FOX NASCAR adds Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus; announces ’19 drivers-only broadcast

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When reigning Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano removes his FOX Sports headset after calling Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener at Daytona, he’ll hand it off to seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson.

Johnson calls his first race for FOX Sports as a guest driver analyst on Saturday, Feb. 23 (2 PM ET on FS1) at Atlanta. Johnson, however, has a drafting partner in his maiden trip to the FOX NASCAR broadcast booth, as 2014 champion Kevin Harvick assumes the lead analyst role alongside play-by-play announcer Adam Alexander.

Harvick’s broadcast dance card expands this season with the addition of lead analyst duties for seven Xfinity Series races. For the races in which Harvick is lead analyst, he pairs with a rotation of Cup Series drivers moonlighting as guest analysts, while FOX NASCAR analyst Michael Waltrip helps anchor FOX Sports’ coverage from the Virtual Studio in Charlotte.

“I’ve enjoyed calling NASCAR Xfinity Series races for FOX Sports more than I ever imagined I would, so I am looking forward to adding even more this year,” Harvick said. “I’ve made no secret of the fact I can see broadcasting in my future after racing, so this is a cool opportunity to branch out as the lead analyst and perhaps even offer some pointers to other drivers calling the races with me.”

“I’m excited to come in and see the race from a different vantage point,” Johnson said. “I’ve been a big fan of Kevin’s work in the booth and feel like we’re going to have a great time and add a lot of detail to the race, so I’m excited to have that opportunity in Atlanta.”

Seven-time champion and crew chief for William Byron, Chad Knaus, makes his FOX Sports race broadcast debut at Talladega alongside Alexander and Harvick, while Bubba Wallace makes his inaugural analyst appearance at Michigan after making his pit road debut during last year’s FOX Sports “Drivers Only” broadcast.

In addition to Logano, Johnson and Wallace, 2012 champ Brad Keselowski, 2004 champion Kurt Busch, Clint Bowyer, Austin Dillon, Ryan Blaney and Regan Smith return to the booth this season. See complete schedule below for specifics.

“DRIVERS ONLY” BROADCAST:

The highly popular “Drivers Only” broadcast is back for the third consecutive year — this time with a twist. Knaus crashes the “Drivers Only” party, joining all eight returning drivers from last season. Charlotte Motor Speedway plays host to this year’s edition on Saturday, May 25 (1:00 PM ET on FS1).

For the third time, Harvick has the call alongside analysts Bowyer and Logano. Blaney, Jones and Wallace cover pit road, while Keselowski returns to host from FOX Sports’ virtual studio in Charlotte alongside Stenhouse Jr. and Knaus.

FOX NASCAR driver analyst schedule for 2019 NASCAR XFINITY SERIES:

Date	Location	Lead Analyst	Driver Analyst*	Race State (ET)/Network
2/16	Daytona International Speedway	Waltrip	Logano	2:30 PM/FS1
2/23	Atlanta Motor Speedway	Harvick	Johnson	2:00 PM/FS1
3/2	Las Vegas Motor Speedway	Harvick	Keselowski	4:00 PM/FS1
3/9	ISM Raceway	Harvick	Jones	4:00 PM/FS1
3/16	Auto Club Speedway	Waltrip	Keselowski	5:00 PM/FS1
3/30	Texas Motor Speedway	Harvick	Dillon	1:00 PM/FS1
4/6	Bristol Motor Speedway	Harvick	Bowyer	1:00 PM/FS1
4/12	Richmond Raceway	Waltrip	Logano	7:00 PM/FS1
4/27	Talladega Superspeedway	Harvick	Knaus	1:00 PM/FS1
5/4	Dover International Speedway	Waltrip	Blaney	1:30 PM/FS1
5/25	Charlotte Motor Speedway (Drivers Only)	Harvick, Logano, Bowyer, Blaney, Jones, Keselowski Stenhouse Jr., Wallace, Knaus		1:00 PM/FS1
6/1	Pocono Raceway	Waltrip	Kurt Busch	1:00 PM/FS1
6/8	Michigan Int’l Speedway	Harvick	Wallace	1:30 PM/FS1
6/16	Iowa Speedway	Waltrip	Smith	5:30 PM/FS1

*Subject to change

In appreciation of the drivers’ participation, FOX Sports will make a donation to each driver’s individual foundation or charity of choice.

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