Country music singer and NBC coach The voice, Blake Shelton returns to perform the 2016 NASCAR opening theme song from NBC Sports Group on NBC. This year’s Open features an all-new look and presentation, including updated lyrics for Shelton’s hit “Bringing Back the Sunshine.” The new Open kicks off NBC Sports’ second season of NASCAR coverage and debuts before coverage of the Coke Zero 400 on Saturday, July 2 at 7 p.m. ET on NBC, live from Daytona International Speedway.
The high-energy production takes place in the infield of a NASCAR race venue and features the current NASCAR drivers’ barbecue, hanging out inside Blake’s coach and on stage with Blake as he performs a pre-race concert amid driver introductions. About a thousand NASCAR fans and more than 30 active drivers participated in the filming.
Each week for the remainder of the season, NBC Sports will present a new version of the Open, with updated on-track highlights, beauty shots from that week’s host venue and never-before-seen footage from filming from earlier in the season.
“Excited to be back to kick off the second season of NBC Sports’ NASCAR coverage and to be able to rework my song, ‘Bringing Back the Sunshine’ for the opening theme song,” Blake said. “I’m a real NASCAR fan and I love being around the sport, spending time with the drivers, so it’s a lot of fun for me.”
“Blake is a great talent and a pleasure to work with. He has helped us bring a new level of energy and driver interaction to this year’s Open,” said Tripp Dixon, vice president and creative director of NBC Sports Group. “NBCUniversal has a very collaborative culture and it’s great when we’re able to reach across all platforms and create authentic connections like we have here with Blake and NASCAR on NBC.”
NBC Sports Group’s racing coverage during Independence Day weekend begins this Friday, July 1 with the Subway Firecracker 250 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN and culminates Saturday, July 2 with the Coke Zero 400 at 7 p.m. ET on NBC.
Check out the new NBC NASCAR theme featuring Blake Shelton. “Bringing Back the Sunshine” is the title song from the coach’s 2014 album The Voice. Blake’s last, If I’m honest was released late last month.
Check out the promo here.
https://youtu.be/NiaG6Qm-wck
