's half of NASCAR begins)

=====Standalone/fill-in as needed=====
*Jason Toy (Pit Reporter and Turn announcer)
*[[Hannah Newhouse]] (Pit reporter)
*Georgia Henneberry (Pit reporter)
*[[Glenn Jarrett]] (Pit reporter)
*Winston Kelley (Pit reporter)
*Alex Weaver (Pit reporter)
*Jacklyn Drake (Pit reporter)
*Paul Small (Pit reporter)
*Alan Cavanna (Pit reporter)
*Brad Gillie (Pit reporter)
*[[Brienne Pedigo]] (Pit Reporter)

===Former===
[[File:MRNNedJarrettBillElliott.jpg|thumb|right|MRN's [[Ned Jarrett]] interviewing [[Bill Elliott]] after a victory]]
[[Image:NedJarrettMRNRadio.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Ned Jarrett during his days as an MRN pit reporter]]
*[[Adam Alexander (sportscaster)|Adam Alexander]] (Pit reporter 2000-2006, Current lead broadcaster for the Cup series both on [[NASCAR on Prime Video |Amazon Prime]] and [[NASCAR on TNT|TNT]] and the Xfinity Series races on [[NASCAR on The CW|The CW]]).
*Fred Armstrong (Turn announcer, Later Production Director).
*[[Rick Benjamin (announcer)|Rick Benjamin]] 
*[[Allen Bestwick]] (Turn announcer 1988-95, lead booth announcer 1996-2000, fill-in booth announcer for 2003 Speedweeks, was lead announcer for NASCAR coverage on ABC and ESPN, worked IndyCar races covered by ABC, plus covers college football and college basketball for ESPN. Was a race announcer then pit reporter for [[NASCAR on NBC]] and [[TNT (American TV network)|NASCAR on TNT]]).
*Bill Bowser (Turn announcer, fill-in booth and pit reporter 1970-1991)
*Russell Branham (Garage reporter for [[Daytona International Speedway|Daytona]] races, now a director at HB&M Sports in Charlotte, NC).
*[[Dick Brooks]] (Pit reporter, died in 2006).
*Woody Cain (Pit reporter, turn announcer, NASCAR Today (daily news show) producer/host, also Co-Host of NASCAR Live Pre-Race Show)
*Kenny Campbell (Fill-in booth announcer, 1970s)
*[[Dave Despain]] (Turn announcer in the 1970s, worked on [[ESPN]] and [[CBS]] racecasts in the 1980s-90s.  Hosted [[ESPN]]'s NASCAR 2day pre-race show from 1994 to 2000, [[WindTunnel with Dave Despain|Wind Tunnel]] from 2003 to 2013 and [[NASCAR Inside Nextel Cup]] from 2005 to 2007 on [[Speed (TV channel)|Speed]]; formally hosted The Dave Despain Show on [[MAVTV]]).
*Fritz Duda (turn announcer; operated the now defunct [[Riverside International Raceway]] and turned it into a [[Moreno Valley Mall|shopping mall]])
*Mark Garrow (Now booth announcer for PRN).
*[[Eli Gold]] (co-anchor, turn announcer, pit reporter, formally the host of NASCAR Live; resigned in 2016).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eligold.com/bio.html|title=Biography of Eli Gold|website=eligold.com|access-date=July 23, 2017}}</ref>
*[[Barney Hall]] (Booth announcer, retired in 2014 after 44 years involved in MRN, died in 2016).
*Ned Jarrett (Former color analyst for [[CBS Sports]]'s and ESPN's NASCAR coverage).
*[[Mike Joy]] (Turn announcer 1976-1979, co-anchor and exec producer 1980-84, pit reporter 1985-87. Broadcast NASCAR on TV for CBS, ESPN, TBS, TNN, SETN, MRN. Lead announcer for [[NASCAR on Fox|Fox Sports]]' NASCAR coverage 2001–present).
*[[Bob Jenkins]] (Turn announcer in the late 1970s, worked NASCAR telecasts for [[ESPN]] for 1981-2000 and [[IndyCar Series]] races for [[NBCSN]] from 2009 to 2012, worked the Public Address system at the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] from 2011 to 2020, died in 2021)
*[[Paul Page]] (Turn announcer 1977 Michigan, IndyCar on NBC, ABC, ESPN, Host Play by Play of the Indianapolis 500 1977-2004 and 2014-2016)
*Dustin Long (Pit reporter and MRN.com writer, now at NBC Sports)
*Ford Martin (Turn announcer)
*[[Mike Massaro]] (Was a host of [[ESPN2]]'s [[NASCAR Now]], former pit reporter on ESPN/ABC's coverage and [[NASCAR on NBC]], former NASCAR reporter for [[SportsCenter]]).
*Gary Montgomery (pit reporter)
*Joe Moore (Former Lead booth announcer, 2001-2018, co-host of Raceline on [[MAV TV]])
*[[Rick Lewis (radio personality)|Rick Lewis]] (Studio announcer, died in 2001).
*[[Jerry Punch]] (Former lead announcer for ESPN/ABC's NASCAR coverage, pit reporter for the networks).
*Jim Phillips (Former pit reporter and host of NASCAR USA).
*Tony Rizzuti (Former Pit Reporter 1995-2018, FOX Sports pit reporter 2008-2012, FS1 NASCAR RaceHub 2013-2015, Raceline)
*Charlie Roberts (Founder of MotorNet radio, TV pit announcer on Superstation WTBS, and track announcer at Daytona, Pocono, Dover Downs, and Wall Stadium.)
*Jeff Striegle (Booth announcer, 2013–2024)
*Dave Sutherland (Turn announcer in the 1980s, now primary announcer at Monadnock Speedway).
*[[Ken Squier]] ([[CBS Sports]]' Motorsports editor. Anchored CBS [[Daytona 500]] coverage from 1979 to 1997).
*[[Hermie Sadler]] (Pit reporter for the 2000 spring Richmond race).
*Jim Tretow (Turn announcer - Road America stand alone Xfinity races only)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website}}

{{NASCAR}}
{{Sports networks in the United States}}
{{NASCAR on television and radio}}

[[Category:NASCAR on the radio]]
[[Category:Sports radio networks in the United States]]
[[Category:1970 establishments in Florida]]