As someone famous once said, "it's time to make the donuts." The Friday night support race is over, the talking head TV shows are winding-down and fans across the nation are tuning-in. It's Saturday night at 7PM and the pressure is on.
No race in the remainder of The Chase will get the hype and media attention of the Charlotte night race. The Musco lights make for pretty TV pictures and the track makes for tough racing and tight tempers. Casual fans surfing through the channels will stop when they see NASCAR racing at full speed on ABC. The big question is, will they stay?
All season long the NASCAR on ESPN group has been working with one goal in mind. That is the final ten Sprint Cup Series races of the year. Now, after the early stories of The Chase have begun to fade, it is once again time for the racing to return to the intensity that old-time fans used to know so well.
This is the best combination of ingredients that ESPN has enjoyed before a race all year. A fight in the garage, a bunch of drivers racing to keep their rides and a track that reaches up at the worst possible moment and claims numerous victims.
Dr. Jerry Punch is going to have to step-it-up to serve the broader mainstream audience of a Saturday night. Key to his success is going to be the intensity of Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. Alongside of Punch in the announce booth until well after midnight on Friday, these two analysts are going to be the real face of the ESPN coverage to TV viewers.
Hustling on pit road the four ESPN pit reporters are going to be facing three challenges. One, the story of the race. Two, the story of The Chase. Three, this is the backyard of every team and no one wants to get pushed around on their home field. NASCAR politics are going to be pushed aside and intensity is going to be on display from the green flag. One bad or ill-prepared question from a pit reporter might get a very direct response.
Setting the table will be Allen Bestwick, Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty from the Infield Pit Studio. Bestwick has been steady and solid this season. Wallace has been himself and seems to enjoy his role as a commentator instead of an analyst. Daugherty has been the dependable cheerleader and NASCAR supporter.
Viewers of the Saturday night Nationwide Series race saw ESPN strip-down the telecast and put the bells-and-whistles on the shelf. The result was limited interruptions from Tim Brewer in the Tech Center. Bestwick was often heard but not seen and Wallace and Daugherty faded quickly into the background under the green flag.
The Director laid-off the bumper cams and used the in-car cameras only when they made sense. The low angle "speed shots" are great at LMS, and ESPN is famous for cranking the audio as the cars roar by. Fighting the tendency of the camera guys to zoom-in and show one or two cars instead of groups will be key. Also, look to see if the cameras frame the track and let the cars race in or if the coverage just keeps the same "camera loop" going under green.
This post will serve to host your TV-related comments about the Sprint Cup Series race from Lowe's Motor Speedway on ABC. 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.
588 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 588 of 588That's not a REAR splitter, it's a SPEAR splitter!
All I wanted is for a real explanation of why this is a big deal to this forum. I follow this blog as a lifelong racefan, not a TV insider. As Joe Fan, I don't understand the relevance of some of the criticism on here. I imagine that most people watching this broadcast could care less about buffer music. It's funny that you try to hush me up. Sorry to ruin your little group.
vickyD I think they can if there is nothing left fall off and add more debris.
but it messes up the downforce capabilities I think
Vicky the big question is can they race with the hood up, guess Kyle's not the only problem with the 45 team.
Yes you can race without a splitter. Its not a good idea though because of the contour of the nose it would create lift to race without the splitter. Thus why teams go through the trouble of repairing it.
Mark Martin the good hands driver on that one. Good save.
Rick Allen and Mike Joy would be screaming right now. Jerry tells us Mark is going to be Gordon's teammate.....unbelievable.
According to NASCAR rules they are supposed to have splitters. I'm not sure what shade of gray that its written in, and who that rule applies to exactly. It would be a judgment call...
JD,
Thanks, but not interested in the song per se, just in who owns the rights to it. Does that mean it is the artists and FOX has bought the rights? I'm curious if we would ever hear it on SPEED or even TNT.
I do a fair imitation of DW as it is according to my son he would die if he had to hear that on my cell.
Kiteman,
This is a NASCAR TV forum, if you did not know that.
This little group gets over 15k hits a day and has been here for two years.
Please feel free to change forums at any time.
JD
Kite:
Like you, the buffer music really doesnt matter to me at all. FOX overplaying their deal got annoying but other than that I don't give much thought to it. That being said I can understand JD's logic and it does have relevance since its a production decision and with this blog being about production of NASCAR television overall its relevant
Maybe Rick Allen & Phil Parsons need a promotion to cup next year.
JD
I could NEVER complain about the Aerosmith song..at the time my room mates brother was employed on a huge tour with the group...a great sound man...so I got no sympathy from his family...it was like "Hey, they are employing my son, brother, yada, yada" :)
Course he has toured with 4 other bands since then..but that was annoying tune. I like the natural sound to break.
vicky,
Marty Reid is going to call the Memphis Nationwide race. Should be interesting to see how it goes.
Remember, ESPN as just dumped the IRL so Marty is available next season....how is that for inside gossip?
JD
There are plenty of message boards and blogs to follow the race on. This one is focused on the TV broadcast aspects of the the racing.
As a TV production teacher, I use the information on the site for examples and my own knowledge in the classroom each week.
You may not think anything of buffer music, but it's obviously a big deal to the networks that cover racing and other sports.
oops...has just dumped...
I thought splitters were mandatory. Remember when they had to fix Tony's after someone allegedly stepped on it?
ESPN dumped the IRL JD?
I had not heard about that.
Where are they going to be next year? NBC?
JD, If Marty moves to NASCAR, the results will be awful. Jerry Punch at least knows what he is talking about, Marty does not.
And I always thought Marty & Randy did a good job of the NW race they worked last year.
More than a hundred laps to go, almost time for the big reset.
They fixed Tony's because it was a performance issue. Not because NASCAR Told them to. If its flopping around then NASCAR will say to address the problem which means secure it or cut it off. Only the wing is mandatory
I just wish Versus had the GUTS to give Robin Miller a job on a race or IRL related show. :)
Ratings blockbuster!
That is the name buzz...Marty. No clue what the deal is. Also, the IRL pit reporters are available.
@ David, the VS network.
kiteman,
Drop me an email please. editor@thedalyplanet.tv when you get a chance. Thanks.
JD
I don't even get that network on basic cable.
Good luck next year IRL...gonna get even worse ratings then you had being on a major network.
Pit reporters that actually know racing/cars or more fluff
David
IRL to Versus network. We jsut got it added to my area last week so I am happy.
Other wise ABC only carrying the 500 and 4 other races next several years.
Lots going-on with Versus.
Let's just say I would not be surprised to see a stock car series show-up on Versus next season. :)
Thank you again David the answer man. I got confused. Maybe I do need to drink during the race.
Give Marty a couple of races and he'll be fantastic just like he did during his NHRA days, he's a fast learner.
p.s. david
But have to have digital in my area to get Versus..some have it on basic.
Awesome! A NCTS on SPEED promo on ABC in prime time. Go AB!
I would be thrilled since VS part of our basic
WONDERFUL footage of that "crash".
This sums up Marty Reid to me..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgsEWTFCMnc
Rusty's still at Sears Point
Comcast is trying to get VS on basic or digital basic over the next two years. They own it.
period on this?
rusty bin talkin to larry mac
Daly Planet Editor said...
Lots going-on with Versus.
Let's just say I would not be surprised to see a stock car series show-up on Versus next season. :)
October 11, 2008 10:29 PM
Oh, JD, you're dangling a carrot aren't you. ;-)
Did I JUst hear Trucks mentioned?!?
good going AB
Nice recovery for David Ragan after pit road penalty.
Well...someone is going to gamble to try and win this race seeing how track position has meant so much.
Gordon staying up there has impressed me tremendously
Mr. Daly, tell me more, what stock car series on Versus
Brewer not during green flag run, if they would find racing back further we wouldn't need this filler
trl,
I am right in the middle of that carrot...lol.
Just keeping it interesting.
JD
rich,
I think they are lined-up at the VS door. Where else do they have to go these days? Ya know?
JD
VS is a part of our digital package i imagine but its not on our basic. if a Nationwide or CTS were to go over there it would be a bummer for me. Kinda like trucks being on SPEED when I know not all markets have SPEED on their basic package
david,
I didn't say the words NASCAR were involved....:)
Looking at the ESPN box on HP I'll bet more than half of the race action they show is in-car shots or bumper cams
Well theres anew way to not mention MW getting passed by Gordon. Use a pre taped piece during green.
ARCA or Pro Cup?
Neither is really a great show to watch on tv since Pro Cup is a wreckfest and anytime ARCA gets in front of a camera they wad em up with the best of em too...
My guess is ARCA on VS. They get no love on SPEED.
We talked about this when The Chase started. The hardest thing for this ESPN crew to do is finish strong.
The start is great, the first half is OK, but the last hundred laps are like....GET ME TO THE AIRPLANE!
Hey Jo, 24 is my guy too and I would rather have seen the racing than that crummy interview
my screen went black...ok, never mind..must have been a local issue
David,
There are hundreds of former Cup cars out there right now and next season there will be a big bunch of Nationwide cars out there as well.
Brian's COT concept sure made for a lot of used race cars for sale.
Lets go through the field here...
Green flag racing & we get a full screen pit stop...... Take me away
JD - I've seen stock cars on Versus ...
I think USAR Hooters Pro Cup ...
They also carry the Dakar Rally ...
So is that meaning someone is going to create a new Series?
It doesnt make an ARCA race any more entertaining to watch since regardless the caliber of car, the lesser skill of alot of those drivers means wreckfest.
WOW. Menard HAMMERED the wall PRN was all over it. ESPN missed it.
JD,
I hope you're implying what I think you're implying with the stock car series moving to Versus talks... and I'm hoping you mean coverage of the ENTIRE schedule :)
Yep, you sure did.
Remember what I said about that 83 car getting to the end of a race?
Again bitten by their inexperience to close out a race.
WOW
JD would it be something like a seniors tour? Some kind of new series or would it have to be an existing one?
JD,
NW CoT in 2010 b/c of economic issues.
So 78 laps left & e$pn shows only the pits?
Well, it is a season of change for lots of motorsports stuff.
There are two TV networks interested in more motorsports and Versus is one. That is a good thing.
What they choose to show and how is going to be big.
I ask, because so many of the drivers own tracks that it would seem to make sense to parley that into some kind of limited series with established names.
Or maybe that is just wishfull thinking on my part
Stewart speeding on pit road
Nope, the SR thing is gone. The sponsor left many months ago.
That would have been fun. Harry Gant and Cale going at it in Rockingham.
Golden boys getting spanked for speeding. WOW.
ri88,
Sounds like something for a good TV consultant. :)
Engine trouble for Reuit. Hood is up
Jerry is actually sighing.
Reut stuck on pit road, bummer from 8th to 32nd
I didn't even realize we had VS so found out we do with our DirectTV. Now wondering what we will be seeing on it next year.
COT was supposed to make racing more competitive... yet Zip just said 12 or 13 cars on lead lap.... yup more competition.
I'll have to remember to VS on my favorites list next year. Right now, there is nothing on it that I would watch.......
This is getting very interesting.
Why can't a pit reporter talk to someone on Reut's box? Sheesh.. STILL waiting for a report on a car that was in the top 10. Nope, back to more Warren Wallace ad - the same ole one.
OK someone in the truck is reading this off the rails on a crazy train right on
If Robby Gordon flat spotted his tires and only changed the right side and they knew he was going to blow a left tire, why did they not follow Robby around the track with a camera and show the tire blow.
@Charlie - bcuz Robby isn't a Chaser?
Only Chasers count tonight.
Comcast in Seattle / Everett carries Versus on their extended basic package ...
It's right between SPEED ... and the Food Network ... LOL
TRL you would actually remember to add VS to your favorites next year! What a great memory you must have.
VS and racing, interesting to see where this goes.
The COT was about safety. Period. When the TV networks tried to sell the car onto fans they misspoke and said it would "level the playing field."
Reality is that teams with more resources and better chemistry are going to ALWAYS have an advantage. The only way in God's green Earth that you will have a team like the 78 compete with the 48, 88, 18, 99 and 20 is if NASCAR handed out random cars to all teams. No one wants to see that.
12 cars being on the lead lap is a result of having several long green flag runs. When you have long green flag runs, Lots of cars get lapped. Lots of cautions, lots of cars on the lead lap.
NASCAR tried to address some performance issues such as aero push with this new car design and also give it more drivability since the old style car was a car capable of driving itself in many instances.
I have a hard time remebering breakfast & you're gonna remember to add a channel Next Year! WOW I'm impressed & bow to your greatness
Vicky D said...
TRL you would actually remember to add VS to your favorites next year! What a great memory you must have.
October 11, 2008 10:53 PM
I do have a good memory, but also back it up with a calendar that sits right beside my keyboard. 2009 is ready to go. ;-)
Versus televised the America's Cup sailing matches last year and I know that cost a few bucks. The races were in Spain.
Is Versus planning on putting bulls in the cars???
prn reports biffle, who had the lead, hit hornish jr in the back in turn 4. thus, burton gets a chance to pass biffle and johnson makes up ground.]
not even seen or reported by ESPN
44 back on track, Poor David he had such a great car
@David - sorry you misunderstood. I was being sarcastic I'll go back to adding the alerts
Big through the field please...it's getting confusing.
And how does the splitter make it safer? If it is about the bump draft which is what I think I remember, why not just stiffen the rear to make it counter productive to slam draft.
Jo said...
I have a hard time remebering breakfast & you're gonna remember to add a channel Next Year! WOW I'm impressed & bow to your greatness
October 11, 2008 10:54 PM
It's the school-teacher in me. I lived and died by the calendar. Everything done in my classroom was put on a calendar --- old habits die hard. Next year's racing schedule is already written down.
lol...always depends on what your being more sarcastic about
if anyone believed you could erase the advantage that teams like HMS and Roush had on smaller teams, that was crazy.
Roush slacked off on their COT program until last year and look at how far they've come...
GEM and PE have worked on the COT for over 3 years and still are nowhere near these other teams...
Did anyone else lose sound for a little bit
TRL - & you are organized too!
LOL I wish!
@ David & remember teams may only have 4 full time teams - right?
So now we have the Mega teams w/satellites. Yup the rules foster(?) competition LOL
nrf-
Don't know, I'm on Stewart's channel. No audio problems with it.
we only get SPEED on second tier of digital cable...in between a religious station (a catholic one) and ESPN News.
I hear some pay extra for SPEED and only get a few other stations with it..at least we get about 60 extra or more stations between the two tiers. We also have two boxes..one in my room and one in the LR. Could save 9.00 to have the one box but having two comes in handy. :)
Then we have 4 tvs with regular basic. Would cost a fortune to have that many tv's in satellite!! but we like to watch races/tv while cooking or working around the house or something. but its helpful when racing is on. :)
I used to LAUGH at those million dollar HOMERAMA showcase homes that have tv in the bathrooms...I could appreciate that with these 4 hour races...:)
More bells and whistles. What kind of virus did ESPN catch overnight? Last night was great and today is just a nonstop stream of pre-taped junk and Chase hype. It's like two completely different networks and production trucks worked these two races. I just don't get it.
Why nothing about Kurt Busch? Sheesh, he's having a great run!
Regarding "the lack of competition" with the new car ---
I remember races "back in the day" that were won by LAPS, not seconds.
The competition now is much closer and more competitive that the "good old days."
Back in the 70's the mega teams were manufacturers that supported satellite teams...
Its evolution and its a product of the economy to see teams consolidating and merging. Companies are doing it on the marketplace and race teams are doing it in racing. Hopefully when things turn around economically we will see a growth of teams as we saw from 2002-2005
DJ just says 24 is on the move now as they show him on screen but in reality he is steadily falling behind the leader, now 5 sec back
I remember those too!
And we aren't far from them again.
I just wish they'd quit fixing what ain't broken
Striklanfan I think it's the chase virus. I sure hope they don't change the NW to have them have it also. I don't think we would ever see it in the trucks though.
stricklinfan,
Say it with me...different producer.
SFan
Why I called this Bipolar tv coverage.
last night was like another universe, wasn't it??
Juablo saves the day. Now they'll all make it to the end.
Is tonight's producer JPs brother?
The crowd is really sparse in upper seats and several areas down low!
Did anyone get the crowd count?
Does anyone think that Doc does better with the producer form the NN races, or is it just less pressure on him some how?
Sophia, bipolar race coverage, LOL!
I can't believe they switched the camera to Bowyer while the 31 was the leader in the pits.
I figured Gordo would do 2. I love Burton's gamble. Hopefully we can get a full recap of what everyone did. That was crappy coverage of the final stops though.
Jo on jayski tomorrow he'll post info on the race and add - before a crowd of such and such - but I never see it until the day after the race.
PRN EXCELLENT coverage of stops
If anyone gets local station news and the race gets dumped...yell about it right here please.
@Vicky - thanks thats the only place I've seen it. I thought maybe someone hear would know :)
really bad shots of the final pit stops but what else did I expect
texasracelady-
When I was a wee tyke (11 or 12) saw Petty beat DW by 2 laps at the old track in College Station. One more I think another lap down and the rest at least 4 down
Daly Planet Editor said...
stricklinfan,
Say it with me...different producer.
October 11, 2008 11:07 PM
If this major issue with ESPN's Cup coverage being far worse than their Nationwide coverage can indeed be traced to one individual and one individual alone it should be an easy problem for the suits at ESPN to diagnose and fix don't you think?
JD - Houston/KTRK station is staying with the race! Yes!
By the way, I just watched some youtube videos of Jessica Simpson to see if they are all horrible, and what I learned is that she apparently thinks the words to the song are "perilous flight."
Good stuff.
So there's a huge battle for the lead and they choose to go split screen? Huh??
Bevo, hubby and I saw a good race at College Station years ago where DW beat Schrader & Sr. by 1 lap.
WTFS 11 Tampa just added they will have local news immediately following the race.
stricklinfan, that would be to easy ,just think PxP
They left green flag for a tape recap??? WTH?
OMG monster moment you are f... kidding me
moment, singular
the problem with the monster moment is the premis is so ill defined that it is meaningless.
I've been absent tonight, and then forgot to hit send:
But JD - be very interesting if the 4 race ABC IRL package is all done before say . . . the Brickyard 400
Tough place to read an ABC promo and to do the Monster Moment as well.
At least DJ is trying to build the excitement. Silence from Punch.
Switching over to ESPN audio for last 10 laps so I can comment on JP's call at the finish
Punch had his best moment of emotion reading the Desperate Housewives promo
Robby didn't block the #9 - that was nice given the corporate tension.
Sw ohio two stations carrying the race...Cincinnati and No Ky stations and Dayton affiliate as well.
Audio has improved a bit but wish you all could've heard the tin can stuff most of the night.
I went out to the kitchen for a snack and hardly paid attention tothis telecast. Y;all are more forviging than me after last night.
Different producer and/or ESPN Amnesis is you ask me.
They don't know GREAT coverage from...well, ... can't think of a nice way to word it at the moment.
TONIGHT's coverage?? :)
If you want good reading about the races in the past, any of Greg Fielden's books will fascinate you.
His Forty Years of Stock Car Racing are the absolute bomb on NASCAR history.
Mikey and the Biff on TWIN.
Craven, Evernham, Massaro on NN.
DJ has really taken over the play by play
ANOTHER Kim Burton shot! OMG I'll bet she wishes they'd leave her alone.
I hate the split screen with the spouse / girlfriend shots ...
NO FRICKING KIM BURTON CAM AGAIN.
PUHLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
excuse the outburst.....sigh
Obligatory wife cam --- *sigh*
DJ is the PbP now & doing well... Get Kim off the screen!
Will it be Kim B or the cars at the finish line ESPU will show us?
here come the Kim burton shots...
LAME>>> Only Jeff and Kim burton at the race...
All right Jeff!!! Go RCR!!!
Now show the cars crossing the line please
Congrats for Jeff Burton!
And once again, the final laps were devoid of any sort of real emotion. Can we get AB in the booth please?
WHY do they constantly insist on showing Kim Burton every freakin' time that Jeff is in position to win???
WTH
GET KIM OFF the tv.
WHAT is the love affair with her..its almost like FOX PRODUCER ending
Hi Wendy
Top 5 then Kim Hello are you taking lessons from FOX
Great job by Jeff Burton!
Thank god johnson faded!
Congrats to all Jeff B fans!
AT least we got to see the top 5 cross the line before switching to Kim.
Kim & crew are happy at least!
Perhaps, not the best way to finish things off after all that.
Silence and not even the top ten across the line.
Pathetic.
Now a break before watching a top-notch production by Speed for the F1 race in Japan in 30 minutes
Anon 11.32
I would ALSO love to know the answer to your question.
What the heck is the deal with her.
Why did I watch the race...intermittently...man.
Don't worry next saturday I will be out listening to music and not blogging here... :0
Are they going to just skip explaining what Jeff is doing . . . the Polish victory lap
(insert Alan Kulwicki reference here)
I'm glad Jeff won. Glad to see Kim B finish 2nd, his team 3rd.
Terrible finish line camera work to cap off a rough broadcast. What an enormous letdown after a great broadcast last night.
note to Shannon DON'T EVER START A QUESTION 'WITH WHAT HAPPENED' AGAIN!
Bevo, well said about F1 on Speed
Coverage tonight was not 1/2 as good as last night. Somebody fire tonights producer! And whoever hired him.
Bevo it is late for me but I am going to watch the F1
I rarely see the race just highlights or end of tape (on EARLY here and my room mate gets up to watch live and tapes just in case)
I LOVE the SPEED guys in the booth. They are SO FUN!!! :)
I have been such a cranky pants after saying I quit ESPn...then they shocked me last night but..sheesh.
I KNEW it wouldn't last. I second Stricks question.
If the PRODUCER is RUINING the race and what FANS want, change the producer.
robin Miller has mentioned ABC lsot many great shots over the years due to "WIFE CAMS" in open wheel...
shrugs...dont get it
Thanks to everyone for stopping by. Not the best effort but Martinsville should be a payback track for sure.
New column up about the race tonight in a bit.
NN on ESPN2 tonight, regular line-up on SPEED Sunday night.
Have fun!
JD
They only went 9 minutes over the booked time ...
At least we got a few interviews ... as opposed to NBC a few yrs ago that dumped out as Tony was doing his burnout ... because Justin Timberlake was waiting for SNL to start ...
With Jeff Burton this close in points, some Sprint marketing executives must be cringing.
I can just imagine the presentation of the trophy and giant check at Homestead to a guy wearing an AT & T hat.
That is the ultimate nightmare and the reason they wanted exclusivity.
The Sprint Cup Series champ in the AT&T team.
Remember when Rusty would win the Bud 500 in the Miller car?
Ricky Craven on the air with Ryan Burr over on ESPN2 with NASCAR Now.
NASCAR Now live from the Infield Media Center...nice.
NN doing a nice job.
Did I hear Jerry Punch correctly on the last lap?
Did he say "On October 9th..." to describe Jeff Burton winning the race?
It came as Burton was coming down the stretch to the checkered flag and he was 'preparing' to call the finish.
I'll have to go back and listen again, unless someone else caught that.
Yes, Dr. Punch was producing the call for a future ESPN documentary on the 2008 Bank of America 500, during the 2008 Bank of America 500
The reason I asked was because I thought I heard him say October 9th as the day Jeff Burton won at Lowe's; I quickly checked the calendar and confirmed that today was actually October 11th.
I'm notpicking but if you can't even get the date right when calling the finish...it's time to go.
I just wanted to see if someone could confirm if he messed up the date.
It sounded like "on an October night at Lowes motor speedway"
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