<I>NASN</I> kicks off coverage with Daytona 500.

The 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series will be screened on NASN - the North American Sports Network - starting with live and exclusive coverage of the Daytona 500 this Sunday.

As it was in 2003, NASN will be the only place in the UK to enjoy complete coverage of all the thrills and spills of some of motor racing's most exhilarating high-octane action in the 2004 season.

NASN will broadcast all 38 races of the Nextel Cup, beginning with full live coverage of the opening weekend in Florida on Sunday [15 February], and the exclusive coverage runs right through to the legendary Indianapolis Brickyard 400 and concludes with the season closer in Miami - the Ford 400. The channel will be kicking off its coverage with a pre-race show building up to the main event. It will also be broadcasting coverage of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series.

"NASCAR is a uniquely exciting experience and we are committed to bringing the fans the best coverage in the UK," NASN chief executive Amory Schwartz said, "NASCAR fans are amongst our most passionate and vocal subscribers, and we know that we provide them with exactly what they want."

In addition to NASCAR, NASN broadcasts more live American sports than any other digital television channel in Europe, with over 250 MLB baseball games, 175 NHL ice hockey matches, classic NBA and magazine shows, a full quota of College Hoops right up to live coverage of March Madness and the Final Four, top college football games climaxing in the best Bowl games live, and regular live NFL magazine and archive programmes.

The only NASCAR events not being shown live as they happen in 2004 are the 21 March Carolina Dodge Dealers 400, which will be shown 'as live' at 0200hrs and repeated on the following Monday, and the 28 March Food City 500, which will receive similar treatment.