TNN Hires Brad Doty for World of Outlaws TV Duty
    NASHVILLE, TN (May 17) - TNN:  The Nashville Network has hired
former sprint car racer Brad Doty to join the announcing team for its 
live World of Outlaws telecasts in 1996, Director of Motorsports Mark 
Kuchan announced Friday.
    Doty, the runner-up in the 1987 World of Outlaws points race, will
join Ralph Sheheen in the booth while Steve Evans and Bobby Gerould
describe the activity in the pits.
    TNN will televise its first World of Outlaws event of the year
live from Williams Grove Speedway Saturday, May 25th. The cable
network is also scheduled to televise Eldora Speedway's $50,000-to-win
King's Royal event July 20th and the Amoco Knoxville Nationals August
17th. In each case, the preliminary races will be tape-delayed, while
the feature program will be aired on a live basis. The time slot for
the tape-delayed and live shows will be 10 p.m. to midnight (EDT).
    "It's great to be chosen as a member of TNN's announcing team for
the World of Outlaws events," Doty said. "I'm a little nervous, but I
feel like I can do a good job.
    "I feel like I have a lot of knowledge of the sport. I know most
of the guys personally. And, as a former driver, I know all about
what goes on behind the scenes. I just have to relay that to the
viewing audience.
    "I realize that providing color for a World of Outlaws event is a
lot different from a Winston Cup race. They have three hours or more,
and they can talk a little bit about everything. Whereas, in a sprint
car race, you can't go into a lot of detail about something happening
on the race track before something happens. You have to get to the
point quickly, because things are always changing.
    "I have a good working knowledge of the race cars. I've built
cars, and I did most of my own setups the last couple of years before
I got hurt.
    "I know the three tracks we'll be televising from," Doty said. "I
know about all the tracks the World of Outlaws runs but, like I wrote
in Open Wheel, these are the three most recognized tracks in the
country. For the fans who may never have a chance to visit them to get
to see a race from these tracks is special."
    Doty's knowledge of Williams Grove and Eldora goes far beyond his
World of Outlaws experience. He raced at both tracks before receiving
World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year honors in 1982.
    "Getting Jan Opperman's autograph and having my picture made with
him at Williams Grove when I was 14 years old made a big influence on
me," Doty recalled. "Williams Grove was always a special place for me.
When I raced there, I couldn't help but remember the days of Opperman
and the Weld brothers (Greg and Kenny)."
    Doty provided color commentary for TNN's Second Annual Slick 50
World Series and the Prime Network telecasts of "The Big One" and the
King's Royal from Eldora Speedway in 1995. He also appeared on the
radio broadcast of the 35th Annual Amoco Knoxville Nationals anchored
by Williams Grove Speedway announcer Bruce Ellis.
    Doty won 11 races during his 7 1/2-year World of Outlaws career.
In his seven full years with the tour, he never finished worse than
eighth in the point standings.
    He saved his best for his last full season with the World of
Outlaws. It took a record-setting performance for Coors Light teammate
Steve Kinser to keep him from winning the series championship. Doty
won "A" Features at Ascot Park, I-55 Raceway, Santa Fe Speedway and
U.S. 131 Speedway and finished in the top 10 in 59 of 69 races to
claim second place in the 1987 point standings. WoO