BLAKE SHELTON PERFORMS NEW OPENING THEME FOR NBC SPORTS' NASCAR COVERAGE

Coach of NBC's The Voice Debuts Updated "Bringing Back the Sunshine" in All-New NASCAR on NBC Open

5 Days Until Live NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing Returns Sat., July 2nd at 7 p.m. ET

STAMFORD, Conn. - June 27, 2016 - Country music superstar and coach of NBC's Emmy Award-winning series The Voice, Blake Shelton returns to perform NBC Sports Group's 2016 NASCAR on NBC opening theme song. This year's Open includes 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 makes its debut prior to coverage of the Coke Zero 400 Saturday, July 2nd at 7 p.m. ET on NBC, live from Daytona International Speedway.

The high-energy production is set within the infield of a NASCAR racing venue and features current NASCAR drivers' barbequing, hanging out inside Blake's motor coach and on-stage with Shelton as he performs a pre-race concert amid driver introductions. Approximately one thousand NASCAR fans and more than 30 active drivers participated in the shoot.

Each week throughout the rest of the season, NBC Sports will present a fresh version of the Open, featuring updated on-track highlights, beauty shots of that week's host venue and unseen footage from the shoot from earlier this season. An advanced look at the Open, prior to its debut on NBC Saturday night, is available on NASCAR on NBC's Facebook page and NBC Sports Group's YouTube page.

"Happy to be back to kickoff NBC Sports' second season of NASCAR coverage and be able to rework my song, 'Bringing Back the Sunshine' for the opening theme song," said Shelton. "I am a true NASCAR fan and love being around the sport, spending time with the drivers, so this is a lot of fun for me."

"Blake is a big talent and a blast to work with. He helped us bring a new level of energy and driver interaction to this year's Open," said Tripp Dixon VP and Creative Director at NBC Sports Group. "NBCUniversal has a very collaborative culture and it's great when we're able to reach across platforms and create authentic connections like we have here with Blake and NASCAR on NBC."

Shelton is a five-time CMA Awards Male Vocalist of the Year, the reigning People's Choice Favorite Male Country Artist, holds 22 total No. 1 country singles and recently released his latest album If I'm Honest, which became the #1 selling album in the country. He currently serves as a coach on NBC's hit series The Voice which just wrapped up its tenth season.

NBC Sports Group's racing coverage over Independence Day weekend kicks off this Friday, July 1st with the Subway Firecracker 250 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN and culminates Saturday July 2nd with the Coke Zero 400 at 7 p.m. ET on NBC.

In 2016 NBC Sports Group presents 20 Sprint Cup, 19 XFINITY and 37 touring series races in addition to coverage of NASCAR's Awards Ceremonies and the annual NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

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