Marty Smith is headed back to cover NASCAR as part of a new side deal with TNT Sports for studio work during its upcoming slate of five Cup Series races. Smith, who just signed an extension with ESPN last month, will shift into the host role for TNT’s studio show when the network begins its slate on June 28 at Sonoma. TNT’s races also include Chicago, Atlanta, North Wilkesboro and Indianapolis. Smith is repped by CAA’s Matt Kramer.
The move is related to the TNT-ESPN deal for “Inside the NBA” to come over to ESPN, but also reflects a deepening relationship between the two sides. That has also included sublicenses around the Big 12 and College Football Playoff.
Smith was first mentioned as potential talent target for both Amazon and TNT back in mid-2024 before the companies went different directions.
For Smith, this is a return to some NASCAR roots. He first came to ESPN in 2006 to cover NASCAR, and went on to serve as ESPN’s lead NASCAR reporter for “SportsCenter” and “NASCAR Now” from 2007-14. Prior to ESPN, Smith was a senior writer for NASCAR.com, an analyst/host on Speed Channel and a NASCAR analyst for FSN.
