NBC Sports Group has reached a multi-year agreement with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Burton, who will transition out of full-time driving and into the role of NASCAR analyst when the green flag waves over NBC Sports and NBCSN’s upcoming slate of NASCAR coverage. The addition of Burton, who has already won 48 times on NASCAR’s national circuits over an exciting 25-year career, places one of the most respected and passionate voices in motorsports into the center of NBC’s soon-to-be-introduced NASCAR broadcast team. The announcement was made by Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports and NBCSN.
“Jeff Burton was always the first person we would seek out when there was breaking news or an issue that needed to be covered throughout our previous contract with NASCAR, so he was the first person we called for this role,” said Flood. “His insights, keen observations and many trophies have earned the respect of everyone involved with the sport. He will be an outstanding analyst, and has everyone here looking even more forward to getting started.”
Burton will assume double duties throughout the 2014 season, racing a schedule of select Sprint Cup Series races while also contributing to NASCAR programming on NBCSN. When NBC Sports Group’s exclusive coverage of NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series racing begins in 2015, Burton will serve as a full-time analyst on NBC and NBCSN.
“This is an exciting new challenge and I am thrilled to be joining the NBC Sports family,” said Burton. “I will prepare for each race as if I were driving in it, and I look forward to sharing my experience, views and insights with all the dedicated and passionate NASCAR fans.”
Burton said Tuesday his [race] schedule would probably be between six and 14 races [in 2014]. His deal with MWR is for one year, while he characterized his agreement with NBC as long term. Although he may continue to test or even compete occasionally beyond next season, Burton said once the NBC broadcast season begins, he’s committed to the booth.
“I am 100 percent committed to being in the booth and doing my job for NBC. … It would be unfair for me to treat this as a part-time gig,” Burton said. “… It’s a job, and it’s going to take effort and it’s going to take work. And you can’t do that as effectively as you need to if you have too many other things going on. You just can’t do it. The job deserves more effort than that.”
Burton will begin to appear on NBC’s networks in 2014, as a regular guest on a daily NASCAR program on NBC Sports Network. NBC on Monday named Jeff Behnke as its vice president of NASCAR production, and will base the former Turner Sports producer out of Charlotte, N.C. Flood said more talent announcements are still to come, with one anticipated as early as Wednesday.
The network has not yet revealed whether it will use a two- or three-person booth during races.
