Blake Shelton and 20 NASCAR Drivers Star in Show Open for NBC Coverage of 2017 NASCAR

Country music superstar, and coach on NBC's Emmy Award-winning series The Voice, Blake Shelton returns to perform NBC Sports Group's 2017 NASCAR on NBC opening theme. The refreshed show open, set to Shelton's song "Bringing Back the Sunshine," will make its on-air debut this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET, during NBC's coverage of the Coke Zero 400, from Daytona International Speedway.

This year's NASCAR on NBC show open kicks off NBC Sports Group's third season of NASCAR coverage, and includes all-new scenes with more than 20 current NASCAR Cup Series drivers. The high-energy production, set within the infield of two NASCAR racing venues, features drivers connecting with fans throughout the track, and on stage with Shelton as he performs a pre-race concert for driver introductions.

In addition, the open also includes members of the U.S. military from both Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., and NOSC Bessemer in Bessemer, Ala., interacting with two-time Daytona 500 champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. An advanced look at the show open, prior to its debut Saturday night, is available on NASCAR on NBC's Facebook page and NBC Sports Group's Youtube page.

"We are excited Blake is back this season to kick off our 2017 NASCAR coverage. He resonates well with both the avid NASCAR fan and casual viewer," said Tripp Dixon VP and Creative Director at NBC Sports Group. "This year's show open focuses on the drivers that make this sport shine, and highlights moments with them interacting with their families, crews, and fans."

NBC Sports Group is just five days away from its 2017 coverage of live NASCAR Cup and XFINITY Series racing. This Friday, June 30, at 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN kicks off its coverage of the 2017 XFINITY Series, live from Daytona International Speedway. On Saturday, July 1, at 7 p.m. ET, NBC presents its first NASCAR Cup Series race of 2017, and the first of 20 final races to determine the 2017 Series Champion.

Country Music Association's 2012 "Entertainer of the Year," five-time Male Vocalist of the Year winner and GRAMMY nominee Blake Shelton continues to add to his superstar status. His most recent album, If I'm Honest, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Album Sales Chart and the Billboard Country Album Chart, and is the best-selling country album release of 2016. His current Top 5 single "Every Time I Hear That Song" follows two #1 smash hits, "Came Here To Forget" and "A Guy With A Girl," the latter of which became his 23rd chart-topping song. The album features three songs written by Shelton, including the gospel tinged "Savior's Shadow," "Friends," which is also featured in the #1 film, The Angry Birds Movie, and "Go Ahead and Break My Heart," a song he wrote and performs with Gwen Stefani.

A member of the Grand Ole Opry, he has earned a host of awards throughout his career, which most recently include Top Country Artist at the Billboard Music Awards. In 2017 he became the first country artist to win Favorite Album at the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS in addition to his win for Favorite Male Country Artist. He also took home the trophy for Favorite Country Male Artist at THE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS as well as the first-ever Male Artist of the Year. As a coach for the Emmy Award-winning television show, The Voice, Shelton is a five-time champion, most recently with his contestant Sundance Head. He recently wrapped his headlining 2017 "Doing It To Country Songs" Tour.

For more information and upcoming tour dates, please visitwww.BlakeShelton.com and follow @BlakeShelton.

In 2017, NBC Sports Group will present the final 20 NASCAR Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR XFINITY Series events and select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events.

NBC Sports Group's NASCAR programming also includes NBCSN's daily motorsports

show NASCAR America, coverage of NASCAR's Awards Ceremonies, the annual NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony, as well as original programming specials. NBC Sports Group concluded the 2016 NASCAR season presenting more hours of trackside coverage and programming than ever before.

In 2016, NBC Sports Group continued to innovate and entertain race fans with 630 hours of NASCAR programming, including interactive watch parties, documentary specials and new shoulder programming, in addition to its 366 live trackside hours from 22 different states. In 2016, overall consumption of NASCAR content on NBC Sports' Digital properties was up 50% vs. 2015, and NASCAR on NBC's social platforms generated a triple-digit increase in video views, as well as double-digit increase in fan base and impressions compared to the 2015 season.

Image courtesy of NBC.

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