NASCAR on WBC (Johnsonverse)

NASCAR on WBC is an American television show that broadcasts NASCAR races on the Johnson Industries-owned WBC television network. It has aired since the 2014 season, though it previously broadcast the Rebel 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 10, 1969. WBC's broadcasting team covers races throughout the season, with ESPN (through the revived ESPN SpeedWorld) and several other networks covering races if needed, all using their own graphics and music with the WBC broadcasting team. WBC's coverage has been critically acclaimed for its broadcasting team, and has won several awards since returning to broadcasting.

It is expected that once the current television broadcast contract goes up in 2024, all Cup, Busch, and Craftsman Truck events will move to WBC or WBC-owned networks such as ESPN, ESPN2, Speed, Cartoon Network, Freeform, or TNN, depending on broadcasting commitments. All other series were moved to a new spin-off channel to Speed Channel, named The NASCAR Network, in 2019; before the creation of The NASCAR Network, races in the lower series were primarily broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2 using ESPN graphics and WBC broadcasters.

History
In 1969, the then-fledgling WBC network and Darlington Raceway struck a deal to broadcast the Rebel 400, which ran on May 10 of that same year. The coverage, hosted by WBC News reporter Tom Stephenson with Ken Squier, Ned Jarrett, and David Hobbs in the booth, and Brock Yates as the pit reporter, was the first NASCAR race broadcast flag-to-flag, though it is often overshadowed by CBS' later telecast of the 1979 Daytona 500. The broadcast was so successful that WBC considered broadcasting more races as well, including the 1970 Daytona 500, but never did, due to WBC's desire to focus on their other sports.

While he was running WBC (then known as JTV) during the 1980s, infamous CEO Phil Stacker, himself a NASCAR fan, seriously considered broadcasting NASCAR races on JTV, but opted to focus on broadcasting for other sports like MLB and NBA due to being unable to secure deals with various tracks, many of whom feared that JTV's coverage would either be "way too cheesy" (since JTV’s coverage of other sports infamously featured cheaply-chyroned graphics that frequently glitched), heavily biased in favor of certain drivers (as JTV's NBA coverage was infamous for being biased in favor of certain teams), or both, while the tracks he owned himself tended to broadcast on other networks; incidentally, Stacker fully approves of current CEO Tim Johnson's leadership of NASCAR.

When Johnson Industries took full control of NASCAR in 2014, having acquired the sport in 2009, WBC was added to the list of broadcasters alongside Fox, TNT, ESPN, and ABC (later pared down to Fox and NBC in 2015), with Stephenson returning as the host, Squier as the play-by-play announcer and pre-race host, and Jarrett, Hobbs, and Buddy Baker as color commentators; after Baker's death in July 2015, he was replaced by former NBC/TNT broadcaster Wally Dallenbach, Jr., who has announced ever since, alongside Yates (until his death in 2016), Dr. Jerry Punch, Ralph Sheheen, Marty Snider, Jamie Little, Bill Stephens, Mike Joy, Dick Berggren, and Bill Weber as pit reporters, and Allen Bestwick as the post-race host, while Squier and Eli Gold alternate Busch Series events, and Paul Page and Bob Jenkins split between Craftsman Truck Series events. It was also the first network to incorporate a virtual studio for analysis, and many of the set pieces in WBC Race Control were taken from the NASCAR on CBS studio that was used between 1997 and 2000, as the Johnsons acquired the set hours after the 2000 Chevy Silverado 200 Truck Series race (which was the final NASCAR race broadcast on CBS) on July 15 of that year, though Stephenson begins the telecasts out on the track itself, moving to WBC Race Control just before the race begins. Starting in 2018, former drivers Rick Mast, Dorsey Schroeder, and Danica Partick were all added as pit reporters. Due to Squier's COVID-19 diagnosis in November 2020, he was replaced in the final two races of the 2020 season by Bestwick, both as the pre-race host and lead broadcaster, though Squier and WBC stated that he would return for the 2021 season once he recovered.

At the 2014 Coke Zero 400, to promote the release of Sgt. Frog: The Great Rescue, as mentioned above, the normal broadcasters were relieved of their duties by Tim Johnson, Chloe Johnson, and Belle Armstrong, in-character as their Sgt. Frog characters (Fuyuki Hinata, Natsumi Hinata, and Momoka Nishizawa, respectively), with Jenny Smith serving in the pits in-character as Koyuki Azumiya (the other pit reporters remained in their positions), with the voice actors standing off-camera and broadcasting the races in-character; this team was used again in the Tokyo races, but with an all-Johnson cast (Sheheen was replaced by Wendee Lee as Konata Izumi, Snider by David Matranga as Tomoya Okazaki, and Weber by Dan Castellaneta as Tamama, while the other pit reporters weren't used), leaving Stephenson and the analysts as the only non-cartoon members of the team; in 2019, the characters started appearing onscreen for the first time thanks to Johnson's AnimeTronics. The Cartoon Network-sponsored Nazareth races follow suit, though with only the booth manned by the voice actors, again as their respective characters, and with technology allowing the characters to show up onscreen with their usual art style, superimposed over the track background. In all cases, Squier still hosted the pre-race show before the race. The Johnson twins, Armstrong, and Smith also broadcast all Arby's Convertible Series events as themselves. Part of what made such broadcasts stand out was that none of the characters had any idea what was going on, and much of the telecast was just them saying random things about the on-track action, plus general ramblings that have since become memes; the sole exception is the races broadcast by the Sgt. Frog characters, as Fuyuki, Natsumi, and Momoka are NASCAR fans who know exactly what is going on and always call the races in a professional manner.

Play-By-Play
Almost every living NASCAR lead broadcaster is employed by WBC for NASCAR broadcasts. The exceptions are Ralph Sheheen and Dr. Jerry Punch (both pit reporters), Marty Reid (due to Reid's infamous flub during the 2013 Kentucky 300 in which he declared Ryan Blaney the winner one lap early), and radio broadcasters (who remain at their posts on MRN, PRN, and IMS; several Johnson Radio stations are MRN affiliates, and all stations simulcast IMS coverage). The same broadcasting team is also used on Cartoon Network, TNN, Speed, Freeform, ESPN/ESPN2, and NASCAR Network broadcasts, albeit with some broadcasters being replaced. Much like other WBC Sports broadcasters, the broadcasters in the booth, the virtual studio, and WBC Race Control wear blazers with a white version of Johnson's iconic "Blue Globe" logo on their left breast pocket, and often carry microphones bearing the same white version as well.
 * Rick Allen (2017-present, Elite Division, Dash Series, and Mid-Size events)
 * Allen Bestwick (2016-present, ESPN broadcasts, SUV Series, E-Series, and Nintendo events, replaced Ken Squier in the final two races of the 2020 season)
 * Benjamin L. Valic (2019, Harvey Beaks 300 as Harvey Beaks)
 * Leigh Diffey (2018-present; reserve broadcaster, broadcasts Brands Hatch races starting in 2019)
 * Will Friedle (2020, ThunderCats 300 as Lion-O)
 * Eli Gold (2015-present, TNN broadcasts and Busch events; alternates with Ken Squier for Busch events)
 * Bob Jenkins (2015-present, Speed broadcasts, Craftsman Truck Series events; alternates with Paul Page in Truck events)
 * Tim Johnson (2014-present, 2014 Coke Zero 400 and all Tokyo Cup events as Fuyuki Hinata; Craftsman Truck and Busch Series events at Tokyo, and all Convertible Series and Ultimate events as himself)
 * Mike Joy (2017-present, Cartoon Network broadcasts, Whelen Modified Tour, K&N Pro Series, and ARCA events)
 * Tom Kenny (2019, SpongeBob SquarePants 400 as SpongeBob SquarePants)
 * Paul Page (2015-present, The NASCAR Network broadcasts and Craftsman Truck Series events; alternates with Bob Jenkins in Truck events)
 * Ken Squier (1969; 2014-present, WBC broadcasts and Cup, Busch, and IROC events; alternates with Eli Gold for Busch events)
 * Alanna Ubach (2020, Welcome to the Wayne 400 as Ansi Molina)
 * Vince Welch (2015-present; reserve broadcaster, Freeform broadcasts)

Color Commentators

 * Belle Armstrong (2014-present, 2014 Coke Zero 400 and all Tokyo Cup events as Momoka Nishizawa; Craftsman Truck and Busch events at Tokyo, and all Convertible Series events as herself)
 * Buddy Baker (2014-2015, WBC broadcasts, Cup and Busch events; deceased)
 * Jackson Brundage (2019, Harvey Beaks 300 as Foo)
 * Rodger Bumpass (2019, SpongeBob SquarePants 400 as Squidward Tentacles)
 * Wally Dallenbach, Jr. (2015-present, WBC and Speed broadcasts, all events except Convertible, IROC, Whelen Modified Tour, Elite, ARCA, Nintendo, and K&N Pro Series; replaced Buddy Baker)
 * Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (2017-present, IROC, Nintendo, and Ultimate events)
 * Bill Fagerbakke (2019, SpongeBob SquarePants 400 as Patrick Star)
 * David Hobbs (1969; 2014-present, WBC broadcasts, Cup, Busch, Truck, and IROC events)
 * Dale Jarrett (2016-present, ESPN broadcasts and IROC and Elite Division events)
 * Ned Jarrett (1969; 2014-present, WBC broadcasts, all events except Convertible, IROC, Whelen Modified Tour, Elite, ARCA, Nintendo, and K&N Pro Series)
 * Chloe Johnson (2014-present, 2014 Coke Zero 400 and all Tokyo Cup events as Natsumi Hinata; Craftsman Truck and Busch events at Tokyo, and all Convertible Series and K&N Pro Series events as herself)
 * Chad Little (2019-present; TNN and Freeform broadcasts)
 * Billy López (2020, Welcome to the Wayne 400 as Olly Timbers)
 * Dave Marcis (2014-present; TNN broadcasts and Busch events)
 * Matthew Mercer (2020, ThunderCats 300 as Tygra)
 * Jerry Nadeau (2017-present, Freeform broadcasts, Convertible Series and Ultimate events)
 * Phil Parsons (2018-present, Freeform broadcasts)
 * Kevin Michael Richardson (2020, ThunderCats 300 as Panthro)
 * Dana Steingold (2020, Welcome to the Wayne 400 as Saraline Timbers)
 * Angela Wahler (2019, Harvey Beaks 300 as Fee)
 * Rusty Wallace (2016-present, ESPN broadcasts and Elite Division events)
 * Darrell Waltrip (2017-present, Speed broadcasts and Whelen Modified Tour, K&N Pro Series, and Nintendo events)
 * Michael Waltrip (2019-present, ARCA and Nintendo events)

Pit Reporters

 * Dick Berggren (2014-present, Cup, Busch, Craftsman Truck, and IROC events)
 * Dave Burns (2017-present, Goody's and Elite Division events)
 * Dan Castellaneta (2016-present Tokyo Cup events as Tamama)
 * Dave Despain (2015-present, IROC events)
 * Barbara Dunkelman (2019 RWBY 400 as Yang)
 * Kara Eberle (2019 RWBY 400 as Weiss)
 * Melissa Fahn (2018 Tokyo Cup events as Neptune)
 * Erin Fitzgerald (2018 Neptunia 400 as Noire)
 * Lindsay Jones (2019 RWBY 400 as Ruby)
 * Mike Joy (2014-present, all races except Cartoon Network broadcasts, Whelen Modified Tour, K&N Pro Series, and ARCA events)
 * Wendee Lee (2016-2017 Tokyo Cup events as Konata Izumi; 2018 Neptunia 400 as Blanc)
 * Jamie Little (2014-present, all events)
 * Rick Mast (2018-present, Cup, Busch, Craftsman Truck, and IROC events)
 * David Matranga (2016 Tokyo Cup events as Tomoya Okazaki)
 * Danica Patrick (2018-present, Cup, Busch, Craftsman Truck, and IROC events)
 * Tara Platt (2018 Neptunia 400 as Vert)
 * Dr. Jerry Punch (2014-present, Cup, Busch, Craftsman Truck, SUV Series, Whelen Modified Tour, and K&N Pro Series events)
 * Dorsey Schroeder (2018-present, Cup, Busch, Craftsman Truck, and IROC events)
 * Stephanie Sheh (2017 Tokyo Cup events as Yui Hirasawa)
 * Ralph Sheheen (2014-present, all events)
 * Jenny Smith (2014-present; 2014 Coke Zero 400 and all Cup Tokyo races as Koyuki Azumaya, Truck and Busch events at Tokyo, and all Convertible Series and Goody's events as herself)
 * Marty Snider (2014-present, all events)
 * Spike Spencer (2017-present, Tokyo Cup events as Shinji Ikari)
 * Bill Stephens (2014-present, Cup, Busch, and Craftsman Truck events)
 * Michael Waltrip (2018-present, Grid Walks for all events except Nintendo and ARCA)
 * Bill Weber (2014-present, Cup, Busch, Craftsman Truck, and Convertible Series events)
 * Brock Yates (1969; 2014-2016, Cup, Busch, Craftsman Truck, and IROC events, deceased)
 * Arryn Zech (2019 RWBY 400 as Blake)

Studio (WBC Race Control)
WBC Race Control is WBC's portable studio.
 * Allen Bestwick (2014-present, post-race host, replaced Ken Squier as the pre-race host in the final two races of the 2020 season)
 * Dave Despain (2014, rules and technical analyst)
 * Jeff Gordon (2018-present, analyst)
 * Dale Jarrett (2014-present, analyst, all events except Dash Series events)
 * Larry MacReynolds (2018-present, rules and technical analyst)
 * Andy Petree (2015-2017, rules and technical analyst; 2018-present, pre-race analyst)
 * Kyle Petty (2014-present, analyst and WBC car driver)
 * Ken Squier (2014-present, pre-race host)
 * Tom Stephenson (1969; 2014-present, host)

Reception
WBC's coverage was critically acclaimed, with much praise going to how "CBS-style" its broadcasting was, as many of its broadcasters had previously worked for CBS themselves; its broadcasting team was dubbed by fans and the media as "the Dream Team of NASCAR broadcasting", in reference to the 1992 American men's basketball Olympic team.

Opening sequence
The opening sequence varies between networks. Oftentimes, it features

WBC
The WBC intro is an homage to the NASCAR on CBS intro from 1998 to 2000. The footage used changes from year-to-year.

Music

 * WBC (1969): Rumble by Link Wray
 * Pre-race: 1995-1997 NASCAR on CBS closing theme by Mark Wood
 * WBC (2014-): 1998-2000 NASCAR on CBS theme/1998 IRL on CBS theme by Lorraine Wolf and Godfrey Nelson
 * ESPN and ESPN2: 1998-2006, 2014-present ESPN SpeedWorld theme based on the piano interlude from "18th Avenue (Kansas City Nightmare)" by Cat Stevens
 * TNN: 1996-1997, 2010-present TNN Motor Sports theme
 * Speed: Speed Network Theme
 * The NASCAR Network: Zipliner by Edd Kalehoff (1997-2000 NASCAR on TSS theme)
 * Cartoon Network: Eight Bells by Edd Kalehoff
 * Freeform: The Final Countdown by Europe (1987 Daytona 500 theme)
 * Post-race: 1995-1997 NASCAR on CBS intro theme by Mark Wood

Starting grid themes

 * Road America: Escape (from The Electric Horseman) by Dave Grusin (1983-1985, 1987 Daytona 500 Starting Grid theme, 1983 and 1986 Michigan 400 Starting Grid theme, and 1983, 1985-1986 Talladega 500 Starting Grid theme)
 * Rockingham: Carolina in My Mind by James Taylor
 * Talladega: Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
 * North Wilkesboro: Chasing Shadows by Yanni (1989, 1992, 1994 Daytona 500 Starting Grid theme)
 * Charlotte: Las Vegas (from Rain Man) by Hans Zimmer (1990-1991 Daytona 500 Starting Grid theme)
 * Summer Shootout: Beat It by Michael Jackson
 * Darlington: Caribbean Queen by Billy Ocean (1986 Daytona 500 Starting Grid theme)
 * Twin Ring Motegi: 1989 Hungarian Grand Prix Starting Grid theme by BBC
 * Tokyo: Start Your Engines by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (from Daytona USA)
 * Sonoma: California Dreamin' by The Mamas and the Papas
 * Daytona: Axe Splat - Killer Tracks by Gavin Griffiths (2001 Daytona 500 Starting Grid theme)
 * Pocono: Philadelphia Freedom by Elton John
 * Michigan: 1988 NASCAR on CBS theme by CBS
 * Mid-Ohio: Burn On by Randy Newman
 * Watkins Glen: New York, New York by Frank Sinatra
 * Indianapolis: Delta Force Theme by Alan Silvestri (from The Delta Force)
 * Walt Disney World: Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah by Allie Wrubel (from Song of the South)
 * Nashville: Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash
 * Iowa: Iowa Stubborn by Meredith Wilson (from The Music Man)
 * Brands Hatch: Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles
 * Nazareth: March Onward by Edd Kalehoff
 * Mid-week races: Kings Scepter by Edd Kalehoff
 * Other tracks (in the event a Fox or NBC network has other commitments and the race needs to be moved to a Johnson-owned network such as WBC, TNN, Freeform or Cartoon Network): 2001-2007 NASCAR on Fox Starting Grid theme by Fox
 * ESPN broadcasts: 1998-2006, 2014-present ESPN SpeedWorld Starting Grid theme based on the piano interlude from "18th Avenue (Kansas City Nightmare)" by Cat Stevens
 * TNN broadcasts: 1996-1997, 2010-present TNN Motor Sports theme by TNN
 * Speed Network broadcasts: Eagle Keeper by Edd Kalehoff
 * The NASCAR Network broadcasts: Thunder Fist by Edd Kalehoff (1997 NASCAR on TSS theme)
 * Freeform broadcasts: Stroker's Theme by The Charlie Daniels Band (from Stroker Ace)
 * Busch Series: Days of Thunder intro theme by Hans Zimmer
 * Craftsman Truck Series: Fuel by Metallica (2002-2003 NASCAR on NBC and NASCAR on TNT theme)
 * Howard Johnson's SUV Series: The Diary of Jane by Breaking Benjamin
 * Arby's Convertible Series: Centipede Circle by Edd Kalehoff
 * K&N Pro Series: Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane (1993 Busch Clash theme)
 * Busch North Series: Going Fast by Gary Nichols
 * All-Star Race: Thunder by David Robidoux
 * Elite Division: Pit Viper by Edd Kalehoff
 * Dash Series: Corn Snake by Edd Kalehoff
 * Whelen Modified Tour: Last of the Hardcore Troubadours by Steve Earle
 * E-Series: Thunderstruck by AC/DC
 * Mid-Size: Can You Feel It (instrumental) by The Jackson 5
 * Supercar: 1999-2000 NASCAR on CBS Starting Grid theme by CBS
 * Nintendo Racing Series: The Eve of the War by Jeff Wayne (1982 Daytona 500 Starting Grid theme)
 * ARCA Racing Series: Where Did We Go Wrong by Magna-Fi
 * IROC: 1993 Daytona 500 Starting Grid theme by CBS
 * Ultimate: 1997-1998 NASCAR on CBS Starting Grid theme by CBS

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