NASCAR Now Lead Reporter Marty Smith switches over to the print world and writes the cover story for ESPN the Magazine coming out today online and then on news stands.
Smith writes about Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his on-going transition into the world of Hendrick Racing. Junior talks about the continuing feelings that he has about the loss of his father now that Junior's life has undergone yet another change.
For those of us who regularly follow NASCAR and know Marty Smith, it was while creating this story on Earnhardt Jr. that Smith suffered the loss of his own father.
Just when NASCAR and the sports world begins once again to become a priority, life has a way of putting things right back into perspective.
On another topic, for those of you asking about Steve Byrnes closing comments on TWIN last week, the rumor is true. Next week's version will be taped at the Lowe's Motor Speedway as a "special" and will have an expanded panel.
The boys will be back in town as Kenny Schrader, Michael Waltrip, Chad Knaus and Greg Biffle will make up the panel. Host Steve Byrnes will lead the group through a review of Darlington, a preview of the All-Star race and also....take questions from the invitation-only audience. Sound familiar folks? Somewhere Eli Gold is smiling.
In response to your email, once again you heard correctly. It will be Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Michael McDowell on Trackside Friday night. The format of that show is to have the guest remain for the entire program, so it could be interesting.
Those of you who enjoy Wendy Venturini's Real Deal reports might want to set the DVR or the VCR for RaceDay at 5PM Eastern Time on Saturday. With Mother's Day upon us, Venturini takes a look at Bell Sadler's courageous fight with cancer. She is the mother of Cup Series driver Elliott and SPEED's own Hermie. As a family-oriented person, Venturini should bring just the right touch to a story like this one.
There will be an update on the All-Star week TV shows immediately after the Darlington race weekend concludes.
The Daly Planet welcomes comments from readers. Simply click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the easy directions. The rules for posting are on the right side of the main page. Thanks again for taking the time to stop by.
JD- Thanks for the article and for all you do. It's really nice to have a voice of reason and a place to have an adult interchange of ideas. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great article on Jr. Marty Smith is a very talented writer and I feel a lot of this talent is wasted on ESPN. I would love to see him write an insider's story on Nascar, in a full length book. That would be an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteTo Marty, EXCELLENT article on Jr and reminds me again of why I am a fan of this young man.
ReplyDeletethanks for the link.
Thanks, JD, for the heads-up about this article. I probably would not have seen it, otherwise.
ReplyDeleteTo Marty Smith --- thank you for your article. I love your writing.
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your father. I share your pain.
To Dale Jr. --- thank you for revealing a bit of your private pain. May you find peace in all that you do.
I've been a fan of Marty's since Track Smack on Nascar.com (I was frantic when he seemed to disappear, thankfully he reappeared on ESPN, although at first I wasn't sure he made the right move). Great article and not many people could have gotten inside Jr's world. Thanks JD for pointing it out, Thanks Marty for the peek and, Thanks Jr for allowing us inside.
ReplyDeleteall i can say about marty smith's espn mag article is: WOW! i'm constantly astounded that dale earnhardt jr and kelley continue to open parts of their lives to the fans -- maybe that's one very big reason for "jr nation" phenomenon? i know i could not offer such an inside look in my life: thanks, dale and kelley!
ReplyDeletemarty smith has always had a keen journalistic voice: empathetic, smart, human and humane. his writing is never "gotcha!" in nature, whether in print or on camera, and that seems to be a key to his credibility with the athletes he covers. like newracefan, i thought we'd "lost" marty post-nascar.com and i look forward to his column on espn's site. thanks, marty!
jd, i want to say "thanks" once again for posting the link to the condolence guestbook for marty's dad. it was, to be sure, that "blurring of the lines" that you worry about but it was, like marty's own writing, the compassionate thing to do.
Wow, No need to repeat. Ditto comments of TexasRaceLady. Thanks to all.
ReplyDeleteMarty - Great article, but you need to coordinate your live spots on NASCAR Now better...couldn't hear a word on Thursday night after practice for Nationwide series began...
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