ESPN’s NASCAR Now to be Live from Chicago’s Navy Pier

With the Chicago skyline as a backdrop, NASCAR Now, ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program, will air live from Chicago’s Navy Pier for three shows in advance of the start of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup at nearby Chicagoland Speedway.

NASCAR Now will originate from the Navy Pier for a half-hour show at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 13, and one-hour shows on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 14-15, at 2:30 p.m. The 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup begins with the Geico 400 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., on Sunday, Sept. 18, airing live on ESPN at 1 p.m.

Some of the 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers competing in the Chase are expected to be guests on the set in Chicago each day, including Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin on Tuesday, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart on Wednesday and Matt Kenseth and Brad Keselowski on Thursday (subject to change). Spectators will be allowed to gather near the stage and set during the live telecasts.

ESPN NASCAR analysts Dale Jarrett and Rusty Wallace, both former NASCAR Sprint Cup champions, and former NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Ricky Craven will participate in the programs from the Navy Pier, while Nicole Briscoe will host.