2005 also features the first NASCAR-sanctioned points race in Mexico.
The upcoming season will mark the fifth year of NASCAR's successful partnership with NBC, TNT, FOX, FX and SPEED Channel. Since the partnership was established in 2001, the total number of households tuning in to NASCAR events has increased each year, reports NASCAR.com
According to Nielsen Media Research, 196 million households tuned in to watch NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events in 2004, a two per cent increase from the previous year.
The NASCAR Busch Series drew 52 million households in 2004, up eight per cent from 2003. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series had 10.5 million households, a 22 per cent jump over the 2003 mark.
FOX and FX will air the first 16 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races as well as three non-points events. NBC and TNT will begin their second-half coverage with the Pepsi 400 from Daytona International Speedway on July 2.
The NASCAR Busch Series will be broadcast via a split schedule with FOX and FX during the first half of the season, and NBC and TNT during the second half. NBC and its cable partner, TNT, broadcast their first NASCAR Busch Series race on July 1 from Daytona International Speedway. The Winn-Dixie 250 presented by PepsiCo is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET start on TNT.
For the third consecutive season, SPEED Channel is the exclusive home of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
