Here we go with the big shot-in-the-arm that NASCAR so badly needs this week. It will be up to Allen Bestwick to set the tone for the day when he hosts NASCAR Countdown at 1PM to begin ESPN's live coverage.
Bestwick will be joined by Brad Daugherty and Rusty Wallace in the Infield Pit Center. Wallace has just returned from a very wet race in Montreal where NASCAR used rain tires, windshield wipers and brake lights for the first time. The question is, will ESPN show highlights and what will Wallace say about the rain issues?
Bestwick will have Dave Burns, Mike Massaro, Jamie Little and Shannon Spake as pit reporters for the pre-race show. This hour should be a very diverse mix of the fall-out from both Indy and Montreal mixed with the hype of both Pocono and the upcoming Chase for the Championship.
At 2PM, ESPN will switch to race coverage and that means Dr. Jerry Punch, Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree upstairs in the announce booth. This big track with very repetitive laps should be a true test for Punch and company of how they can handle a very long and sometimes very boring Cup race.
Look for Bestwick and the Infield Studio crew to be used a lot more in this telecast once the race hits the midpoint. Last season, this was the now infamous "shut-up and drive" race that included on-camera celebrity interviews under green and also SportsCenter updates. One big issue was Suzy Kolber and her crew talking about the race on-camera while the cars roared by in the background at full speed.
This season, ESPN has the potential to put on a very good show from the HD pictures to the brand new line-up of announcers. The Pocono race will be the first good test of ESPN's Sprint Cup commitment and may well signal a positive shift in momentum for this TV crew down the stretch.
This post will serve to host your comments about NASCAR Countdown and the coverage of the Sprint Cup Series race on ESPN. To add your TV-related opinion, just click on the COMMENTS button below. The rules for posting are located on the right side of the main page. Thanks for taking the time to join us at The Daly Planet.
383 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 383 of 383We could see some rain!!
You have to keep in mind, with thunderstorms and moisture, rain can pop up anywhere within minutes.
The race teams usually have the weather channel on one of the computers at their pit stalls. They seem to have some incredible technology that allows them to view the race, watch the weather and keep an eye on the stats of the drivers at the same time. It's pretty neat.
Break out the rain tires.....oh wait. We arent in Montreal lol
Now they need to actually SHOW THE RADAR .
Hard to believe it took this long before they mentioned possible rain.
Somebody should tell that poor kid the name of the race. I sure would have liked to see some Red Cross promos as well.
It would be great if we could race in the rain at ovals.
All of a sudden these guys in the broadcast booth finally look out the window and notice clouds. That would really be something if the race is delayed because of rain showers. I thought it was interesting in pre-race show that AB was discussing if it rains at Watkins Glen next week, the NW series cars will race with rain tires there but not the cup teams.
JD, i know its a good cause, but any particular reason for all the red cross promotions on your site?
Stewart channel talking rain too
"NW series cars will race with rain tires there but not the cup teams."
why? that makes no sense to me.
I have looked on the radar and to me it looks like scattered showers maybe on the way but nothing that would shorten this race. A rain cloud here and there. Not like a big front coming through.
Anonymous said...
"NW series cars will race with rain tires there but not the cup teams."
why? that makes no sense to me.
Because NASCAR said so
This is actually the Sunoco Red Cross 500 today. The idea was that the radio and TV guys would all pitch-in to promote the nationwide need for blood donors.
They actually have a redcrossracing.com website for this race and Greg Biffle is the spokesman for the cause.
I have really not seen anyting about this cause on ESPN today.
Kind of bummed. If the Red Cross can get to a blogger like me, I thought they could get to the TV network showing the race.
JD
Sophia and JD, great minds think alike! Couldn't they take the top 10 if they did a delay on it for the scanners like they do if they are going to do a regular replay?
Sounds like they are worrying about rain right now.
remember, rain does NOT have to MOVE in, it could develop right over the track! if the conditions are right.
If I had to guess, rain is 20-40 minutes away. I don't think it is enough to call the race, but probably 20-40 minutes of rain + drying.
Wow, you are so right, JD -- I'm surprised that ESPN isn't taking the time to do a public service and talk about the Red Cross. Heck, I saw it on your webpage when we booted in this morning and thought what a great cause. The announcers in the booth can talk about let's see Aaron's 499, Allstate at the Brickyard, but not the Red Cross? Strange stuff
Yeah, the information they have on the pitboxes is pretty amazing --
So sad. ESPN at commercial as Edwards tries to make the pass on Johnson. It took 2-3 laps to do it and would have looked great to see.
If they lose the track drying at Pocono takes at least 2+ hours
true. Pocono is so big it would take at least on hour.
The reason why they won't run rain tires for the Cup cars is probably because they haven't done any testing on them with the new car. And even if they did, they would most likely second guess themselves after last week anyways.
nrf,
Do you think they will call it right away? Because they are certainly going to lose the track.
New leader is Edwards. Took him 3 laps to pass JJ but...we come back from commercial to see the change and a replay.
The stuff you miss with ESPN covering the race is amazing.
radar says rain is 15 minutes away.
Heavens yes, we were at Pocono in June last year and sat through 2 rainstorms, plus drying periods and finally gave up and walked back to the car just when it started to rain that last time and NASCAR called the race -- it was clear when we drove away from the track. Weather is a funny fickle thing -- a lot like racing!
i see rain arriving by 4:35
Good call by AP
I could use that rain here, 108 right now
Rain within 5 minutes.
i'm wrong once again..... sorry
JP - they will not race in the rain here at Pocono.
Heaviest rain may pass to the east, or at least only hit the eastern side of the track
ken-
You're fired! :)
Did we ever see the weather radar on ESPN?
JD Mike Massaro showed us someone's laptop that was it
JD,
Yep, about 20 or 30 minutes ago IIRC
Stewart says it's raining hard in 2
Only 4 of the previous 61 Cup races @ Pocono have been "rain shortened"
Caution for rain. I wish ESPN would please not use full screen graphics during green flag. Its happened alot today, not as bad as last year.
I've noticed video "hiccups" or glitches in the LIVE feed all day long on ESPN.
This was also a problem for SPEED channel back in June.
Anyone else seeing all these problems with the video ?
I'm on DirecTV.
ken-
I'm getting the same thing, doing it on HotPass too
Ken I get the SPeed issues all the time but no problem with ESPN today here and I have Comcast
Correction ....
5 of 61 Pocono races....shortened by rain
I have Dish and I was thinking of of calling them and complaining because of the "hiccups".
Parking them
so the broadcast is back down in the infield.
i've been critical, but i do like Brad D looking out the window and pointing to the wind and how that could help that the track stays dry.
Looks very wet in that one corner to me.
not a good follow-up to the Brickyard if this thing gets rained out and we finish with a lame-duck winner.
sorry Nascar. you tried.
Looks like there is a break in the precip after this shower passes.... but more light showers are building to the north / northwest.
Track drying the big question.
Tony and Newman are laughing and talking :)
During this rain delay will they do a run down of all cars and where they are as of right now. Will they discuss the 34 - 36 team points cars in relation to qualifying next week. If they are looking for fill they could try doing the above.
Stewart channel saying 2 hours to dry
Do they have lights there in case they have to run when it starts to get dark? I realize they have at least a couple of hours.
It it definately 2 hours if the entire track is wet, if it's only part of the track could be much less. This should be interesting. The 48 fan in me wants the race to go back green, the MWR fan wants the race to end. Oh my this will be an interesting rain fill indeed
No lights, but they could shorten the race if darkness is an issue.. that's what happened in 2002.
Vicky no lights
No lights at Pocono and Raceday did a big segment on the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500. To help call 1-800-Help-now.
no lights at Pocono! So it's either get it dry and run it or quit -- they have until almost 8 before full dark
Haha nrf, the MWR fan in me would like to see it rain too.
START THE RACES EARLIER and you don't have this problem.
I hate how TV networks continue to force NASCAR to pander to west coast audiences with these late start times. If you start at noon instead of 2pm, you're done with this race already and even if you aren't, you have plenty of time and darkness isn't a problem.
alex,
Are you having deja vu all over again?
no glitches on ESPN here today.
TWarner cable.
Anybody know where to buy a 4.3 screen laptop? all news ones are glossy widescreened!:( horrible for reading and photo editing.
This thing is croaking (bad motherboard and now fan not working..have ice pad with cloth cover under it)
DELL only 18 months old and out of warranty..some savvy folks here so hope you don't mind the question JD.
Well, i wonder if they will call the race. I don't mind Kasey being the winner!! :)
Jr still second in points.
never an update from WALTRIP???
oh, yea, he ain't even close to the "chase" . . ..sigh.
ESPN is not the only one's having some hiccups.
Direct TV personnel for the 88 and 31 got their hard cards taken up for going over the wall to early.
WOW....was that the RADAR ??
what a great idea that was !!
Geesh !
ams fan-
Wendy and Phil?
tony being so nice about Goodyear and the rain tires. :)
SophiaZ123 said...
tony being so nice about Goodyear and the rain tires. :)
August 3, 2008 5:11 PM
Kind of... "who'd thought 6 yr old tires would work that good?"
The tower didn't give names just to pull the hard cards of the 88 and 31 Direct TV persons over the wall.
Sounds like track drying is going good.
Getting the cars on the track would be good for track drying at this point.
Does that mean a permanent hard card removal or just for this race? Anyone know how all that works?
Just heard on Carl's radio that NASCAR says back in 15 to 30 minutes.
--KarenB
It's like getting called to the trailer. You lose access for the rest of the event and then have to go to NASCAR and talk to them about getting it back.
Usually just a misunderstanding.
JD
True or False
ESPN interviewed Michael Waltrip on camera & discussed what happened to his engine?
Rick Allen and Phil Parsons doing all the HotPass channels now
Anonymous said...
True or False
ESPN interviewed Michael Waltrip on camera & discussed what happened to his engine?
August 3, 2008 5:21 PM
IF they did it was fast & I missed it by blinking
true or false?
I think we are here for YOUR opinion, OK?
Why don't you tell us about that issue?
JD
Thanks JD, for clearing up the hard card thing.
Nice demo by TB on how to change a plug wire - very good use of tech center
Perhaps everyone else needed a pit stop from Hotpass.
so much for two hour rain delay..alleged by Stewart's crew.
Good deal if they can go back per ESPN.
Sophia it is 2 hours of the entire track gets wet
Sun coming out helped speed up the drying
Things I don't like in this broadcast.
*In race reporter! (any broadcast)
*Full throttle. (to many voices)
*Not updating driver(s) who are out
*Driver promo when going to commercial
*Rusty Wallace
Well drivers back to their cars, time to go racin'!
Man I love the audio options on HotPass :)
I am trying to find out about MW from a reporter at the track by email, but apparently they have not spoken with him either.
Should make TWIN on Monday interesting.
JD
Re: When a team owner is a driver who qualified almost 5 mph off the pace with a engine package that the leader in points (KB) also uses...Isn't that a story (on lap 2-3) that you might want to address?
Just asking? I never heard the broadcast crew cover it & no one spoke with Mikey? Thats all
AMS fan said...
Things I don't like in this broadcast.
*In race reporter! (any broadcast)
*Full throttle. (to many voices)
*Not updating driver(s) who are out
*Driver promo when going to commercial
*Rusty Wallace
Well drivers back to their cars, time to go racin'!
August 3, 2008 5:27 PM
And to your list may I add
*full screen graphics during green flag
* not going thru the field
* cRusty - can't say that enough
Bob Osborne just told Carl there's a huge storm about half an hour away that's going to nail the track.
--KarenB
JGR builds their own engines so does BDR (I think) not sure about RB. TRD does build MWR engines. If Mikey missed a shift on the restart it could be his fault and why he is MIA. He is very hard on himself when he screws up. We need someone on this blog who listens to Mikeys scanner.
Chad also calling for rain in 25 to 30 minutes
Yes JD, I was having a bit of deja vu here at Pocono. :P
But in general, it's become a recurring issue with the weather woes this year.
Zip told Tony more rains coming
"If you start at noon instead of 2pm, you're done with this race already"
thats 9AM on the west coast. Most people go services at THAT TIME!!!! that will kill NASCAR's ratings because we on the west coast like to watch the sport but CANT when it starts that early.
One more rain shower would probably do the race in. There's only about 2 hours of daylight left.
Anonymous said...
"If you start at noon instead of 2pm, you're done with this race already"
thats 9AM on the west coast. Most people go services at THAT TIME!!!! that will kill NASCAR's ratings because we on the west coast like to watch the sport but CANT when it starts that early.
August 3, 2008 5:39 PM
I know that's the reality, but just about a decade ago many races were starting at that time and fans made accommodations, either with VCRs or missing the initial start. If an event is a west coast event, start it at west coast times, but how is it fair to the people at the venue to be under the gun with weather and darkness because of a late start time?
"but just about a decade ago many races were starting at that time "
and just about a decade ago, ratings were half of what they are now. I don't want to miss the initial restart, do you?
Also, its not like every race is cut shot by weather and rain. NASCAR has gotten by fine.
I"m on the West Coast and have no problem with earlier start times. That's what the DVR is for. I don't get up at 4 or 5 in the morning to watch F1, I record it and watch later.
I forgot to add that many NFL games start at 9am west coast time and plenty of people (including me) watch them.
They talk about damage to the 18, camera follows the 18 around, about the time we could see the right side, lets show the accident.
How about an 11am Eastern Tiem Zone start like most NFL games. Pretty sure most don't have a problem getting up in time for that. That's noon for the central, 11am for the mountain and 10am for the West.
Like someone mentioned, do they even care about the people actually GOING to the race and paying to see it?
no one I know has a DVR and I am on the west coast. Many, in fact most people, LIKE to watch things live. its fine the way it is now. everyone gets what they want. I mean it might cut a little close but the majority of races go the distance and that's fine. I don't see why west coast fans should lose out.
Nan S,
My local west coast team almost ALWAYS starts at 1PM west coast time. and when there is a game at 10, which is rare for the local team, I cant watch it and they lose out on my ratings.
OK now lets talk football!
There's only a race going on.
You mean a 1pm start on the East. That's the way to go for Nascar I believe.
Thanks newracefan!
I'm interested in the coverage...why they have 42 cars running until Joe & Paul's shunt but no mention from AB, RW, BD & no comment in the garage area from the pit road reporter assigned and no comment from the driver or crew chief....just seems strange...a no comment would suffice...
Thanks newracefan!
I'm interested in the coverage...why they have 42 cars running until Joe & Paul's shunt but no mention from AB, RW, BD & no comment in the garage area from the pit road reporter assigned and no comment from the driver or crew chief....just seems strange...a no comment would suffice...
rain. is this the final caution?
@JD--are there levels of behavior/actions that get hardcards pulled? Or is it more of a it depends on what you do and how serious it was? I recall a few years ago Dillner getting his pulled but they never said why. So he had to wait in line to get his credentials for the rest of the season.
If they bring the cars in, I say the race will be called within 5 minutes after that.
who lost a pass or credential?? im sorry. i missed it.
JD, something is up with blogger it seems. all these double posts and what not.
gymmie,
It does not mean that the people involved will not get them back. It just means they have to speak with NASCAR about the problem.
Sounds like someone stepped onto pit road before the inspectors gave the signal that it was open to crews and TV. They will get it straightened out, but safety is number one.
JD
Can't believe NOBODY cares about Waltrip!?!?!?
Still not a peep of an update.
I wish it would rain. I am tired. :)
I hate when they show the one of Steve/Jr. I remember walking in from church turning on the TV (not knowing it was a replay) and thought Steve was dead! Those few minutes felt like an eternity!
mike,
TV wants it called at 6:20PM....:)
JD
we ARE going green!!
JD,
How influential is the TV partner in deciding when/if a race is called?
Sophia they ignore all of MWR Reut has been in the top ten since the red and not a word but it's OK to talk about Hornish?
I believe in the last 10 - 15 years there has been a significant population shift from the north and east to the southwest and far west.
TV can say all they want, but they cant tell NASCAR what to do.
I had my post yesterday duplicate and I was able to go in and delete the second one. It's getting ready to rain here in Houston and we can really use the rain to cool things down a bit.
Can someone please explain who got their credentials taken away and what happened?
NRF
You are correct..no reut mention either.
wow that long shot seeing them come out of the corner is great...and a little scary.
I thought i saw stuff coming out of JPM's car as the camera broke away from him.
BUMMER FOR JPM..I bet he is so upset.
Sorry I understood that JD from your post. Sorry if I wasn't clear. I just meant if there were levels or if it was based on offense that determines if it's essentially a "park" where you don't have your credentials for the rest of the day and you'll get it back after visiting with NASCAR vs. whatever Dillner did that caused him to lose his where he had to check in with the other reporters at each track.
Anonymous said...
Can someone please explain who got their credentials taken away and what happened?
August 3, 2008 6:01 PM
Wendy & Phil - went over wall to soon
Nan,
That would be zero....trust me.
JD
So Wendy & Phil wont be able to report on NASCAR the rest of the year?
I like the wide distant shot ESPN uses that shows a pack of 5 or 6 cars battling for position.
Anonymous said...
So Wendy & Phil wont be able to report on NASCAR the rest of the year?
August 3, 2008 6:04 PM
scroll up its too complex to recap , they will be reporting
Wendy and Phil are still on, probably a cameraman or sound guy
thanks for the info
Great radar shot, really lets you believe that the whole race can be run.
OK now we get radar when JJ and Carl are battling for position. Your kidding right
ESPN is far behind on 20 scraping the wall heard it on scanner 4 mins ago
That's something they need to emphasize.....a driver up front can pit under green without losing a lap. Just in case a caution came after they did so.
TV booth is only talking about the guys in the front today. Also, DW's theory of the vortex is working today.
This race was too long to begin with.
With the rain delays, wow!
wow this should be interesting. everyone seems to be out of gas.
Anyone know if they will stay w/race commercial free the last 10 laps if it goes the distance?
Anonymous said...
"wow this should be interesting. everyone seems to be out of gas."
Including the fans!
I like fuel strategy races. they can be interesting.
MRN reported the Hamlin is short-pitting, yet ESPN just speculated that he had 'some problem'. Great follow through ESPN!
Anon,
Instead of asking us what you missed, why not simply scroll up and read what we've said. It's easy to do.
im sorry, but that has nothing to do with the task at hand. Please be polite.
Dmo said...
Anonymous said...
"wow this should be interesting. everyone seems to be out of gas."
Including the fans!
me too!
Rusty sounds give out also. Which is a good thing, he actually answered a question without all his hype.
Time for a nice big recap with 15 to go.
JD, i disagree. the race is coming down to the wire now. We need to focus and who is pitting and who is staying out.
This is were someone like Larry Mc is needed, analyze strategy.
So, the only ESPN decision is to stay for the winner interview or leave and do it in SportsCenter.
I meant "focus on" not "and"
Has Scott Riggs in the top 10 been mentioned at all today? He's having a great run but I haven't heard his name.
Daly Planet Editor said...
Time for a nice big recap with 15 to go.
Are you hoping or been dri*****?
We have to talk about Brett. (blah)
Martin will get most laps led
What car is Brett driving? If he ain't driving leave him out
After the Montreal race yesterday and the long Pocono race today, Rusty is out of gas now.
Also, David Reutimann is having a nice top-15 run.
vicky,
Great observation, certainly sounds that way.
JD
I'm not sure if Reut needs to pit and heaven forbid they go through the field in order and let us know who is taking a risk
Alex said...
Has Scott Riggs in the top 10 been mentioned at all today? He's having a great run but I haven't heard his name.
I have heard more about Brett Farve than Scott Riggs. (hmmmm)
that is what I was asking nrf, they have not given us an overall perspective.
All of these video "hiccups" and "stuttering video" is getting very annoying.
Must be a Pocono problem.
Its happening once or twice every lap.
I wish the guys in the booth would tell us if any of the guys up front have to pit for fuel.
Ken no problems here
We are having lots of issues on DirectTV today with jerking.
Ken, no problems here in GA.
Three laps to go...sell it Jerry!!!!
ken-
Mine had some earlier but nothing lately.
Reut had to pit too
what a finish! what a race!
Guess the booth ran out of gas too
I think the broadcast and race today was pretty good. A nice way for ESPN to get back into the swing of things.
so, who isn't getting pushed back;)
Thanks everybody, NASCAR Now at 10PM. Victory Lane on SPEED at 8PM.
ESPN pit reporters on Monday's NASCAR Now at 5PM.
Michael Waltrip and Chad Knaus on TWIN at 8PM on SPEED.
Thank again for stopping by, ESPN's longest day of the season next Saturday from Watkins Glen. Check out that schedule!
JD
anyone know what happened to Kyle B?
I will give ESPN a break on the post race. they have an hour to recap on ESPN2 at 7PM PDT.
Thanks for your hard work today JD ;)
kyle had to pit, missed the cone and had issues getting it fired up. finished 35th.
ESPN told me they are putting a ton of effort into that 10PM wrap-up show. So far, it looks it.
I guess Hermie will sit in for Spencer on Victory Lane, no word on that from SPEED.
Thanks again for hanging out with us!
JD
The Pocono wrap story is now up for your comments. Thanks.
How about an 11am Eastern Tiem Zone start like most NFL games. Pretty sure most don't have a problem getting up in time for that. That's noon for the central, 11am for the mountain and 10am for the West.
No, 11am Eastern is actually 10am Central, 9am Mountain and 8am Pacific.
morning all. a day late but it takes a while to get out of long pond! i read thru the comments last night when we got home --interesting.
1. competition caution received a full-throat roar of disapproval from the stands. apparently, most of us had no idea that nascar was planning to throw one and were caught by surprise. i feel better knowing that many posters here were in the same boat!
2. the track broadcasts MRN and, when we could hear it, i was reminded of how much better their broadcast is than tv. there is an excitement as they announce the race and several times, i pulled my eyes from what i had been watching to focus on what they were saying b/c i heard that excitement. we can't really hear anything when the cars are at speed unless there's a break in the pack, so i can't say for certain if that level maintained all race.
3. dmo in re: camera shot on the straightawy: we were seated coming off of turn 3 and there was a camera boom set up on the grass to capture shots along with a microphone secured to the fencing on the grandstand. the first thing i wondered as i took my seat was how it would look and sound at home and if i'd read comments about it!
4. waltrip's disappearance: all i can tell you is we saw the getaway vehicle and commented on it! after he pulled into pit road w/an obviously sick engine, a helicopter took after some 10-15 minutes later.
5. rain wasn't as it apparently appeared on tv. it was raining in turn 2 thru the backstretch but turn 3 and that enormous frontstretch were mostly dry so the blowers didn't even slow down as they came around. the clouds looked ominous but only one bank of showers ever really made it to the track. red flag was definitely warranted b/c of the backstretch condition. (and in an interesting piece of cost saving, the 3 tracks in the area share blowers: pocono, dover, and loudon. that way, each track only has to have 2 blowers and the rest arrive for race duty. smart.)
6. i could see a lot more of the track than i remembered and i can count on 2 hands the number of racing passes that happened. the car is a brick and unless you are in the front, you just maintain position, lap after lap. when they bunch back up on a restart, there's some racing but after about 10 laps, the pack thins to single file and you have a continuous loop of cars.
even when the top 2 would pull away from the pack and the 3rd car was 3+ seconds behind, that 3rd car just maintained. pitstops and restarts really made the race, more than the racing.
having watched the car at a big track and an intermediate track, i have decided i will seriously reconsider going to a track in the future. it simply isn't racing and what passes for it is so infrequent that it became memorable, not b/c of the quality of the racing but b/c there was something happening other than a conveyor belt around the track. maybe it's different at a small, bullring track where the cars are nose to tail most of the time, i don't know.
but i can tell you that, if espn showed any passing yesterday, they lucked into having a camera at the right spot at the moment the racing happened. honestly, it was disappointing and i would have been seriously ticked off if we'd paid for tickets. there are intangibles that make going to a race worthwhile -- the sounds of those engines, the smell in the air, the vibrations thru your legs when they're at speed -- but they couldn't make up for the poor quality of the racing.
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