ESPN Increases Coverage of Auto Races at Ventura

Ventura Raceway and ESPN have reached agreement on a television package that, for the second year in a row, will bring national exposure to the oceanside track at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

ESPN’s coverage will increase from four broadcasts to five.

Coverage scheduled for four Saturdays in April and the first Saturday in May will feature U.S. Auto Club’s Western States midget and three-quarter midget races.

The midget series, “Saturday Night Thunder,” got good ratings and an enthusiastic response from the cable network’s racing fans and sponsors last season, according to ESPN publicist Dave Nagle.

The series, which is broadcast throughout the summer, opens at Ventura, then moves to various Midwestern tracks.

However, Ventura has the series’ only dirt track, a surface that leads to a more exciting racing style.

“We like the raceway and the racing action there,” Nagle said.

The series will begin its fourth season as part of the Speedweek package that begins each Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Dave Despain serves as host of the all-motor sports program.

Taped racing highlights from 1991 follow at 5 p.m., and live coverage from Ventura starts at 6.

“We’re real excited that ESPN is coming back,” said Cliff Morgan, Ventura Raceway general manager.

Joining the Western States drivers from the West Coast for the five telecast events will be various USAC National Series drivers plus three New Zealand drivers, including New Zealand national midget champion Philip Harrobian.

The five USAC races will begin Ventura’s 45-event racing season that runs through November.