SPEED CHANNEL ANNOUNCES 2005 BROADCAST SCHEDULE FOR NASCAR GRAND NATIONAL DIVISION

SPEED Channel and NASCAR announced today the broadcast schedule for Racing Across America, a series of races that showcase the grassroots of American stock car racing. This year, Racing Across America will feature 25 events in the NASCAR a tier of NASCAR's regional racing series which includes the Busch North Series and West Series, and finish off with live coverage of the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.

SPEED Channel, which will air races originally produced by HDNet and NASCAR Images, will broadcast the majority of the NASCAR Grand National Division races as lead-ins to live NASCAR programming on SPEED during NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event weekends.

Racing Across America coverage begins this Friday, April 8 at 5:00 PM (EST) with coverage of the January 30 NASCAR West Series race from Phoenix International Raceway. The action continues May 7 at 1:00 PM (EST) with coverage of, the Lucas Oil 150, a West Series race taking place at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield , CA on April 9. The first Busch North Series race on SPEED will air June 25 at 12:30 PM (EST) and will feature coverage of the May 15 race from Lee , NH .

“There is nothing more American than grassroots stock car racing and the final step to the big time, NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series, Busch Series and NEXTEL Cup Series is the NASCAR Grand National Series covered in SPEED's Racing Across America .” said Rick Miner, SPEED Channel SVP Programming/Production and Executive Producer. “We are pleased to bring it to our viewers for another year.”

“ Racing Across America is a great program for fans who love watching the NASCAR stars of tomorrow race on the track today,” said Jeffrey Pollack, Managing Director, Broadcasting and New Media, NASCAR Digital Entertainment. “With coverage of 25 NASCAR Grand National Division races this year, fans who may have missed the original live broadcasts, or those who want to see it again, will be able to watch them before catching SPEED Channel's live weekend coverage of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.”

The NASCAR Grand National Division includes two independent NASCAR Series – the Busch North Series and the West Series – competing with identical race cars. NASCAR Grand National Division cars are similar in appearance and design to those cars used on the NASCAR Busch Series. The cars are powered by 350 to 358 cubic-inch V-8 engines with a maximum compression ratio of 12:1. Both 105- and 110-inch wheelbase cars are allowed, with a minimum weight of 3,300 pounds. They are equipped with Goodyear bias-ply tires. The West Series enters its 52 nd season in 2005, making it the West Coast's oldest stock car racing circuit, while the BNS enters its 19 th year of racing this season.

Notable NASCAR Grand National Division “graduates” include 2004 NASCAR Busch Series champion Martin Truex Jr. ( BNS ), NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers Ricky Craven ( BNS ) and Brendan Gaughan (West Series), NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (West Series) as well as crew chiefs Greg Zipadelli (No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet) and Pete Rondeau (No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet).

SPEED Channel is the nation's first and foremost cable network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED Channel delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 68 million homes in North America , SPEED Channel is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country. Now available in more than 68 million homes in North America and the home to NASCAR TV.

2005 NASCAR GRAND NATIONAL DIVISION ON SPEED BROADCAST SCHEDULE

*Originally broadcast on HDNet. For original airdates and times, visit www.hdnet.com
**Produced by NASCAR Images