Digger should be right at home in the Phoenix desert. At one end of the odd-shaped speedway is Rattlesnake Hill and at the other is one of the meanest sunsets on the Sprint Cup Series tour.
It will be 8PM when Chris Myers leads the NASCAR on Fox team on the air with Jeff Hammond and Darrell Waltrip alongside from the Hollywood Hotel. Look for more of the same in this show, including lots of team Hendrick and a smattering of Kyle Busch.
Mike Joy will call the action in the race that takes the green flag at 8:46PM. Put on a pot of coffee, it is going to be a long night. Waltrip and Larry McReynolds will be alongside Joy. Down on pit road will be Krista Voda, Steve Byrnes, Matt Yocum and Dick Berggren.
Phoenix makes great pictures and sound at night. The roar of the cars and the sparks should make some great TV once the sun sets. The track has a nasty D-shaped backstretch and lots of the passes and crashes take place in this area.
Click here for a link to the TDP column of this race last season. Remember the big Fox baseball vs. NASCAR disaster? Yep, this was the weekend that Waltrip did the pre-race show during MLB rain delay and then the game ran right up against the green flag. Talk about a no win situation.
This season there is ninety minutes scheduled between the end of the live baseball game and the start of the Phoenix race coverage. With the MLB game in progress and no sign of rain on the horizon, perhaps things will be a bit smoother this season.
Fans also may remember that this race ended last year with Fox showing the winner and no other car cross the finish line live. TV viewers got camera shots of the pit crew and the winning car slowing down as the rest of the field furiously battled to the finish line.
This season the NASCAR on Fox team has consistently used a wideshot to show all the lead lap cars crossing the finish line. This has been a wonderfully positive change and one that has allowed Joy, Waltrip and McReynolds to keep the excitement level high while the storylines throughout the field play-out.
The action is fast in the pits at Phoenix and the reporters are going to have to keep fans updated all night long. This was a big failure of the ESPN Nationwide Series coverage on Friday as the stories of the teams not in the top ten were never told. Well, unless those stories involved Carl Edwards or Kyle Busch.
The diverse Cup Series starting field includes spoilers with nothing to lose like Regan Smith and Scott Speed. There are also potential start and park teams like Joe Nemechek and Dave Blaney. It should be interesting to keep an eye on that issue. Scott Riggs also finally made a race and has something to prove about his effort this season.
Keep an eye on whether Fox uses the triple or quad video split on the caution flag pit stops. The network has flip-flopped on this issue in 2009 and the tight pit road in Phoenix might make the triple split much better for the fans.
Digger has been low key in the races recently but has returned in the pre-race show with his cartoon series. Phoenix has great track level camera shots, so this may cause the Digger animation to once again become a bigger part of the telecast.
This post will serve to host your comments about the NASCAR on Fox coverage of the Sprint Cup Series race in Phoenix. To add your TV-related opinion, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting.
Thanks once again for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
361 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 361 of 361Wrecking while we're watching a commercial - how typical. Now they'll just run more commercials... Whatever happened to coming back right away if there was a caution?!!!
TRL
My 'local FM station' got a stronger signal this year. I can listen to MRN in living room clearly. Before you could only hear it well in the car.
Bringing car into great room...not an option.
Well, and couldn't get thru the doors. :)
but YES MRN is the only way tonight.
This is the worst I have seen Fox..and I LIKE the guys in the booth but they are not telling us anything....
Jr is leading? How?
The broadcast team is missing all the drivers running in the middle, which happens to include my fav.
Move of the race goes to Jeff Gordon.
Movement of the race goes to the FOX crew.
Did I just see a commercial for a Burger King kids meal that had dancing women with square backsides?
Who are they marketing to? WOW
Well, Mikey and Robby aren't real good friends anyway.
@tracy they came in the last time to be off-pit timing with everyone else.
I miss my SIRIUS. lol.
bidding on a new receiver now.
Mikey, Mikey, Mikey. Please God FOX just reset this grid, EVERY SINGLE CAR ON THE LEAD LAP!
JD When did Phoenix races get so hard to call, first the NW race and now this. It's a mess. Come on guys you have to have caught up on commercials by now can't we just watch the race!
Glenn, I won't buy a Burger King if it's the last food option on the planet,those ads are so insulting.
@ Glenn, you saw correctly. Supposedly there are two versions of this comml. I haven't seen the kid one yet.
MRN says track been good to Stewart all night..but things are changing with the night for he and many others.
Dale jr is in the lead???
Track girl, thanks.
TV INTERVIEIWING TONY JR??????????????????????? WTH!!
I love Jr but this is STUPID during GF.
This is ENDLESS bad decision making
We almost saw some action. 18 going up someone's butt.
I see the Cat car and still think it's the #4.
Exciting stuff with Ambrose and Jeff g...
3-way battle for second and third right now. And a Robby G interview?????Sheesh
HAHAHA
Robby is always good for a quote
Guess Mikey won't be on Robby's Christmas Card list this year :(...at least he's no longer throwing helmets at Mikey :p
"run over by a squirrel"
ROTFL
My mouth is still open. How can it be so bad in almost every single way?
I missed what Robby said about Mikey??
what
JD, if it weren't so pathetically bad, it would almost be funny.
In case any of you did not know who Dale Junior was, that "bumper" will help you recognize his face.
Soph he's looking forward to a diffent driver in the 55 next year
Hey, a Tweet from Chris Myers:
Chris: Knaus & Johnson are the guys to beat as the sun goes down. As of now, they have the poorest track position. Still anyones race.
Y'all got that?
JD What??? Did he forget a few words or something
JD what's the Twitter name for the Fox crew???
NRF
Ouch. Robby said that? lol
Does he know something Mikey hasn't shared yet?
Sophia--NASCARONFOX
Just saw the latest update...Myers is pulling for Smoke
@ dear Sophia, Mikey has mentioned it. Don't know what the criteria is though. Running well is one of them,
Soph remember at the beginning of the season Mikey said if he wasn't competitive this season he'd get out
Robby & Mikey don't get along.
He probably meant that Mikey said he'd stop driving if he didn't do better this year.
Mikey said if he doesnt run better this year he will put someone else in the #55
@Sophia--the "rumor" that has been out there a long time even when he was still with DEI but has been really strong this year is that it's time for Mikey to perform or NAPA will be going elsewhere. Which has lead to rumors of Mikey retiring and another driver being in the #55
We need a comml. I mean a caution.
Anon. 10:40. That's a nice thought, but I so don't think that's what he meant.
:D
@gymmie thanks, am following their nonsense for a while
@Dot
yea I knew Mikey mentioned it but he's been doing better so far...
RG was upset but he's still good for a quote as mentioned :)
It is amazing what we have to do to keep up...got the tv on hotpass during the gazillion commercials, have the foxtrax up on the laptop, and just ran outside to the car to get the sirius radio to have some audio during all of these commericals...unbelieveable!
It is just like they said in the pre-race show. A pit crew member usually only gets mentioned when he messes up. The same should be said for a car driver. Who even knew Robby Gordon was racing today until he got in a wreck. I don't think Robby was ever mentioned until then.
Now that so many reminded me (Thank you, this place is THE BEST!) my swiss cheese brain remembers Mikey saying on TWIN he would get out.
:)
Has there been a thru the field yet?
Funny DW. I told roommate the same thing about JR.
Haus. I need to stop something.
GETTING DIZZY reading tweets, emailing, reading here, watching tv sometimes and MRN..their commercials are so loud on this country music station...gotta turn it down..
sheesh
are they seriously going to commercial!?
omg they are
These commercials are just wiping this broadcast right off the planet...
Jr slowing down..Stewart might catch him..closing
WHY ARE WE GOING TO BREAK?! GONNA MISS THE PASS!!!!!!
WHAT THE HECK IS THIS PRODUCTION TRUCK SMOKING TODAY?
Tony's got it. Mark Martin right behind.
Guess Stewart will pass Jr during the commercial.
And we miss a pass for the lead. this is a nightmare what happened to Fox it's like they gave use the cars at the checkers and screwed us in everything else
Blogger Daly Planet Editor said...
These commercials are just wiping this broadcast right off the planet...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yes and this multi tasking is making ME dizzy on this Planet! Need a break...back in a few minutes.
These MRN GUYS ARE SO WOUND UP AND EXCITED!! I need a glass of wine....
or another choc chip cookie :)
MRN should be MANDATORY on all terrestial radio or online.
I HATE saying this but Fox bad DIRECTING?PRODUCING caused me to tune out..off to LISTEN to MRN for a few minutes
will catch up on comments
jr due on pit road 3 laps
Tony's in the lead. JR 3rd.
88 in third place. all during the commericals. watching directv
Here in Houston we miss the pass and then get Mattress Mac hollering at us.
Jr, needs to pit...will we see a caution??? just a question
haha, can Myers last 2 tweets contradict each other anymore, first calling JJ winner, than saying anyones race, now he's in the Stewart bandwagon, stick to TV chris!! lol
what. the. hell.
this is the WORST job EVER done by ANY broadcast group in the HISTORY of NASCAR. Seriously.
They knew full well Tony was there and did what?! went to commercial for close to 3 minutes. Couldn't push it off 2 minutes to see the pass?!
More BS after the commls. This is bad.
JD, do the radio guys have a producer like the tv guys or can each of the pXp guys talk about what is interesting to them?
That was an odd way to go to commercial.
*Hey, lets play some crazy music while Larry talks, then cut to commercial.
Then, 5 seconds into commercial there is a lead change. I see what ya'll have been talking about.
Dinger was just dancing in front us and they said nothing.
I really hope that I get a "what did you think of the broadcast this weekend" survey from NASCAR Fan Council.
David did you watch the NW broadcast yesterday. That's got to be the worst in the history of Nascar.
Thanks for the comments on the TDP Nationwide Series column. ESPN's scripted coverage was the pits.
Combine that with tonight and it is little wonder why the TV ratings are in the basement and no new fans are coming to the sport.
Gordon just got black flagged!
Gymmie, consider this an intervention. LOL
I saw yesterdays too. I have low expectations for ESPN though. At least they ATTEMPTED to go through the field.
This is a joke.
No field recaps, no resets before geen, few pit reporter updates.
The priority is commercials and sponsored features. The action on the track is secondary.
What a big switch for these veteran TV guys.
Remember, these are the guys that won the EMMY Award for this sport.
Is this where the cookies are?
and to think, I got subway BEFORE the race...
LOL @Geeze
Ok I just made my first SNARKY Tweet ever at NASCAR on Fox.
Sorry. Could not resist, normally I am very sweet in public forum but somebody needs to call these guys.
I do love the guys ON the show but detest the PRODUCER/PRODUCTION
well, most the guys on the show
Whew, made it thru the GF pit stops.
JD, guess these guys don't believe in thru the field any longer. Glad I have live leaderboard up and running otherwise I would really be lost.
@NASCARONFOX Do you guys PAY ATTENTION to your Tweets??? Or the race? Equal to BSPN last night. sad
~~~
Oops forgot my comment. Not too snarky is it?
Hi Mearn! We always have all sorts of snacks here :). Sit a spell and join us
Since I work Sundays, any race I get to watch is a real treat for me. I just realized I'm not missing anything by being unable to watch TV broadcasts.
I'm very disappointed. I usually enjoy the Fox broadcasts. Why is this so awful?
Why? Why? Why? (You guys should imagine Nancy Kerrigan audio with that comment.)
--KarenB
Race breaks are a joke.
You tell them dear Sophia.
@ VickyD, so true.
Constructive suggestion:
When green flag stops are happening, how about after they cycle, we see a graphic showing the combined in and out lap including the stop for a given driver so we can see if they lost time coming in, off, or during the stop. Because Im a wee bit shocked Tony is 2 seconds back already, figured they had a solid stop.
Just a thought...
Another comml????
JD, I think the HH read your tweet.
I guess we're not going to see a race tonight. Just commercials and sponsored segments.
I get the ARCA race tomorrow is better.
great side x side racing and we are in commercial once again
Did you know Sam H is in the race and running 13? Thought I'd mention it.
So many commercials!
Mearn, feel free to share the Gertrude Stein brownies with the Fox production crew.
I can't believe I just wrote that.
MRN is your best bet tonight.
Go Sammy Go!
@Sophia--it'll be interesting if someone responds back
MRN + Raceview = better than Fox.
Just what I wanted to hear, Marcos drama. JR needs a caution so he should be OK.
Regan Smith in the top 20 - cool!
I watched the Camping World East series taped race on SPEED with about three cameras and one pit reporter. It was more exciting and better organized.
I truly am looking forward to the ARCA race tomorrow on SPEED.
We have not had one thru the field but we can see Hammonds picks for fastest pit crew. WTF
I just got in from work - kept up w/race via Twitterers ( thanx if any one posted) the 1st thing I see as tv gets going - not racing an ad for Digger wallpaper. Gonna read comments now . The guys sound off tonight.
Reut in 6th.
Did maybe a light switch turn on?!
Talking about Sam...sticking with a battle?! Goodness, perhaps this might finish stronger then its been all night.
Still need a bit of a reset from the top 15 at least
Burton has been the best RCR car all night and not a word has been said.
Little tired of the stud thing. Flat out teams are choking under the pressure since its so close now. The stud thing is an excuse period.
AT&T is wearing us out tonight. I'm glad they're here, but give us a break.
Almost makes me want to cancel my service.
So either Mark Martin or Tony Stewart winning would be a remarkable story line.
Jo, there you are.
Nice coverage of Sam H.
Caution is needed. Is it in the script?
Happy to have everyone's opinion. Happy to hear opposing views and other slants on the issues.
Feel free to repost your opinion.
JD
Wonder where Bevo is tonight?
MM is 4 seconds faster than the 14.
@Dot the only way a caution is if Jr needs it - After watching this I want to go drive around in car waste gas & hear MRN call it
Is Jr a lap down?
Tracy Not yet but soon
Please show cars under green - and a thru the field instead of family photos thru the years w/Alan G
I've seen it all.
Kid pictures of a Cup crew chief during green flag racing!
WOW!
Glenn,just amazing. I'm totally reeling with it.
I thought the Alan G thing was cool but then I'm lookig a racetrax and there isn't much passing going on
and Jr stirs the pot
Jr taking Jr out to dinner now...
Need a caution? Be the caution.
WAH Jr hit the wall...sigh
Oh boy this isn't good. Fox this is what you get for giving the win to Mark. It ain't over until it's over
"So now what do you do, do you take 2, do you take 4, do you stay out"
The way DW said that made it sound like he might've been pre-empting Mike Joy
MRN says Casey Mears nudged Jr into the wall.
Jrs luck sucks WOW thats awful for him
NASCAR.com shut down Junior's radio for a while. Unacceptable, since we PAY for it.
LOL buh-bye Kylie...
#18 to the end of the line!!!
Anon, LOL. Jr's language must have been less than gentlemanly.
ha HA! Too fast off pit road.
*she says with no malice*
:)
WHOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!!
Now Mark has a chance.
Poor Reut 5th to 11th
I cant blame Kyle there...
Shocked no one gambled though.
I would have done 2!!!
Wonder if Newman can hang on???
Anon, LOL. Jr's language must have been less than gentlemanly
I don't care. If you pay for the service, it is my choice to listen or not.
come on newman!!
I thought the teams had to have a working radio to race . . . .
KyB is going to cause the next caution. Where'd Ryan come from?
OK. I'm a sad kitten, but @daivd and @dot- lol.
:D
bumper cam
horrible camera work
This COT is like watching elephants ice skating.
my oh my, that was interesting.
This is what I'm talking about! Alright Marky Mark!
Glad MM didn't come in a lap early
Good for MM. Nice to see him win.
YAY Mark.
Congrats to Mark & his fans& his fans in the Fox booth
Happy for Mark, glad this abortion of a tv broadcast is over.
good run for the 00 also.
Nope Vicky, never been the case
solid 8th place for reuti
Wish we could see Victory Lane tonight.
Thanks JD for keeping the blog open for the race.
Guys, once the telecast is over I am going to instantly have a column up for your comments.
Please take a moment and leave them because we need as many opinions about this telecast as possible to get the message across.
Thanks!
@ VickyD 11:39, I was thinking the same thing, lol.
@ JD, See you there.
Very glad to see Mark win!
btw interesting rear camera on Junior as he pulled into the pits. _Several_ good bangs from the 07 as they came in. Could be interesting next week.
David I was refering to the Busch race years ago when he came in a lap early and David Green won the race.
WOW, JD. You must have been burning up the keyboard and multi tasking something fierce
Thanks for having the blog open JD- See ya'll next race if I'm not working
Here's a warning for those who don't like the prerace: From NASCARONFOX
Jeff: Next week, join Chris, DW & myself for an extended prerace. I'll be flying w/Carl Edwards & DW will be talking to Kyle Busch. #NASCAR
Jo,
I just posted the new column. Leave us a comment before you go.
Thanks!
JD
WOW! That's some banging between Casey and Jr! but you know jr had to be upset..12 laps from the end.
That boy has some SERIOUS NOT GREAT LUCK.
:(
It just warms my heart to see the drivers congratulate Mark. I'm glad we're seeing it.
Vicky that wasnt due to not having a radio though. Mark just spaced out.
Tons of guys race with radio issues, and fly blind at times. Newman's issue is nothing new. They wont let you race without a transponder which is what happened to Ryan at California but I dont think its a requirement to have a radio working the entire race. Obviously they would like the team to have that stuff working at least when the race starts...
OK guys, the new column is up for your comments on the Fox coverage of the Phoenix race. Little early to try and catch you guys before you go back to real life.
Hey, one hour pre-race from Talladega....oh boy.
Thanks for stopping by!
JD
one hour pre race next week.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
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