The table has been set for both the competitors and the TV network. Two good days of covering practice, qualifying and the Nationwide Series race have done a great job of building up the anticipation for the Cup Series.
Thanks again to ESPN for allocating the resources to cover the all-star charity race on Saturday. It would have been nice to see the celebrity races, but the coverage of the main event was a good start. Perhaps, this will become an annual event.
Chris Myers will greet TV viewers at 1:30PM ET from the Hollywood Hotel today. He will guide Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Hammond through a thirty minute pre-race that should include some interesting topics. Mark Martin, the Busch brothers and the Top 35 rule should be on the menu.
Calling the race as usual will be Mike Joy with Waltrip and Larry McReynolds. On pit road will be Steve Byrnes, who is nursing a toe injury. He will be joined by Dick Berggren, Krista Voda and Matt Yocum. More on the injury to Byrnes on Monday's This Week in NASCAR on SPEED at 8PM. Thanks for the update!
Bristol is a challenge to the TV director like almost no other track. Laps around 15 seconds, pits on both the front and back stretches and accidents that happen in the blink of an eye make it a non-stop frenzy in the TV truck.
One of the big issues for Fox this season has been the inability to tell the tale of those teams outside of the top fifteen or so on the track. This is especially true for the front runners who fall to the back for a variety of reasons and are never heard from again.
The "old school" TV philosophy on this track was to let the rooftop cameras simply pan back through the field until they found cars racing for position. The standings shuffle so much at this track that following the leader until the final twenty laps is basically meaningless.
Digger should appear under caution conditions. Seeing him and running the animation during green flag racing would probably cost TV viewers a lap. Pit stops under caution should be a challenge for Fox in terms of what cars to highlight and how to follow the backstretch cars all the way around pit road.
Under green, the track is so loud that it has been tough for the pit reporters to even be heard. Hopefully, this week the cars that fall out of the race will be documented and the drivers interviewed despite their positions in the race.
The pieces are in place for a very good TV race and that is just what the sport needs at this time. We will be commenting on the race while it is progress, so please click the comments button below to join us.
TDP is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thanks for taking the time from your day to stop by The Daly Planet.
274 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 274 of 274"there's some boys up there now but there's a MAN (the #5 car) coming up . . ." did dw really just say that?!?
Nice of DW to point out that there was a "man" waiting in the wings- with Mark back there in 5th place..
@red- lol. yup. :)
Ha, I see the twitter thing - daggone, it must be a boring race when I'm not really watching it any more.
I can see I'll have to find a photo that I like to ID me.
Told you. Is JR the LD?
JR is going to go broke taking these guys to dinner.
ok, so the 29 hits the wall, the caution comes out. somehow, i'm sure that harvick did it deliberately so the 88 would get the free pass, right?
and for the record? i despise the free pass rule!
@Gymmie
Are you a vegan! Wow. i tried that years ago and did not feel well on it..but yesterday a fabulous Vegan restaurant in Cincinnati opened..and a great New Orleans band was there.
I had a great baked springroll, smooth organic coffee I could drink black, and fabulous chocolate cake. I do make a vegan Chocolate cake most of the time when I make cake. :)
Sorry to digress, JD..will take it on Twitter.
Jr lapdown...this race is SO BORING...course maybe because I am no fan of the leader.
I know most think Kyle's driving is off da chain but I just can never feel GOOD for him...wish I could..but I can't.
I wont!!
=:-0
@ Red, calm down. I was joking. I like JR.
too funny about Jr getting the lucky dog this time, too. Mike Joy just made the comment - conspiracy theorists unite -- Hey, Dot -- like last week, who will be Jr's friend next time? LOL
Jessica - I am in the same city though I am not paying to watch television, so here is your pass to start complainin' 'bout the broadcast HMcP style, enjoy.
@Sophia--yes I am almost 3 years :). The Chrissy Hynde restaurant? Yup just twitter or email me any time :)
hey dot! not to worry-- wasn't pointing at you in any way. sorry it came across that way. just seems that every time dale gets the lucky dog, young mr busch has something to say about it. my assumption is that he mouthed off again this time.
part of me wishes dale would just tap the young man next time the 18 puts him a lap down . . .
^$#*( about Marcos. I hope he can still get a good finish.
Oh no Marcos :(
Almost made it through the whole race without DW mentioning the rat.
I'm so bummed about Ambrose and the cylinder.
@ Red, thanks. I wouldn't want one of my e friends mad at me. I hope you all know by now what a smarta$$ I am.
I have a real problem seeing the nascar.com leaderboard on trackpass with that black background. Ugh!
kyle doesnt say anything other guys dont think at times.
I remember a couple weeks ago they had yeley on TMD on sirius and he was talking about those phantom cautions and how we've seen less this year than before...
Im sure it gets frustrating when you lap a guy and every time you think you've taken care of him for the day, he gets a lucky break and gets to make up all that ground you just worked you butt off to make up and lap him with...
@veganGymmie
Just sent a request for your twitter deal..you are one of those who protect your updates..why do some people do that? just curious.:)
I would only do that if I followed a bunch of people..heck I don't even follow 100 people..just don't have the energy since I am too ignorant to figure out the allegedly helps you get organized tweetgrid, tweetdeck or many other update thingies.
i do know tiny url is a MUST DO for TWITTER or you can't easily post links. :)
I want Denny to Reut KyB right out of the way.
@sophia--got it and added...I started getting all these weird people friending me so this way like with FB and Myspace I can approve those I want. I don't tweet anything juicy but it helps to keep better track of who *is* following me and keeps weirdos and spammers away. I had to block a few spammers just this week
Let's listen to Mike Joy as he finally has a good race to call down the stretch for Fox's Bristol date.
I know he wants to bring it home big.
Gina
NASCAR uses black background? OUCH...I can't read blogs or ANYTHING with black background but I have visual challenges.
That's why I love this site JD keeps it VISUALLY FRIENDLY.
though colors vary from computer...I just saw blog on my room mates new laptop and it's much different HUE than on other computers in house. Odd.
Hope Marcos finishes ok.
just ONCE I would like somebody to get at timely flat tire..no injury...just a good busted up car.
:)
@david: and that's exactly why i dislike the lucky dog rule! with scoring loops in place at every track, nascar should just say "no racing back to the yellow; scoring loops will determine position" and lucky dog goes away. race your lap back period!
either that or: car gets one free pass per race. if you're in position the second time, you don't get it, the next car a lap down gets it. if there's no "next car," then no free pass is awarded.
and while i'm on my soapbox, no 5 points for staying out to lead on pit stops. you only get 5 points for leading on green flag laps!
How long did they think this race was going to last? There's a bunch of infommercials on afterward here in LV.
Hey, picture is back! Just in time to see KB win;(
Words I want to hear, "trouble for the 18". Sorry KyB fans.
Red - I have to say I agree with that -- having the same car get their lap back over and over again just is stupid - I can see once but not so the leader has to deal with it over and over again.
Plus we're in agreement over the no leading under caution to get 5 points -- earn 'em!
Dot - yeah, that contrast just makes my eyes hurt. I have to have my computer plugged in -- the screen is too dim without it for me.
daggone it, is KyB gonna win this thing? drat - I just can't like the boy even if he is a good racer.
I agree with you Gina about KyB. I wish I could like him.
Logano gonna HAVE to time in next week now...
Sliced bread blows!
@JD--agreed! Mike's doing great! Sorry for the jacking...got onto twitter there <3
Logano is now an offical Gomer.
This ought to be good.
hey coach? think maybe jd brought young mr logano up too fast? pretty sure you guys could have found someone to sit in that seat for a year -- or two.
the boy deserved a better shot at success.
It's a shame that Logano couldn't have just come into the series without so much hype. I think they moved him up too soon. I've wound up disliking him just because they kept trying to cram him down my throat as how awesome he is.
Sliced Bread is toast!
Darn!
WRONG CAR BLEW UP!!!!!!!!
@Gymmie
Gotcha..I got 4 followers in a row the other night and by the time i clicked on them to SEE about them, I got that TWITTER OWL thingie "Account suspended for suspcious activity..nothing to see here, mosey along folks" which always cracks me up but annoys me at the same time.
Twitter is SLOW to clean up their place at times..yet savvy others...not sure how that balances out.
This ground cam is USELEES.
did anybody mention that yet?
18 & 11 wreck and JJ wins.
man, they sure have changed the racing at this track. :(
I wonder how well committed the Home Depot is to Logano.
I wonder what Bill Elliott would do in that car.
dont write a guy off as a failure after 5 races...
there is a long season to go. remember aj allmendinger getting thrown to the wolves at red bull 2 years ago? i think he is doing just fine right now even with the pressure he has had this year. it just takes time. kinda like when a team throws a rookie QB to the wolves his first year out even though conventional wisdom says you could find someone to stop gap but does it really help the team long term?
They need Skinner in the 20 car.
@Dot
I would also love to hear those words oN the 18..but last time were heard that HE STILL WON!
missing a couple gears some weeks back.
Track Girl -- I agree. I'm glad I got to go to a race there BEFORE they ruined this track. We went to the August night race before the chase was implemented and we had a blast. Now, it's a snoozer!
Maybe hamlin can get to the 18 and make it an exciting ending.
Ding dang it.
Skinner?
Mr. Blow a RF at every unopportune moment?! How did he fare for Red Bull last year? Not well if I remember right...
lol
Look at that nice pullback for a camera angle at the finish. Not all the cars shown but more than just the winner! Nice talking to all of you. Take care and on to Martinsville next week -- I'll be there in the stands cuz I LOVE that little race track. Pray for good weather for me for next Sunday!
@red--I've been thinking the same about Burned Toast. Such a shame because it's one of those either you have it or you don't. Some guys have the natural talent to where they can jump in and contended whether they're 18 or 48. And others they need to season and some just aren't ready for the big show (as we've seen with some who have won MULTIPLE championships in other series')
Guess Kylie's gotten over his disappointment from yesterday
Congratulations to JD and Coach 1-2 finish :)
Nice way to finish it off and plenty of time for interviews.
Thanks for all of you fighting hard to get Fox to add that wideshot at the finish line.
They listened.
Well, let's hope KyB gets these good runs/wins out of his system before the Chase.
I wonder if the fans are "saluting" KyB?
david: i think logano has crazy nuts talent and i know he'll be fine over the long haul. but they sorta threw him to the wolves this year and i contend they didn't need to. he could have stayed in n'wide for another year and gained seat time before moving him into cup. the longterm health of the 20 team would, i believe, have been served better by doing that. put a strong veteran in that seat for a year, keep the sponsor on-board by getting some strong finishes and let logano learn how to race at this level.
but what do i know? i don't have the team responsibility on my shoulders so i can spout off any ole theory!
Nice move by Kyle on the reverse victory lap, and Mike Joy for bringing up Kulwicki.
Nice finish line shot.
@ David, didn't Skinner turn things around for Dinger?
yeah red we all agree it was at the very least a year early but when guys like Mark Martin and others were saying they would have put him in a Cup car at 16 or the day he turned 18 it puts high expectations on a guy. Also like many others have said, no testing, new car, so many changes and not much time to learn how to get it dialed in makes it tough. Who is to say they would be better with a veteran in the car? We can what if it to death but what is done is done and Joey's in the car. Wish him and the team the best im sure they will make some ground up soon when they start getting into the second half of the schedule
Negative. He made races but struggled. His only real asset to the team was that he was telling them the exact same things AJ was, so therefore the team was forced to listen to AJ and change what they were doing rather then try to change the driver.
Just like when he got in the car at the end of the year it was solid top 35 then Speed and Skinner wadded a few cars up and put the team back on the hot seat.
Dont get me wrong Mike is a good guy to get the car IN the race, but in terms of getting it done in the race for ya at the top level? His history speaks for itself...
Pretty solid broadcast even though it lacked a good storyline.
Thanks again for stopping by, this is always fun.
There will be a full column up shortly for your comments about the race.
JD
@ David, I stand corrected.
With all the time left over, I hope they interview Marcos. A top 10 at Bristol is like a win to him.
m-ville will be interesting. thanks for having us JD.
dot, i may be wrong, its just my opinion with what ive heard from aj and such...you may be right. lol
Wouldn't it have been funny if Krista threw down her microphone after KyB won and walked off in a huff?
What are they going to kill these last 30 minutes of the broadcast window with?
w00t! Marcos interview! <3
Right there with you Gymmie.
Dot bet you liked MA's interview.
Being a bit of a photo buff and music, I just had to post this comment again. THE MOST interesting one I have read on a NASCAR column. :)
But oh so true about pining for rabbit ears. Many folks will be after the switcharoo! Us included when cable goes out and we "attempt" to watch OTA tv.
Anonymous HMcP said...
Never thought I would pine for rabbit ears but here we are, a slightly windy day in 2009 and my reception resembles an animated gif of a series of daguerreotypes, with a misfit at the ragtime piano trying to keep time. If not for TDP I would abandon this sport, keep up the good work, all.
March 22, 2009 3:11 PM
@ VickyD, yes I did.
Dot Fox has a lot of time to do interviews but I don't think they'll interview my fav way down in 33rd place!
are you kidding me?
Calling "D" the NEWEST NASCAR SUPERSTAR to hawk that gear.
Wow. Major shark jump for the sport.:(
@ VickyD, I feel your pain. My driver just got lucky this week.
Poor job Fox. Your on-air talent is not as good as they think they are. There is a total lack of direction from the production truck allowing the broadcast to wander aimlessly. You guys have completely lost the ability to put on a quality race.
PammH
the ding dong bird sound was the adorable Black-capped Chickadee! But thanks for your feedback.
Post race: Well, they could've spoken to more drivers imo.
Thanks again, there is a new column up on TDP for your comments on the telecast.
See you next week for Martinsville.
JD
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