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Mark Cuban's HDNet never misses an opportunity. Major sports events are huge drivers of high-definition television, but none of the big networks sought out NASCAR for HD productions. Enter Dallas-based HDNet, to the benefit of racing fans throughout North America.

On March 15, 2004 - NASCAR and HDNet announced a three-year partnership to deliver NASCAR's first high definition television productions. The landmark deal features 15 live high definition telecasts, and a total of 18 races from the NASCAR Grand National Division, a tier of NASCAR regional racing series that includes the Busch North Series and West Series.

HDNet will produce and broadcast the series in 1080i, according to a joint announcement. "NASCAR is a great addition to HDNet's lineup of originally produced, live HD sports programming," said Mark Cuban, co-founder and president of HDNet. "HDTV owners will love it; NASCAR fans will love it. It's a win-win for all." HDNet is available to HDTV subscribers on Adelphia Communications, Charter Communications, DirecTV, DISH Network, Insight Communications, Mediacom Communications, Time Warner Cable and several NCTC cable affiliate companies.

NASCAR Digital Entertainment v.p. of broadcasting and new media Dick Glover agreed with Cuban. "High definition is the future of television, but it's here now for NASCAR," Glover said. "NASCAR has partnered with HDNet to increase exposure for the drivers, teams and tracks that participate in the NASCAR Grand National Division, and to introduce fans to our stars of tomorrow."

The series debuts Sunday, April 25, with the Busch North Series race at Lee USA Speedway in New Hampshire. The first West Series race to be broadcast in high definition is the May 1 event from California Speedway near Los Angeles. The agreement calls for HDNet to broadcast 20 NASCAR Grand National Division events in HD in 2005, and 22 events in 2006, in addition to the 18 races in 2004. SPEED Channel, home to NASCAR TV, will re-air in standard definition the 18 races produced by HDNet, as well as several additional originally-produced NASCAR Grand National Division events.

The following events - listed by date, series [Busch North Series (BNS) and West Series] and location - are included in the HDNet package:

Sun., Apr. 25 BNS Lee USA Speedway, Lee, N.H.

Sat. May 1 West California Speedway, Fontana, Calif.

Sat. May 22 BNS Thompson Int'l Speedway, Thompson, Conn.

Sat. May 29 BNS Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, Conn.

Sat. June 12 BNS Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk, Mass.

Fri. June 18 BNS Stafford Motor Speedway, Conn.

Sat. June 26 BNS Holland Int'l Speedway, Holland, N.Y.

Sat. July 17 West Evergreen Speedway, Monroe, Wash.

Sat. July 24 BNS New Hampshire Int'l. Speedway, Loudon NH

Sat. July 31 West Irwindale Speedway, Irwindale, Calif.

Sat. Aug. 14 BNS Watkins Glen International, N.Y.

Sat. Aug. 21 BNS Beech Ridge Motor Spdwy, Maine

Mon. Sept. 6 West Rocky Mountain Raceways, Utah

Sat. Sept. 18 BNS New Hampshire Int'l Speedway

Fri. Sept. 24 BNS Dover Int'l Spdwy, Dover, Del.

Sun. Oct. 3 West Phoenix Int'l Raceway, Phoenix, Ariz.

Sun. Oct. 17 West Mesa Marin Raceway, Bakersfield, Calif.

Sat. Oct. 23 West Irwindale Speedway, Irwindale, Calif.