# NASCAR on TBS

NASCAR on TBS is the name of a former television program that broadcast NASCAR races on the TBS cable network. Select NASCAR Winston Cup Series (now NASCAR Cup Series), Busch Series (now Xfinity Series), and Craftsman Truck Series races were aired on TBS from its debut in 1983 up to the 2000 season.
Races were switched to TNT in 2001 as part of the then-new NASCAR television deal, although the initial plans were for TBS Superstation to carry the races. Instead, Turner decided that NASCAR would better fit TNT's "We Know Drama" slogan.

## Coverage overview

Before the existence of ESPN, live coverage of NASCAR Winston Cup races on television was limited. CBS covered the Daytona 500, the June race at Michigan and the July race at Talladega. ABC usually did the Atlanta race in the spring.
TBS broadcast the Richmond spring race, held the week after Daytona Speedweeks, from 1983 to 1995, as well as the fall races at Rockingham (1985-1987), Atlanta (1983-1985) and Riverside (1982-1987).
For several years in the 1990s, the only Cup Series races aired on TBS were the two races from Charlotte Motor Speedway (Coca-Cola 600 from 1988-2000, UAW-GM Quality 500 from 1989-2000); TBS did not have rights to The Winston, which usually aired on TNN. Also, the channel aired the July race at Pocono Raceway from 1993 to 2000. TBS was also the home of the postseason exhibition races held at Suzuka Circuit and Twin Ring Motegi in Japan from 1996–1998.
The now defunct Prime Network meanwhile, was the first to televise NASCAR Winston Cup qualifying races on a regular basis. The telecasts were mainly for races that would be televised by TBS.
TBS aired side-by-side coverage during commercials during the 2000 UAW-GM Quality 500 in Charlotte.

## TBS race schedule
### Winston Cup Series
#### 1980s
##### 1983

| Rnd | Date | Race Title | Track | City | Lead Commentators | Co-Commentators |
| 2 | February 27 | Richmond 400 | Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway | Richmond, Virginia | Ken Squier | Cale Yarborough |
| 29 | November 6 | Atlanta Journal 500 | Atlanta International Raceway | Hampton, Georgia | Ken Squier | Geoff Bodine |
| 30 | November 20 | Winston Western 500 | Riverside International Raceway | Riverside, California | Ken Squier | Cale Yarborough |

##### 1984

| Rnd | Date | Race Title | Track | City | Lead Commentators | Co-Commentators |
| 2 | February 26 | Richmond 400 | Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway | Richmond, Virginia | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker |
| 10 | May 12 | Coors 420 | Nashville Speedway | Nashville, Tennessee | Ken Squier | Benny Parsons |
| 29 | November 11 | Atlanta Journal 500 | Atlanta International Raceway | Hampton, Georgia | Ken Squier | Glenn Jarrett |
| 30 | November 18 | Winston Western 500 | Riverside International Raceway | Riverside, California | Ken Squier | Phil Parsons |

##### 1985

| Rnd | Date | Race Title | Track | City | Lead Commentators | Co-Commentators |
| 2 | February 24 | Miller High Life 400 | Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway | Richmond, Virginia | Ken Squier | Benny Parsons |
| 26 | October 20 | Nationwise 500 | North Carolina Motor Speedway | Rockingham, North Carolina | Ken Squier | Benny Parsons |
| 27 | November 3 | Atlanta Journal 500 | Atlanta International Raceway | Hampton, Georgia | Ken Squier | Dick Brooks |
| 28 | November 17 | Winston Western 500 | Riverside International Raceway | Riverside, California | Ken Squier | Benny Parsons |

##### 1986

| Rnd | Date | Race Title | Track | City | Lead Commentators | Co-Commentators |
| 2 | February 23 | Miller High Life 400 | Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway | Richmond, Virginia | Ken Squier | Benny Parsons |
| 27 | October 19 | Nationwise 500 | North Carolina Motor Speedway | Rockingham, North Carolina | Ken Squier | Benny Parsons |
| 29 | November 16 | Winston Western 500 | Riverside International Raceway | Riverside, California | Ken Squier | Phil Parsons |

##### 1987

| Rnd | Date | Race Title | Track | City | Lead Commentators | Co-Commentators |
| 3 | March 8 | Miller High Life 400 | Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway | Richmond, Virginia | Ken Squier | Lake Speed |
| 27 | October 25 | AC Delco 500 | North Carolina Motor Speedway | Rockingham, North Carolina | Ken Squier | Johnny Hayes, Lake Speed |
| 28 | November 8 | Winston Western 500 | Riverside International Raceway | Riverside, California | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker, Johnny Hayes |

##### 1988

| Rnd | Date | Race Title | Track | City | Lead Commentators | Co-Commentators |
| 2 | February 21 | Pontiac Excitement 400 | Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway | Richmond, Virginia | Ken Squier | Johnny Hayes |
| 10 | May 29 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Concord, North Carolina | Ken Squier | Johnny Hayes |
| 22 | September 11 | Miller High Life 400 | Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway | Richmond, Virginia | Ken Squier | Johnny Hayes |

##### 1989

| Rnd | Date | Race Title | Track | City | Lead Commentators | Co-Commentators |
| 4 | March 26 | Pontiac Excitement 400 | Richmond International Raceway | Richmond, Virginia | Ken Squier | Johnny Hayes |
| 10 | May 28 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Concord, North Carolina | Ken Squier | Johnny Hayes |
| 22 | September 10 | Miller High Life 400 | Richmond International Raceway | Richmond, Virginia | Ken Squier | Johnny Hayes |
| 25 | October 8 | All Pro Auto Parts 500 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Concord, North Carolina | Ken Squier | Johnny Hayes, Joe Ruttman |

#### 1990s-2000
##### 1990

| Rnd | Date | Race Title | Track | City | Lead Commentators | Co-Commentators |
| 2 | February 25 | Pontiac Excitement 400 | Richmond International Raceway | Richmond, Virginia | Ken Squier | Chris Economaki |
| 10 | May 27 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Concord, North Carolina | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett, Lyn St. James |
| 22 | September 9 | Miller Genuine Draft 400 | Richmond International Raceway | Richmond, Virginia | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett, Johnny Hayes |
| 26 | October 7 | Mello Yello 500 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Concord, North Carolina | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett, Johnny Hayes |

##### 1991–2000

| Year | Date | Event | Track | Network | Coverage | Host | Commentary | Commentary | Pit Reporters |
| Year | Date | Event | Track | Network | Coverage | Host | Lap-by-lap | Color | Pit Reporters |
| 1991 | February 24 | Pontiac Excitement 400 | Richmond | TBS | Live | Mike Joy | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett Ken Stabler | Dick Berggren Phil Parsons |
| 1991 | May 26 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Mike Joy | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett | Dick Berggren Phil Parsons |
| 1991 | September 7 | Miller Genuine Draft 400 | Richmond | TBS | Live | Mike Joy | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett Ken Stabler | Dick Berggren Chris Economaki |
| 1991 | October 6 | Mello Yello 500 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Mike Joy | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett | Dick Berggren Randy Pemberton |
| 1992 | March 8 | Pontiac Excitement 400 | Richmond | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett | Dick Berggren Randy Pemberton |
| 1992 | May 24 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett | Dick Berggren Randy Pemberton |
| 1992 | September 12 | Miller Genuine Draft 400 | Richmond | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett | Randy Pemberton Glenn Jarrett |
| 1992 | October 11 | Mello Yello 500 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett | Dick Berggren Randy Pemberton |
| 1993 | March 7 | Pontiac Excitement 400 | Richmond | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett | Dick Berggren Randy Pemberton |
| 1993 | May 30 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlottte | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett | Dick Berggren Randy Pemberton |
| 1993 | July 18 | Miller Genuine Draft 500 | Pocono | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett | Dick Berggren Randy Pemberton |
| 1993 | September 11 | Miller Genuine Draft 400 | Richmond | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett | Dick Berggren Randy Pemberton |
| 1993 | October 10 | Mello Yello 500 | Charlottte | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Neil Bonnett | Dick Berggren Johnny Hayes |
| 1994 | March 6 | Pontiac Excitement 400 | Richmond | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Dave Marcis Kenny Wallace | Dick Berggren Randy Pemberton Johnny Hayes |
| 1994 | May 29 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlottte | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Richard Petty | Dick Berggren Randy Pemberton Kenny Wallace |
| 1994 | July 17 | Miller Genuine Draft 500 | Pocono | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Barry Dodson | Dick Berggren Randy Pemberton Kenny Wallace |
| 1994 | September 10 | Miller Genuine Draft 400 | Richmond | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Chuck Bown | Dick Berggren Randy Pemberton |
| 1994 | October 9 | Mello Yello 500 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Chuck Bown Cale Yarborough | Dick Berggren Randy Pemberton |
| 1995 | March 5 | Pontiac Excitement 400 | Richmond | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Ernie Irvan Chuck Bown | Randy Pemberton Dick Berggren Steve Byrnes |
| 1995 | May 28 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Ernie Irvan Richard Petty | Randy Pemberton Dick Berggren Steve Byrnes |
| 1995 | July 16 | Miller Genuine Draft 500 | Pocono | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Dick Berggren Chad Little | Randy Pemberton Steve Byrnes Johnny Benson |
| 1995 | September 9 | Miller Genuine Draft 400 | Richmond | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Dick Berggren Chad Little | Randy Pemberton Steve Byrnes |
| 1995 | October 8 | UAW-GM Quality 500 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Dick Berggren Ernie Irvan | Randy Pemberton Steve Byrnes Barry Dodson |
| 1996 | May 26 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker Dick Berggren | Steve Byrnes Randy Pemberton Patty Moise |
| 1996 | July 21 | Miller 500 | Pocono | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker Chad Little | Dick Berggren Steve Byrnes Mike Wallace |
| 1996 | October 6 | UAW-GM Quality 500 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Rick Benjamin | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker Mike Wallace | Dick Berggren Steve Byrnes Shawna Robinson |
| 1996 | November 24 | Suzuka Thunder Special | Suzuka | TBS | Live | — | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker | Dick Berggren Steve Byrnes Kenji Momota |
| 1997 | May 25 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | — | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker Dick Berggren | Allen Bestwick Mike Hogewood Patty Moise |
| 1997 | July 20 | Pennsylvania 500 | Pocono | TBS | Live | — | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker Greg Sacks | Glenn Jarrett Mike Hogewood Matt Yocum |
| 1997 | October 5 | UAW-GM Quality 500 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | — | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker | Allen Bestwick Steve Byrnes Randy Pemberton |
| 1997 | November 23 | Suzuka Thunder Special | Suzuka | TBS | Live | — | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker | Allen Bestwick Steve Byrnes Kenji Momota |
| 1998 | May 24 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | — | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker Dick Berggren | Allen Bestwick Steve Byrnes Randy Pemberton |
| 1998 | July 26 | Pennsylvania 500 | Pocono | TBS | Live | — | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker Dick Berggren | Allen Bestwick Steve Byrnes Randy Pemberton |
| 1998 | October 4 | UAW-GM Quality 500 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | — | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker Dick Berggren | Allen Bestwick Steve Byrnes Randy Pemberton |
| 1998 | November 22 | Coca-Cola 500 | Twin Ring Motegi | TBS | Live | — | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker Dick Berggren | Allen Bestwick Steve Byrnes |
| 1999 | May 30 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Allen Bestwick | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker Dick Berggren | Marty Snider Alice Cook Mike Hogewood |
| 1999 | July 25 | Pennsylvania 500 | Pocono | TBS | Live | — | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker Dick Berggren | Marty Snider Randy Pemberton Mike Hogewood |
| 1999 | October 10 October 11 | UAW-GM Quality 500 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Ken Squier | Allen Bestwick | Buddy Baker Dick Berggren | Marty Snider Steve Byrnes Mike Hogewood |
| 2000 | May 28 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Ken Squier | Allen Bestwick | Buddy Baker Dick Berggren | Marty Snider Mike Hogewood Mike Massaro |
| 2000 | July 23 | Pennsylvania 500 | Pocono | TBS | Live | Ken Squier | Allen Bestwick | Buddy Baker Dick Berggren | Marty Snider Mike Hogewood Mike Massaro |
| 2000 | October 8 | UAW-GM Quality 500 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Ken Squier | Allen Bestwick | Buddy Baker Dick Berggren | Marty Snider Mike Hogewood Mike Massaro |

### Busch Grand National Series
#### 1995

| Rnd | Date | Race Title | Track | City | Lead Commentators | Co-Commentators |
| 11 | May 27 | Red Dog 300 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Concord, North Carolina | Ken Squier | Dick Berggren |
| 24 | October 7 | All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Concord, North Carolina | Ken Squier | Dick Berggren, Darrell Waltrip |

#### 1996

| Rnd | Date | Race Title | Track | City | Lead Commentators | Co-Commentators |
| 10 | May 25 | Red Dog 300 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Concord, North Carolina | Ken Squier | Dick Berggren, Darrell Waltrip |
| 24 | October 5 | All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Concord, North Carolina | Ken Squier | Larry McReynolds, Darrell Waltrip |

#### 1997-2000

| Year | Date | Event | Track | Network | Coverage | Host | Commentary | Commentary | Pit Reporters |
| Year | Date | Event | Track | Network | Coverage | Host | Lap-by-lap | Color | Pit Reporters |
| 1997 | May 24 | Carquest Auto Parts 300 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | — | Ken Squier | Darrell Waltrip | Dick Berggren Steve Byrnes Paddy Moise Chad Little |
| 1997 | October 3 | All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | — | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker Darrell Waltrip | Allen Bestwick Mike Hogewood Steve Byrnes Chad Little |
| 1998 | May 23 | Carquest Auto Parts 300 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | — | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker Darrell Waltrip | Allen Bestwick Mike Hogewood Steve Byrnes Randy Pemberton Larry McReynolds |
| 1998 | October 3 | All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | — | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker Darrell Waltrip | Allen Bestwick Steve Byrnes Mike Hogewood |
| 1999 | May 29 | Carquest Auto Parts 300 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Allen Bestwick | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker Rusty Wallace | Marty Snider Mike Hogewood Alice Cook |
| 1999 | October 9 | All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Ken Squier | Allen Bestwick | Buddy Baker Rusty Wallace | Marty Snider Steve Byrnes Mike Hogewood |
| 2000 | May 27 | Carquest Auto Parts 300 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Ken Squier | Allen Bestwick | Buddy Baker Tony Stewart | Marty Snider Mike Hogewood Mike Massaro |
| 2000 | October 7 | All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 | Charlotte | TBS | Live | Ken Squier | Allen Bestwick | Buddy Baker Tony Stewart | Marty Snider Mike Hogewood Mike Massaro |

### Craftsman Truck Series
#### 1995

| Rnd | Date | Race Title | Track | City | Lead Commentators | Co-Commentators |
| Exhibition | November 4 | NASCAR Supertruck 25 | Homestead Motorsports Complex | Homestead, Florida | Ken Squier | Dick Berggren |

#### 1996

| Rnd | Date | Race Title | Track | City | Lead Commentators | Co-Commentators |
| 3 | May 4 | Craftsman 200 | Portland Speedway | Portland, Oregon | Ken Squier | Dick Berggren |
| 4 | May 11 | Jerr-Dan/Nelson Truck 200 | Evergreen Speedway | Monroe, Washington | Ken Squier | Dick Berggren, Larry McReynolds |
| 23 | October 26 | GM Goodwrench/AC Delco 300 | Phoenix International Raceway | Avondale, Arizona | Ken Squier | Larry McReynolds, Darrell Waltrip |

#### 1997

| Rnd | Date | Race Title | Track | City | Lead Commentators | Co-Commentators |
| 5 | May 3 | Craftsman 200 | Portland Speedway | Portland, Oregon | Ken Squier | Dick Berggren |
| 6 | May 10 | NAPACARD 200 | Evergreen Speedway | Monroe, Washington | Ken Squier | Dick Berggren |

#### 1998

| Rnd | Date | Race Title | Track | City | Lead Commentators | Co-Commentators |
| 4 | April 25 | Craftsman 200 By NAPA Auto Parts | Portland Speedway | Portland, Oregon | Ken Squier | Buddy Baker |
| 5 | May 8 | NAPACARD 200 | Evergreen Speedway | Monroe, Washington | Ken Squier | Larry McReynolds |
| 26 | October 24 | GM Goodwrench Service Plus/AC Delco 300 | Phoenix International Raceway | Avondale, Arizona | Allen Bestwick | Buddy Baker, Dick Berggren |

## Commentators

Booth announcers/analysts included Ken Squier, Buddy Baker, and Dick Berggren. After TBS made a host/booth switch, Allen Bestwick became the lap-by-lap announcer with Baker and Berggren in the booth for TBS' 2000 coverage at Lowe's and Pocono.

### Lap-by-lap

* Allen Bestwick
* Ken Squier

### Color commentary

* Buddy Baker
* Dick Berggren
* Geoff Bodine
* Neil Bonnett
* Chuck Bown
* Dick Brooks
* Barry Dodson
* Chris Economaki
* Johnny Hayes
* Ernie Irvan
* Glenn Jarrett
* Dave Marcis
* Chad Little
* Benny Parsons
* Phil Parsons
* Richard Petty
* Greg Sacks
* Lyn St. James
* Ken Stabler
* Kenny Wallace
* Cale Yarborough

### Pit road reporters

* Jack Arute
* Dick Berggren
* Steve Byrnes
* Alice Cook
* Dave Despain
* Chris Economaki
* Jerry Garrett
* Charlie Harville
* Glenn Jarrett
* Mike Massaro
* Benny Parsons
* Phil Parsons
* Pat Patterson
* Randy Pemberton
* Mark Pfister
* Bob Varsha
* Mike Hogewood
* Jerry Punch
* Mike Wallace
* Joe Whitlock
* Matt Yocum

### Studio hosts

Late 1980s broadcasts were known for an infield broadcasting "host" set called "STP Race Central."
* Rick Benjamin
* Allen Bestwick
* Dave Despain
* Mike Joy
* Ken Squier