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Darlington’s Cup overnight TV ratings were off by 7 percent.

Fox’s broadcast of that Sunday’s rain-delayed Dodge Avenger 500 Nextel Cup race at Darlington Raceway earned an overnight Nielsen Media Research rating of 4.0 and an 11 market share, Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Daily reported.

The rating is a percent lower than the 4.3 Fox earned overnight last year, when the race was broadcast on Saturday night. This came from the SceneDaily.com and stockcargazette.com on the internet.

ESPN Monday Night Football sideline reporter Suzy Kolber will join the network’s NASCAR coverage team as host of the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program. Kolber, also an anchor on SportsCenter, will host NASCAR Countdown for ESPN and ESPN on ABC’s coverage of the final 17 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races of 2007, beginning with the July 29 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. She also will host NASCAR Countdown for NASCAR Busch Series telecasts on ESPN2 and will host selected practice and qualifying coverage for both series. Kolber’s NASCAR schedule will include hosting ESPN2’s coverage of the NASCAR Busch Series event June 2 at Dover, Del., and ESPN on ABC’s telecast of the NASCAR Busch Series on July 14 at Chicagoland Speedway.

Brent Musburger will continue as race coverage host for telecasts on ESPN on ABC, including all 10 races in the “Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup” and other selected race telecasts.

“Many NASCAR drivers pull double duty with two races on the same weekend, and Suzy is going to be doing that with NASCAR and Monday Night Football,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, studio and remote production. “Brent’s big-event presence combined with Suzy’s reporting and anchoring expertise will set the stage for NASCAR’s exciting stretch run.”

In 2006, Kolber became the first female recipient of the Maxwell Club’s Sports Broadcaster of the Year award and in 2004 was named to Sports Business Daily’s 10 favorite sports TV personalities of the past 10 years. “NASCAR has always interested me,” said Kolber. “Not only for the cars and speed, but for the accessibility, and how fans can get into it. I’m going to be surrounded by experts, and my job is to be the curious one, ask questions and let the experts share their knowledge with the viewers. The most important thing to me in covering any sport is respecting the sport and the athletes.”

Kolber joined ESPN’s MNF team during its inaugural year in 2006 after five seasons on ESPN’s Sunday Night Football. She worked the ABC Sports broadcast of Super Bowl XL in 2006 in Detroit and contributed to the network’s pre-game show.

Kolber regularly hosts ESPN’s year-round NFL Live news and information show, and she has played a major role in ESPN’s comprehensive coverage of the annual NFL Draft. For the 1999 through 2003 NFL seasons, Kolber was the host of NFL Match-Up. During the NFL off-season, she serves as an anchor on SportsCenter and as an on-site host for ESPN’s tennis coverage at the French Open and Wimbledon. She previously hosted the X Games and Winter X Games and has covered Triple Crown horse racing events for ESPN studio programs.

While fans’ anticipation simmered at the prospect of three women making the field for the first time for the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500, two women will be part of ESPN on ABC’s coverage from the pits for the first time in the history of the storied race. The telecast for the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” begins at noon ET Sunday, May 27.

ESPN reporter Jamie Little, back for her fourth Indianapolis 500, will be joined as a pit reporter for ABC’s live coverage of the race by Brienne Pedigo, an Indy native who joined ESPN’s IndyCar Series coverage team this year. Jack Arute and Vince Welch also will report from the pits and garage.

On Saturday, ESPN2 will be on the air from 4-6:30 p.m. ET with coverage of the third day of time trials. ABC’s coverage of Bump Day, presented by GoDaddy.com, airs from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, followed by coverage on ESPN2 from 5-6:30 p.m.

Little is also a reporter for ESPN’s NASCAR coverage this season, which includes yearlong coverage of the NASCAR Busch Series and coverage of the final 17 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races. “Having two women in the pits and hopefully three women in the field is just an example — it’s a sport that everyone pays attention to, male or female, young and old,” Little said. “It’s showing what’s happening in auto racing.”

Racing has always had an influence on the life of Pedigo an Indiana native who left a promising career in theater to concentrate on her work at ESPN and in the IndyCar Series. Part of a sports-oriented family, she previously has done reporting for short-track racing and for the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four and was a segment writer for the PBA on ESPN. She knows, however, that Indianapolis is unique and that nerves and excitement are at their peak. “I think anytime you go to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, there’s such a high level of anticipation that surrounds that track, it’s really hard not to get caught up in that,” Pedigo said.

“Having grown up around that track, it helps me to kind of stay calm in what could be a very stressful situation, especially on race day. More than nerves or any sort of fear, I’m just very, very excited. Just working this past weekend for qualifications was just magical, it was really neat to be at the track and working, doing what I love.” Pedigo’s initial experience at Indy came at age 10, when she and her cousins packed a bag lunch of fried chicken and sat in Turn 1 for her first Indy 500.

Another benefit of growing up around Indy: For years, Pedigo has known fellow ESPN on ABC broadcaster and former IndyCar Series driver Scott Goodyear. “You’re immediately taken with how intelligent he is, how much he knows about race cars,” Pedigo said. “We’ve had three other races together so far, he’s been really helpful. Anytime I have a question I feel completely comfortable going to him and getting advice.”

Little’s passion for her broadcasting career culminated in what she describes as one of the highlights of her life, when she followed most of the 2006 Indy 500 from third-generation driver Marco Andretti’s pit as his family watched him race his father, Michael, for the win. Sam Hornish Jr. won the race, Marco finished second and Michael finished third. Little was overwhelmed by the emotion of the Andretti family as she reported on the group gathered in Marco’s pit area. “I’ll never forget, I got in there and I had the first interview with him after the race and he said, ‘Second place is the first loser.’ ” “I stood next to his mom, next to Mario Andretti, and I got to be the first one to get on the car,” Little said. “And those moments are what I do this job for, that is everything.”

Little expects this year’s race to be as much of a thriller as the 2006 race. “I could see the same thing happening,” she said. “With this parity, there’s not just one driver dominating. Danica (Patrick) was fastest in practice (Wednesday). With her experience now, I think she’s got a heck of a chance at winning this year, this is going to be her best chance.”

While Little and Pedigo revel in doing what they love, they both practice the policy of not letting the excitement cause bumps or bruises for them on the job. What advice does Little, the veteran, have for her “rookie” ESPN on ABC broadcast teammate? “Take it all in. Absorb everything,” Little said. “Walk out through Gasoline Alley. Look at the fans, and watch the marching bands go by. It’s hard because you’re so focused on your job, but just appreciate it because there’s something magical about Indy that I’ve just never experienced anywhere else.”

Repeating Victory: This year’s field features several former winners looking to garner another Indianapolis 500 victory, including pole sitter Helio Castroneves (2001,’02), Sam Hornish Jr. (2006), Buddy Lazier (1996), Buddy Rice (2004), Al Unser Jr. (1992, ‘94) and Dan Wheldon (2005).

Three Women: If rookie driver Milka Duno qualifies for the Indianapolis 500, it will mark the first time three women have competed in the event at the same time. Danica Patrick has qualified eighth and Sarah Fisher has qualified 21st.

Historic Names: The starting lineup for the 91st Indianapolis 500 includes several recognizable surnames, including Andretti (Michael, Marco and John), Foyt (A.J. IV) and Unser (AJ Jr.).

Greening of Racing: All cars competing in this year’s Indianapolis 500 will run on 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol, a worldwide racing first.

International Flair: This year’s starting lineup features drivers from across the globe, including United Kingdom (Dan Wheldon, Dario Franchitti and Darren Manning); Australia (Ryan Briscoe); New Zealand (Scott Dixon); Japan (Kosuke Matsuura); South Africa (Tomas Scheckter); Brazil (Tony Kanaan, Vitor Meira, Helio Castroneves). Others attempting to qualify for the race include Venezuela’s Milka Duno, Canada’s Marty Roth and France’s Stephan Gregoire.

To preview the 91st Running of the Indianapolis 500, the 33 qualified drivers will visit New York City on Monday, May 21 for a photo and interview opportunity in Times Square. The 33 drivers, in race day uniform with helmets, will line up in the traditional Indianapolis 500 starting formation — 11 rows of three — for photos on Times Square’s Military Island. Following the photo opportunity, all drivers will be available for interviews during a media luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The 2007 broadcast AMA Motocross coverage kicks off with the opening round, the Hangtown Classic from Sacramento, showing on Sunday, May 27 at 6 p.m. Eastern. Hangtown’s Lites race will broadcast on Tuesday, May 29 at 3 p.m. Eastern.

“We’re pleased to have AMA Motocross on SPEED,” said Rob Dingman, AMA President/CEO. “The network has always been a strong partner in broadcasting several of the AMA’s championship series. We’re happy to establish a more consistent schedule and feel that’s important for fans to be able to enjoy regular viewing habits.”

Erin Bates and Jeff Emig will join Ralph Sheheen to form the broadcast team for SPEED’s television coverage. Sheheen will handle play-by-play duties. The veteran motorsports broadcaster will be supported by Bates who will serve as the pit reporter and Emig who will provide color commentary. Bates has solid credentials having covered both AMA Motocross as well as the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series. Emig has an illustrious racing history. He is a former multi-time AMA Supercross and Motocross champion, competed on Team USA in the Motocross des Nations six times, and was the 1997 AMA Pro Racing SPEED Athlete of the Year.

Due to track repairs and renovations, the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals have been re-scheduled for July 6-8, NHRA and Bristol Dragway officials announced Sunday afternoon. According to NHRA.com, the concrete launch pad of the quarter-mile drag strip surface was recently replaced, and Bristol Motor Speedway and NHRA officials have been working to prepare the track.

“It’s an unfortunate situation, because we have the most momentum we’ve had all season and we are ready to go,” said SKOAL Racing Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr. “It’s better to be safe than sorry-you never know what can happen when there are poor track conditions. Now, we have a decent amount of time to make sure our Impala is in top shape for Topeka.”

After a frustrating pair of races, Johnson and his SKOAL Racing Chevrolet Impala recorded a first round win over Tony Bartone, climbing seven positions to stand 11th in points in the NHRA Funny Car circuit. The next race is the O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals in Topeka, KS from June 1 to 3.

Yes, He REALLY Said That- A.J. Foyt, marking his 50th year at the Indy 500, on why he kept coming back to the Brickyard as a driver. “You people writing in the newspapers saying I couldn’t make a comeback, to be truthful with you . . . that was the biggest drive because so many people said, ‘He can’t come back. If he does, he’ll never beat nothing.’ ” This came from the Valvoline Track Talk Newsletter known for it’s gem quotes.

Here we go into motorsports biggest weekend of the season. There’s lot’s of action on TV and we’ll just check out the highlights. It all starts Thursday with 8 a.m. with F1 practice from Monaco on Speed. At 1 p.m. it’s Busch Practice from Lowe’s in Charlotte on Speed. Then Cup Practice from that same track and cable channel at 3 p.m. At 6 p.m. it’s final Busch Practice from Lowe’s on Speed and then Cup Qualifying at 7 p.m. Friday’s offerings include the IRL Carb Day and Pit Stop Competition on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. Saturday’s offerings have the 8 a.m. F1 GP Qualifying of Monaco on Speed while Fox kicks in with the Craftsman Truck go at Mansfield, OH at 1 p.m. Speed comes back at 4 p.m. with NASCAR Busch Qualifying from Lowe’s followed by Final Cup Practice at 6 p.m. ESPN2 offers the Busch race from Lowe’s at 8 p.m. On Sunday, it’s the F1 GP of Monaco on Speedway at 7:30 a.m. At 1 p.m. it’s ABC’s coverage of the Indy 500 and Fox returns with the Coca Cola 600 from Lowe’s at 5:30 p.m. Monday’s centerpiece is the Rolex Grand Am race from Lime Rock Park in CT on Speed at 3 p.m. So cherry pick what form of racing you like the best. Otherwise you can spend the whole weekend in front of the tube. (end)

NOTE: INFORMATION FOR THIS COLUMN CAME FROM VARIOUS REFERENCED SOURCES, PRESS RELEASES AND NOTES.