Saturday, May 17, 2008

In-Progress In Charlotte: All-Star Night On SPEED


All week long SPEED has added extra programming as the network builds-up toward Saturday night's Sprint Showdown and All-Star race.

Krista Voda returns to act as the host for the evening, with the NASCAR on Fox crew of Mike Joy, Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds calling the action. Perhaps, we will see Voda and Jeff Hammond in the Hollywood Hotel?

Just like last year, Carl Edwards will trade-in his helmet for a microphone as he acts as a pit reporter for SPEED during the first event, the Sprint Showdown. Edwards will join Steve Byrnes, Matt Yocum and Dick Berggren on pit road. Those three will remain and cover the pits for the All-Star race.

There are a couple of interesting notes about the broadcast. The entire program will be shown in Times Square in New York City on the huge big-screen that dominates that area. Over at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, CA there will also be a big-screen so fans can watch the race between heats of live local racing.

This should be an interesting evening of racing on SPEED, with the normal twists and turns that fans have come to expect from the All-Star festivities.

This post will serve to host your comments about the Sprint All-Star programming on SPEED. To add your opinion, just click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the easy instructions. The rules for posting are on the right side of the main page. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and leave your TV-related comments.

135 comments:

  1. JD, don't tease us. Voda and Hammond in the Holl...wood Hotel. That would seem to be a nice change of pace. How great would that be. "I kid because I care". Yes, I am being nice. Looking forward to All-Star Night coverage on SPEEDw/ Mike, Larry, and DW.

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  2. anyone have an over/under on how many times the phrase "checkers or wreckers" will be used

    I say 4

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  3. I vote Krista in and Chris out for the rest of the year!!!

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  4. actually funny that Fox/Speed does NOT use C Myers in the All Star race.

    Wonder if its written in his contract and how? Point races only?

    Secondly wonder why no Hollywood Hotel? any insight JD?

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  6. uh I think that guy might still be singing "God Bless America". Was doing a nice job, seemed pretty unprofessional for SPEED to cut away while the artist (and crowd) were still in strong voice

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  7. i am seriously liking voda and hammond tonight! great energy, good exchanges, they seem to truly enjoy working together.
    i also hope edwards does as good a job tonight as he did last year. he impressed me with his camera presence as well as his ability to bring interesting information forward.
    (and i don't know about any of you, but i'm pretty confident my God doesn't really care about next week's race and all the sponsors of the races! can't someone rein in these extemporaneous "prayers" at the invocation? trying to use that time as a sponsor moment is appalling. how about: thank you for this time together and keep everyone safe this night, amen!)

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  8. I am told we will be seeing more of Krista and Jeff as the evening goes on, as in between races and segments.

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  9. ok, everyone take a breath now. we've missed a bunch of stuff but it's gotta be wild out there, trying to keep on top of all the chaos! good luck to the guys in the truck tonight!

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  10. you're right - almost forgot

    good luck to the guys/gals in the tv compound - we know you read and cant post during race. Have a safe race and no CM.

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  11. I see SPEED has started the promos for WRECKED. That should be interesting.

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  12. Looks like Carl will have a job when he decides to give up racing!

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  13. I'm sure we'll see a lot of Voda & Hammond....if I recall there's quite a bit of time between the 2 races.

    As a side note, looks like a pretty decent crowd. The turn 2 area definitely looks good.

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  14. Poor Patrick :(. I had him on TP since I haven't listened during the races (usually have Jr. or Smoke on). He feels bad...sounds like they might try and see if they can do something.

    SHOOT! Now AJ and Elliott :(

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  15. This is a total girl comment, but they look GOOD together! To make it relavant to the broadcast, they also work well together also. They have chemistry.

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  16. pamm,

    I am in touch with my feminine side, and I think those two really tell the right message about the sport!

    JD

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  17. Kind of interesting to see that Digger made his way over to SPEED.

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  18. Of course they look good. They're all using lip gloss! Spencer could take some lessons from them.

    --Karen

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  19. I thought Jimmy looked a bit rough during RaceDay. Maybe he can get his TV appearance dialed-in for next season.

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  20. I hate the speed bug graphic. Way too big, and too far down from the top of the screen.

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  21. JD,
    A vote for Voda. Time will tell. Good booth coverage from the gang of 3. It seems tonight they are on there game, as it pertains to ongoing changes in the race.

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  22. I about fell off my chair when they mentioned Digger on Speed! Yikes....:(

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  23. They mentioned during yesterday's practice and qualifying coverage that Digger would be making a visit to Speed.

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  24. For me, once Voda sets the tone on a broadcast, everything just kind of flows. It works that way on the Trucks and I think she really is a viable alternative for Mr. Myers should he decide not to return.

    Nothing at all against him, but this is a part-time gig for him and a full-time gig for Voda.

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  25. For those of you who want to read more about WRECKED, just Google daly+planet+wrecked under the web category.

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  26. Blaney -4294967 laps down???

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  27. wow. THAT was an awkward break to commercial moment.

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  28. I'm also enjoying the segments with Krista and Hammond! CM might be sent his walking papers if the fans have anything to say :).

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  29. the jack roush fade to commercial - must have been a last second decision by producer so DW - what do they call it - anyway DW talked while producer counted down to commercial. Thats how it works.

    wasn't so bad -

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  30. JD,806pm,
    I think, although I don't have the numbers. But I think regular posters on this site have said for some time that. Yes nothing against him, but the flow is not there. K Voda just seems so much more knowledgable and true to the sport. Not to mention the energy. Yes, I remember when she was on speed , then to PA . GLAD SHE IS BACK. Thank you Krista.

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  31. come on you gotta pull for the 84 , an underdog

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  32. Good coverage of the finish for this race as it pertains to a couple of underdog/undertheradar driver, by the gang of 3 in the booth. Good job guys. thanks

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  33. Congratulations to Sammy & AJ :)

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  34. nice work all around. this race is always a bear to follow: cars beatin' and bangin' all over the place. in my opinion, the production team did a solid job. many thanks, gang!

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  35. The guys did a nice job on trying to keep it exciting. Except for early on I think many of the drivers turned it into a test session when they knew they were not going to be the top 2.

    Bring on Krista, she would be great in the hotel next year, really class it up and tone down the clown

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  36. anonymous said...
    nice work all around. this race is always a bear to follow: cars beatin' and bangin' all over the place. in my opinion, the production team did a solid job. many thanks, gang!

    sorry, guys: hit submit too soon and forgot to add my name!

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  37. Kasey Kahne gets the fan vote.

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  38. I kinda shocked that casey got the fan vote. My guys out of the allstar (#19) so guess we root for Jr or DJ now.

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  39. No fun when Nascar won't let the crews do anything when they are introduced!!! I always enjoyed the 12 crew stage diving in the past!

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  40. They really try every year with this.

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  41. Absolutely, this is the time when they should all be having fun and going crazy for the fans and TV.

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  42. No T-shirt throw to the crowd like in the past.

    Much tamer intros than in the past and ever since that crewman fell doing a mosh pit jump a coule of years ago.

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  43. seems more awkward this year than previously. problem is: i can't see any way to make it pop. i did like trent cherry diving into the crowd -- only to have them move aside and he splatted the cement! maybe that's why no one seems too animated to me tonight!

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  44. nice! the #1 team brought caps to toss! good for them. anyone know how the order of introductions was determined?

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  45. I thought the order was in starting grid order but maybe with DJ last

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  46. The intros aren't as much fun as they used to be. Too bad the folks didn't catch Trent last year :(

    YAY! DJs racing the truck tonight! *giggle* But what a sahweet job they did on his car. Now THAT'S a diecast I'd LOVE to have! Still trying to talk Dan in allowing me to "test" the diecasts for FRFO :)

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  47. Music during the prayer? For some reason that didnt sound good.

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  48. Background music playing throughout the invocation? That is just awful and flat out wrong.

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  49. Funny coincidence how every person they've introduced just happens to be a Sprint customer...

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  50. Very nice invocation from Mr. Ned. I like it when Coach does it as well. I recall a few years ago when he made a "pit stop" on the way to a game to give the invocation.

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  51. Alex its not a coincidence, its called marketing.

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  52. ah man: what a GREAT invocation from ned jarrett! not only made me get teary, made his son cry as well. now THAT'S how to do it!
    another legend enters the next stage in his racing career. thanks for all the memories, DJ. be safe, race hard and have fun!

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  53. I think the music guy got the invocation and the command to start engines all mixed up on when to play music.

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  54. I worked with Ned for many years, great guy. What you see if what you get...class.

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  55. anon 9:07

    Sorry, the sarcasm didn't come through in my post. I just think it's stupid that they make it a point to keep plugging Sprint.

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  56. I think someone in the production truck wasn't paying attention to the music they were playing when they went to the invocation. Could have been worse tho... could have been during the anthem

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  57. Still think those shirts are horrible on three middle-aged guys on-camera.

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  58. I think Voda is doing a great job with the hosting duties. She seems to have prepared well and also seems excited to be there.

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  59. That music was going over the MRN feed as well....so someone from the track messed up some....wouldn't doubt we hear that music after engines fire.

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  60. sprint owns the race and pays the bills. Why not say it. Drivers are always pushing their sponsors on camera or drinkink coke or pepsi or red bull (during intros)

    see no problem with it. What should they say? These people are customers of so and so cellular customers but get no signal strength.

    What music during Ned's prayer? didnt hear it?

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  61. alex atleast this year they said Jeff Burton drives the at&t chevy instead of the 31 chevy like last year.

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  62. Neat start your engines, the sprint customer was so nervous the mic looked like hew was shakin a paint can.

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  63. If Junior wins this thing, Fox will have the perfect evening.

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  64. daly planet editor said...
    Still think those shirts are horrible on three middle-aged guys on-camera.

    so, here's a thought. since we're seeing retro/vintage paint schemes on the cars this year: how about at next year's all-star race, the announcers and pit reporters wear vintage team shirts of their choosing? might be interesting to see, doncha think?
    (but ONLY for all-star race, please!)

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  65. Thank you Ned.

    Lets enjoy the race

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  66. Red, they better be retro and not vintage, I'm thinking Jeff, Larry, and DW won't fit in their old team shirts

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  67. nrf,

    All I wanted was blue blazers!

    JD

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  68. ahhh, jd: blue blazers are way too boring. c'mon! time to think outside the pit box. (besides, this is supposed to be somewhat informal so blazers would be too stuffy.)
    and nrf? you made me laugh right out loud! thanks!

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  69. JD Blue blazers, this is a non points race no blazers please. Perhaps they cam change the camera angle

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  70. hey nrf? what, exactly, could be a good camera angle for three middle-aged men in shirts?!? certainly not from below? Maybe from above?!? hmmmm

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  71. Have you seen DW in that Aarons car of tomorrow commercial - think its Subway and a Jarret menu for ole DW before this wardrobe change.

    Doubt if M Joy could fit into his pit reporter gear from when DW won 500.

    Larry Mac is not immune either.

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  72. JD, You're the expert, and I defer to your judgement, but why the constant hits on Chris Meyers. You wanted Byrnes to replace him, and now Voda. Nothing against either one, but I really get tired of Byrnes, and I don't think he adds anything to the pit reports. Krista tries hard, but the same thing. Overexposed, doesn't add to pit reports and in her role tonight, she is sing songing every sentence. Like I said, you're definately the expert here, and I defer to your opinion.

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  73. How about behind the desk, sitting or from the waist up, maybe someone thought black would be slimming

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  74. anon 9:26PM,

    Your views have carry just as much weight as mine, it's all opinion.

    Myers was a "character" introduced back when Fox wanted to get new folks to the sport. Now, many years later, his act is beyond old.

    If you Google some of my columns, you can see that he is acting. He is completely a different person on-the-air with his premier program on The Tennis Channel and his other shows on Fox Sports.

    All I was looking for was a full-time NASCAR TV person who knew the cast of characters in the sport and worked in NASCAR all season long.

    Nothing at all against Myers, as I have said many times. I don't like Kenny Mayne either, but he stays on SportsCenter!

    JD

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  75. nrf,

    If it was not summer, even sweaters would be nice!

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  76. I disagree with assertion that Voda doesnt add to pit reports. Does anyone remember who she replaced? IOf not it was Jeannie Zalasko who was not good. So it was a good replacement and a step up.

    You will not get rid of C Myers - by the way that is correct spelling - I looked it up so you wouldn't have to.

    C Meyers will not leave until he is ready and I have no idea why.

    Voda is great and her work tonight and on truck series is refreshing. Nuff said.

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  77. jd: oh dear God please no sweaters! i stand behind my original idea -- with some modification: retro shirts based on the original ones they wore when they were racing. for those who never were involved, the retro team shirt of your choice.
    nascar needs to seriously promote its history and i say having fun with it is a great start. the all-star race is the logical place to begin.

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  78. anon9:41 is me. i again forgot to put in my name before hitting 'submit': too much multitasking -- sorry.

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  79. If Myers ever said on a NFL sideline broadcast something like "I am cold because I care" or something stupid like that on the dog shows he does he would be fired - no question. Point is that he takes those sports and events seriously and was very serious in his years at ESPN. Why can't he take NASCAR as serious. Don't get it.

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  80. I prefer coats and ties.

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  81. JD--I've heard nothing but good things about Mr. Ned. Definitely deserving of his nickname Gentleman Ned :). Not one person can think of an ill word to say about him, both on and off the track.

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  82. NASCAR kept the cars out on the track until SPEED got back from commercial.

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  83. (just an aside: if you've never watched a world of outlaws race before, be sure to tune in on friday! definitely worth your time! and LIVE WoO is even better so check into your local dirt track.)

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  84. I want Mike Darrell and Larry to wear the same color of yellow jacket that Krista is wearing.

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  85. As long as they don't wear those bad white jackets that the RaceDay guys wore this spring. Wow, that was an interesting choice. Don't get me started on the TWIN shirts!

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  86. Jr. and Kenseth, shades of the Busch Series days.

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  87. fox crew did it again - Jr and Edwards - Edwards wiggles and camera goes to crowd - geeeez.

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  88. daly planet editor said...
    Jr. and Kenseth, shades of the Busch Series days

    i was JUST thinking the same thing myself!
    oooo, verrry scary, boys and girls!

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  89. I see we are back to showing the side by side cars with the car camera. They are very deciving I think the car has passed and surprise back to the wider shot and no pass

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  90. Sounds like they're making this to be like a football game, with the quarter references, the halftime reference....and then calling the booth guys the quarterback, running back, etc.

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  91. Not to bad mouth ESPN or Dr Punch but compare the emotion in the Fox/Speed booth to the ESPN booth. Like day and night. Like or dislike DW but the emotion is there.

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  92. nrf: i agree. i'm over the side by side in-cars. they are a limited use tool and 'deceptive' is a great word: you think the pass was completed but the wider shot tells a different tale.

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  93. Jr/Kenseth and reference to Nationwide series
    and now the Biff - where's Harvick?

    Throwback racing.

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  94. 'throwback racing" -- i love it!
    hard, CLEAN racing! hey #18 -- you watching how real racers do it?

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  95. Wrong, Darrell, the restart after the third segment is based upon how you leave the pits, NOT how you finish.

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  96. this quarter reference is getting old - its a SEGMENT - not a quarter.

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  97. 'segment'. mike joy. the word is 'segment', NOT quarter. read your own graphics!

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  98. 'segment'. mike joy. the word is 'segment', NOT quarter. read your own graphics!

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  99. Nice build-up to a big finale, even without Kyle.

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  100. A lot of empty blue seats out there in turn 4.

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  101. Red, that post about Mike Joy was rude and unnecessary. ITS JUST ONE WORD!! calm down. Do you hate football that much??

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  102. anon 10:30 -- nothing against mike joy or football: he was simply the last one to use the incorrect phrase. but the terminology is different in different sports and deserves to be used correctly. the speed graphic reads "segment" and the booth -- ALL of them -- should be using the correct terminology.
    believe me, it's nothing personal so please don't assume it to be.
    and i don't know why the post doubled up there: an error message came thru but it shouldn't have gone thru twice.

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  103. Well, Krista did a good hand-off and she finished her night in style.

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  104. No scoring ticker for the first lap?

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  105. well, there's a story to follow-up: "all three joe gibbs toyotas having engine troubles . . ."!

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  106. First- I wish all races were on Speed
    Second- I KNOW it ain't gonna happen.
    Third- I know some comments here are tongue and cheek and some dead serious.
    With that said, any channel that will show me 25 laps of racin' without a commercial I'm overjoyed!
    Yes I know, we pay for it elsewhere but 25 laps! In my short time watching Nascar the only place you can get that is PPV.
    Say what you will, but when the announcers have a story to tell about almost, if not all, the different drivers I'm happy. And even if ther're being fed the info it's still exciting. Yea, Mike, has had a flub or two, but all the emotion in the booth makes up for it.
    Now don't take me as this is a "perfect" broadcast, but folks I'll take this over ANY race broadcast this year!
    HAPPY RACIN' TO ALL!!!

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  107. Think Bill Weber and the TNT boys are watching?

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  108. We can only hope.

    On an unrelated note: JD, do you know if TNT plans to have two prerace shows again this year?

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  109. JD we can only hope, I am not looking forward to those races

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  110. Pretty good night for SPEED. Don't forget that a live version of Victory Lane is coming up next.

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  111. I didn't get to see my driver cross the finish line ... oh well. Nice job SPEED ... NOT!!

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  112. Congratulations Kasey!

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  113. Alex, no word on pre-race show on-air announcers of the extended pre-race show.

    RaceDay ratings are up over 10% from last season, so TNT might be thinking twice.

    JD

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  114. oops, that should be "or" the extended pre-race show.

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  115. It's not a points race, so that's why they didn't show the rest of the drivers cross the line. My favorite driver didn't win, but tonight it doesn't matter who is 2nd-24th.

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  116. Odd to say - but kinda boring compared to most all star races. Nevertheless, a clean race and a good broadcast. My favorite things about tonight:

    -Krista did a great job
    -Sam Hornish Jr's night
    -and the burnout competition
    -and the fan fav won

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  117. They bailed early on the cars finishing and needed the pop-up graphic. Fox really needs to address this before the Coke 600.

    That was the race where Kyle Petty finished 3rd and Fox blew him off for the winner yelling over the radio.

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  118. Zzzzzzzzzzzz..oh is it over? SO glad I didn't go.....

    On a different note..love the camera shot right after Kasey took the white flag, the sudden find/zoom in one. Good sensation of speed.

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  119. Points or no points, they need to show the cars finish. There isn't much of a difference between finishing 34th or 35th in a points race, but I still expect to see it. A viewer still wants to follow their driver closely regardless and invests their evening watching the race.

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  120. now that's an interesting shot: moving the entire VL stage down the track! very good TV right there!

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  121. Pretty good show in general. Still need to show more cars crossing the line and graphic. The guys kept the excitement up even though it wasn't the crazy crash fest the media predicted. They did try to find the racing where ever it happened to be. I know many posters including JD want Victory Lane right after the race like tonight but I am seriously considering DVR for tomorrow am. I must be getting old.

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  122. JD, victory lane IS NOT live. it is tape delayed show that started recording on the cool down lap.

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  123. I like how victory lane starts the show while rolling on a flatbed truck on the track.

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  124. hmmm. sound quality just went spectacularly bad for me. not talking about the background noise. the mics almost seem . . . muffled, even before the fireworks started.
    going to commercial: good choice.

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  125. Good coverage of a boring race. Solid broadcast, nothing to complain about. We got to see EVERY green flag lap, no other race this season can say that.

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  126. Likes:

    - getting to see every green flag lap of the Showdown and All-Star race without commercial interruption

    - Krista Voda did a great job as the host

    - solid job as usual from the announcers, major kudos to DW for noticing the 18's potential problem long before everyone else

    - major thanks to Fox/Speed for not making us sit around for 30-40 minutes during driver intros to finally hear who won the fan vote, like they did in the previous 4 years of the fan vote

    Dislikes:

    - The return of the old, outdated, and terribly inaccurate scoring crawl... boy I hope that's not a sign of things to come in the 600 next week.

    - no 'race off pit road' graphic... if Fox was only going to carry over certain broadcast elements to the All-Star broadcast I wish the scoring crawl and race off pit road graphic would have gotten priority over Gopher Cam

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  127. Enjoyed RaceDay.
    I have to say, its rough hearing Bob Jenkins call the finishes to all those great re-plays from the old ESPN races from the '90's. Knowing he's still out there available, you gotta wonder why ESPN doesn't have him in the booth with Andy and DJ. As much as I love Dr Jerry (and I don't think he's struggled as bad as some), I'd love to hear those 3 together, and Dr Jerry back on pit road where he really shines..

    Yikes, major sound problems here at the beginning of Victory Lane...

    Ouch.

    Was glad the Keebler Elf (kyle) blew up, DW can't seem to talk about him enough when he's on the track. I thought he was gonna cry for a minute when he heard kyle's engine running flat. He sure got quiet for a bit there (reminded me of Rusty when Steve was wrecking cars left and right last season), and thats saying something for ol' DW.
    Mike Joy and Larry Mac did well as per usual.

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  129. Victory Lane is now LIVE!!! There were audio problems so now the show is live after the 2nd segment.

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  130. @stricklinfan--actually they told us who won during the shows yesterday. They mentioned that Kasey was leading the fan vote and since they changed the rules this year all he needed was a car that could run regardless of where he finished outside the top 2 to make it in :). So the only mystery would have been if he had finished in the top 2 or wrecked out.

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  131. Thanks for all the great comments and for stopping by. There is a new post up about the day of All-Star programming on SPEED for your comments.

    JD

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  132. Anonymous @ 11:34 PM -

    NASCAR Victory Lane was actually on a slight tape delay ...

    Irregardless, it was nice to see NVL on Saturday night right after the race ...

    When we have to wait until Sunday at 5pm pacific, I tend to NOT watch it ... esp if the race winner is someone that I do not like ...

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  133. Krista Voda did a great job! I hope we see more of her other than on pit row.

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