Allen Bestwick starts the racing day on ABC at 2:30PM ET with NASCAR Countdown. Loudon, NH is the venue for the Nationwide Series this weekend and the race is a flat-track sprint.
Bestwick is joined this week by Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty from the Infield Pit Studio. Wallace is back to the infield-only this week because Dale Jarrett returns to the broadcast booth.
Jarrett is joined by Marty Reid and Andy Petree for this telecast. This will be a good indicator of just how this crew will handle the Sprint Cup Series when it comes to ESPN and ABC in July. Loudon is a key venue for The Chase.
Pictures and sound should be outstanding and indications are that there is going to be a very good crowd on-hand. TV viewers should look for the continuing issue of triple-split video on caution flag pit stops. This is going to be crucial as much of the passing is going to take place while cars leave pit road. ESPN has been having trouble keeping the triple-split in place for the entire stop until all the cars are racing to the pit exit line.
Reid should be in fine form with Jarrett back in the booth. Jarrett has been great this season and Reid has the veteran ability to provide the kind of excitement that some of the ESPN telecasts have been lacking. Jarrett returning might be exactly what the ESPN team needs right now to get the momentum going for July.
ESPN will not be able to focus on the normal script of Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards vs. the Nationwide regulars this Saturday. Lots of Sprint Cup Series drivers are crossing-over for this race and several flat-track specialists are also in the event.
It should be interesting to see what stories Bestwick introduces as possible race scenarios and then how Reid and company continue those storylines. Look for whether the ESPN crew interviews the drivers who have fallen out of the race. This has been a tough issue for the network this season.
Also important to watch are the stories that are unplanned. A driver coming up through the field, a favorite with a bad pit stop and a battle for position not in the top five are things that fans want to see that sometimes do not make it to the TV set.
This post will serve to host your comment about the coverage of the Nationwide Series race from Loudon, NH on ABC. To add your TV-related comments, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, so please keep that in mind when posting. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
168 comments:
JD said ...
Also important to watch are the stories that are unplanned. A driver coming up through the field, a favorite with a bad pit stop and a battle for position not in the top five are things that fans want to see that sometimes do not make it to the TV set.
I'm not holding my breath that I'll see any of this. You're such an optimist.
"Glass half-full" kind of guy!
Thanks to Clint Bowyer for some good words about the Whelen Mods.
Yes I agree JD :). It put a smile on my face when I heard Clint say that :)
Not too sure about how ABC felt having SPEED Channel mentioned on their broadcast network.
Two mentions of the Mods on ABC. Got to love it.
Doesn't appear weather will be a factor today. I was really worried about that, considering this race was on ABC.
Wow! Rusty Wallace puts the smackdown on Kyle Busch.
And I'll bring this up - during NW qualifying, the reporters interviewed much more cup drivers than the full time NW racers so that doesn't bode well for the broadcast. I hope it doesn't turn into the Carl & Kyle show.
Nationwide pre-race show being pre-empted on both TSN (for Wimbledon tennis) and Seattle's ABC affiliate (for "The Suite Life of Zach and Cody").
*sigh* At least I can sorta understand TSN's reason...
I thank the TV gods that I get the HD ABC feed from Detroit.
--KarenB
Everyone catch AB talk about "whether we'll see the thrill or the agony" relating to Kyle after this race.
Someone in ESPN control should dig up the videotape of that ski jumper after such a blatant reference to the old tagline - we are on ABC, after all.
Meanwhile in Memphis, Ron Hornaday wins the pole for this afternoon's Truck race.
Go Mystic Missile! What a finish to that Modified race.
JD @ 2:38
Fair's fair. SPEED mentioned ABC on their broadcast.
I guess SPEED didn't get the memo from their FOX overlords about mentioning the other channels. Ditto ABC from Disney.
--KarenB
The highlight of the NW race will be, no JP in the booth. It will still be the Kyle & Carl show because they are ruining, I mean running all the races.
How about those Jayski news and notes? Wonder who suggested that one...hmmmm....
Mike, who was the female racer in the Truck Series? Gabi DiCarlo or Mike Wallace's daughter? I had the sound muted.
@ JD, Gabi is out again. Michelle T is in the race.
Michelle who?
Joey has a little GF?
@ JD, Therirault? Isn't that her name? I know I spelled it wrong.
Got it! thanks
kbaskins / JD - Fisher Communications owns the Seattle and Portland affiliates for ABC ... KOMO and KATU ...
Three years into the contract ... 4 Busch/Nationwide races on ABC ... ALL 12 of those editions of "NASCAR Countdown" have been pre-empted for Disney Children's programming ...
This will continue until Disney reads Fisher the Riot Act ... or the tv contract gets renegotiated and ABC is dumped ...
from Hermie Sadler:
My Interviews for Raceday tomorrow: jpm, Burton, and Kahne. Send me some ideas for questions you'd like me to ask.
Just jump on Twitter for @HermieSadler
Woke up from my afternoon nap by Rusty Wallace hammering on Kyle Busch. Boy is he one to talk, he was the biggest whiner ever. I've watched Rusty since his ASA days back in '78. I always wondered if he was related to the Andretti's.
Frank in Sebring,
I have been going at it with FB since we started TDP. They were rude to me and told me they could basically care less.
ABC said it was up to the local stations to carry the pre-race. Mandatory coverage was the race only.
Nice guys all around in that conversation...NOT.
KRKO-AM in Seattle is pre-empting the Nationwide race in favor of high school football ...
Frank, there is a joke there somewhere!
Um...football in June? Help me out on that one.
Drifting OT for just a moment, JD, in your entry about the August mod race on SPEED ---
The UNOH Perfect Storm at Bristol is set to go green at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, August 18 and SPEED will broadcast the event on a 45-minute tape-delay beginning at 7 p.m.
The problem is August 18 is Tuesday. LOL
This godaddy.com commercial is sooooooo tacky. And trust me, I'm no prude. And obviously the commercial isn't aimed at late 40-something women. :-)
It's funny how those godaddy.com commercials totally taint my perception of Danica Patrick. It's not in a good way.
--KarenB
This is what I'm getting at - now Elliott Sadler is the in-race reporter. Not a good start!
TRL, you don't like weekdays??
kb,
Every time I see that I wonder about the kids. Nice statement on the validity of women as equal members of our society.
Vick, they sent me a note on that I and asked why they took a SPEED Channel employee. hehe...
Mr Editor -
Refreshing to hear Marty Reid handling play-by-play ...he'll bring out the best in DJ and AP ...Marty's a real pro ....don't expect him to pass up real race stories for C&K
Walter
JD - Fisher was rude to you AFTER they were rude to me ...
KRKO's priority over Nationwide race ...
SATURDAY 6/27
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL:
2009 East-West All-Star Football Game
12:30 pm Pre Game / 1:00 pm Kick Off
Live from Everett Memorial Stadium
More and more advertisers are going for that "I Kissed A Girl" theme.
Commls are now going for the 20 yr old male demographic.
NASCAR para usted en Espanol. Vamanos!
Actually had 2 go-homers in truck series qualifying.
w17scott, can you say...audition?
And what track that Nascar races on that track position isn't as important as other tracks - I'm tired of everyone saying that.
Yay! The FoxTrax leaderboard is working this week!
http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/national/foxTrax
--KarenB
Wow....someone really went digging for that stat...the leader of lap 3 has never won the New Hampshire Nationwide race.
What a difference in having the announcer excited about the voice. And just mentioned the car behind the wall already.
Wow what a really nice change!
How can you even start a race w/o a CC? Allen should've never been allowed to take the green flag.
JD, I'm retired, weekday racing is enjoyable. LOL
What I'm getting at, your article specifically says "Wednesday" ---
August 18 is a Tuesday.
********
I'm loving the energy DJ brings to the booth.
Man, it is so refreshing to hear PxP being done by someone who is excited by the race.
--KarenB
Jojaye - and the booth actually mentioned the two no-no words - Start & Park.
@ Jo, ditto.
I'm hoping JP is playing hockey somewhere.....
Right away there's a difference in PBP.....Marty was observant to notice the damage on the #6 car, and gave them a conversation piece. JP may have seen it, but I seriously doubt he would've mentioned it.
And it looks like 4 cars are already out.
Down multiple laps already:
Chapman, Allen, Bires, Atwood, Lepage, Kittleson, Mattoli.
--KarenB
Wow! Another S&P mention!
--KarenB
I guess we don't have to report the S&Ps anymore.
From NASCAR:
Johnny Chapman out (brakes); Kelly Bires out (brakes); Dennis Setzer out (handling)
How about park...park...park.
JD - how about no crew chief, no pit crew, no tires, etc.
i loved doc punch as a pit reporter, but this racecast already so far has a much better (and positive) vibe with more energy from the booth. I don't think JP doesn't get excited, I think his tone or something just doesn't translate it well. I've always felt the best TV guys are those that came from MRN, AB and Mike Joy as the two most high profile. They have no visual help, so they must generate the excitement, and that carries over nicely to TV. In my opinion that makes AB and MJ the top tier broadcasters, with Weber and Reid second, and unfortunatelty guys like JP a distant third (though I still say he was awesome in the pits in his old ESPN days)
Why not Tim in small box?
or not at all!
3 more S&P mentions.
AB and Marty. Now, a field recap at lap 35? Um...is this heaven?
Can not believe how enjoyable this ABC/ESPN team is.
JD said...
How about those Jayski news and notes? Wonder who suggested that one...hmmmm....
What'd I miss?
As for Chase Mattioli --- his q'ing speed was 11mph slower than the pole. I think he's out there just to run some laps.
He is Dr. Mattioli's grandson -- of the Pocono Mattioli family.
Karen, we tried to get a jayski feature on NASCAR Now since ESPN owns Jayski.
Took a while, but there ya go. Even on the live races now.
I'm really surprised the track operators don't raise some cane about the S&Ps, considering they're the ones that have to pay out the purse.
Is the audio feed messed up? All the announcers (including Bestwick) sound as if they are talking into a tin can here (DirecTV). Commercials are fine (of course).
anon 3:38PM, it is not a crisp feed. Not sure what the deal is.
Triple splits coming up. This is going to be key.
The audio sounds a little compressed.
Man, not exactly the best. What is the deal?
Mike, think that is the transmission pathway?
Just how long is the triple split screen supposed to last?
Well you can't say they didn't do triple splits.
Dot, the entire idea of the triple is to let you see the three top cars battle in the pits.
Makes no sense to lose it and show them one at a time. Holding it until they leave and then letting them run off pit road is the whole idea.
No idea why this changed. ESPN is the one that perfected it...weird.
@ JD, that's what I thought.
I'm not sure what kind of transmission they use for the audio....if it's an ISDN line or what, but if it is an ISDN line, doesn't take much of a reduction in transfer rate to affect the quality.
Might also be the provider....I'm on Dish Network, and I know they crunch the bandwidth when it comes to the transmission of local channels, which is what this race is obviously on.
That in-race reporter thing is a curse!
@ JD, they should make Weed the in race reporter every week.
Good one Dot!
@Dot
I second that motion. ;>)
Once again...good telecast = fewer comments.
Who kidnapped the usual guy in the production truck? Is the coverage better because it's on ABC?
@ Vicky D and TRL, thanks.
Just caught up to real time on my Tivo. Amazing the difference Marty Reid brings to the booth isn't it? Miss him on the NHRA broadcasts but man it would be great to hear him do this full time.
The audio is really distracting. Watching it now on OTA HD and it's as noticeable as it was on DirecTV SD. I remember someone on here last year saying that the audio engineers were still learning how to mix the sound for HD and that it would be a long process.
JD - even the pit reporters seem to have more in depth information than in prevous races.
@bevo, et al --
Strange, everything sounds normal here. I have DirecTV.
@TRL- the best way I can describe it is "muddy". The ambient sound doesn't separate from the announcers or something and it all sounds kind of compressed.
Did you guys hear that Brad Daugherty is parking Michael McDowell after next the next race in the Nationwide Series? No $$
Also, rumors are Daugherty might leave MWR as a satellite team and move over to Tony's Stewart-Haas racing as the third team. No word on if Ambrose will go with them if that happens.
Almost silly season.....
JD that's too bad, Brad and MWR are doing well together
JD, I don't think Silly Season ever ends.
I hate to hear that for MMc. He's such a nice guy.
@bevo, I know what you're describing, but the sound here is crystal clear. No problems.
Why show triple splits if you are going to do it that way.
I don't call that "triple splits".
Bah, humbug.
Come on folks give Kyle some love. If you hit the zillion dollar lottery and started your own cup team. You need a driver, Kyle is available would you hire him? Or maybe someone like Casey Mears he's a real nice guy, doesn't win but a nice guy.
Frank in Sebring
That is 0 for 2 in my book catching the race off pit road. Little chink in an otherwise great telecast.
@ JD, oh no. Marcos seems to be doing well @ MWR. Better than anyone thought.
I love Marty with the subtle shot at weed right there, awesome!
Just tuned in...pet peeve with the cut away stops. Andy...did not know that a changer could knock lug nuts off the tire....I think the carrier should get some heat in that situation too for slamming the tire on...
Yay, DJ is back!
Boy, those clouds look ominous.
Weed always says that he's having a problem while running well. Learned it from Matt Kenseth.
Sounds like DJ and AP are really enjoying not having to call the action today.
Old Bruton cannot be a happy camper looking at that "crowd" today. NH has always had great attendance before.
bevo the true test is how it looks tomorrow. People might just be going to the cup race instead of both this year
@bevo --
and remember, the rainy forecast for this weekend and all of next week.
Can the person who hooks up the mic on Rusty put a shock thing in it that pops him every time he says "I tell you what"? Please? I'll pay for a night on the town when they come down to Fort Worth in the fall if they do.
What was that? Comml then no comml.
I hate that "giving" 5pt business.
@ TRL, I agree. Like Weed really needs to pad his points lead.
Rusty had gotten so much better on the "I'll tell ya what" deal. No clue why he fell off the wagon.
I don't know why they talk about going the distance. We know there's going to be caution. Just as I was typing......
Hey, there it is.
Yes I just saw a tweet about Brad's teams...hmmmmmmm....Tony's doing well so if they do go and Marcos goes should be in good hands :). Hopefully with the Hendrick connection the R&D will come from Hendrick and they won't make Marcos R&D :(
I haven't heard Rusty saying - they're driving their brains out, unless I missed it!
You could see the spring rubber flying out a couple of laps ago
0 for 3. The director just cannot let it alone. Man...really strange.
@ Gymmie, that's my worry. I don't want MA to be the R&D driver. Jr has that position now, kidding.
@ Vicky D, if he says that, I'm coming over and slapping you. :)
Gymmie, Tony got his half of the company for no charge and now he can get a third team for no money.
Not a bad little deal.
Jr. stinks it up tomorrow and it could be interesting to see who is in the pit box at Daytona.
The only problems so far : the pit stops and still too much in-car camera.
Spoke too soon!
Get rid of the ESPN2 crawl.
@ bevo, they heard you.
Tony needs to thank his lucky starts Chevrolet was as aggressive as they were at getting him back. Someone had to seed this idea to Haas whether that be Hendrick, GM or both.
Brad jumping ship though would surprise me. Marcos needs consistency and making yet another organizational change in the offseason is not doing that.
McDowell...no shock there, they said they only had money to run the first half of the season. They said that months ago.
Also if JTG/Doughtery changes, they have to put a totally new pit crew, crew chief, etc under Marcos since MWR has supplied all that for this season in part of fielding that car I believe.
@ David, I really hope MA stays where he is or he will be an Odd Wad in 2010.
David, I think MWR will be announcing some changes of their own soon (two weeks). Then it all might make some more sense.
The Kyle & Carl Show is alive and well.
Role-reversal today.....usually it's Shrub leading the most laps and Logano coming back for the win. This time it's Logano leding a bunch of laps and Shrub takes the lead late.
@Dot- I wish :) I think the one thing we've all learned here over the years is ESPN and Fox executives don't care what we say. Feels good to vent though!
Im with you Dot. Only way I see them jumping is because they would have a locked in spot with the #47, maybe...and if they landed Keslowski and GoDaddy money to supplement them. Little Debbie's is staying with MA I am fairly certain wherever he goes.
Very excited about MWR's announcements cant wait to see them introduce Martin as the driver of the NAPA car for 2010
Eric has a good run today. Too bad.
Got to love that Marty Reid just says it like he sees it.
C'mon....there has to be some racing behind the leader in the closing laps....no sense showing the front 2 cars separated by a good-sized gap.
Stop with the in-cars.
Wrong boxes!!!!
Keslowski might set a new record for most 3rd place finishes this season
don't blow the finish after all this hard work...
@JD- that's because he's too concerned with the next in-car shot :)
ZZZZZZZZ isn't somebody passing someone?
Joey doesn't have 4 NW wins...
This is going to be a very good post race.....team mates!
@JD--yes definitely an awesome deal for Smoke
2 weeks eh? Well, well well. Pockrass said he was talking to Racer X (Truex) and asked if he had anything to announce. And Racer X said no, but held up 2 fingers. And Pockrass read that to be 2 weeks and with the hot and heavy rumors of Racer X going to Mikey :)
Let's hope Weed got winning out of his system today.
I'm going outside for a dose of vitamin D. Taping the truck race.
Thanks JD.
Uncle Kevin in 5th :)
Guys in the shop can't be happy with Vickers, he just tore up two cars
99 isnt his teammate in NW
Good Gravy! NA$CAR and TRB should be having a chat with those two boyz! Poor boyz at the shop :(. More work to their already heavy workload :(
What a difference! Marty upbeat - told it like it is. Hard to believe I'm saying nice things about ABC/ESPN.
Don't care much for how the race ended.
While Speed and Vickers are Sprint Cup teamates, I believe neither the 99 nor the 32 are Red Bull cars.
Can anyone confirm whether Red Bull is just the sponsor for Speed in Mikey's car or if they actually operate the car instead of MWR when he drives it?
@David- Marty said Cup teammates
no David, in Cup. That is what the ABC guys were saying as it happened.
I heard em say that part, but how can the guys at the shop get upset at Vickers for tearing up 2 when the 2 cars in question aren't team cars?
Im pretty sure MWR fields it, Red Bull just sponsors it since they want to keep Scott tied to the brand much like they did in ARCA and Trucks
Have to hear if Jamie tries to drive more of a wedge.
Scott Speed:
Nice way of saying "I wasn't gonna lift for anyone"
Good broadcast from ABC - I think AP had more input than DJ. And another thing I thought having the cup drivers in the race brought fans to the race - didn't look like it to me today anyway. Funny comment by Speed.
I better check the batteries in my remote. Trucks at Memphis, IRL at Richmond and drag racers in Ohio all at 8. I think I need another nap.
Frank in Sebring
Marty, Dale, and Andy made for a very enjoyable afternoon.
Thanks, guys.
@David- sorry typo, "shops" instead of "shop".
that my friends is how you back the bus over your teammate.
David, we might be switching you to decaf like Sophia shortly!
Teammates are really just a concept in the NASCAR world. A loose concept...lol.
Think the control room might be recording some camera shots from victory lane for non-broadcast uses??? :)
There is a new post up for the Truck series telecast on SPEED from Memphis.
Thanks for stopping by this afternoon if you are heading out.
JD
bevo, amazing what those lenses can do...
Well JD, this is Scott Speeds MO. I knew guys that worked on ARCA teams last year who hated the guy because he just drove over anyone or anything that was in his way. Basically acted like a driver who doesn't realize how much work goes into a car and such.
So his interview doesn't surprise me.
Good post-race from Joey though...I think he is most certainly winning people over week after week.
Where's BK's interview? He finished 3rd for goodness sakes!
Hey guys, only caught the last 30 laps of the race, but I must say, that as much as Vickers is frustrated and as much as it stinks that your teammate wrecks you for fifth. Imagine how it must feel when you get wrecked by your teammate for the win. I guess Brian can go ask Jimmie how to handle these types of teammate situations now, since it was Brian who wrecked JJ and Jr. back at Talledega in '06.
From what I saw of the race good coverage. It was excellent to see when they did go to the infield 3 they at least didn't cut from the racing. That is a big help when you are trying to watch a race and not just watch 3 people talk about the race then going to 3 people covering the race.
Good coverage in the booth. Marty is great. Awesome in NHRA and nice to see him bring his game on to the race.
@JD- Bet they could launch a very successful dvd business if not for model releases :)
Great job on the broadcast except for the pit work and in-car shots. Booth was excellent.
To bad they can't say - Ok race fans the Saturday racing isn't over yet. We finished just in time for you to switch over to Speed to catch the Truck race.
Charlie, exactly! The execs at ESPN just do not play well with others. See my earlier post about Carl Edwards on Thursday's NASCAR Now.
Should we be that surprised though JD. ESPN doesn't promote the MLB on FOX, NFL on FOX or CBS. They don't promote anything not on their own family of networks.
Its a shame because NASCAR used to be an exception. At least on RPM2Night they would promote the full motorsports calendar, and used to show you a schedule of the next month during the race with the network the race would be on.
I get kinda tired of hearing how everything is "for the fans!" yet none of these networks bother listening to some of the things that really are important.
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