NASCAR goes high definition

NBC has announced plans to broadcast live coverage of the Daytona 500 in high definition - which, the network claims, will be the first time a NASCAR race has been transmitted in HDTV.

The network will broadcast the race on February 15, as well as the Hershey’s Kisses 300 NASCAR Busch Series race on February 14, in 1080i HD with Dolby Digital surround sound.

Ken Schanzer, president of NBC Sports, said:

"NBC’s high definition broadcast of the Daytona 500 will deliver the biggest event in motorsports and one of the premier events in sports to NBC affiliate stations’ digital television homes using the world’s premier television technology. NASCAR has long been at the forefront of broadcast technology and it is only appropriate that the ‘Great American Race’ - the Daytona 500 - be the first auto race broadcast in High Definition."

Readers have however contacted Digital Spy to point out that the event will not actually be the first time that an auto race has been covered in HD. Adam Hatton said:

"Last year's Champ Car Mario Andretti Grand Prix at Road America was the first motor race to be broadcast in High Definition and aired on HDnet in the US."

So, while it is true that the Daytona 500 will be the first time that a race has aired in HD on broadcast network TV, such events have been available on digital platforms before.