Well, the weekend is officially a nightmare for both NASCAR and the TV networks. RaceDay on SPEED showed us that the rain is continuing to fall, even as Fox is about to take the air for the scheduled live coverage of the Cup race.
It should be interesting to see how long Fox decides to remain on-scene live, and if they choose to use last week's Daytona 500 as filler programming.
Chris Myers hosts the coverage from the Hollywood Hotel, with Jeff Hammond alongside. In the booth, Mike Joy will handle the play-by-play with analysts Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds. Down on pit road Fox has some reporters playing injured today. Krista Voda and Matt Yocum have both been under the weather, they will be joined by Steve Byrnes and Dick Berggren on the telecast.
After the long fill from ESPN yesterday, and the two hour RaceDay program today, it will be tough for Fox to find a whole lot to talk about. Even after the track was dry earlier this week, some "weepers" caused water to leak from cracks in the track for several hours. The high-speed nature of this track will not allow cars to operate at speed unless the track is completely dry.
It should be fun to watch this veteran TV crew from Fox deal with the issues associated with the weather and scheduling. Hopefully, things will work out for both Fox and ESPN2. That network will show the Nationwide Series race when the Sprint Cup event has concluded.
This story will serve to host your comments about the Sprint Cup coverage from Fontana on Fox. To add your opinion, just click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the simple instructions. The rules for posting are on the right side of the main page.
Thanks again for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
459 comments:
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ITs all over. See ya monday. So much for the weather forecast "Rain exits by afternoon"
Well, the rain could've held off until WTunnel, lol. Now I will have to set the vcr.
Hope this passes quickly. How frustrating for drivers, fans and TV crews! Long day/night.
JD, why does blogger make a new page if it gets long? I don't like that...
The weather looks good. it looks like this is just a passing cloud and will pass quickly.
NASCAR has said they can start the race as late as 7 PST. since we already started I'm sure they can continue as late as 8:30 PST
I know it is hard to consider now, but Dale Jr. was knocked out because his teammate hit a wet spot. The replay clearly showed that.
Hamlin hit the wall after tangling with a wet spot, and many drivers were clear in saying the track was not ready for racing.
The interesting thing is that we did not hear anything about this before the race from Fox, nor did we see the weepers until the accidents happened.
Give them credit, once it happened they were on it, but not before then. I think we will see a lot of stories about Junior in the NASCAR press tomorrow.
JD
I don't know about NASCAR and ESPN, but tennis matches are shown live in ESPN2 when they are in Australia. That's about 3am (EST)
Im surprised no one mentioned this but Dale Jarret has to race and then run to a TV Booth after. He has a loooooong day!
thanks for the update JD. NASCAR NOW should be very interesting tomorrow and HOPEFULLY the new show on TWIN.
I knew from the get go Jr's comment was so UNLIKE him to lash out about a bad move by NASCAR...yet DW and the entire booth ignored it???? He was just being honest and apparently as others have said, and you have confirmed, many drivers did not feel comfortable starting this race.
Weather.com shows that it is raining and is going to rain shortly again. What a tough day.
Sphiaz. Get off the Junior subject. We are past that.
Agree completely with JD, it is a difficult situation to ponder that the seepage wasn't adequately covered during the "rain fill."
This brings up the question to what extent the people at Fox are "TV partners" with Nascar and when they should step back and be journalists.
In retrospect - that's the role of Ken Rosenthal from the Sporting News on Fox's Saturday baseball.
Perhaps that should be a use for the Editor of Speedway Illustrated when these situations arise.
it is not raining. there are just a few passing clouds left.
It's nice to see Fox is showing lots of cars and not just the top 5
To the poster who said that the teams have to return to NC, Wendy Venturini said on RACEDAY that testing haulers have come to California to swap out the cars for Las Vegas. The teams will be staying west and not going back home. I trust Wendy that her information is correct.
Travis Kvapil car looks like the white one in the Tony Stewart HOME DEPOT pain commercial. :-)
Hope they get a sponsor next week. That's tough.
Great Catch by Fox of the incident with Tony Stewart's pit crew member. I hope he's OK, but it didn't look good.
The "Distance Behind Leader" crawl is broken for the second week in a row. Just before Jeremy Mayfield's flat tire it showed all cars except the first nine as being a lap down. Earlier it showed everybody 26th and back as a lap down. Fox had the same problem at Daytona.
OMG. Fox missed a restart! Its been years since they have.
So, right now the Nationwide race would start after 1AM Eastern Time.
Will there even be a TWIN tomorrow with a race this late. Not to mention Vistory Lane
That was Victory Lane sorry got distracted by Elliot into the wall
newracefan
GOOD POINT about TWIN.
My word, will they START a race after 1AM? That's a long day for the poor fans sitting there and all the tv people...goodness.
Cool beans seeing that paper come off of Jamies grill with the bumper cam! FUNNY and saved him a pit stop.
Didn't they do a late night VL when Tony won at 2AM at Daytona a few years ago? can't 'member?
If we get a Nationwide race, be interesting to see if ESPN 2 comes out with the skeleton crew, "Nascar Now" from the booth and minus the Tech center.
Daly Planet Editor said...
I know it is hard to consider now, but Dale Jr. was knocked out because his teammate hit a wet spot. The replay clearly showed that.
-------
Trust me, his fans are and have been considering it and are livid. In addition to rain delay affecting the ratings, the effect of countless more-disgusted-than- usual Dale Jr fans turning off the TVs after realizing that the race is continuing can't be counted out when the ratings come out later. Especially since Jr himself expressed disgust.
Jr knows his words have power, he's said that before, so he tried to be careful when he says things. when he says things, he's firing a shot (I want 50 percent of DEI). So he fired a shot, and it's having the desired effect.
Did they even do an "if you are new to Nascar" segment for weepers?
caution out for rain and to quote Chad RAIN SUCKS
So did I miss anything? :)
Had to do some laptop fixin'
But WHY did no one in the TV media ask details about the track before the race started? They had all day. From ESPN on NASCAR Now, to SPEED's Race Day, to FOX's three hour preshow, no one asked the tough questions that might have shed some light on what has now happened. No one wanted to talk about track conditions after three days of rain at all.
Anon 7:47, as someone who watched NASCAR Now 11 hours ago. You are exactly right. They had all day to ask "what if" about the weepers and seepage and did nothing, hardly ever mentioning what kinds of problems there might be with track conditions or asking someone who might know. Come to think of it, they talked about the forecast but not the track.
ESPN, SPEED should share some blame, but most goes to FOX for not filling three hours or rain delay immediately before the race with asking the "what ifs" and taking some closeup pictures of the track in all turns before the race got started. They even showed a little clip of the weepers on Friday at the start of coverage, why not ask about the potential today and go back on the track to check it at the end of coverage before racetime? FOX, you have the cameras. ;)
I think they need to call it a night, red flag for rain. "We've lost the track" 48 spotter
Those are some good comments, and that is going to be an issue for some time. Maybe now we know why NASCAR Now did not show us the track at 10AM this morning.
JD
This is tiresome. I know I'm worn out from all these delays. I say call it a night, too.
Fox covered the "repair" last night for the weepers but unfortunately they just assumed it worked. Guess not.
I say Fox will kill time until 9:27 and then they'll tell us the race has been postponed until tomorrow, so they can go off the air at 9:30.
I wish NASCAR officials were more forthcoming with their thoughts to the TV audience during these types of situations.
Their booth is only a few steps from the TV booth and it would be nice to know what their thoughts are.
When weather is such a HUGE issue with an event, why does it seem that the network is almost scared to even show the weather radar ??
A frequent look at the radar would help us alot.
Lets hear from some different drivers. There are 43 & thru these delays we constantly hear from the same ones.
The broadcast crew is doing a fine job filling in with info during the red flags. I was happy to see Hornish and Mears being interviewed after coming out of the infield care center. These guys and gals won't have any voices left tomorrow.
Gee, that was poor coordination on the Dario interview. The truck did excellent work having the Indy 500 footage ready from ABC/ESPN. I remember watching that worrying he'd wreck going to the yellow/checker.
Didn't seem like it was really mentioned though.
Carl's spotter thinks it's gonna be a couple of hours. I hope he's wrong.
--KarenB
Radar does not look good, there appears to be another cell after this one. They'll never get this track dry for another 3 hours. That's 9pm there what's the chances of going green tonight
Fox is going off the air for an hour and a half. This doesn't look good. The Simpsons is next, followed by local news.
Don't forget to set the VCR or the DVR or the TiVo because NASCAR is going to hand for at least three more hours.
Has anyone heard what the Monday plans are yet? I was on the phone talking TV.
JD
NASCAR can restart the race as late as 10-11 PM PST. I think they can.
Try this again...
Last year I remember Helton in the booth giving updates a couple of times in this kind of situation.
But what channel do I DVR FOX, Speed or FX. I hope no one is tuning in for their first Nascar race talk about bad first impressions
What a day. NASCAR is in quite a box now. I say this just call the race. Its been a long day.
ALL LIVE RACE COVERAGE IS ON FOX...next coverage at 11 EST. If it is delayed till tomorrow it will be on FOX. All affiliates are required to carry the coverage based on the new contract.
Just a heads-up, Despain has a barn burner going on Wind Tunnel.
NASCAR cannot call the race because it has not gone halfway.
The race will be on FOX even if it is run on Monday. LAst year every rain event was put on FOX the next day.
FOX has no cable partner. FX is no longer their partner so it will not be on that channel. SPEED Channel is not a cable partner since it is only available to Satelittle and Digital Cable customers.
I am with my Anon friend, the current TV contract is for broadcast TV and not cable. It should be on the Fox affiliates in the AM West Coast time, and that should be interesting!
Despain just said he is going to take phone calls from NASCAR fans upset about DW, that should be interesting.
JD
Nascar will not call this race until they get to the halfway mark.
They must forget some of us East Coasters have to get ready for work in the AM since they aren't giving us Monday plans! I don't think they know what to do, to be honest. What if the track damage shows up again?
Looking ahead to tomorrow based on espntv.com:
For ESPN/ESPN2, as long as they get the Nationwide race complete before 7 PM Eastern/4 PM Pacific it should be fine. So it depends on what time the cup race ends. They'll have to the start Cup race early for this to work and get drivers their one hour of rest, like 11AM Eastern/8AM Pacific.
Say they start Nationwide at 4PM Eastern/1 PM Pacific. They can skip repeats of Billiards all the way up to NASCAR Now/Jim Rome (NN begins at 5:30.) through 7PM Eastern/4 Pacific.
ESPN (main) would have to skip of its new talk programming (NFL Live, 1st and 10, Outside the Lines, etc. (Would they skip Around the Horn and PTI? Hmmm...) and new Sportscenter between 4-7 PM Eastern.
After 7 pm Eastern live basketball men's and women's takes over on both channels and won't be skipped (big-name teams for both sexes).
I don't think they could do tape delay on ESPN2 because ESPN2 only has a two hour window of poker reruns between the live women's b-ball and a men's live b-ball game. ESPN also has a second game after the one at 7 PM.
ESPN Classic is open all day.
It's a shame most people won't know what time or channel to set recording devices before the AM, it appears.
had a tape in for the race.
Wind Tunnel has been GREAT but he needs more than an HOUR with all the commercials. Geez.
Good to see the two OW big shots on even if remote. :)
Sounds like Dave is just looking to make arguments since he does race highlights.
I believe this race will continue tonight. NASCAR can go all the way up to 11PM PST. They want to finish tonight. Then they can have the nationwide tomorrow.
I'm no expert, but I do wonder if the downforce from the cars at speed forced water up thru the track, depending on the composition of the asphalt, so that no one (at FOX or NASCAR)knew what to expect until the cars ran at speed? Just wondering - I'm not trying to alibi for either party.
anon 9:33PM
Not necessarily, I have SPEED on expanded basic, and I've seen it on expanded basic in many other places... however, it still doesn't have the coverage that FX has, and because of the contract the race would be on FOX. I know my local FOX never carried the Monday races, because they didn't have to, but last year when I called about the Dover race I was told that now they do have to.
"since he does race highlights."
February 24, 2008 9:44 PM
I meant he does NOT have race highlights.
I suppose I will stay awake until the 11 PM ET update, and then head off to bed when they say what to do.
Will FOX even make mention of the Nationwide race since its not on their network? How are we suppose to find out that information?
Carl's spotter says NASCAR has killed the N-Wide race for tonight (surprise, surprise), but they're still holding out hope for Cup.
--KarenB
The TV contract is with Fox, not the independently owned and operated affiliates. Its up to them to decide if they want to show the race.
FOX did mention the nationwide race...at last word they said "ESPN2 is waiting for this race to finish so they can start there coverage an hour after the cup event"
When my TimeWarner service added a digital tier I was told by an informed source that SPEED Channel (then) was put on the digital tier in order to attract subscribers for the dig tier. There was no requirement then to put SPEED on the digital tier - it was TW's choice.
Anonymous said...
The TV contract is with Fox, not the independently owned and operated affiliates. Its up to them to decide if they want to show the race.
February 24, 2008 9:52 PM
That may be true...but all affiliates have a contract with FOX. the contract says affiliates MUST carry certain LIVE events and sports. NASCAR is included.
This reminds me of the old NASCAR days. Staying up late at night to see if a race will be run.
All the folks who insist the race will continue tonight and that NASCAR will not call this race:
Please go look at the radar for Fontana California. (FOX didn't show it to us; poor call on their part). Rain is and has been over the area for the past 50 minutes or so. And it's not letting up yet (about halfway through).
It took three hours to dry the track this afternoon, not two, and that's not including the one hour break later on in red flag to repair the "weepers".
sorry but this race is over. Let's just hope everything is dry and repaired by early AM, when they need to start this race to fit both races in for broadcast.
FOX is back on for an update.
Our old friend Paul Page with the NHRA on ESPN2 just teased "an update on the Nationwide series from Fontana, California" after this break.
NASCAR update....on NOW on FOX...right now!!!
track looks good...i think we can come back by 9PM pst.
FOX came back for an update. The track just looked damp, not soaked like before. Pretty much nothing new. NASCAR really wants to get this race in. Looks like im gonna be staying up late tonight to watch this one.
anyone catch the nationwide update on ESPN2?
ESPN2's bottom line says the Nationwide series is pushed back until Monday (Live on ESPN2)
No time given
I wish NASCAR would just give us an update on the NAtionwide and Cup race.
Ok Cup race is still on but what time is the NAtionwide race going to be? I want to set my DVR!
Which is fairer to the fans at the track... get the race in since they have waited so long or run a clean race they can enjoy on Monday?
Didn't the Pepsi 400 a few years ago go until 1 or 2 am? I'm sure if they can dry the track then they'll give it a shot.
FWIW, someone on another board says a team member friend for a Nationwide Team called her to say the Nationwide race start time they've been told is 10 in the morning.
Which is 1 ET; matches the schedule posted by anonymous poster @9:43 and will get them off ESPN2 by 7 ET. Weather is supposed to be good tomorrow.
keep in mind it's only 7:00pm PST here. NASCAR has started races as late a 8pm EST on the east coast. I think they want to get it in today and do will everything they can, to do that.
If the Sprint Cup race does get run tonight and restarts starts at 8:30 local or so (11:30 ET), would this be a situation where Nascar - if they give us any information - might declare this the Auto Club 252 ?
Yes but the Pepsi 400 is a night race. This race was scheduled for a 4:15 PM ET green flag. Its now six hours later. I wouldnt mind if this was a Saturday Night, nut tis Sunday. We have work and school.
Why hasn't Wind Tunnel been expanded to 2 hours if it's so popular?
Checked ESPNews and they said Monday on ESPN2 for Nationwide race. But still no time given.
I think NASCAR is waiting to make a decesion on what time ot start the nationwide series race until the know whats going on with the cup race. IF the cup race makes halfway NASCAR will announce a time for the Nationwide race.
Well im gonna call it a night you guys. Im just gonna go to bed and pray they postpone the race. I never thought I would say that, but I need sleep. lol
Starting a shorter Busch race at 10 EST is one thing; I've seen NASCAR do that plenty.
Starting the bulk of a Cup Race again at Midnight EST or later? I can only remember that on holiday weekends. (July 4)
Rain has stopped according to radar shortly after 10. So - do they go racing in 2 hrs or 3 hrs from now?
Here's the conundrum in the run all night vs. wait until morning debate: all those people with paid admission to the event at a France family controlled track who cannot possibly take Monday off work.
Being terribly groggy in the office at 9 AM isn't ideal, but at least they see a green flag finish.
JD - what verdict would TV executives have on this one? My guess is that since Fox doesn't have a fantastic lineup to squander this evening (aka no American Idol), they really don't mind running late.
Be interesting to see how the Fox vs. ABC ratings come down tonight, given the Oscars and the unplanned Nascar competition.
Our local Fox affiliate has not allowed any race info breaks, they just stay with the local news. Nascar needs to either do it or get off the pot. No one on the East coast or Midwest will stay up and watch this, even if the local affiliates go to the race.
Just saw an ESPN2 ticker that said the Nationwide Race will be on Monday, on ESPN2 but did not tell a time.
That someone on the other board was right pretty much. MRN says Nationwide race begins at 9:45 PT (the "someone" said 10, maybe that's green flag time). Which is 12:45 ET.
If Sprint Cup Race is postponed, it will start at 12:45 ET (the NW time) followed by NW race.
I think that means the NW race will be going to ESPN Classic if the Cup race is postponed (and if they still let the drivers have an hour's rest). Because they might not be finished by 7 ET unless they skip that hour of rest.
I agree that ESPN is unlikely to pre-empt Marquette at Villanova or Connectictut/LSU basketball on the Deuce.
Lots of coordination between networks will be needed tomorrow, good thing they're getting along now.
Darbar . . .
In case this is a pattern, what are your call letters?
Thanks for all the great comments, I will start another page for the race tomorrow when the decision is made.
JD
More scanner chatter from the 99 team: They're saying they'll probably restart about 9:30 PT, according to one of the "blower dryer dudes".
--KarenB
Rain has stopped according to radar shortly after 10. So - do they go racing in 2 hrs or 3 hrs from now?
February 24, 2008 10:21 PM
**************************
Amen! The whole thing is insane.
Maybe not at another track with lights, but based on what has happened at this track today because of water and the extra time it took to dry it, it's insane - only word I can think of - that they're trying to dry the track again tonight.
After 11 PM in every time zone Fox affiliates control the airwaves, right? (10 PM Fox News and then we have FOX local sports roundup at 10:30.) It would be very interesting if the race continued tonight and the affiliates elected not to show it.
My FOX affiliate has a mixture of paid programs and syndicated programming from 11-2 EST. Will they show the race instead? I guess the VCR will let me know because I'm out after 11.
They just fired up the jet dryers.
As I said before...If your FOX station has FOX as their PRIMARY affiliate they MUST have a contract with FOX. From what I hear the contract labels some programs as MUST carry. No mater what. NASCAR is included.
Two minutes to a live update, this should be very interesting.
looks like we will restart at around 9:15PM PST.
MRN says 1 more hour to a green flag start
And . . .the Hollywood hotel returns again at Midnight ET.
Until then here in Washington, DC - its MASH.
Also, I'm getting promos out of order, Fox 5 is running the spots for tonight's primetime lineup that never happened.
OK now what, if I stay up they will call it, if I give up they'll race. Will it be definately be on FOX? I'm thinking DVR everything from now til 6am? This is worse than spending all day in Dover last June and having to go back the next day by myself cause he couldn't get off work to go back with me.
My local Fox affiliate left local programming (a re-run of '24') right at 11 PM EST for a NASCAR update. They said NASCAR hopes to start back at midnight EST and Fox would be back with a NASCAR update then. In the meantime West Coast viewers were returned to the Simpsons and everyone else back to local programming.
Hopefully everyone else's affiliates carried the update and will return for the race.
Sadly my local FOX affiliate did not break in for the 11pm EST update. Does this mean they'll be unlikely to return for race coverage as well? This is the johnstown, PA FOX affiliate BTW.
Any chance of a simulcast on speed at this point?
No FOX update at 11pm on my affiliate WSYM - Lansing Mich
This could open a big ole can of worms if the affiliates mess up this midnight broadcast.
Off topic, but TV sports coverage related and I guess proving we aren't the only sports fans with this issue:
http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/15905827.html
That's definitely one issue that has been hurt by the new TV contract. In the past rain delayed races were carried nationally on FX and locally by the Fox affiliates that chose to stick with the race. Apparently the new TV contract doesn't allow for this since many of you missed the Dover race on Fox on a Monday last year. I hope all of your affiliate carry the race, but if they don't it sure would be nice if a cable outlet like Speed or FX could carry the race in rain delay situations like this. I really hope it works out for you guys that didn't receive that last update because that certainly doesn't seem like a good sign.
thanks Stricklanfan
My local fox affiliate had an HOUR of horrible local news (Don't watch news, read mostly online or listen to LOCAL radio to get my news) I just got off the phone and MISSED the update and saw some cartoon show was on.
NOTHING at NASCAR.com site from the messy front page there (hard for me to read that cluttered mess) Figured I could find out more here...I will check my tv in a bit and see what is happening.
This is getting crazy though for all involved..race track fans, workers, drivers, tv crews, etc.
ENDURANCE contest for all.
:-)
My Fox affiliate says race is delayed. Will give an update in 45 minutes--on the hour. That is midnight eastern time. I guess NASCAR figures that's only 9 in Ca.
We could come into curfew at 10 or 11. There is an issue at many California tracks especially with curfews in suburban areas.
They are just 39 laps from an official race, so they may attempt to start at 9 PM and attempt to just run to the curfew if there is one, otherwise we could go to midnight PT.
Nascar.com NW race 1pm eastern on Monday but TV coverage to be determined
Scanner- middle of track sort of dry the rest still wet
Good luck to all who are going to watch the race out West. Us East Coast boys are going to call it a night. What a mess! I wonder how many of the Sprint Cup guys will stick around for the Nationwide race on Monday? Have a good night.
JD
DVR to the rescue (hopefully it stays on fox) I'm out of here
"Nascar.com NW race 1pm eastern on Monday but TV coverage to be determined"
Makes me think they're hedging their bets on if they can find some platform to show the NW race live tomorrow, without putting it on Classic or tape delay. That's if the Cup race doesn't run tonight and has to run tomorrow at 1 PM instead of the NW race...
Here is what I know: All western stations will carry the NASCAR coverage because they are still off the FOX satellite until 10PM PST.
Stations that are in local programing may have problem. Although they are supposed to cover this by contract, I think there is little penalty if they don't. Many stations have inexperienced Master control operators working at this time and might not know they are to take the FOX sports coverage. Call you FOX station if they did not cover the 11PM EST coverage. If they did cover it you SHOULD be fine for the race.
JD, Will NASCAR Now still air at 12PM EST?
My room mate just informed me that while I was on the phone the tri state fox affiliate in our area DID UPDATE at 11pm and said midnight they would be back. They are a major FOX affiliate and good about showing races on delay.
Mother Nature must be making it difficult for ESPN to decide but folks who work during the day should be able to be told where to tape or DVR. Though I have CLASSIC I hope they use one of the ESPN1 or 2 stations, since many do not get CLASSIC around here.
Including basic TW who left channel 32 blank with color bars since removing CLASSIC last fall on most of our tvs in the house. Why they bumped CLASSIC to a digital tier is beyond most of us.
Good night all.
Hmmmm...some of you anons are really smart cookies. I think I am starting to figure out why some anons on here will always be in disguise even if JD gets a new board.
But I APPRECIATE your explaining about the MASTER control thingie. I love learning how tv, cable and networks work.
I saw the post about the UK game getting yanked off the air for a few moments. Reminds me of ESPN Bristol hiccup the last few laps.
As noted earlier, ESPN 2 has a big chunk of year-old billiards in the afternoon. If the NW race goes at 1 PM they shouldn't have an issue
I'm shocked so many people are giving up! There are only 36 of these a year!
Oh well. I just hope they firm up the Nationwide TV status before everybody has to leave for work Monday.
Just curious JD is this the longest thread ever in the history of this blog? and also you work is very appreciated you do great work. As open wheel comes back I hope you will at least consider covering the Indy 500
...I remember one time we went to over 400 comments.
9 minutes till the update and hopefully the green flag.
I wonder if we're going to come back to the race and just race the 37 (or is it 38?) laps until 125. Even though it's only 8:55 here on the left coast, the drivers' internal clocks haven't reset in just a few days. They've gotta be dying out there.
BTW, the TrackPass Race Clock shows a duration of 5:25.
--KarenB
Anonymous said...
As noted earlier, ESPN 2 has a big chunk of year-old billiards in the afternoon. If the NW race goes at 1 PM they shouldn't have an issue
February 24, 2008 11:43 PM
-------------------
The issue comes up if they have to run the Cup race before the Nationwide race. If they run the
Cup race tomorrow, (unless they tell us differently soon,) it will start at 1 PM ET, not the NW race. The NW race would follow and probably wouldn't start until 5 or 5:30 ET if they give the drivers an hour rest.
Which would bump it up past the live events already on ESPN's schedule at 7.
That;s the problem.
NASCAR on FOX update is on.
I don't like that...race to resume at 10:00PM PST. That is late, even for west coast viewers.
"Conclusion of the Auto Club 500 at 1:00 am EST.
G'night ya'll.
Tom in Bristol
Mike Joy says they're planning to run the entire race . . . hmm
OMG! They're actually going to run the entire race! Crazy...
--KarenB
Conclusion of the Auto Club 500 at 1:00 AM ET, fantastic
NOW they are saying 1am??????????
You gotta be kidding me. CM and Jeff updating.
And Mike, Larry and Darrell are saying NASCAR wants to go the whole race???
Oy vey.
I am a night owl but this is crazy.
p.s. I am THRILLED OW has gotten back together and is trying to repair the damage done to that sport. I hope they still keep the SIDE BY SIDE for commercials, lol.:-)
Now here is where is gets tough. They want to come back at 10PM PST. that is exactly the time most west coast stations leave the network and do news. We will see what happens.
How many of you on the east coast or in between saw the update?
Look..I'm all for getting the race in on the day it's scheduled, but this is rediculous....
DC got the update (we have an O&O - I'm really curious about the stations that Fox doesn't control)
KVVU Henderson/Las Vegas aired the update. Wonder if they go with the race or local news at 10:00/EST
Boy this is going to be a long night for this Pensylvanian watching in the eastern time zone but oh well, as long as they're running the entire distance tonight I'm all for it! Great decision by NASCAR. If I'm going to stay up this late I'd like to see a full race instead of a 30 minute dash to halfway.
Good night; it's DVR time for me in Connecticut.......
Now's a good time to go watch the Windbag, I mean, Wind Tunnel show I taped eariler, then watch the rest of the race.
Better put on another pot of coffee!
What in heaven's name is Nascar's reasoning for doing this race starting at 1am Eastern? This is insane !!! Like they said on Raceday, it's not like the crews have to go back to Charlotte this week. They are staying on the West coast and other crew members have brought their "testing" haulers from Charlotte with the cars for the Vegas race. Wendy said the teams are staying put and the extra guys who stay back at the shop have brought the Vegas cars already, so everyone just stays put. Plus, they're staying west because all the teams are going to Phoenix for testing on the Monday after Vegas. So, what's the problem with running the race tomorrow? It's totally not fair to those of us on Eastern time. Nascar wonders why people are hacked off at their sport? Well, here's another reaon---stupidity of the bigwigs in Nascar
XETV in San Diego got all the updates. I hope they carry the race instead of news at 10. They are not owned by FOX.
...and here come some problems. XETV keeps airing promos for "FOX6 NEWS at 10. coming up next"
I really hope they don't do that. This will be interesting. Anyone on the west coast seeing promos for their local news at 10?
GS
I doubt FOX has too much to do with it going on tonight. Probably consulted, but wouldnt have had the final say.
Its insane to run a race this late/early in the day. Ending at 1am eastern I could see, but a race starting at 1am is kind of silly.
Im going to stick it out for a while, but doubt Ill make it to the checker. Shame on NASCAR.
I don't blame NASCAR one bit for re-starting the race this late. We've seen many rain delays at eastern tracks like Daytona, Atlanta, and Charlotte run well past midnight local time. Sure this is an inconvenience to east coast viewers like myself but this isn't unprecedented by any means. I say get the race finished tonight. It's still only 9 PM out there so it wouldn't be fair to send those Californians home and back to work on Monday with no option of coming back for the following day's conclusion just for the sake of east coast TV viewers, in my opinion.
come on...its not that bad...I mean what the difference? More people will be able to see it if they do it now then if they air it tomorrow when everyone works.
Don't get all mad if your on the east coast.
What I would like to see someone (TV people!!) question of NASCAR is the safety issue.
These people have been at the track since 12:30 Pacific - actually earlier than that for sponsor appearances and drivers' meeeting. Sure the drivers are probably asleep in their motorcoaches right now, but what about the crew chiefs, pit crews, and pit officials? They can't go back to their hotels and take a nap.
The drivers themselves are going to be driving around a (likely) more treacherous than usual track, probably with some wet spots, at very high speeds, under the lights. Even with a nap, will the drivers be completely alert as normal? What about the pit crews?
Recipe for disaster IMO, even if nothing bad happens (I truly hope it doesn't -the Casey Mears incident was enough for me).
Someone should question NASCAR about this line of reasoning.
If we assume that Nascar actually intends to go the advertised distance tonight, we have about 326 miles to go in this race.
Last year's 300-mile February then-Busch series race at California ran 2 hours and 20 minutes which means, if that's a fair comparison:
10 PM PST resumption = about a 12:30 AM PST conclusion.
Well, I don't blame NASCAR either as another EST person, STricklanfan. As near as I can tell, Most west coasters deserve to see a race if they have been sitting around in the cold and rain all day....endurance contest for sure.
I don't feel insulted as this has been a ROUGH few days for all parties involved. I don't know that there is an easy answer but I hope it gets over tonight.
We can always throw in a tape or dvr the show.
Lots of times West coast fans have to get up EARLY to see the pre race shows on Sunday...so, west coasters should get first dibs sometimes.:-)
Good golly, Miss Molly... I haven't seen this much whining since.... hell... I don't know when.
The race has to run for reasons beyond who gets to watch it tonight. It's a money game folks! Between today and Vegas teams have committments, crews have cars to get ready and those haulers gotta get back to NC and get cars ready for Atlanta.
If it is too late to stay up... and you do not have gainful employment beckoning you during the day... and you do not have a DVR/TEVO... watch the replay on Speed Thursday. Do something... anything... but for God's sake, quit yer whiing!
Red flag for this race was at 6:12 Pacific, it's now 9:28 Pacific.
So basically four hour delay to try to get this race in, IF it starts at 10. (I'm skeptical) Wow.
One of the best races I ever watched was stewart winning at Daytona a couple years ago at about 2AM in the morning! LOL
As long as the track is safe and DRY, I say go for it.
30 minutes until zero hour for west coast stations. they have been working all day on their 10PM news. Lets see if they will postpone the news for the race.
I have not seen anymore promos for the news at 10. I think that might be a good thing.
GS
Good golly Miss Molly anon, if you'd bothered to read even part of the thread, you'd see several people noted that Raceday said haulers were headed from Charlotte with cars for Las Vegas.
They don't have to go back to NC this week.
Read the information provided before you call people whiners.
About 10 minutes ago scanner chatter noted parts of the track were still pretty wet, and there was some weeping happening in the dry parts. I think 10pm is optimistic.
--KarenB
Bad move by ESPNNEWS just now, they ran an interview with Kyle Busch taped earlier in the rain delay when he said he was going to bed and the crew would be looking for motel rooms as the Sprint race didn't look like it would resume tonight.
Then the anchor in Bristol had to point out "this race will resume at 1 AM eastern time"
"One of the best races I ever watched was stewart winning at Daytona a couple years ago at about 2AM in the morning!"
But that was a night race. It didn't start til probably 7 or 8. The drivers and crews got to rest all morning and afternoon. They didn't get to do that today.
Nationwide race will run at 10am (pt) if the Cup race in concluded.
Judging by the shots I'm seeing of the track, we will be racing again here soon.....
NASCAR wants crew members to go onto pit road at 10 to plug in the generators, whatever that means. (I'm just the messenger.)
--KarenB
Since I am watching FOX hacked up reruns of Sex in the City, Karen, what 'radio chatter' do you mean?
Off Sirius radio?? I am curious what you are listening too...that does not sound good the weepers...I am sure everybody wants a safe, dry track.
And how is somebody else "seeing shots of the track" HOTPASS?
RE: the Daytona, I think that was a an afternoon race...or whatever time the July race starts...can't remember but I TOTALLY understand the fatigue factor concern. But the drivers can rest in comfy motor coaches.
More scanner stuff: "They're talking 10:30 now."
Dang, this is getting late even for us left coasters.
--KarenB
that someone is working on one of the broadcasts here in cali.
We find your insites into our work helpful (comical at times, but helpful).
Appreciate you watching.....
I think she means the driver radio scanner on track pass.
I think the saw the track during the FOX update.
I was struggling to remember the details, so I went to Wikipedia.
The 1998 fall Atlanta race (season finale) had this situation develop with a daytime race being run under the lights. But, the Wikipedia article notes something I seem to remember from Dr. Punch interviewing a Nascar official on pit road . . .
The 1998 race was run mostly at night after a long rain delay; despite the inexperience with the lights, newly installed for an Indy Racing League race, NASCAR and the teams agreed to attempt finishing the race at night. It was shortend to 221 laps due to the fact that it was after 11:00 PM and NASCAR wanted to "get the fans out at a decent hour".
Apparently, getting fans home at a decent hour is no longer a concern.
Anonymous said...
Apparently, getting fans home at a decent hour is no longer a concern.
February 25, 2008 12:47 AM
um.. it is still not even close to 11:00 here...we still got time
Sophia, I have TrackPass and am listening to Carl Edwards' scanner chatter between his crew chief and pit crew members who are still on pit road. Bob Osborne, Carl's crew chief, is sending the guys out onto the track to get periodic updates about conditions, and the crew members are also relaying information from NASCAR officals to Bob and Carl, who have been in the nice warm hauler this entire break.
--KarenB
If there is really a telecast worker monitoring this board, ESPN should have the tape in their library of what was called the NAPA 500 back then at Atlanta in fall of 1998.
Anonymous said...
Apparently, getting fans home at a decent hour is no longer a concern.
February 25, 2008 12:47 AM
um.. it is still not even close to 11:00 here...we still got time
February 25, 2008 12:50 AM
Oh I understand, but running the full advertised distance will go well past the "decent hour" of 11 PM.
anon 12.46
GOD BLESS YOU BROADCASTERS!!
Or those affiliated with bringing the pictures across the miles via TV LAND.
It's mucho appreciated...even if I am a whiny wench at times.
I gripe because I care. :-)
My spin on CM's "I kid because I care."
Thanks for taking the time to read this blog and respond to all of us...or get a few giggles...or roll your eyes.
No doubt, you have an urge to smack at us with a rolled up newspaper like some annoying fly.
But I REALLY do appreciate your work. YOU must have had a long day as well.
I am beginning to see the NEED for "anonymous here" for those in the know. those who work in 'the biz'...and the CIA types that read us on their coffee breaks.
:-0
This is a FOX broadcast tonight, not ESPN.
Per start of Second Daytona (july): it is a night race broadcast in primetime on TNT. It started at night and ended very very late at night the night Stewart won. So it's a different scenario than tonight.
Drivers can relax in motorhomes or haulers, but how much rest/sleep could the drivers actually be getting, especially if NASCAR keeps saying the race will start soon every hour on the hour for the past two or three hours? I agree their body clocks are probably still East Coast for the most part.
On Sirius Steve Post says the track is drying very slowly.
Thanks KarenB for the scanner updates.
You are correct that this happened in Atlanta in 1998...what a long day that was.
Fox is getting ready to do another update saying that when we go racing we'll be back....no specific time.
We're all tired too....
Thanks Karen...it's nice hearing inside tidbits on this blog.
Oh, and I only started watching NASCAR the last half of the season in 2004. Tony won Daytona the year after that ..must have been the summer race? My brother in Seattle left his house for a long trip and set the VCR for as many hours as possible and it cut OfF after 30 laps or something.
So as Prissy in Gone with the Wind would say "I don't know nuthin' about birthin' no babies" or in my case, late night NASCAR races before 2004.
:-)
I might go google it real quick...BRB
(this word veri is like a bad game of scrabble tonight...lots of xx's and Q's...sigh)
2 minutes until NASCAR. I have no idea if I will see news or NASCAR. XETV keeps promoting their local news at 10. I hope they are wrong.
GS
30 more minutes :)
PUSHED BACK ANOUTHER HOUR!!! that is too late for anyone! but at least XETV took the update and not their local news.
GS
sophiaz123:
I really wonder how many of us are in the live media business, even if sports isn't our specific gig at the moment.
(Hint hint about this poster)
WTH?? now 2am???
Sophia rewinding a tape for the tape player...Sigh
KVVU Henderson/Las Vegas showed a one minute NASCAR update..then switched to Local News. Looks like the race will air at 11:00/ET. This is insane! I've never seen a race quite like this before!
KCTS in Seattle showed the race update, and now they're showing the regular news. Since they showed the race stuff, I assume they'll be switching.
Oh, and now I know what the generators are for. Thanks, Jeff. :-)
Pits are dry and they're taking the covers off the cars
Ok new question: How much leeway does a programming department have to pre-empt infomercials, that's what my FOX is on to now.
I noticed their graphic only mentioned a "NASCAR Update" at 2 A.M. ET. Are they even going to go racing at that point?
Anonymous said...
sophiaz123:
I really wonder how many of us are in the live media business, even if sports isn't our specific gig at the moment.
(Hint hint about this poster)
February 25, 2008 1:02 AM
Can you give details about your role?
Next update at 2 AM? Yikes. This will be a true test of the NASCAR adage "we won't start or restart a race unless we think we can get the entire distance in". I was furious in past rain delayed races like the '97 Coca-Cola 600 and '98 fall Atlanta race when NASCAR restarted the race and then gave them a 30 laps to go warning out of nowhere an hour or so later because they all of a sudden decided it was too late at night to finish all the laps. I'm hoping they use the 2005 Pepsi 400 precedent and get the entire distance in. If I wait this long I want to see the whole race.
I guess its time to ask this question, someone humor me and give us an estimate what the "fuel window" was tonight?
Sophia,
You would be suprised at the number of us TV folks that read this blog and count of the constructive commentary. Suggestions are always welcome.
Your appreciation, as well as others, is duely noted. There are over 300 of us that give up 3 to 5 days a week away from our families to bring you the greatest sport on earth.
btw, latest update is the track is an hour from being ready to race...
gotta walk away for awhile to stay awake. Been here since 7am....
Anonymous said...
sophiaz123:
I really wonder how many of us are in the live media business, even if sports isn't our specific gig at the moment.
(Hint hint about this poster)
February 25, 2008 1:02 AM
Can you give details about your role?
February 25, 2008 1:05 AM
News production. This is throwing me a wrench too.
Fuel window? 44-46 laps, IIRC.
Sure the drivers are probably asleep in their motorcoaches right now, but what about the crew chiefs, pit crews, and pit officials? They can't go back to their hotels and take a nap.
Fox is getting ready to do another update saying that when we go racing we'll be back....no specific time.
We're all tired too....
February 25, 2008 12:57 AM
Anon 12:57, I guess I should should have included all connected with racing in my "long day, too tiring" post above (at 12:23)
Thanks for the post, you were dead on that for the first time, Chris Myers didn't give a specific time to check back. Though the graphic said for next update 2 AM ET/11 PM PT.)
I got the impression that we are supposed to stay on the channel and wait, not check back at the top of the hour. But I'll be recording whatever happens from now on. I could stay up until now (later than most on ET probably) because I don't have class until mid morning.
Thanks for what you all do and thanks for checking in with some info.
it'll be interesting to scan the country and see how many affiliates are sticking with the coverage.
Anon
Your hint, hint about 'this poster' is 'lost,lost' on my tired brain.
:-)
You aren't a "driver, driver' are you, LOL.
I'm watching a live edition of SportsCenter on ESPN right now, and they just said that NASCAR will have an "update regarding the future of the event" at 2 A.M. ET. The wording of that doesn't sound very positive for getting things going tonight.
sophiaz123:
I answered at 1:11 . . .
Anonymous said...
News production. This is throwing me a wrench too.
February 25, 2008 1:11 AM
I know a few people involved in News production in the San Diego area.
GS
what was the bizarre race last year that got delayed.?...then no lights and suddenly called due to darkness under caution and Greg Biffle won?
He ran out of gas and could not do burnouts but claimed otherwise.
Now that was an odd finish. Honked off a lot of fans.
However, according to NASCAR.com, we are going racing at 2 A.M. ET. Let's see what happens.
Well the MRN turn guys are in the infield studio on Sirius talking right now. Probably another hour before it gets started up again.
Sophia, that was Kansas. ;)
Soph,
That was Kansas last fall. The race where we learned how "committed" to this sport ABC was by dumping the finish to ESPN2, LOL.
Kansas, where the shortening due to darkness led to a caution flag finish because Montoya wrecked near the announced shortened ending.
there are still "weepers" in turn 3 and 4.
They are really working hard to get this going.
The crews are mingling around the cars right now. Pluging in oil coolers and such...keep the faith
Posted on NASCAR.com -
> Red Flag: Race scheduled to resume at 2 a.m. ET
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