NBC and NBCSN return to cover the second half of the Nascar Cup and Xfinity Series schedule this weekend, kicking things off with 2/3rds of a Chicago tripleheader (…unless it rains). Here’s some innovations that fans can expect to see on their screens:
—Rutledge Wood to be replaced by a CGI-animated groundhog at random on-camera intervals. Viewers who can correctly tell them apart win a lock of Kyle Petty’s ponytail.
—Zip-Line Cam, a state-of-the-art camera that will run over the racing surface, capable of reaching speeds of up to 160mph when it snaps and crashes into Kevin Harvick’s roof.
—Heat-Vision, a heat-sensing technology that will allow fans to see just how how a pan of Smithfield-brand bacon gets whilst being cooked.
—New locations for Steve LeTarte to report from, including the flag stand, on top of Dover’s Miles the Monster statue, and in an underground bunker.
—Oh, and some former racer apparently is joining the team.