Here we go with the hot topic of the weekend. The Nationwide Series race from Memphis is going to be carried live on ESPN Classic beginning with the pre-race show at 3PM. This program is going to be hosted by the TV crew of Marty Reid, Randy LaJoie and Rusty Wallace.
Over on SPEED, once the Craftsman Truck Series race from Atlanta is over, the network will simply join the ESPN coverage and carry the Memphis Nationwide Series race to the conclusion. This is a great move to allow NASCAR fans who do not have ESPN Classic in their cable TV package to see the race.
There is a lot on the line for many of the teams in the Nationwide Series. Some of them have admitted that this may be their final race for the season because of the financial issues currently plaguing the nation. Bobby Hamilton Jr. is one of those drivers whose season and future may be hanging on his Memphis result.
This is a hybrid TV crew that consists of Shannon Spake, Rusty Wallace and Mike Massaro from the full-time team. Marty Reid, Randy LaJoie and pit reporter Vince Welch are freelancers brought in to help with this telecast. For Welch and Reid there are some issues on the table as ESPN has chosen not to air only a handful of IRL races next season. That leaves Reid and Welch with some dates to fill.
One of the big issues at the conclusion of last season was whether or not ESPN would create a different set of announcers for coverage of the Nationwide Series. Reid and LaJoie have been outstanding that putting a very different spin and using a unique approach to Nationwide telecasts.
As well all know, ESPN is going to be doing some major decision-making in this off-season and there is no doubt a lot of corporate eyes will be on Reid and LaJoie during this broadcast.
This race has a sprinkle of Cup drivers, some Nationwide regulars and a lot of youngsters with dreams of the big time. The racing dynamic of a mix like this should make for some interesting TV viewing. ESPN has been strong with its Nationwide Series telecasts and several of them this season have been simply outstanding.
Look for a lot less of the bells-and-whistles on this coverage. There is no Infield Pit Center and less stories to cover on pit road. The short-track style of racing has resulted in many caution flags in the past, but a lot of these drivers are looking to keep their equipment in working order with the current economic issues in the sport.
NASCAR has announced that the Nationwide Series will be racing these same cars in 2009, but is still looking to move to a new COT version for 2010. Hopefully, this move will encourage the current team owners to continue in the sport for at least one more season.
This post will serve to host your comments about the TV coverage of the race and the simulcast. To add your opinion, just click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the easy instructions. The rules for posting are located on the right side of the main page. Thanks for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
Looks like the football game is running a bit over...
ReplyDelete@ Gymmie, you're not shocked are you? I'm still over at SPEED and haven't looked @ Classic yet.
ReplyDeleteWe are watching to see how SPEED handles joining-up with ESPN Classic and if announcer Marty Reid acknowledges SPEED when it happens.
ReplyDeleteJD
Marty is a true professional.
ReplyDeleteMarty Reid mentioned Speed. Classy intro. Why can't we get this every week? except Rusty-who just used cats 2 times in a sentence.
ReplyDeleteDrinking game on the word cats?
Yeah, that was a very good handover. I have SPEED in SD on extended basic, and ESPN Classic in SD on Digital, and I actually think SPEED looks better. Classic looks a bit soft.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the greeting.
ReplyDeleteESPN mentioned the truck series!
It can be done.
ESPN Classic's qualifying coverage was very enjoyable. They were on the air to televise 47 cars make qualifying runs and they actually spent that air-time showing those cars making their qualifying runs. No pre-taped videos or studio guests filling the screen, just cars on the track qualifying. The glitch that had them gauging the go-or-go-home drama against the wrong "bubble" car on the lap tracker all day was disappointing, but other than that they did very solid job.
ReplyDeleteI hope the ESPN behind-the-scenes crew in Atlanta took notes. If the "A-Team" continues to be stubborn about the ignore-the-track approach to covering NASCAR than I certainly hope the offending parties are in line to be replaced from within by individuals from the "B-Teams" that generally do solid jobs during the Nationwide broadcasts.
JD, I did notice that ESPN Classic immediately mentioned the Speed simulcast during qualifying. So while they finally listened to you, I don't see how it did any good. The only people that saw that advertisment were the people that already have ESPN Classic. Sure that announcement might have helped a few unaware people that wanted to avoid the crawl or see the race in HD on Speed, but the true target audience for that announcement should have been the people without ESPN Classic. By never mentioning Speed on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC they failed to reach the group of people that desperately needed to hear the announcement the most, those without ESPN Classic and without prior knowledge of the simulcast.
Not at all dot! My DVR flipped over at 2 CST (mine's dual so I can record 2 shows at once) but it looks like it only cut into about 3 minutes of the pre-race :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice of Marty to welcome us over :)
@ Jo, I thought the same thing about Rusty and his cat calls.
ReplyDeleteThis won't change anything but, I still do not like the in race reporter.
ReplyDeleteI hope the curse doesn't take Ruti out. In race reporters don't have to good of a finishing record.
Nice job by Marty in welcoming the SPEED viewers. Also, classy to give a quick re-cap of the truck race and the points battle and not to ignore it.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked when Rusty didn't use "cat" in the first part of his sentence, but then 2 "cats" to finish out the thought was too much.
Well, with the IRL changes making guys like Marty Reid and Vince Welch available for next season's NASCAR coverage, it should be interesting to see how they do today.
ReplyDeleteLike I said earlier, I don't know who made the phone call but something changed in a hurry after out article and comments.
Hope this is a good race for all.
JD
oops. "our" article....
ReplyDeleteGo Marc Davis, hoping for a great run in his 1st start!
ReplyDeleteWith Marty in Memphis - who is calling the IRL race in Australia anyway?
ReplyDeleteWOW, they caught a wreck live. Impressive.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I can hang with Rusty in the booth. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be a long night, poor Brad. Does anyone remember if the cup drivers came from the back last year or did they qualify their own cars. Basically I'm trying to figure out how Reut got up front on a short track.
ReplyDelete@ NRF, Wise was listed in Reuts car for practice. Good question.
ReplyDeleteYes I look forward to seeing how Marc does as well sean
ReplyDeleteI loved it during the practice how he was saying how he loved the car, was happy with how it was running, etc. and the CC was all "Uhm...we're running 20th in practice, this car does not run 20th, it WINS...we need to fix something." So they went over every part of the track to help him see what could be better. I feel even if they made a 3rd team they'd do the same knowing the JGR cars and how they run.
Poor Mr. Morgan :(.
Did they just answer the Reutimann question on the fly?
ReplyDeleteRusty shouldn't be in the booth. EVER.
ReplyDeleteThe top crawl is about 2 inches below the top of my tv. Is this normal?
ReplyDeleteThat's 2 inches of wasted space.
Did anyone notice we actually have animated PXP, I'm excited already and the race just started. ESPN Marty and Randy for all the NW races wouldn't be a bad thing
ReplyDeleteHow is it possible that Camping World and RVs.com sponsor as many different teams as they do.
ReplyDeleteOk SPEED, you can get rid of the bottom ticker. We know where the Cup guys are starting tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteamsfan: if you are on HD, it is a little below the top of the screen. I am on SD right now because I do not have SPEED in HD yet. And it is right up on the top of the TV.
ReplyDeleteAgreed DOT: Speed, do not turn into ESPN.
ReplyDeletedot,
ReplyDeleteESPN Classic would not drop the lower third sports ticker and SPEED does not want college football and horse racing information on that network.
It would have been nice if ESPN cooperated on this issue, but no.
Look for SPEED to try and keep that going all race long to cover the ESPN bottom line.
JD
Thanks JD. Your answer makes sense. However, it is still annoying. At least they could show the truck points or something.
ReplyDeleteInteresting info about the ticker,thanks JD. For some reason the ticker is actually too low on my TV (isn't usually) so I can't even read it, that works for me
ReplyDeleteIt may be that SPEED is airing the direct feed from classic so they have to cover up the bottom ticker from ESPN.
ReplyDeleteAlso, on the Camping World/RVs.com sponsorship thing, I've wondered that myself. Its a ton of money, they've said their support of CWTS, the East and West as well as KHI will go through 2009, Trucks and KHI will have support beyond that.
I imagine that since they don't have any major Cup affiliation that the money they are using to support their many interests would equate to sponsoring a single Cup car...and Camping World decides that having their brand on more cars/trucks/items is better than fixating on a single fixture.
fox trax is about 4 laps behind: it isn't usually behind in cup. anyone have any idea what's up?
ReplyDeleteRed I noticed that too, I don't think it's cup vs NW it might be short track vs longer lap times
ReplyDeleteLooks like Bowyer got stewed in his own juice for hitting my Marcos. He's not running well. I hope they tell us why.
ReplyDelete@ Red, N.com is about 5 laps behind.
Marty Reid is doing PxP Rusty & Randy analisis. Their qualifying was good too. It seems the B squad in the booth and pits is putting on a show. I thought Marty did a nice job bringing in SPEED and mentioning the Camping World to the trucks deal.Kind of enjoying this one.
ReplyDeleteIf NASCAR is true to form, look for a pity caution for Bowyer.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Clint is still the lucky dog so no pity caution. A thru the field that actually gave me some info I needed, like when they old tire guys need to pit. This is definately an A game
ReplyDeleteWow, just noticed no caution and Bowyer is a lap down.
ReplyDeletenrf: agreed! we're now in another thru the field -- at a short track -- with good information -- and we got thru the top 10. how about that? this "B" team is so much better than the theoretical "A" team.
ReplyDeleteand they just gave us how many cars on the lead lap and how many cars are out PLUS a heads-up that "we're coming up on pit stops: could they be under green?" as they go to commercial. finally, someone who understands the sport!
Well I only heard one "I talked to *** earlier".
ReplyDeleteAt least the pit reporters are keeping up with what's happening.
Current info, good job. Even Shannon.
ams fan said (in part):
ReplyDelete"At least the pit reporters are keeping up with what's happening.
Current info, good job. Even Shannon."
and that's why i get so crazy over her reports and interviews during cup. she really IS better than what we hear on sunday and i can't figure out if it's "different voices" in her ear or what.
Is there a reason why Marc Davis is 2 laps down? Hopefully they reset the field after this with racetrax so far behind I'm actually looking for the ticker.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyable broadcast so far. Marty's struggling with some names and car numbers (at least twice has called the driver of the 40 car Kelly Hamlin) but is doing a decent job otherwise. No full-screen ignore-the-track junk.... are you listening offending "A-Team" behind-the-scenes member(s) in Atlanta? That sound you hear is footsteps from your potential replacements if you don't step your game up. You are clearly being shown today that it is not difficult at all to keep the focus ON THE TRACK.
ReplyDeleteIt's also nice to see some real NASCAR racing. No caution flag for the 71's minor spin at the back of the track, and now green flag pit stops. Wow!
Both the TV coverage and the on-track product are so much better when this "back to basics" approach is used and the gimmicks to "spice up the show" are thrown out.
Hear the excitement coming from Marty? We never get that from Jerry do we
ReplyDeleteLooks like RCR has some calibration work to do, it sure seems like there is alot of infomation being shared with us today kind of like it is supposed to be, nice job so far , and Clint goes around.
ReplyDeleteAnd Marty just called Kenny Wallace Kelly.
ReplyDeleteMy foxtrax is almost 20 laps behind. Not that it matters now with 5 cars on the lead lap.
Shannon does sound a lot calmer than usual. Not stumbling over her words, so far so good.
ReplyDeleteActually pretty good coverage of green flag pit stops.
If this was normal I could stand to watch ESPN.
WOW, a reset of the top 5.
Caught another spin in progress.
Rusty is even ok to listen to, and informative too.
I actually know what's happening, amazing.
JD, do you know why the leaderboards are so far off?
ReplyDeleteI don't like these races with only a few cars on the lead lap. Maybe this caution will breed more cautions. Like 30 of them.
I'm so glad the race on online too.
ReplyDeleteI can multi-task and watch my Georgia Bulldogs
JD could it be that the guys in the production booth know more about the sport then the guys doing most all of them, or could it be that having less toys to play with makes everyone just focus on the race its self. It just seems like night and day, and I'm liking Rusty in the booth.
ReplyDeleteIt's very frustrating that the NASCAR.com Leaderboard is way behind. I'm a little lost right now and ESPN's refusal to run the scoring crawl under yellow is not helping.
ReplyDeleteA good PXP guy can turn any telecast around. Marty has established room for Randy to talk without Rusty interfering.
ReplyDeleteIts working very well.
JD
I'm watching on Speed & the pic is much clearer & the sound is too-interesting. Also, ticker is so far down the screen I couldn't read it if I wanted to.
ReplyDeleteStill no clue about the online problems. Apparently, with all the college football streaming things are really loaded down in terms of data transmission speed.
ReplyDeleteJD
Just got home. Is there any reason that just a few cars are on the lead lap?
ReplyDeletediane said...
ReplyDeleteJust got home. Is there any reason that just a few cars are on the lead lap?
not trying to be glib here but: just the usual short track racing! quick laps, spins, pit road errors, wrecks -- all the usual suspects. the good thing is the broadcast team has been terrific!
Boy, college football bleeds all over everything related to racing, doesn't it?
ReplyDelete@ Diane, no fake debris cautions by NASCAR.
The vibe from this production truck is so much different than the ESPN Cup team's. Rusty mentioned there was great racing going on deep in the field and within seconds the cameras panned back and put that on the screen.
ReplyDeleteAs a general rule when DJ comments on racing going on behind the leaders or gives a shout-out to a guy further back having a great run, the Cup production truck ignores him and sticks to the "script".
I much prefer the style we're seeing today where the production truck focuses solely on the track and reacts to the race, as opposed to what we receive on Sundays when they stick to the "script" filled with full-screen video packages, Chase drivers, and pit reports not related at all to the handling of the cars.
Thanks for the update guys & gals.
ReplyDeletewell, looks as if fox trax has caught up with the race so at least there's a leaderboard we can go to as the race winds down.
ReplyDelete(and it doesn't look as if my phillies will be able to get a game in tonight -- altho' i could be wrong, it's STILL raining with no end in sight.)
@ Strick, ditto.
ReplyDeleteI know more about cars that haven't even been on tv. Who's done what, problems, who needs to do something, running positions.
ReplyDeleteGood wide shots, more than 2 cars, occasional bumper cams, Shannon keeping up, amazing.
There are some good people at ESPN. It's just a shame this group won't get the spolight on Sunday.
Wow I just can't beleive the quality of this broadcast considering 2-3 weeks ago there was talk about 12:00 or 1:00 am tape delay
ReplyDeleteBoy NASCAR Raceday should be fun tomorrow if this keeps up. What a day for Kenny. Am I the only one rooting for the 60 to have a flat-tire or something right now? LOL.
ReplyDeleteYou have to love Randy LaJoie, he does not let Rusty get away with anything.
ReplyDeletestrick: i always root for the n'wide regulars to beat the cup ringers! but this certainly is one FUN race to be watching, is it not? my driver is not a factor but i'm enjoying watching this because the booth, the producer and the director are all on the same page and doing a great job!
ReplyDelete@stricklinfan nope your not alone I say go Kenny!
ReplyDeleteI refreshed Nascar.com about 15 minutes ago and it's keeping up with the race now also. There must have been some serious transmission traffic earlier.
ReplyDeleteyou know what else i like? they do that run thru the field for the lead lap drivers but they THEME it so all the pit reporters are talking about the SAME thing, in this case: fuel. nice.
ReplyDeleteFuel mileage issue out the window. Leaderboard showing caution.
ReplyDeleteAnother example of this production truck reacting to the race and not following a script. I would assume most people don't notice small things like this, but instead of running that Atlanta race on ABC promo right out of the commercial as is customary, they came back with the 71's spin and ran the promo after showing the spin. What a contrast to the Talladega Cup broadcast for example when "The Big One" started during full-screen billboards and the truck never broke stride to show the accident live.
ReplyDeleteNothing to lose for Kenny. Hope he goes for it. Been a long time since he had a win.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually enjoying the race coverage today (even Rusty) & I hope the espn suits are watching this race coverage & read this blog. The coverage today is good solid tell me about the race on the track coverage, even Shannon. I'm very pleasantly surprised, since I'm not a fan of espn coverage usually. I've just been laying on the bed watching the race. I'm posting here when I choose to, not multi-tasking because I must to get info.
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference, a really nice difference! Go Kenny Go!
Jo
A stat about Kenny Wallace.
ReplyDeleteI guess Benny Parsons saying is true. If you want tv to talk about you, run better.
Good for Kenny.
Oops we missed a caution, can't be live for all of them.
Anyone else concerned about Steve Wallace drinking 5 hour energy?
I'm still so impressed with Shannon today. I didn't think she could do the job, but she has today.
And yes, having Randy really keeps Rusty in check.
David said:
ReplyDeleteAlso, on the Camping World/RVs.com sponsorship thing, I've wondered that myself. Its a ton of money, they've said their support of CWTS, the East and West as well as KHI will go through 2009, Trucks and KHI will have support beyond that.
Sorry, came in late. Craftsman paid 4 million for the truck series. It is rumored that Camping World got it for a bit less. Not to bad when your name is plastered on every windshield in the field.
As stricklinfan has said many times, it should be interesting to see how Shannon does tomorrow on the Cup broadcast.
ReplyDeleteIf I did not know her voice, I would think it was a veteran pit reporter.
JD
daly planet editor said... (in part)
ReplyDelete"If I did not know her voice, I would think it was a veteran pit reporter."
i agree completely and that's what i was intimating in my earlier post. my question remains: how come? is she hearing more intelligent voices in her ears today? is it a different dynamic with her colleagues on pit road? is she responding to having a different (and maybe better?) crew supporting her? it can't be the track b/c a short track should be MORE of a challenge for a pit reporter.
and i LOVE hearing "OK, let's set it for you as they approach the restart . . ."
Maybe Shannon is good today because she isn't sharing her brain with Jamie.
ReplyDelete@ams fan, if one of the side effects of drinking the 5 hr energy drink is keeping out of wrecks, Steven Wallace is the perfect poster boy for the product.
ReplyDelete@ Norcalfan,
ReplyDeleteMaybe you're onto something. He hasn't wrecked yet.
@norcal - great minds think alike.lol
ReplyDeleteDot, Dot, Dot (LMAO)
ReplyDeletenice: booth asks for the truck to show them the line and viola! there's the line on camera. so simple and so important.
ReplyDeletenow THAT'S the way to call a GWC!
ReplyDeletei have to say: i am one ahppy camper today. that was well-worth the time i just spent with speed and n'wide. thank you to the entire speed gang today!
Hmmm... not sure what to say exactly. This entire experiance has been just weird. I am graphicly reminded RIGHT NOW why I hate rusty in the booth. Shannon's awflness is much more obviouse without Jamie to take some of the heat.
ReplyDeleteThe feeling is that of an ARCA race, maybe. There is almost an amaturish lack of professionalism. Seeing this broadcast in direct comparison to the efforts of SPEED, both pictures and talent make ESPN's failings excruciatingly clear.
GO BOBBY's WIFE!
Great call to the end.
ReplyDeleteGotta love Randy though, Bobby Jr knocking around Landon...gotta love short track racin!
Does Mrs H get penalized for the one finger salute?
ReplyDeleteGood try Herman! We'll take that 3rd!
ReplyDeleteAnd Marty knows what a backflip is!
Bobby Jr. not happy with Landon! That was one angry car! Stephanie not a happy lady there!
So do wives get the team penalized for throwing the finger on TV? I was really hoping Reut would win but he's not the dump and run type of racer. Kenny had a great run too. I guess NN will use the ESPN version of the calling of the end of the race Marty did an excellent job.
ReplyDeleteToo funny. Now ESPN Classic has thirty minutes to talk to the guys. Should be fun.
ReplyDeleteAnd Bobby Jr's wife gets docked 50 points for the salute of Landon Cassill.
ReplyDeletenrf: i do recall nicole (now biffle) striding to kurt busch's box a while ago to confront eva (now busch) over an incident between those two drivers and nascar just sorta said "well, we'll ask them not to do it again." no penalities.
ReplyDeletenascar officials should have hustled their butts down there as soon as hamilton parked the #5 car in. wonder why it took so long?
love reut's comment about edwards: "i should have moved him. he would have moved me, that's for sure!"
Thats the way to call the finish!! And the post race action! Great camera work & shot selection! Randy ( & Marty) kept Rusty in check, Shannon was impressive - a great Saturday afternoon of racing!
ReplyDeleteThank you to Speed for carrying the race & to ESPN for putting the fans first & letting us see this live.
See ESPN its not too hard to make us fans (critics) happy.
I liked Landon's interview.
ReplyDelete@ Jo, ditto.
JD-
ReplyDeleteI have a question. Usually when there are 2 drivers with the same last name, their first initial is used. Any reason why no one caught that there were 2 Davis' in the race? (The 49 - Kertus, and the 18 - Mark) Even Jarrit Johnson got his initial, even though Jimmie wasn't even there.
I wonder if Bobby H's finishing position directly reflects weather or not he races next week. Hopefully someone will step forward and give those guys some money to continue
ReplyDeleteOk here's a totally off topic question, do these drivers take off those stinky, sweaty, possibly relieved in firesuits and change directly into their street clothes and jump on a plane or do the haulers have showers? Inquiring minds want to know
ReplyDeleteMike just had to start the interview on the down side. This is still ESPN.
ReplyDeleteGood for David, very classy.
Shannon asks a decent question. Obviously Landon can't repeat what Bobby said, but she did ask respectfully. (imo)
Well folks, a good day of racing with 2 super broadcasts.
Everyone enjoy while we can. I'll bet $.25 it will all be over about 2:30 Sunday afternoon.
I wish the best for Shannon tommorrow, she really can do this.
I didn't have to mute any of her questions today.
HAPPY RACIN' TO ALL!
@ anon 6:14, Good eye. I didn't even notice.
ReplyDeleteIs it just me - or did anyone else notice the lack( thank heavens) of "feelings" questions? I'm not complaining - hubby just noticed lol
ReplyDeleteChildress got an emotion question but I'm OK with that it is emontional to have your grandson in the race and your championship seeking driver not doing well
ReplyDeleteNewracefan said...
ReplyDeleteOk here's a totally off topic question, do these drivers take off those stinky, sweaty, possibly relieved in firesuits and change directly into their street clothes and jump on a plane or do the haulers have showers? Inquiring minds want to know
There's 2 of us. I've wondered too.
Not sure on the Davis issue. Kertus is normally a backmarker and maybe even a start and park car.
ReplyDeleteNice of them to touch on the St. Jude's angle and also to repeat the highlights.
It feels odd when ESPN leaves for commercial twice and plays the old NASCAR on NBC theme. I like the song, but I'm suprised they would use it.
ReplyDeleteI thought the entire telecast was a little awkward. Not sure what it was precisely but certain parts, especially the recap at the end, seemed really forced.
ReplyDeleteBobby is so full of it today. I can't wait for his call to Sirius Nascar Radio this week.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he will say the same thing. (lol)
Good interview though, to bad Bobby knows how to play the game.
BTW Bobby H jr just said he went back to make sure Landons throttle wasn't stuck LOL
ReplyDeleteI loved Randy when he mentioned Bobby should have flipped up LCs visor so LC could have heard him
Great post race stuff.
And a thumbs up on the St Jude story replay.
The question to RC about grandson was OK its family.
This broadcast had tremendous flow all day, which is a tremendous contrast to what the ESPN Cup broadcasts have given us all year:
ReplyDelete- The play-by-play man called the play-by-play.
- The analysts analyzed and didn't have to do the play-by-play themselves.
- The pit reporters were only used in necessary spots, and when called upon they provided very useful and relevant information. There was no constant barrage of forced reports involving reading from press releases earlier in the week, re-hashing conversations from weeks ago, or adding useless information like "this driver has family in the stands so he wants to win" or "this driver is leaving this team next year so wants to win one before the end of this year". Shannon in particular was excellent today, which is a stark contrast to what we normally see from her on Sundays. Perhaps we saw the "real" Shannon today and what we see on Sundays is only a product of what's going on behind-the-scenes and in her ear in the Cup production truck. I think that's certainly worth considering because there was a major noticable and positive difference in her performance today, and it would seem to me that the production truck is the only element that was different from today's broadcast to the Cup broadcasts she has worked previously.
- This production truck broadcasted this event as an unscripted sporting event and let the on-track happenings dictate the broadcast's content. There was no "script", no collection of forced video packages covering up the action, and no gimmicks like "Draft Tracks" or mutliple Tech Center pieces taking blind guesses at problems a team had in the race.
This production truck REACTED to the event. The Cup production truck tries to CREATE an event, which is a completely nonsensical approach to covering a non-scripted sporting event that is entertaining enough by itself without the added bells-and-whistles.
Major thanks to this ESPN production truck. It will be interesting to see if the Cup production truck member(s) responsible for the ignore-the-track approach to their Cup broadcasts will take notes and re-evaluate their approach to covering NASCAR. If they are not willing to bend and continue to be stubborn then I will feel no remorse for them when they are inevitably replaced by one of the many "B-Team" members of better-performing production trucks that I'm sure are chomping at the bit for a major promotion like that and would do a far better job in that/those role(s) than the "incumbent(s)".
Don't forget Super DIRT Week on SPEED tonight at 8PM for some wild dirt track action. That race is nuts!
ReplyDeleteNASCAR Now Sunday 10AM to start the day.
Have fun,
JD
Short track racing on a Saturday afternoon ,good broadcast crew, Shannon was relaxed I say A on the day. Thanks to SPEED for stepping in, got to watch in HD.
ReplyDeleteHad to laugh at Bobby Hamilton's interview. He said he walked over to Landon Cassill's car to make sure he was OK after their "incident" on the last lap. Nice try, Bobby, but I'm guessing you had no idea the interaction was caught on tape.
ReplyDeleteDuring the race Espn, Fox Trax and probably others lost the feed for positions from Nascar and what lap it was. During this time Espn's crawler at the top of the screen disappeared. No one at Espn brought this up (that I know of) and just kept broadcasting without telling what lap the race was in.
ReplyDeleteI am sure they could have looked somewhere to see what lap the race was on.
I too emailed Camping World after crawling out from under my rock this mornining and thanked them for their support of The Truck Series for the next 7 years, just checked my email and a nice woman named Andrea had emailed me back using my name & thanked me letting me know they appreciated the support of the fans. Thank you again Mr. Marcus Lemonis for saving the Truck series and keeping regional and national racing series alive and well.
ReplyDeleteThanks JD for answering my question on the dual Davis issue. I know that Kertus is generally a start and parker. He completed a whopping 24 laps today!
ReplyDeleteThe problem was that I wasn't following the tracker constantly and wasn't in front of the computer, so when I looked up, I didn't always catch the position and car number. The first time I saw Davis on the tracker, I was shocked that Marc was so far back, then I realized it was Kertus.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteSorry to be late, but just back from a college fball game in Columbus and getting ready for a 6am private flight to Hampton GA for the race.
Answer to the question about the stinky firesuits - yes, in the motorcoaches, there certainly is a shower and most drivers, before skedaddling to the airport make use of it for a couple of minutes before changing into street clothes. Those in the top three have more time after the media interviews to shower and change. as you see in the victory lane celebrations, the winner is pre-showered with beer, pop or whatever energy drink and also, let's not forget the champagne!!
Then, unless you're at Charlotte, you have a flight home to content with, you always make a beeline for the motorcoach (otherwise, you unload at the Concord airport looking and smelling like a Bowery Bum at his worst!)