This Sunday at Homestead marks the end of the first season of NEXTEL Cup racing on ESPN and ABC. The company bought the final seventeen races of the season, including the entire Chase for the Championship.
The NASCAR Countdown pre-race show this week will be forty-five minutes long and begin at 3PM Eastern Time. Suzy Kolber is listed as the host, and Brad Daugherty will be alongside of her in the Infield Studio.
Race coverage will begin at 3:45PM, with the green flag falling around 4PM. The race is scheduled until 8PM, which will hopefully include coverage of the championship trophy presentation and post-race interviews.
Dr. Jerry Punch, Rusty Wallace and Andy Petree will anchor the ABC coverage. On pit road will be Mike Massaro, Allen Bestwick, Jamie Little, and Dave Burns.
This announce team is coming off a very good Busch Series telecast from Saturday afternoon, and they have good weather and a race track in outstanding condition. These ingredients should combine to produce a good telecast. Fans should be watching for ABC to spread the attention around to cars in the race not contending for the championship, but in the news for other reasons.
This is Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s final ride in the DEI #8, Ricky Rudd's official last race and several other drivers are still without a ride for 2008. There are several storylines to follow.
This page will host your comments about the NASCAR Countdown show and the NEXTEL Cup race telecast on ABC. To add your opinion, simply click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the instructions. Please keep your comments related to the TV issues associated with the race, and read the rules for posting on the right side of the main page.
There is nothing to join, and we do not want your email address. We simply want your opinion about the performance of the ESPN on ABC crew as they produce the final race of the season. Thank you for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet and leave us your comments.
344 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 344 of 344The Tour de France? What?
OK it wasn't enough comparing Nascar to football but now Brent is comparing it to the tour de france, you have got to be kidding me
Anon@6:33,
Yeah, but ESPN should have spotters around the track. But it sure looks like they don't. They miss way too much.
Jerry Punch: " The track is getting cooler,and the 24 is complaing about losing the nosw. Andy (Petree) how will the track cooling help the 24"?
Andy explains a 'tight car' gets tigher in a cooler enviremnet. Nice insight Jerry!
Then Rusty talks about how to fix a tight acr. Andy already told us. Thanks, CAPTAIN REDUNDANTLY OBVIOUS!!
This is soooooo pathetic
This is what I was concerned about when Nascar announced the "Chase" several years ago. Most of the tv crews show only the top 12 and before this year the top 10. There are more cars that are not in the chase than are in it. Very poor broadcasting for teams, fans & sponsors of the non-chasers.
Oh, I just loved the Mess-berger comment comparing JJ to the wearer of the yellow jersey in the Tour de France.
Wrong sport --- again!
Sophia, at least one of the Russian words I got was "beer". LOL
Bowyer was getting his exhaust pipe AND drivetrain replaced ...
07 back on the track, think they'll notice
Please NO Shannon Spake ... She's just not any good ... She's bad like Jamie Little ...
Please bring back John Kernan ...
JD-Can those car sponsors who pay the big bucks pressure NASCAR.... who in turn would pressure ABC/ESPN to do more of the "Through the field" or show some other racing in the field? It seems with the amount of money these guys are paying their intent would be to get their logos on the tube.
JD, you're too quick for me. You remove the "snarky" comments before I can respond to them. :)
?Newracefan said...
07 back on the track, think they'll notice
November 18, 2007 6:40 PM"
Probably not.
Why would Jeff Gordon short-pit Andy???????????? Let Johnson pit first and maybe he'll get trapped a lap down and finish in the 20's and give Jeff the title. Winning the race won't win Jeff the title, trapping Jimmie a lap down could. Dumbest strategic advice I've heard all year.
NASCAR is going to have a get together with their TV guys (NASCAR Digital Entertainment) after the season and then hit the TV networks for a meeting.
I have already been told to expect big changes on NASCAR Now, and I do think we will see some new approaches to the Nationwide Series and Cup for 2008.
They're talking about short pitting the 24 because he's the only driver who can afford to take a chance? Hogwash. Aside from the 48 and cars outside the top 35 can all afford to go "checkers or wrecker".
This is pathetic.
That would be excellent news, JD. THey are slowly wrining the neck of the Golden Geese.
JD,
Is the off-air time 7:30 or 8:00? Could we possibly see an hour-long post-race show if the race ends at 7:00 or so?
JD,
Could you do a column sometime with the rumors you've heard about the changes coming for the coverage next year? And about the changes to NascarNow?
Inquiring minds want to know!
I have a stack of VHS tapes dating back to 1982 of Cup races, which were primarily
telecast on ESPN. Although the technology today is far superior, the races shown back then, in all aspects, are so much better than this years’ that it is amazing, particularly with respect to the quality of the broadcasters. The constant babble that is (was) coming out of my speakers has me muting the volume and/or seeking other programming. If the same announcing crew, particularly Rusty Wallace, is allowed back next year my days of viewing NASCAR racing on ESPN are over. Announcers should enhance the program for the viewer, not be a distraction. With Punch and Wallace’s endless blah, blah, blah,
I can’t follow the race. Put Bestwick in the booth with Dale Jarrett, bring back Bob Jenkins, get “racing” people, and dump the rest of ‘em.
Daly Planet Editor said...
...I do think we will see some new approaches to the Nationwide Series and Cup for 2008.
Geez I hope so.
What I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall in those meetings.
TRL
too funny about the beer word! LOL
If ONLY a NON chaser could win tonight
You noticed this season ESPN brought Bob Jenkins back to voice over the IndyCar support series and then got John Kernan and put him on the NHRA as a reporter.
One word for that....insurance.
it does not look like we will have problems with the race going over the scheduled time.
I agree with sbaker17. I have hundreds of races on tape back to the mid 80s and the technology is better but the presentation is a lot worse. The most irritating before this year was Eli Gold on tv. he was always saying "For those of you new the Winston Cup Racing" I seemed like he would say that 10 times per race. I can also remember TNN going to commercial with 10 laps to go at Dover. Now that was a joke
Oh... don't make promises you cannot keep Andy!
No mention of the Lucky Dog again, must have been a non-Chaser.
JD, do you think ESPN has any plans to use Jenkins or Kernan on its NASCAR programming, either live races or NASCAR Now/RPM2Nite?
I don't believe it. 13 laps to go and they go to commercials. No setting the race order, where the two chasers are - nothing.
Eli is one of the many announcers or former announcers on the NASCAR trail who read this blog and post as an Anon.
He is still in Alabama and still in TV.
Interesting placement of the Zantac ad. Could they have known that this telecast is giving NASCAR Nation heartburn?
Brian France seems like he doesn't want to put the hammer down on ESPN, so I'm not expecting much. From his press conference transcript (That's Racin):
Q: Can NASCAR do anything to address a seemingly general dissatisfaction with elements of the television coverage?
France: "We obviously have a vested concern on behalf of the industry to make sure our TV partners are presenting sport in a way we think is best. That's suggestive, there's a creative element in that.
I will tell you that the networks, generally speaking, are a bit guarded about the leagues and people like me judging and having a lot of opinions. They listen to us. ... But there's also a "church and state" there. ... It's like going to a restaurant. You might like the meal better than I do. We have to do that carefully when we have a need to voice our concerns."
10 laps to go and they go to commercials and have no reset of the field. Ratings shall plummet.
ok...got the tv back with sound on....
10 laps and 1 hour until Victory Lane where we enjoy watching the TV coverage
Once the season is over I will start to address the TV situation for 2008, but first we will take a look back at 2007 by network.
We will also be allowing readers to ask questions of the top NASCAR TV personalities...but that is not going to roll-out until after Thanksgiving. And yes...Wendy is one of them...
Eli is great. I only got to see him the last few years as TNN wasn't a big network in SoCal.
He knows his stuff.
I always though Eli Gold & Rick Benjamin did a good job, and Bob Jenkins was super too. Wasn't it John Kernan (sp?) & Reese Davis on Raceday show which was a super show.
I seem to remember Eli on the radio a couple of times. I live in California so races have always been hard to find on the radio here. I seem to remember Eli being a lot better on the radio. I figure it's the same problem as we are seeing this year on tv. NASCAR or the networks or both are forcing their promotional agenda on the announcers rather then just covering the race.
Hurrah w/Wendy & us getting to talk to folks! Thank you so much, JD!!
5 laps to go and they finally show some wide shots of the field. What took them so long?
Bob Jenkins, Ned Jarrett and Benny Parsons was my favorite booth since I have been watching Cup. I always thought Dr. Punch was the best pit road reporter.
The difference in TNN and ESPN was always amazing to me. It's like they were covering two different sports.
Yeah Rusty it's been a long season and Rusty & the others at ESPN have made it soooooooooooooo much longer!
Closeups of Johnson's wife....showing maybe 5 cars cross the finish line...awful end to an awful season for ABC/ESPN.
NO cars crossing the finish line, a perfect end to a crappy broadcast.
Wow.....only two cars finish at Homestead in the final race of the season....that was a big production decision.
Didn't show anyone but the 17 and 48 take the checkered flag. Goodbye ESPN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we will get close to an hour of post race. hope for a better ESPN on ABC next year.
Well, I hate to word it so bluntly but ESPN SUCKED this season and the end was perfect to this broadcast.
PEE SPN, thanks for hissing off the fans.
It's what you guys LIVE for and it is so obvious you are still angry at NASCAR for LOCKING YOU out years ago..so you are paying back the fans.
Why in the hello NASCAR made this deal with ES P U is mind boggling.
(I Keep getting errors when trying to post...site must be busy)
That ending was sad. Where did everyone else finish???? Thank god for Racetrax
Anonymous said...
we will get close to an hour of post race. hope for a better ESPN on ABC next year.
November 18, 2007 7:09 PM
I'm not going to hold my breath, though.
WHY was the focus on Jimmie and Chad ... and CHandra ... when it should've been on the RACE WINNER????
Maybe they could show the other 41 cars cross the finish line in the 50 minutes of postrace that they should have.
don't know about the rest of you listening to MRN, but my affiliate went to a long commercial break with 3 laps to go. I was forced to turn the sound up on the TV for the end.
I hope it was just my MRN affiliate that did that.
It is going to be interesting to see how smooth the trophy presentation goes tonight, and if Allen or Suzy does the honors.
Why wasn't Allen Bestwick in Victory Lane with Matt the RACE winner??
Why send the scary girl ??
Well at least they are interviewing Robbie Reiser winning crew chief & Matt. At least we are getting some post race.
The sad thing is I didnt even know that Truex Jr beat Johnson to finish 6th. I thought Johnson would have him beat to the line for the 6th spot, but ESPN didn't care to show us and didnt feel that the actual race was that important. They are so far off in what Nascar fans want to see.
Would anyone like to join me in song to ESPN?
na-na-na-na
na-na-na-na
hey-hey-hey
GOODBYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome back Fox! Welcome back TV coverage of Friday and Saturday morning practice sessions! Welcome back seeing what is going on ON THE TRACK!
Where was the camera for Katie Kenseth?? Sorry, but Chandra has no role in the team & should NOT have a camera focused on her ...
And Stremme finished 11th and we never heard his name mentioned today and he's one of the drivers looking for a cup ride in 2008. Thanks ESPN. Congrats to Kenseth & Johnson and let me add to the Houston Dynamos for their MLS championship.
Rick,
Must have been your local MRN affiliate. Mine kept the coverage to the end.
DJ finished 17th, great finish for him, gee we didn't even know he was in the top 20 this is typical ESPN. This coverage was prob one of the worst, even for them. I can only hope something big happens by next season cause I really can't handle much more. I feel for those people who do not get Speed they have no clue what really happens in these races.
I seem to remember a broadcast back in the '80s where there were no announcers at all. Can't remember which network though. For me, that would be far better than the ESPN/ABC crew that is on now
AB with JJ thank god.
na-na-na-na
na-na-na-na
hey-hey-hey
GOODBYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope Jr is in his motorcoach.
he was so depressed talking to Wendy before the race...I can't bear to see him again.
Let the boy go
Good, ESPN got a brain and had AB do the interview with JJ. At least we should get some intelligent questions.
ABC should've interviewed Robbie Reiser or Jack Roush BEFORE they interviewed Chad or LeTarte ...
The race win is more important than the championship ...
At least SPEED had it right on Friday night ...
AB your the man
I wonder if AB will ask about Junior next season?
Gotta give it to Alan... One of the best set of interviews ABC/ESPN has conducted all season.
To Anonymous at 7:23pm
The reason anyone worried was because if things would have turned out differently, based on ESPN/ABC's previous performance, they would have either cut the race or the postrace coverage. Just because the drivers cooperated by not having too many cautions or any red flags, doesn't make us feel any better that the station and coverage got lucky.
The Anonymous ones who troll here at 6:30pm on a Sunday night must live sad lives.
Nope, no question from Alan to Hendrik re Jr...
Congrats Matt on the win!
Nice interview with JJ and Mr. Hendrick by AB.
Hey,
Before everybody peels off and goes back to real life, I just want to say thanks a lot for taking the time to help us build this site over the last ten months.
We will be announcing what shape things will be taking for next year in the week after Thanksgiving.
It certainly has been a wonderful experience to meet all of you, and I hope that we can improve your experience with us for next season.
Thanks again!
JD
Finally a worthy post-race!!!
Ya know, I didn't recognize any of those groups they just plugged. I guess I've gotten old or something.
JD- Perfect booth crew for ESPN for next year = Eli Gold, David Hobbs, and Ward Burton. Would definitely be entertaining and, with Eli, accurate and on top of everything.
Now: Anybody know who made the 35th position in points?
Should still be Blaney he finished 12th so no way 21 could have caught him and Kyle Petty was safe before the race even started so all those above him are safe too.
Thanks to YOU JD! Have a good Turkey Day..........
Hope you're taking some time off after having to put up with Erik K. on NascarNotNow and our troll Erik on here. You deserve some R 'n R.
Vince
I find it usually takes a lot longer time to find out the owner's championship points instead of the drivers. Why can't Nascar post that at the same time????
JD-The thanks go to you. This site has made it bearable to watch this season, especially the ABC/ESPN portion. Your posts during the week and your participation in the race day blog are appreciated more than you know. Have a great Turkey-day. I, for one, am looking forward to your postings after the holiday.
JD, thank you for all your hard work keeping this group of fans on task. LOL
BTW, I updated my profile --- hehehe
Owners' standings are usually available on FOX Sports/NASCAR website an hour or so after the race. They are not updated past 35th race yet.
JD,
Thank you for giving your fellow NASCAR fans a place to talk about NASCAR TV coverage.
I've had a great time sharing my thoughts and opinions here and have had a great time conversing with the great collection of race fans that make this blog as successful as it is.
I can't wait to see what you have in store for us in 2008.
Mr. Daly:
A personal thank you for efforts in taking the time to present and host this blog. You gave us, the fans, a very important avenue to voice our opinions which can be heard from those in power. I’ve only posted a couple of comments but have been a constant reader for months. Keep up the good work and I look forward to more in the future
Brian France's speech was nauseating.
He thinks since he calls us the best fans, we are drinking his Kool-Aid and think all is swell in the NASCAR world.
Congrats Jimmie.
I really wish they would not change the name of the sport again...MLB and NFL have always kept the same names, right?
Why does NASCAR keep changing names? I know money speaks but this is old.
Oh, well.
I've enjoyed being able to come here during a race and "chat with friends" about the race we're watching.
I hope we'll be able to do that again next year, JD and all!
Thanks, JD. Your blog was the highlight of most of my races since ESPN started. It prob kept me from developing an ulcer or throwing something at my TV. I enjoyed blogging with most of the posters with a few exceptions who shall go nameless. I'll keep checking back to read everything else you post so keep us in the loop when you find out how things are going to change for next year
Is the $6+ million JJ gets on TOP of his "posted winnings" from the outcome of races, or is it INCLUDING them?
And doesn't the driver's take include all the little mini prize extras from the whole year, too?
pgharley said...
JD-The thanks go to you. This site has made it bearable to watch this season, especially the ABC/ESPN portion. Your posts during the week and your participation in the race day blog are appreciated more than you know. Have a great Turkey-day. I, for one, am looking forward to your postings after the holiday
-------
DITTO!!
Thanks JD for a great column and everything you have done this year! Happy Thanksgiving!
Amazing work this season by Allen Bestwick. Race play-by-play, pre-race host, NASCAR Now host, NASCAR now reporter, pit reporter, and now host for the championship trophy presentation.
If ESPN snubs this man next season either for NASCAR Now, the Infield Studio, or the announce booth....it will be very wrong.
Thank YOU for this site, JD.
Also, congrats to Matt!!
Thank you for providing us this platform! I look forward to the off-season topics!
JD-thank YOU for giving us a place to vent! It helps w/the BP, let me tell ya!!
Happy T-Day to everyone & can't wait for the off-season articles. Also cannot WAIT to read about this race! I need a good laugh on Monday..
On the positive side, since the race finished early, they were smart to let AB do alot of the post-race interviews.
JD, thanks for all you've done for the NASCAR fan. Since I found you site you've made race days more enjoyable. You and all your contributors provide fill in when the normal race coverage is lacking. So much said already in post can't add anything new.
Enjoy your holidays. All of you, please hold a soldier, marine, sailor, airman or guardsman in your heart this holiday season. Without them we wouldn't be enjoying our sport.
North Pole, Alaska "FAN"
Somewhere Steven Tyler is not very happy right now....
LMAO!!! Mussberger is THANKING ESPN for the great coverage and tech people, etc.
Oh my!!
Just wondered if anybody caught that.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Now on to VL for those of us BLESSED to have SPEED.
What a BIZARRE way to end it! Using a canned piece they used earlier in the broadcast??!?!?!?
Obviously, Musburger's endin comments about how good the coverage was indicate he was watching something other than the race we were just subjected to.
Hats off to Allen Bestwick for a perfect job of interviewing the champion driver and others (like #48 crew member Ron Malec) during the post-race celebration at Homestead. I haven't been proud of ESPN's coverage for much of this season, but by allowing Allen and Mike Massaro to handle most of the interviews after the race, they did right by NASCAR and fans by putting the two best pit road reporters on TV to work. If I could pick any of the current TV crews for my own NASCAR network, those two would be the first I'd sign. The first two people I'd fire? ESPN's Jamie Little and whoever that TNT pre-race joker was earlier this year. She's horrible and he was lost.
I really liked that video at the end that took a look back at the season. Despite our complants about TV coverage, the actual NASCAR season was very exciting and I am sad to see it go.
See you all next year!
"Daly Planet Editor said...
Somewhere Steven Tyler is not very happy right now...."
??? context?
Daly Planet Editor said...
Somewhere Steven Tyler is not very happy right now....
But at least one other person is...........
JD
My room mate's brother has been touring for MONTHS with AeroSmith as a technical sound engineer!
I can NEVER gripe about Steve Tyler in this house when his family is around, LOL. They just do NOT get what we have to put up with...Being a tech guy apparently pays well but I could not listen to that stuff.
I am glad all of us GET how annoying that 'video' can be.
Wonder if NASCAR NOW will use it tonight?
carl...no Aerosmith as the season ending video.
Now I understand and yes I was grateful too.
JEEEEEEZUZ
Could Punch and Little have thrown the word "emotion" into the post race JUST A COUPLE OF MORE TIMES!!!!!
hEY, jERRY! tHIS JUST IN! You are NOT personal friends of EVERY NASCAR driver, wife, crew cheif, crew cheif's wife, girlfriend etc etc etc. Would you PLEEEEEEEEEEEEASE get off you patronizing, holier-than-thou high horse and just SHUT UP!!!!!!
Let the pictures speak for themselves. IAM SO GLAD THIS SEASON OS OVER.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL
JD,
thanks for a wonderful site this year. I'll be checking in over the off-season too.
And thanks to all the posters in here too. It was (mostly) fun in here.
;)
Is there a thread for VL?
Did ESPN mention the jack attached to the 41 car as he left pit road and it flying off on pit road?? WOW. lucky nobody got hurt
Yes Sophia, ESPN did show Reed's jack problem.
I just had to say many of you here have been the nicest folks...and savvy and very HELPFUL in answering questions DURING the race that ESPN missed.
I thank all of you for being so helpful when I asked many questions.
And some of you made me smile or laugh during these races and that's ALWAYS a good thing.
Thank you Mr. Daly for all your hard work this racing season. I love this site. With any luck, someone, somewhere, will address our concerns. I truly believe that without your efforts, we'd all be curled up in the fetal position, lonely, bereaved, and utterly despairing. At least here we have a forum to do this together. :-)
Happy Turkey Day to all you Murkins. I've enjoyed hanging out with you all.
--KB (aka Karen in British Columbia)
No thread for VL, no need they usually don't screw up the broadcast. ESPN did show the 41's jack go flying.
glad espn was aware of the jack issue.
That was scary.
I am wishing TP would be repeated. Can't believe I missed Robin MILLER on it. Darn, darn, darn.
Xmas gift for Sophia.....DVR.
I think I only saw four or five cars all night. Sorry coverage for a championship that was all ready decided. If it was between Johnson and say Harvick, it might have been different. But for members on the same team, they could have shown more racing in the pack.
Many stories were missed and I still don't know who finished 35-36 in points for next years starting spot. Oh well, it's finally over!!!
It's a really sad comment that we are feeling *relieved* that this season is over. :-(
Unfortunately, it seems like a lot of us are feeling this way, and that's what's REALLY sad.
It's not supposed to be this way, guys. Sigh.
Steve -
by my calcualtions Blaney (in Bill Davis' car) remains 35th and the Wood Brothers car remain in 36th.
I had company today so could not comment during the race. Thanks JD for this site. I sure makes me not feel alone when I'm so frustrated with ESPN.
Congratulations to Matt, Jimmie, Jeff and Rick Hendricks.
I hated the coverage of the race. I still wish they would leave the camera still as the cars exit pit lane so we can see the order (since they don't mention it). I also wish the would show the start-finish line and we can watch the whole field.
Maybe Rick Hendricks can sit Andy and Rusty together with a gallon of milk and cookies. It seems that no matter what Andy says, Rusty parrots. And no matter what Rusty says, Andy disagrees. Instead of so many opinios on what they would do, or what whould be done, maybe they can go through the field.
Maybe reporters can stop with the comments about the loss of Ricky H. I remember for a long time they used to ask Jr. about the death of his dad. I just don't think most people want to share their deepest feelings with some guy with a mic.
I have enjoyed all of the regulars to this site, and though just found it recently, it's become a place to come daily. Thanks.
JD, thanks for inviting us in to your house this season.
Nothing I saw today surprised me (unfortunately). I can't believe how many cars were never mentioned or shown at all during the race. Sad. A lame ending to a lame season of coverage for the WWL.
Eli Gold, if you read this, I miss you and the TNN crew. I especially loved the telecasts from Dover with the local flavor such as closeups of the Grotto Pizza trash bins as you went to break, with the everpresent instrumental country song playing - what was that song, anyway? Does anyone else remember the guy in the stands with the "My wife is home installing our faucet this weekend" sign, a takeoff on the Peerless commercial of the time? It still cracks me up!
Sorry about the tangent. Anyway, keep up the good work JD, and hit your contacts in the business hard and let them know that a lot of us are only watching ESPN because they're the only game in town.
How long until Speedweeks? And can we please have more Wendy?
Just saw the ending video on SPEED's Vivtory lane and now I know the difference between FOX/SPEED and ESPN/ABC. SPEED/FOX is the friend I want to spend time with not the formal business lunch I have to go to with a suit and tie(ESPN/ABC).
Yo Steve. Jayski has owner's points up. They are:
33 Joe Custer 70 2,894 -3,829 36
34 Bill Davis 22 2,856 -3,867 36
35 Kyle Petty 45 2,814 -3,909 36
36 Glen Wood 21 2,667 -4,056 36
37 J. Rocco 10 2,497 -4,226 36
38 D. Mateschitz 83 2,351 -4,372 36
--KB
If you watched Nascar Now's recap of the race, you would think that only 5 cars really participated. Johnson, Gordon, Johnson, Gordon...they only showed the 8 wreck, the 20 have problems, and then at the end of the race recap "mention" the 17 actually winning the race.
It reminds me of how a U.S. network would cover the American performers at the Olympics; show only the country's drivers and forget about everyone else. Sad.
Nascar Now is laughable. Suzy giving Brad props for predicting that Johnson and Gordon would finish at the top of the Chase? They followed up the coverage of the race (aka the 24 vs 48 show) with MORE coverage of how the race went, this time with Suzy, Rusty, and Brad. All that was missing was Brent and they could have had the worst and most out-of-place panel in television history.
Coming up next...Johnson interview. Talk with Rick Hendrick. And a feature on HOW Johnson and Gordon got along all season (never seen that one before). And a highlight package of the 2007 season (aka as many highlights of the 24 and 48 as possible).
JD - Thanks for creating your blog and letting us comment on all aspects of the NASCAR tv broadcasts ... It's certainly been an interesting year ...
Your site has confirmed feelings we've had about the overall coverage and let us help the tv networks see the light ... We've also gotten to see things through the eyes & ears of other fans new & old ...
Having worked in the entertainment & news industries, I feel your frustration at watching your industry totally screw something up & then not want to admit that there's a problem (until they've been completely beaten over the head) ... As a fan of the sport, there have been more times than I can count this season where I have just wanted to walk away and never watch/attend another race ever ...
NASCAR and the tv networks need to remember the old slogan that Ford Motor Company used to use ... "Quality is Job One" ... Keep your customers (fans / sponsors) happy, they'll return the favor by bringing your more customers ... Without your fan base, your product will go away ...
I truly hope that there are some major changes at Disney's sports dept to where the race broadcasts don't make us want to throw a brick through our tvs ... Give us people who know the sport, don't talk down to us, don't rehash things that are unimportant ... Get rid of the so-called dead weight on the ship ... Stop with the annoying music (Aerosmith, rap, hip hop, etc) ... Don't constantly update the points standings ...
And remember that for the Busch and Cup races, there are 43 cars/drivers there ... Talk about all of them ... Show ALL of them ... Even if it's just during a "thru the field" segment ... They all have fans, friends & families who are watching the races ...
JD, Thanks again!!! You're a peach ...
Forgot all about NN until I clicked on here.
Ah, Jr looks so depressed and weary...but said earlier the thought the end would be 'sadder'...but glad he doesn't have to deal with 'jerks' anymore...hmmm. Peace to you Jr....sorry you are in the spot you are in but feel your Dad would understand and I know you feel that way as well.
Unlike many here, I LOVED WT with Mike Joy AND Robin Miller...I do not take Miller's digs at NASCAR seriously as I have heard him say things about F1 and Open Wheel. How they need to get out a garden hose to make the F1 races interesting. :-)
I SO AGREED and laughed when Robin said he fell out of his chair this AM when DW criticized NASCAR. Saying NASCAR has sucked the personality out of Stewart and Harvick. Miller said he bowed down and prayed to Mecca and DW is HIS new HERO!
He offered to drive DW around for the next 5 years! LOL. Miller is one of those guys that just makes me LAUGH and I never take him as gospel. He has that curmudgeon humor.
He also speaks the truth of the problems with OPEN WHeel that a monkey can pass the rookie test in the IRL and Minka Duna (or whatever her name was) does NOT and did NOT deserve to be on the track.
I have watched my 4th season end of NASCAR. Always been sad and depressed.
But honestly, the FRUSTRATION of the coverage has RUINED it for me. In past years, I could tape a race and leave the house and listen to a distant MRN on a car radio and watch the show when I got home. HELLO, with ESPN putting one race on three stations, who can tape it. Last night I saw part of the repeat shown in 2 hours? What the heck do they edit OUT???
Then I saw Mike Joy on with DESPAIN and I realized I LONG for FOX guys in February!!! But I still DREAD the latter half of the season....THAT is what is sad.
It's like being in a bad relationship...if the gripe and aggravations outweigh the FUN and good qualities, why subject yourself to it? I feel like that with ESPN. They intellectually beat up the fans each week.
THEY KNOW THEY ARE THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN for those on a budget. Yet here I am, typing on a blog, which is distracting, DURING A RACE, to find out what happened ( and to those of you who can multi task tell me and others what we missed!)
I kvetch and bitch about ESPN until I keep asking myself WHY? It's like a sick relationship BUT ESPN is the only way to watch.
I am not paying to WATCH on a computer. I hope to GOD our FM MRN station is here next year.
But honestly, if things do not improve on ESPN, I am going to seriously think about becoming a 'half season' fan.
DW went up 100 points in my eyes this morning with his comments oN WT, and I DO wish they would've followed up on those comments.
Brian France so does NOT get it.
NASCAR NOW..and VL both, are like the movie GROUND HOG DAY.
:-)
I had DVRed the race so I fast forwarded through most of it.
I'm going to continue my obsession with AB though.. excellent job once again with the post-race interviews. PLEASE ESPN, Allen deserves to be in the booth next season.
Thanks to JD also. This has been one of my favorite sites to visit within the past few months. I'm sometimes more interested in reading the articles and comments than watching the actual race. Thanks for your contribution to the sport. Hope to see you again next season.
Anon 10.38
I was writing as you posted.
Ditto what you said as I think MANY of us feel that way.
Yes, NASCAR better do some serious house cleaning...they keep acting like they do not have the POWER to control what ESPN is doing (or brian alluded to that in one of the many articles I read today)
BALDERDASH.
Suzy gave Brad props, but I remember that Brad had said at the beginning of the Chase that Tony would win. Even after a bad start, Brad continued to say Tony would be the eventual winner.
I'm glad they showed a small interview with Montoya as the ROTY.
While I thought the race should have shown all drivers, I believe the last NN should show more of the winners than others. That happens in MBA, MLB, NFL.
Let's face it, HMS didn't just win, they won by breaking all kinds of records. To see that the #2 driver has an average finish of 5.1 and still doesn't win!
No AeroSmith!!
There is a new column up about the Homestead NEXTEL Cup race.
JD
JD:
I was hoping that ESPN would continue moving forward, since I thought they demonstrated improvements from last weeks coverage. OOPS, I guess I was wrong!
The highlights today were no Draft Tracker, and Rusty’s comments were kept in check... no "brains" or "guts" lines.
The poor side is huge and has been well documented here today.
I've been a NASCAR fan for more than 25 years, and I'm at the point of throwing in the towel for 2008. I'll be reading your posts after Thanksgiving to see what improvements are being planned. If drastic improvements aren't being planned by ESPN, I'm ready to drop NASCAR altogether. There's no sense to only following the first half of the season, then switch to MRN/PRN for the final four months.
I found your blog by accident, and since that day, I’ve visited it on a daily basis, Thank you for your objective reviews and interesting perspective of a totally inadequate presentation from ESPN/ABC this year.
ESPN/ABC announcers, with the exception of pit crew announcers, are horrible! And, do I really need to watch an advertisement for Nascar while I'm watching Nascar?? I don't think so--I'm already a fan. I feel like others, that I'm just missing out on being able to see the race because of excessive and long commercials,horrible camera shots,too many teck garage infomercials, and unnecessary motormouthing by the guys in the booth who aren't keeping me aprised of what's happening on the track!!! At least with Fox cameramen and announcers I felt like I watched the whole race!! What a novel idea!! ESPN/ABC, please give up your contract or go back to the drawing board for us fans who actually like to watch all the race --not just what you are prepared to show us.
though not usually into country music for the last 25 years (liked it before it became trendy and homogenized/ diluted, much like many of you feel about NASCAR today!)
But if I was a you tube person, I would put this obscure, RARELY ever heard, 'CHANGE of HEART' song to OLD NASCAR racing clips..Before Brian took NASCAR HOLLYWOOD.
NASCAR's yapping it's 'all for the fans' rings hollow especially NOW. I feel nascar has had a CHANGE OF HEART to how THEY view the fans.
Anyway, google this song by
Boudleaux Bryant .."Change of Heart" sung by Teddy Thompson. (Other songs by similar names! That's not the song I am referring)Written back in the late 50's I think. Doubt if anybody here has heard it.
Teddy Thompson did it on Letterman months ago and the song stole my heart. If you feel betrayed by NASCAR and tonight, need a mournful song of regret, to cap OFF this season!! and long for how things USED TO BE, look up this song. ;-)
You can hear it in it's entirety on Thompson's myspace link but I did not want to break the rules here of linking it. It is on his album Up Front and Down Low.
It SUMS UP MY SADNESS OF NASCAR. (I would not buy this guys album as I only like this song and it's free)
see ya all next season
Off to read JD's new blog
Ok, since I like most of you here, here is the link
http://www.myspace.com/teddythompsonmusic
On the lower rt are songs listed...click on CHANGE OF HEART (some of his songs do nothing for me at all) If I was a beer drinker, I might have cried in my beer over my NASCAR angst.
JD, feel free to delete if this is against your linkage rules. I understand. :=)
Link too long..oh well, easy to google.
p.s. I swear my word veri thing looked like the last name of that guy on Barney Miller Wojo...short for Wojohowhiez..but I digress
I also DVR'ed the race and watched it later on in the evening. I have to tell you that my hand was getting sore from having to fast forward through all the commercials. You don't realize just how often they run commercials until you have to zoom past them. After writing that I'm sure those without DVR's know for sure how many there are.
JD, thanks for a great site. Ever since I found this site earlier in the season, I have read every word on here on a daily basis. In fact, I found myself looking several times a day to see if a new article was posted. Looking forward to spending the off season with you.
Steve L.
I want to thank John for the "rookie of the year" in NASCAR websites! I can't wait for your second season.
To Sophia, stricklin82, Busch Series Fan! and the rest, thanks for your perspective. I want to single Sophia out for her writings. They are some of the best I have ever seen from anyone online.
As for Erik, I can only pity you and wonder who you really are.
Thanks again to all, and be thankful this week.
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