Road courses are always different. Love them or hate them it seems they always provide a new kind of challenge for the TV crew. Sonoma was the site of a disaster last season for TNT. It began with interrupting Kyle Petty as he was leading a team prayer and moved-on to airing a profanity from him during the race and then dissolved into chaos as the announcers lost their cool on the final laps.
This Sunday afternoon will begin with Raceday at 1:30PM Eastern Time on SPEED. John Roberts will be joined by Jimmy Spencer and Hermie Sadler as Kenny Wallace was in Milwaukee running the Nationwide Series race. Wendy Venturini will handle the interviews and news, and Rutledge Wood will be a contributor.
Chip Ganassi, Kevin Harvick and road course veteran Ron Fellows will be featured guests. Venturini's Real Deal segment will focus on last year's race winner, Juan Pablo Montoya. Another feature will look at the original road course "ringer," Dan Gurney. Update: Gurney - still alive and not happy with TDP!
Next up is NASCAR on TNT Live! at 3:30PM. Marc Fein hosts with Larry McReynolds and Kyle Petty alongside. Montoya will also join this program live and answer questions from TNT viewers through RaceBuddy.
At 4:30PM it will be Countdown to Green hosted by Bill Weber. Seated next to Weber at the TNT cocktail table will be Wally Dallenbach. This thirty minute show focuses on more race-related issues and uses the TNT pit reporters as well.
At 5PM the live race coverage will begin. This year Kyle Petty will be in the booth and not driving in the race. Weber hosts with Dallenbach while Larry Mcreynolds contributes from the TNT infield stage. This is the race last season where McReynolds hung-in there despite being ill and single-handedly held the telecast together. The infield stage used to be located on the drag strip right next to the track, so the noise was intense. Perhaps, TNT has re-thought that location for Sunday.
Lindsay Czarniak, Ralph Shaheen, Matt Yocum and Marty Snider will be covering the pit road area for this event which is so very different where pit strategy is concerned. Last year things got rough and disjointed with the pit coverage, this year should be a big improvement.
This post will serve to host your comments about the pre-race shows and then the Sprint Cup race on TNT and SPEED. To add your TV-related opinion, just click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the directions. The rules for posting are located on the right side of the main page. Thank you for taking the time to stop by.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI did watch NASCAR Now this morning. And I thought Nicole did very well on the show today. Maybe it is me, but I did enjoy the lower tone of voice(as in a normal conversation). It was much more enjoyable to follow the show without having to turn down the volume. Another good show from ESPN.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI missed the last 10 min. of NN - it was a good show. I agree w/ Lou more talking and less yelling is the answer. It was a well thought out show - had good "flow" or structure. Nicole was really good, not to loud or aggressive.
ReplyDeleteWell it took 10 mins. but Raceday John Roberts ( I believe) mentioned Scott Kallitas' death.
ReplyDeleteThe show has started quietly w/o Kenny. I'm not sure if I like it or not - its only 10 mins.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteRutledge is a worthless human being. He is nothing but dead weight on RaceDay and holds back a good program. He adds no value, and detracts greatly. SPEED should kick that piece of trash to the crub.
June 22, 2008 2:00 PM
-----
I don't know him as a human being - however as he is used on Raceday he is pointless. What exactly is he supposed to be, or do? It was wasted air time IMHO
Why does everyone like to hate something used to lighten up the program? that's its purpose. to add a little light humor to the program. I don't understand why that seems to effect all of you so negatively. Do you not like a little bit of humor?
ReplyDeleteYIKES! ON ABC the IRL race finish DIRECTOR went to FLAGMAN, BRIEF finish line and then to pit crew?? WTH?
ReplyDeleteIs this the guy that was on FOX...this is getting old at the end of the IRL races. DISAPPOINTING.
Sheesh...end of race camera work
truly can make or break a deal.
Dan Weldon won and is giving race money to Iowa donations. Amazing the crowd at this Iowa race course...folks needed a distraction from the devastation as I can NOT imagine their losses.
But back to NASCAR.....it will be different finish line today due to road courses!!
I turned off RACEDAY...not the same without Kenny Wallace.
I used it as background noise - I "hate" it w/o Kenny
ReplyDelete-As far as Rutledge being a "light" moment - no I don't like it. And thats that. If others like it - fine. He adds nothing, doesn't add a penny to the show.
This Pride of NASCAR on Raymond Parks was great!! Interesting but sad how he quit after France took over.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of this guy in recent readings. Need to check a couple of my books.
Thanks for the HISTORY many choose to ignore, TNT. Great job.
TNT had a feature w/ Kyle Petty interviewing Raymond Parks and a historian ( sorry forgot name) talking about the real early days and what the men did to drive - just riveting. Good job.
ReplyDeleteAnother old timer we never hear of, I've been following racing for 3+ decades never heard of him. Heard of his driver but, not the story. Awesome job!
Hahaha at Larry Mac: "Hi I'm Wally Dallenbach, never won a race."
ReplyDeleteI love Wally, but that was funny.
And another great job with the Pride of NASCAR.
Guys,
ReplyDeleteSorry about the Rutledge comment. We do not allow language like that on this site. Please keep things within the limits of the posted rules.
There is a separate post up for NHRA comments.
Thanks,
JD
RB is working well right now. It looks like they're practicing their camera shots for the race. I'm looking at the blimp view, and if I turn up the sound enough, I can hear the track's PA announcer getting the crowd ready for the race.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the Lindsay piece on Alcatraz. Good to spotlight a story of a crew member.
ReplyDeleteI thought both Kyle's and Lindsey's pieced were excellent.
ReplyDeleteAlex, How did you get RB to load everytime I click on it all I get is that preview page
This RACE used to start at 3:30, not the 90-minute pre-race junk :(
ReplyDeleteI wish the race started sooner too!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I cannot tolerate Bill Weber anymore. They should have never allowed him as a play by play announcer.
All this pre-race hype gives me time to complete work I need to do.
newracefan,
ReplyDeleteI got an email this afternoon from nascar.com that was advertising RB. It had a picture with the words "Launch Now" over it, and I clicked that. It's worked fine for me for the last 30 minutes or so.
Try this link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tnt.tv/sports/nascar/racebuddy08_live/
Can anyone else besides ALex get RB?
ReplyDeleteThe direct link that Alex posted works fine.
ReplyDeleteYeah that link works fine for me.
ReplyDeleteCould this race start any later? I live in LV, so if it's late for me what about the rest of the country?
ReplyDeleteDo you think TNT will leave the postrace early because Spider-Man is on after the race? I think there should be a balance of pre and post race coverage. Two+ hours of prerace and two+ minutes of postrace isn't the way to go. I'm glad there is Victory Lane.
Thanks Alex
ReplyDeletethanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex
ReplyDeletethe longest yard is following the race, but they only have 3 hours for the entire race...ditch the pre-race hype and bloviating and put together a real post-race show!
ReplyDeleteI loved the old-school clips in Wally's World.. they even showed Wally getting into a few drivers, haha.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why Tony Stewart is always the first in-car cam shown on RB. I don't mind I am a Stewart fan, but I would imagine the other "Coke" drivers have fans that would like to see them as well.
ReplyDeleteTo Haus20,
ReplyDeleteThe Longest Yard is on after Spidy according to my line up. Regardless, I agree with you.
To Sophia,
I saw the end of the IRL race, too. And we complain about our finish line coverage?
Kudos to Wheldon for his donation.
Just heard Bill Weber give his best wishes (?) to the fire victims. Sounded odd to me.
Was Terry's hair always blond?
ReplyDeleteThe IRL director may not have shown the finish, but the fellow running the show at French TV running the FIA feed for Formula one did. That would be a good angle if TNT has a similar camera at Sears Point
ReplyDeleteI remember Terry with darker hair and darker mustache...is it gray and he is no longer coloring it? Or is it 'blond'...
ReplyDeleteDifferent than what, a year ago?
@JD--thanks! I'm one of the few who likes Rutledge and while I know he's not everyone's cup of tea, I hate to see such harsh words against him or any one :(. We know you have a life but get to things as soon as you can.
ReplyDelete@nrf--I have RB. I launched it from the NA$CAR site.
Artie Kempner on the broadcast team for the Stewart channel...interesting
ReplyDeleteWell UNFORTUNATELY scanner on RB still not good...very little volume EXCEPT FOR THE AUTO ANNOUNCE NUMBER THAT IS LOUD...sigh.
ReplyDeleteGuess we still get the free video but a DECENT SCANNER without the lottery numbers would be a good thing. :)
What exactly is Artie doing? Directing or talking on the channel?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletetoo bad one of the nasty Rutledge comments is still here in a QUOTE....I think folks need to lighten up on that boy..he does NOT PRODUCE his own bits...he is mostly harmless...honestly not worth the venom I see posted. :(
ReplyDeleteI agree folks should just lighten up..ok I gotta COMPLETELY turn off the volume on RB...that lotto number is old as somebody is talking how hot they are and not to turn on the blower til they get moving...I guess the air cooled helmets don't work while sitting...but I would rather here LOUD driver talk than the auto number..shame.
Did I actually hear a "Coors Light Pole" announcement ??
ReplyDeleteTo the best of my knowledge, thats the first Coors Light Pole mention in 2008 on any network.
( glad to be back with ya'll after spending last week at Michigan )
Artie is the booth announcer and Hermie Sadler is the pit reporter
ReplyDeleteI am using Mozilla and RB just crashed out my browser...Darn!!
ReplyDeleteI could not get on from NASCAR only from the link posted here earlier..thanks to whomever posted the link! I tried.
Very thankful for the extra camera angles on RB. On Stewart's roof cam I'm watching them go 3-wide through the esses.
ReplyDeleteWell they have the updated intervals on the ticker this week, so thanks to TNT for listening.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah the action on RB at the start was great.
Decent first segment on TNT.
ReplyDeleteThe Hi-Def bumper cams look great.
Split screens would work well to show action back in the pack, while still staying focused on the leaders.
Like Race Buddy, Enjoy the four picture view on full screen mode. Did not care for the audio, so I hit the mute button. Compilments my viewing enjoyment w/HotPass
ReplyDeleteLOL, Weber just announced RaceBuddy as being at TNT.com. Which is a spam site. It's tnt.tv
ReplyDeleteWOW.....
ReplyDelete2 commercial breaks in first 10 laps.
Just lovely TNT !!
Drivers like Rutledge, He is really nice and to the fans and they seem to like him. He may not have a ton of NASCAR knowledge, but his gift is with people. Don't hate on him. You would like him if you ever met him.
ReplyDeleteThings don't have to be serious ALL the time. :)
Not only 2 commercial breaks - we also have the Jimmie Johnson show co starring Kasey. Would someone please let them know its a full field today? There are alot of drivers who have gotten no mention or update. Are only the top 7 being deemed worthy of Mr Webers attention?
ReplyDeleteThe was this is going with all the commercial breaks.....
ReplyDeleteI wont be watching very long.
This is terrible TNT !!
Hoping that TNT is getting in all the breaks now so we can have commerical free finish.
ReplyDeleteThis is not the TNT from the oval tracks though I understand it's harder to bring us cars on a road course...but ....I am losing interest. Show the back guys more please.
ReplyDeleteThat tasteless Bill E commercial lusting over undies that are really his daughter's is just CREEPY.
Tough luck for TNT going to commercial right before a wreck in turn 11.
ReplyDeleteThis commercial break will surely miss alot of important pit stops.
ReplyDeleteSo far, the green flag pit stop coverage is bad.
Split Screen is a MUST during green flag stops.
I agree about the Engval commercial, and to repeat there is still a lot more drivers that still haven't been mentioned. This coverage is as bad as last year!
ReplyDeleteThis caution will make it interesting. Hope they give us a run down on who did green flag, and who will do yellow.
ReplyDeleteOne complaint about race buddy. When you go from a quad view to an individual camera view, you get a commercial Kinda defeats the idea of being able to quickly jump to a camera when you see a accident in progress, or when pit stops are going on.
ReplyDeleteIt only happens the first few times you switch, but its annoying. I would rather have a commercial in one of the 4 boxes during the TV break, then you have to wait 15 seconds and miss the action I switched to the camera for.
Those fake turn number signs are funny too! BW did a good job of listing the drivers who came in during yellow. That looks like a tiring job pushing AJ!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding shots of Montoya's foot work.
ReplyDeleteEnuff of JP Montoyas shoes
ReplyDeleteThis certainly is a huge difference from last year's broadcast. Even Weber has worked hard to stay-up with who is where.
ReplyDeleteJD
Amen on the shoes. Cool at first but enough already
ReplyDeleteI wish TNT would get rid of the graphic "pylons" that tell us what Turn the drivers are going through. It's not as bad as last year, but still annoying to me. Do they really think that a large portion of the audience has never seen a race at that track before?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteSorry I am a little slow today, on vaca in Texas and trying to have some fun on the Ponderosa.
ReplyDeleteJD
Message to TNT :
ReplyDeleteI'm outta here. Cant stand Weber, Petty or this coverage.
You lost me with all the commercial breaks too.
I'll be on the golf course havin a few cold beverages.
It should be interesting to see the cawsandjaws commercial breakdown afer the race. Lots of ads today like Ken mentioned before he left.
ReplyDeleteJD
Good side by side racing around the turns, sounds like a good time to go to a 2 minute Larry Mac segment brought to you by Bill Engval!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWish I could hear Larry Mac explaining JGordon's comments to Letarte - wow, is it noisy. Very interesting stuff, but hard to comprehend because of the noise.
ReplyDeleteOh and while we are at it, lets go to a real commercial.
ReplyDeleteHey JD...where are ya? You should have come and visited me :).
ReplyDeletetracy, I mentioned that last season Larry could almost not be heard when the field went by his infield location. This might have been a good race to bring him up to the booth.
ReplyDeleteJD
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteAnon 6:29PM,
ReplyDeleteDrop me an email when you have a minute. The address is on the main page. Thanks.
JD
Don't like this 5:20 start time at all. I'm ready for a nap and we're not even halfway through.
ReplyDeleteJust outside of Dallas gymmie, visiting some friends.
ReplyDeleteYes, I hate all the commercials for TNT shows too, but think the broadcast is doing ok, including BW & KP. JD hope you are enjoying the heat and especially the humidity here in Texas.
ReplyDeleteJD enjoy your vacation
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna listen to the race on MRN I can't stand anymore of this
"race coverage"
Commercials timed to displace racing. Only mention the top 10, forget that the phrase "cover the field " means updating the whole field quickly, the graphics (Lotromin was the worst) covering the screen.....
I got better ways to follow the race than this junk on TNT.
Have a great race folks
The Sonoma race has always started this late as far back as I can remember. it actually started at about the same local time as last weeks race. Only problem is, you are not on the west coast, and it seems like it is later. I could say the same thing about east coast races. they start too early for west coast viewers at around 10 local time when people are just barely going to Sunday services.
ReplyDeleteWhat the heck? not even 2 full laps, and we get another commercial?
ReplyDeleteThere was one race several weeks ago (I forget which track right now), but the commercials were front-loaded and we got 50-60 minutes commercial free to end the race. Hopefully that's what they're going for.
ReplyDeleteI believe TNT is front loading the commercials. Don't expect this many once we get closer to the checkers.
ReplyDeleteHere is the conspiracy theory on that. TNT has the commercial free Daytona coverage, so they bonus extra commercials in this race and the next to make sure they keep everyone happy.
ReplyDeleteWhat other reason could there be, especially if the total number of commercials is big?
JD
kewl JD...I'm about 20ish minutes from the Big D :). Hope you're having a nice time...hopefully it's not too hot for ya
ReplyDeleteTo get off the overload of commerical complaining by me. Remember when they had some pits out there in that little infield island thing? And gave the cars with pits there a 10 second penalty because it was so much faster.
ReplyDeleteLEts talk about last year, with another paid promo tossed in. Oh while there are green flag stops going on.
ReplyDeleteNow they've stopped bothering to lead the audience into commercial, they kinda cut off Weber mid-sentence talking bout JJ Yeley.
ReplyDeleteHow many cautions have there been? This race on any network would have a lot of green flag commercials.
ReplyDeleteSeriously???? Went to commercial during lap 58, came back at 61. Did a 30 second paid promo talking about last years race. Then went to commercial again before finishing showing a full lap on the course at lap 62.
ReplyDeleteTNT my god will we ever see any of this race.
People calm down....did you not hear JD's explanation? Would you rather have all the commercials at a more exciting race like Daytona? I mean this race is interesting but Daytona is certainly a bit more exciting.
ReplyDeleteThis race could use a few competiton cautions. This thing is a snoozer.
ReplyDeleteKyle, I remembered the added pit slots from several years ago and when I looked at the pit road grid it didn't have it and wondered about it. When we were at this race in 2005 didn't sit anywhere near the pits so never noticed. Actually, we only saw a tiny piece of the track and just enjoyed the food instead.
ReplyDeleteTNT started off pretty decently --- now, don't even ask.
ReplyDeleteI've been lost several times trying to figure out who is doing what and where they are.
JD, you should have let me know you were coming to Texas. I'd have baked a cake.
I think Marcos has a real shot at winning.. what an incredible story that would be.
ReplyDeleteI confess I am not a fan of this course...had distractions and for me, this race is a snoozer...hated seeing JPM knocked out of the way.
ReplyDeleteUgh...Bill E commercial...I don't think he is funny at all.Lease it was not the incestuous daughter underwear creep show.
As far as the guys in the booth, they are doing ok from what I have heard....which is scattered.
What little I have paid attention, as a Jr fan, have they mentioned him much today? It's ok if they have not..the boy needs to be left alone imo.
ReplyDeleteTNT pic is jumping here...hope it was that one camera and not the station? Might as well watch the end.
I think if one watches the last 10 laps of this race, you have seen the whole thing... ;-)
Just realized this thing is scheduled for another hour!
ReplyDeleteMama Mia !!! I must have A.D.D. today...though again I admit, not a fan of this road race today for some reason...I want to be but can't fake it.
I agree Sophia. I think I've seen those undies enough already. TNT needs to add a few more undergarments into the commercial rotation.
ReplyDeleteNot many lead changes at all today.
Ok I've had it with the commercials, I have seen more action on RB. Have no feel for what is going on. Have no clue why some cars are in the back. This is a mess
ReplyDeleteWell my favorite driver just wrecked my favorite rookie! Kinda just makes for a perfect end to a cruddy race.
ReplyDeleteI've fallen asleep twice and when I woke up, it was like I didn't miss a thing. I guess I'm not a big fan of this kind of racing. Marcus Ambrose just spun so I guess TNT's storyline is ruined.
ReplyDeletePoor Marcos :(
ReplyDeleteJust got home, caught the first 10 laps at my sister's place then listened on the radio on my way home. If yall think TNT has had a bunch of ads try the PRN radio broadcast. :)
ReplyDeleteThe in-car radio for JPM is horrible, way too much static.
Glad to hear you're in my neck of the woods JD - warm day but the humidity is low. If you find yourself southwest of Ft. Worth drop on by for as much Shiner as you want ;)
Looks like they're front loading the commercials over the first 106 laps.
ReplyDeleteOT: Just read on Espn.com that Mark Martin will replace Casey Mears next year in the 5 car.
I'm sorry to say the coverage is in disarray this week, so much so we can't watch anymore; we watched about 90 minutes of the race (turned it on after the green flag) then got so annoyed that we then turned on the VCR and popped in a DVD movie (combo machine). We'll rewind and watch the rest of the race later. The too-frequent insertion of commercial breaks has been very annoying and brought us to the breaking point; it wasn't nearly as annoying during TNT's first race two weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteThe booth keeps promising to follow up on what happened to drivers -like Kahne being held on pit road and the extenxt of damage on Robby's car - but they do it way after the fact, if they do it at all. The pit road reporters are not being utilized well, and they should have extra time to do reporting because there aren't as many pit stops in this race.
Poor job today by TNT - enough to make us stop watching. And I was one who thought TNT did well with the Dover race.
"try the PRN radio broadcast. :)"
ReplyDeleteHow are you listening to PRN? Todays race is on MRN isnt it?
How are you listening to PRN? Todays race is on MRN isnt it?
ReplyDeleteNope, Sears Point is an SMI track. MRN does the ISC tracks.
Sorry, Infeneon not Sears Point
ReplyDeleteOT: Just read on Espn.com that Mark Martin will replace Casey Mears next year in the 5 car.
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad. MM has had his day in the sun so he should go ahead and retire and not take a ride from a 24-year-old.
Thanks for clearing that up. For some reason, I though Infineon was an ISC track.
ReplyDeleteWell the 44 isn't going to get a safe driving award from UPS this year!
ReplyDeleteLooks like its going to come down to a great finish!
ReplyDeleteWell that's too bad for Casey Mears and his racing family. MM should go ahead and retire I believe.
ReplyDeleteThe first Matt Kenseth mention today - even they admit it. This late in the race. Sheesh.
ReplyDeletePoor Casey just when I thought he would have the same team and crew chief 2 years in a row.
ReplyDelete@bevo--you were right the first time Sears Point ;). It'll always be Sears Point to me...just like the Stick :)
ReplyDeleteTNT coverage has improved these last 10 laps but what a mess before that. We'll have to see the checkers that's if we even get there. Wow another yellow
ReplyDeleteThink they will even make it into turn 2 of the Green White Check?
ReplyDeleteKyle- NO
ReplyDeleteWHat??? thats it? its over? since when is that how it works?
ReplyDeleteMaybe we will get some good pit road interviews to pass the time during the red flag. Looking forward to a good finish.
ReplyDeletesorry I must have miss heard Webber. He said 'fishing positions will be set by video tape' and I thought that was it.
ReplyDeleteFound a good use for Race Buddy. Thunderstorm and rain has knocked my satellite signal out and I can still see what is happening (not happening right now).
ReplyDeleteDid ANYBODY pass out water to the drivers? I saw somebody pouring water over his back. CRIPEs..it's hot in those cars and STOPPED is worse..geez
ReplyDeleteI wonder if we will get any postrace on TV or if it will all be on Nascar.com
ReplyDeleteI bet somebody in the top 10 wrecks in turn 2, nascar calls the race, and half the field hadn't even crossed the line to take the green flag.
ReplyDeleteSophia, These drivers get paid millions of dollars. If they don't like it, there are thousands of people who would gladly take their place. I wouldn't complain if I was those drivers.
ReplyDeleteKaren
ReplyDeleteI agree about Mark Martin
Eric, your comment cracked me up about the undies rotation! Glad a few of us are disgusted by that commercial.
Ugh
ReplyDeleteToo bad about the winner.
EXCELLENT CAMERA WORK at the finish line. and for a road course!
ReplyDeleteTHANKS TNT!!!
Well, we got the wide shot w/the drop down, thanks
ReplyDeleteGreat finish. The top 35 please........
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Kylie :). The ONE week that I don't pick him!
ReplyDeleteI like the winner. The best driver and car won. What more can you ask? It ain't braggin if you do it.
ReplyDeleteStewart interview was interesting
ReplyDeleteCongrats to KB. Yes, it was great camera work at the finish.
ReplyDeletew00t! Tony! He wasn't throwing Happy under the bus no matter how much TV wanted him to!
ReplyDeleteWHo the hell is that guy yelling at the camera op during tony's interview?? From what I know, he has NO right to push a cameraman that is LIVE on network TV, out of the way. I believe that is in the contract somewhere. That was just rude.
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of Gilliland and Yates.. good for them.
ReplyDeleteMarty should have let it go the first time, not good for him on that interview w/Tony.
ReplyDeleteWhat is with TNT and the top 35 (or lack there of). Thanks for the 66 still 36th but I wanted a little more than that
ReplyDeleteJeff Gordon on ESPN News. Post race interviews are on now.
ReplyDeleteTony sounded ticked off I think he could have been a little more considerate of the media, even though he didn't like the questions.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one that was annoyed with those superimposed "TURN 2" and "TURN 4" markers? The effect was cheap and unnecessary. Why only mark those corners, what's so special about those turns?
ReplyDeleteI like Tony but thought he was a little hateful...then again HE DOES have that reputation and Marty should've stopped after the first question. Wonder if that was a person YAKKING in his ear to press the issue.
ReplyDeleteI LAUGHED when Wally or somebody in the booth said to send an ambulance for Marty.....Tony was obviously VERY disappointed again with a worse than expected finish..and apparently things are not all rosey with he and Zippy these days. They needed a win or good finish.
I paid so little attention I did not "see the fake markers"
ReplyDeleteWish there were a picture so I knew what you all were talking about.
:)
Am I the only one who can't wait for the TNT stint to be over with!!! I hate this part of the season. TNT seems to think that the race is a perfect time to advertise their primetime shows every stinking 45 seconds. Maybe next week I will just record the race so I fast forward through the CRAP!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMajor thank you to TNT for addressing two of the major issues I have had with their coverage so far this year.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all the new real-time scoring crawl is absolutely fantastic. Secondly I am very appreciative that Bill Weber mentioned who the "odd team out" was in the battle to be in the top 35 in owner's points. A Fox-type graphic of 31st - 40th in owner's points would have been more helpful to the fans for sure, but since I knew already that 37th on back were mathematically incapable of jumping into the top 35 the audio mention was appreciated.
I also have to give major kudos to the TNT production truck for having the best finish line production in the sport today. They have a fantastic very long shot of the finish line to catch almost every car on the track, and a tremendous vertical drop-down of the top 20 results as they hit the line.
Finally I have to give credit to Bill Weber. He was put in a tough spot being given the play-by-play position out of nowhere a couple years ago but I think he's done a great job this year. The most noticable thing to me is that he tries to keep the viewers as informed as possible with things like Lucky Dogs, where the first car that pitted under yellow will restart, who pitted during commercial breaks, etc.
It seemed to me the commercial inventory was more excessive than normal but maybe the other TV website will prove otherwise with their stats I don't know. It just seemed to me for much of the race it was 4 minutes of racing, 3 minute of commercials, 4 minutes of racing, 3 minutes of commercials. When they were on the air though it was an enjoyable broadcast from where I sat. I hope Fox and ESPN have taken notice that simple is better. No overkill of fancy video packages, no overuse of in-car cameras during green flag racing, and no gimmicks like Digger, "Full Throttle", and "Crank it Up".
Thank you very much TNT, you have come a long way since this race a year ago.
"Wonder if that was a person YAKKING in his ear to press the issue."
ReplyDeleteI can tell you for a fact, that no one was telling or 'yakking' in Marty's ear, telling him to press the issue in the Tony interview.
Alex, I for one liked the Turn 2 and 4 markers. Not that I didn't know where they were, but sometimes lost focus for a few minutes and that was a good reminder.
ReplyDeleteSophia, sorry you don't like KB. Thought his interview in Victory Lane was much more mature than the last few times. I'm sure he'll flub up again, but you can't take his talent away from him.
Thanks guys,
ReplyDeleteGreat comments that are being read by the TV crew (and then they send me email).
Just one point. Imagine how the Fox TV package would have been if they had handled he finish lines like that each race.
JD
JD, what are type of things are the TV crew saying?
ReplyDeletePros: finishing order graphic, wide camera shots, nice aerial shots, good camera work.
ReplyDeleteCons: cheesy/cheap looking turn graphics were unnecessary, Bill Weber's announcing is painful to listen to. The frequent commercial breaks. 90 minute pre race show. The over emphasis on wine drinking.
Turner broadcasting is just way too campy for me.
I prefer Rutledge to Bill Weber.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth JD, great WIDE CAMERA SHOTS (like we are getting with TNT( Less bells and whistles, less graphics (minus the pop up of the creepy show I will not name but the guy lusts after his kids undies !?) and most of all A REWARDING CAMERA WORK of the finish line and, AND A DROP DOWN GRAPHIC, makes me much more forgiving than the other info we have suffered all season.
ReplyDeleteFocus on same drivers, too much on the lead, LACK of follow up in engine problems, etc, well that's common on ALL NETWORKS.
But we can mute lousy talking but we can't MUTE or change tv camera work on tv (for those of us on a budget)
I love, LOVE TNT's guy producing or directing the cameras~~~!! And he makes it worth my INVESTMENT of sitting thru the commercials (or hand cramp from ff thru the junk) by GIVING US THE END OF THE RACE.
I have found my mood MUCH BETTER after the race with good camera work!!
Notice my less whining!!
The excess of bumper/in car cams'/digger cams and the BIGGEST INSULT OF ALL
GYP OF THE END of the race, made me want to throw a shoe at the tv or waste valuable space here griping. One gripe leads to another and one annoyance breeds more gripes.
Pleas note my posts with more compliments since TNT took over.
SHOCKING I KNOW.
and I can STILL tolerate BILL WEBER!
:)
p.s. they need to SHORTEN the pre race as I only watch part of that stuff...need more post race. Could not get online tonight after..other things to do.
"but the guy lusts after his kids undies !?)"
ReplyDeleteSophia, Since you keep bringing it up, I will clear up the issue for you. Not that any of this is real, I mean , its only a show! but he thought it was his wife's and was disgusted when he found out it was his daughters. There. now we can move on to another more important issue. Ok Sophia?
Boogity, Boogity, Boogity -- where are all the claims of bias now? Sorry folks, but Kyle Petty was heaping the praise on Shrub just as much as DW ever did. In fact, the whole TNT was bowing down to him. I guess it isn't Toyota bias now, is it?
ReplyDeleteAnon at 2:53 Thanks I also felt the same thing it was brought up too many times.
ReplyDeleteI was in and out during the race--but I just have to say, whatever Marty got from Tony he deserved. He asked a question, Tony answered, and he just had to be an instigator. I'm not a big fan of Tony, but I don't think there's a need to push him for a smart aleck quote when he was *trying* to do the right thing.
ReplyDeletewhat's with all the age discrimination here? Mark Martin has earned the right to do whatever he wants and what Rick or any other owner is willing to pay him to do. I like Casey very much, but there is no 'rule' about how old is too old when you have proven you can drive just as good as the rest. There is no 'step aside' rule, nor should there be. He should retire when *he* wants, or when no one is willing to employ him.
Boogity, Boogity, Boogity -- where are all the claims of bias now? Sorry folks, but Kyle Petty was heaping the praise on Shrub just as much as DW ever did. In fact, the whole TNT was bowing down to him. I guess it isn't Toyota bias now, is it?
ReplyDeleteWell, er, ah, y'see...but...uh...
Great point. Kyle petty gets to drool over Kyle Busch all he wants, and no one wants to hold him to the same standard as DW.
From what I know, he has NO right to push a cameraman that is LIVE on network TV, out of the way. I believe that is in the contract somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see you prove that contention!
The number of minutes of commercial time did not increase over last year, and was inline with all of Fox's races.
ReplyDeleteThis Year:
Total minutes: 211
Minutes of race broadcast: 157
Minutes of commercials: 54
Last Year:
Total minutes: 198
Minutes of race broadcast: 144
Minutes of commercials: 54
Plus- camera angles, they showed the bumper cam and Wally mention the cool new angle and I thought here we go but it was not overused like Fox. Larry Mac I am not sure Kyle would be enough. I'll have to see regarding commercial placement it may have just been the enigma of a road course and long laps and the coverage at the end did save them. At least we don't have the Closer popping up in the corner every 5 minutes.
ReplyDeleteMinus- Pre-race shows are to long, combine the 2 and make it for a total of 60 minutes. (This will also get Wendy back into the garage area on race day instead of the motor coach lot). Teams 15th on back are never even heard of once and if you fall back there no explanation of why unless it was dramatic like Jeff dropping like a rock or Jimmie getting spun. Reut was way off the pace and even got lapped because the car was so bad, I was also listening to his scanner for a while and I think he was being coached by the guy who practiced his car and that would have been interesting to know. It was his first cup road race after all and unlike Sorenson he wasn't pulled out of the car.
Comment- I thought the undies commercial was funny, have seen enough of it however. I could see my other half having the same horrified reaction as Bill if our kid was a girl instead of a boy.
Although many on this blog though Fox went overboard on Kyle, when things like him winning a Cup road course race in dominate fashion what other option is there.
OOPS forgot my biggest minus. No real top 35 coverage after the race.
ReplyDeleteRef comment TDP@1826hrs 22jun08 and comment annon 1037hrs 23jun08.
ReplyDeleteThe number of commericals compared to the number of race minutes does seem close. But like a poster or two from yesterday it did seem like alot of commerical breaks. And I am OK with that. I did still enjoy the race. But then again I also used Race Buddy and HotPass for my viewing enjoyment. Yes, like to multitask. But those who depend on TNT for the race coverage, I wonder is that fair?
darn, annon 1033am, sorry for another typo
ReplyDeletePre-race shows are to long,
ReplyDeleteHow is this a problem?
Just don't watch all of them, if they are "too long" for you.
Did anyone see the junior segment where he chooses jeff gordon as favorite athlete or something (didn't catch ia all....) and that he was tired of the issue???
ReplyDelete