Stepping into the daunting task of translating the print-oriented Charlotte Media Tour into a thirty minute TV program resulted in some very interesting moments for SPEED.
Steve Byrnes handled the host duties from the studio with Wendy Venturini and Randy Pemberton reporting from the field. Larry McReynolds and Bootie Barker appeared to discuss various racing topics raised during the Tour activities.
It was nice of SPEED to have Brian France, Mike Helton, Robin Pemberton and John Darby speaking to several hot topics in the first segment. France again appears to be sticking to his plan of focusing on keeping the veteran fans happy while phasing-in the COT.
Robin Pemberton's qualifying update and Darby's follow-up on the tire testing rules were a great example of hearing it directly from the men who will be dealing with those issues all season long.
It was interesting for fans to see how the reporters get their information, and the manner in which the top NASCAR executives "broke off" to provide one-on-one interviews after their presentations to the entire group.
Perhaps, there will be an opportunity to provide some on-camera shots of the reporters as well as the executives, drivers and owners in the future.
Venturini followed-up with some sound from the Richard Childress shops, and the 2007 Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick. Venturini seems refreshed, and ready for a long season of RaceDay and other duties this year.
SPEED continued on with their field reporters following the tour, and asking a lot of the same questions the drivers had been answering all day. Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler, Kurt Busch and good old Juan Pablo Montoya were all featured.
When McReynolds joined the show, he gave his opinions about the rules changes for qualifying and pit stops. Barker then appeared from a different location and gave almost exactly the same report, which seemed a big redundant. Barker is a character, and you have to wonder what his TV future might hold when his crew chief days are over.
The program closed with a report from a new wind tunnel, and a recap from Steve Byrnes. Strangely, SPEED did not take a moment to allow any of the veteran journalists on the tour to voice their opinions on the NASCAR changes. It might have been nice to get a couple of different viewpoints, especially on the new qualifying rules.
With the multiple opportunities for journalists and media members to participate in TV, radio and Internet programs during the off-season, some of them are almost as well known these days as the drivers. It would be interesting to see who is on the Media Tour that fans see and hear on a regular basis.
SPEED continues to deliver the type of new programming that NASCAR fans were asking for by the close of last season. This partnership between SPEED and NASCAR, which Brian France said he wanted to grow, has resulted in some interesting coverage of the pre-season.
This series continues tomorrow at 7PM Eastern Time with the final day of the NASCAR Media Tour.
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I thought tonight's show wasn't nearly as good as all of their previous efforts this season - but I'll cut them some slack since they didn't have any on-track action to show and/or discuss.
ReplyDeleteIt was good to hear Larry Mac and Bootie's opinions on some of the new rules.
And, as always, it was nice to see Wendy again. Talk about top-notch talent.
Thank you SPEED for helping the fans fill January waiting for Daytona!!!!
I think what made Wednesday's show less entertaining was the isolation of everybody.
ReplyDeleteByrnes alone in the studio. Wendy with pieces on tape. Randy Pemberton with pieces on tape. Larry Mac on tape. Bootie on tape.
So the show had a much different feel than the shows where two or three people are in the studio together.
Of course, with the media tour in town and having to get ready to be across the country next week for testing, I'm sure the SPEED personality resources are stretched somewhat thin for now which is perfectly understandable.
The show certainly had high content (even though I don't like RCR) and was enjoyable to view.
I'll watch tonight too! Thank you SPEED.
I agree the Larry Mac and Bootie pieces were a little redundent but Larry Mac explained the changes and Bootie as an active crew chief did more of an opinion, what the guys working now think piece. I actually expected him to rant a little more, esp about the qualifying changes. I enjoy Bootie very much, his rips on Race Day and Nascar Performance are hysterical (Aardvark)and I hope he stays with TV after he stops being a Crew Chief he could be the next Larry Mac.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the program tonight.
ReplyDeleteA big thank you to SPEED for helping all of us with the withdrawal problems. :)