By Luis Torres, Staff Writer
The NBC Sports Group announced Thursday that it’ll present over 100 hours of content for the 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship as part of the network’s opening season of exclusive coverage, beginning with the 57th Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona Jan. 26-27.
Among the 100+ hours NBC plans to air, more than 40 hours will be featured on NBCSN, such as a one-hour season preview that’ll air on Thursday, Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. EST. Following that will be two hours of Rolex 24 qualifying coverage as the best drivers in the world will face the task of fighting for the pole position for their respective class at the 3.56-mile circuit.
On Saturday, Jan. 26, the prestigious race to kick-off the 50th anniversary of IMSA will air on NBCSN beginning at 2 p.m. EST before transitioning to the NBC Sports App at 5 p.m. EST, which will also live stream the entire 24-hour race. The closing hours will wrap up on NBCSN, with their coverage beginning at Sunday, Jan. 27 at 6 a.m. EST.
President and Programming of NBC Sports and NBCSN Jon Miller said he hopes their exclusive coverage will provide viewers the excitement IMSA provides, with three out of the last six races will air on the main network, including the finale’s Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta Oct. 12.
“We couldn’t be more excited to begin our IMSA coverage with the 57th running of the iconic Rolex 24,” said Miller. “As the home of U.S. motorsports, we’ll showcase the uniqueness of IMSA racing to motorsports fans everywhere, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the association throughout the upcoming season.”
IMSA CEO Ed Bennett said with the 50th season coming up, their partnership with NBC Sports will bolster the sanctioning body’s momentum they’ve had over the past few seasons.
“As we all get ready for IMSA’s much-anticipated 50th anniversary season in 2019, our new NBC Sports media partnership promises to promote and showcase our unique premium product in revolutionary ways,” said Bennett. “Both IMSA and the WeatherTech Championship have been experiencing incredible momentum the last several years and this partnership should only help elevate the sport to new heights.”
The partnership was announced April 30, where they agreed to a six-year partnership, replacing Fox Sports as the exclusive home of IMSA coverage.
NBC SPORTS’ 2019 IMSA RACE COVERAGE
| Date | Race | Circuit | Network | Time (ET) |
| Thurs., Jan. 24 | Rolex 24 At DAYTONA – Qualifying | Daytona International Speedway | NBCSN | 3 p.m. |
| Sat., Jan. 26 | Rolex 24 At DAYTONA | Daytona International Speedway | NBCSN | 2 p.m. |
| Rolex 24 At DAYTONA | Daytona International Speedway | NBC Sports App | 5 p.m. | |
| Rolex 24 At DAYTONA | Daytona International Speedway | NBCSN | 9 p.m. | |
| Sun., Jan. 27 | Rolex 24 At DAYTONA | Daytona International Speedway | NBC Sports App | 3 a.m. |
| Rolex 24 At DAYTONA | Daytona International Speedway | NBCSN | 6 a.m. | |
| Sat., March 16 | Twelve Hours of Sebring | Sebring International Raceway | NBC Sports App | 10:30 a.m. |
| Twelve Hours of Sebring | Sebring International Raceway | CNBC | 1 p.m. | |
| Twelve Hours of Sebring | Sebring International Raceway | NBCSN | 3:30 p.m. | |
| Sat. April 13 | Grand Prix of Long Beach | Long Beach Street Circuit | NBCSN | 5 p.m. |
| Sun., May 5 | Sports Car Challenge | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course | NBCSN | 1:30 p.m. |
| Sat., June 1 | Detroit Grand Prix | Belle Isle Park | NBCSN | 12:30 p.m. |
| Sun., June 30 | Six Hours of The Glen | Watkins Glen International | NBC Sports App | 9:30 a.m. |
| Six Hours of The Glen* | Watkins Glen International | NBCSN | 7:30 p.m. | |
| Sun., July 7 | Sports Car Grand Prix | Canadian Tire Motorsport Park | NBC | 1 p.m. |
| Sat., July 20 | Northeast Grand Prix | Lime Rock Park | NBC Sports App | 3 p.m. |
| Northeast Grand Prix* | Lime Rock Park | NBCSN | 10 p.m. | |
| Sun., Aug. 4 | Road America | Road America | NBC Sports App | 1:30 p.m. |
| Road America* | Road America | NBCSN | 6:30 p.m. | |
| Sun., Aug. 25 | GT Challenge at VIR | VIRginia International Raceway | NBCSN | 1:30 p.m. |
| Sun., Sept. 15 | Laguna Seca | WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca | NBC | 3 p.m. |
| Sat., Oct. 12 | Petit Le Mans | Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta | NBC | 12 p.m. |
| Petit Le Mans | Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta | NBC Sports App | 3 p.m. | |
| Petit Le Mans | Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta | NBCSN | 6 p.m. |
*Same-Day Delay
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