TDP gets lots of comments about the two hour extravaganza that is NASCAR RaceDay on SPEED.
This week, the gang is in Daytona dodging thunderstorms and dealing with the summer Florida heat. Guests on today's show will include Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
John Roberts hosts this TV series and has been working hard to keep things organized for several years now. Jimmy Spencer and Kenny Wallace began as happy panelists who offered off-beat opinions. Now, they have become characters who often play to the crowd and take themselves seriously.
In contrast to the antics of Spencer and Wallace are Hermie Sadler and Wendy Venturini. These two reporters have done an outstanding job this season of covering the garage and grid before each Sprint Cup Series event.
Venturini was originally all alone on this show and made the most of this TV exposure. At that time, RaceDay ran right up until thirty minutes before the race start time. Now, the show ends almost two hours before the races start.
Sadler was added and the problem of covering the big infield area was solved. This team offers good humor and solid reporting. In contrast, Spencer and Wallace have been struggling with their roles.
It should be interesting to see how things flow at Daytona. Spencer often pushes himself to talk about issues in the sport without keeping his own history in perspective. This season, Wallace takes every opportunity to speak directly to the camera in rather bizarre monologues.
The idea of RaceDay was to have fun, offer interviews and set-up the Cup race that was to come. When SPEED expanded the show to two hours in length, the production team had to come up with a lot of new content. Enter Rutledge Wood. His role has swung from class clown to feature reporter and back to goofball. One wonders when Wood will get an opportunity to play reporter and put his own personality into a feature.
It is hot in Daytona and two live hours should be a tough task. The threat of afternoon thunderstorms will only complicate matters for a show that takes place on an outdoor stage. RaceDay starts at 4:30PM ET on SPEED.
This post will serve to host your comments about RaceDay from Daytona. To add your opinion, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thanks for taking the time to stop by, hope you are enjoying this holiday weekend.
38 comments:
Hey folks, just a special version of the live blog to update RaceDay on SPEED. Big show today.
I am pumped for RD today....I think it is the most entertaining NASCAR program of the week.....Should be good......
90+ degrees. No rain yet.
wow Jimmy's hair is already glued to his forehead! Hope they have cool fans for during comm'ls for them...
Dewpoint is 78 right now, that is unbelievably high, add that to the 74% humidity and you have a storm waiting to unleash.....The atmosphere can't handle that much moisture......Probably get a "popcorn" T-Storm, but shouldn't last long
That is one of the reasons this show is going to be tough.
Two hours outside in Daytona.
Wonder why Kenny started to just talk to the camera and be a preacher?
Ad off we go to Waltrip land...why?
Because of DW being on the crew I guess. Can't believe how quickly Macey is growing up!
Any idea what the "big" announcement by MWR will be Tuesday? Mikey stepping down? Adding a car?
Isn't it Mikey stepping down and Truex going into the car?
Educated guess is Martin Truex to MWR fulltime. MW is supposed to run ten races or so in 2010 in another Cup entry.
No word on sponsors, but Bass Pro Shops is said NOT to be going with Truex.
One other thing is what will happen to Brad D's team with Marcos running out of MWR.
Rumor is they might move out of MWR and go over to another shop.
Cannot believe SPEED is carrying it live...
What I wanna know is if there will be talk of the start and parkers? Either pre-race or during the race. Its a crime that teams like Papis that really want to race and compete get aced out by the Blaneys and Nemachecks who will only park it.
I was thinking the same thing...maybe NAPA having been a good advertiser?
Nan, that is why I have been pounding them all season long.
Tricking out a car to get into the field that cannot run in the race and parks before the first fuel stop is ridiculous.
Not NASCAR related but former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was found killed today :(
So what time is the announcement? Did JR say, I'm behind as usual but missed it. I'm OK with the Mikey DW Bootie piece especially if he is getting out of the car. The man has won there a few times.
The link to the McNair stuff is on the Twitter link on the right side of the main page.
36 years old...whew.
hermie...you are killing me....
Good Look for Hermie. Retro 1976
LOL
@Nan--yup and Mad Max even tweeted about it. He's fine with the rain washing out quals and missing the race because that's what happens when you're new and only attempt a handful of races. But at the same time he's pissed because he knows they would have made the race and the S&P cars will be in there run their few laps and collect a check.
Sure he may have been several laps down and 30th something but he's out there to LEARN and get as much 'sperience as he can. And he knows short of an accident or mechanical issues he's going to be there in the end.
It was real nice of him the other night he took out gosh about 3 hours or so answering our questions on Twitter. He's hoping to do it again in the future.
About Mikey's announcement--yes I heard what JD has heard. The only "unknown" hanging was about BPS it was leaning towards them not going but it wasn't settled yet.
Whatever happens with JTG/Daughtery and Marcos I hope that things workout for Marcos. I don't want him to be relegated to a R&D car, he's done quite well this season and it would break my heart to see him struggle "suddenly" after going to a new team. I hope if the rumors of him going to Smoke happen but that Smoke leaves him on the same level as him and Ryan and any R&D he gets from Hendrick.
You guys are my eyes & ears since I lost control of the TV to Dan.
Why would JTG/D leave MWR? They're doing so well.
Update: RD is on at my house. I killed Dan, kidding.
What is the operating territory of Sunoco?
Now I can comment.
1 hour down going on 2nd and still no mention of the Mayfield ruling..I remember the Sun after suspension they hammered him in the first 2 minutes..seems odd Nascar power at work again????
Good interview w/Joey. He's growing on me.
Vince Carter was said to be upset when told of the Steve McNair news.
I wonder if that was done before he knew or they just decided to skip it?
OT Jeremy has posted a letter to his fans, it's on Nascar.com
Has Jr. been on the show yet? It's hotter than hello out. Thunder in my area and cloudy. About an hour SW of Daytona. Rain might not be over for DB.
start and park ought to be banned.
off topic, but apparently Bernie Eccleston of F1 made some comments about Hitler 'getting things done'...can't wait to see Wind Tunnel tomorrow.....
awful about Steve M...had to turn over from Raceday to ESPN news. Ryan Burr's doing a good job.
@Karen - Jr was on in first 15 mins of the show.
Finally, they are talking about the Mayfield deal! This has been the worse RD for content I'm interested in in a looong while. Best part was Hermie's mullet & Patrick Demsey!
I was wondering that too JD...I was confused to the timing from reading the Tweets and then them not saying it in the interview?
Interesting fluff on Mayfield. Jimmy was very careful & Kenny has no opinion. Only Jeff Burton had a good bit to say. Shame Spencers become oh so careful to talk & say little.
Wendy has been really giving us some good interviews today.
Jo, thanks. Have it on tape so I'll go back and watch later.
There is a new post up for the TNT Wide Open coverage of the Sprint Cup Series race from Daytona.
JD
I loved Squires work on the 200th Petty win. I just love the way he tells the stories!
I love the retrospective stories like that show-ended Ken did. Also very good at these: Dave Despain.
They both have a way with words and delivery that makes history come alive.
Jo-agreed...wasn't it fabulous?? KS is the best at that stuff..
I also enjoyed Mr. Squires piece :)
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