Krista Voda starts the telecast off for SPEED with the pre-race show from Nashville at 7:30PM. Ray Dunlap and Adam Alexander are the reporters.
Rick Allen, Phil Parsons and Michael Waltrip are going to call the race. This trio is going to be faced with a limited field that may struggle a bit to put on a good event. Most fans are well aware of the economic challenges that have put a real dent in this great series.
Look for SPEED to keep the emphasis on the racing at the front of the pack among the fulltime competitive teams. This is a good track for the trucks and fits the profile of the series when it was first created.
SPEED has long used the old school approach to this racing coverage. No gimmicks or gizmos, just coverage of the event as it unfolds with the emphasis on the teams and the drivers.
Waltrip brings his colorful personality to the coverage and can be a tremendous asset or a tough liability. Left to wander into sponsor-driven commentary, Waltrip takes himself out of the telecasts with his shilling. When he is focused on the race and focusing the attention on the track, Allen can get some great analysis from this veteran.
This post will serve to host your comments about the CWTS coverage from Nashville on SPEED. To add your TV-related comments, 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.
152 comments:
JD, since its raining in Nashville, not heavy rain but enough to wet things out here, will the start be delayed? The radar looked nasty for later if all that stuff comes north east. Good thing about this track, it dries very quickly. Gotta love that concrete!
looking foward to better camera coverage for this race than i just watched from the Nwide race
Iowa is a beautiful place. How impressive it was to see those stands sold out.
Sam Bass interview s/b interesting.
Slightly off topic but, I was flipping through the channels going to Speed from ESPN. As I passed Vs saw some guy wreck the heck out of a cow.Probably the only reason people watch that rodeo stuff is for the cow crashes.
Frank in Sebring
Anyone got an official weather forecast for Nashville?
Showers and thunderstorms. Some storms may produce heavy rainfall. Lows in the upper 60s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
whoa they found DW!!! Is he calling the race?
Nice to see ol' DW in a cameo role here.
every Waltrip non-fan's nightmare.
But it is a rain delay. See Hornaday with the grocery bags? When we were little my mom used to put bread loaf bags on our feet under our boots when we went to play in the snow...I'm aging myself, no waterproof stuff in those days. But it was funny. He was still holding the bags on pit road.
ugly, ugly shirts..2 Waltrips together..ugh.
Mr Editor
I believe track is located SE of Nashville in Gladeville ...radar shows light rain moving SW to NE through area ...looks like a window may ope about 815 or so ...of course, track will still need to be dried ...I'll research further to see what may be further down the line
I'm in Hermitage, just outside of downtown Nashville and only about 15 miles by the interstate from Gladeville. It looks like there is a very light rain in the area that is supposed to be lighter until about 9pm.
Looking at the AccuWeather radar, neither race may start on time. same weather system is stretching into both states. I'd give KY the advantage over TN, but I'm not a meteorologist
precipitation remains heavy to the south, but still moving SW to NE and could stay away much of the evening ...of course, it is August and wet weather can develop suddenly
figured speed would dust of DW. it's only 30 minuted ride for track to his house.
Good thing about this track is that it dries very quickly.
Thanks for the weather info folks!
Impulses moving W to E may not give IRL much of a chance to run tonight ...system is strung out across S Illinois into Missouri
Looks like ceiling at Nashville is good enough for Golden Eagles to drop in, so let's go racing, huh?
JD -
How much, if any, overlap is there between Fox and Speed (read post Fox season) production teams
I also forgot about the weepers KY had yesterday, too. could be an issue.
Flat, flat, flat!!!
IndyCar in hurry-up mode at KY. Cars are on pit road uncovered with weather on its way. I still can't decide which to focus on. I'd rather be here with you guys, but if the open wheelers get rolling first...
Walter,
All the SPEED shows from the SPEED stage and the Monday night TWIN show are produced by the NASCAR Media Group, a company in Charlotte, NC.
SPEED produces the Truck Series races and the practice/qualifying shows on the weekend themselves.
SPEEd rents the facilities and the tech folks from NMG and basically brings the on-air talent, the producer/director and some support staff for the races.
That make sense?
JD
Thought you all would get a kick out of Mike Massaro's message:
"nothin' better than interviewing kyle when he finished second. LOL. GRRR."
thx ...it does make sense ...that leads me to wonder where talent is drawn from when ESPN seemed to have such a variance in production quality in same series broadcasts for back-to-back weeks
I was just gonna post that, JD. Made me fall out of my chair.
Another painful anthem. GRRR.
And as much as I love Krista Voda to bits, she has to stop with the puns. They're awful, and not in a good way. Sorry, Krista.
--KarenB
Have you noticed the SPEED announcers cannot bring themselves to say the words...Johnny Benson?
re: Kyle interview
At least Mike got a comment from him ...it was obvious Kyle wanted to be anywhere other than in front of a microphone ...wonder how many of the books he's read off the Coach's recommended reading list LOL
thanks JD....I was thinking poor Mike drew the short straw...
For all the people thinking he'd changed...yeah, right....it's gonna take more than an interview or two. But, others have 'grown up', I live in hope.
JD. does espn have a set production crew week to week or do they have different crew for different areas of the country like they do in other sports?
Karen, we agree on that one. They were good singers, but you can't just decide to completely change the tune...
just checking IRL ...great to see Jackie Stewart on pit road ...and speaking to the Captain, at that ...he looked good
brad, the announcers, producer, director and several other key positions are contract employees of ESPN. There are a lot of rules in the ESPN contracts.
One reason you will never see Marty Smith on Wind Tunnel.
My personal view is that the IRL is going to partner up with Grand Am in the future.
Some IRL drivers will race in the Grand Am races on Saturday, just like NASCAR does with the Nationwide Series.
Jim France owns the Grand Am series and the synergy with the new IRL is coming around slowly.
Grand Am would be a good fit with IRL ...should strengthen both series ...IRL moving away from ovals, except for Indy, too
No Weed, hope no guitar Smashes tonight
did ya'll see the little squabble between the IRL & the track prez at Richmond? Apparently that was *not* their choice.
I agree on Grand Am/IRL. Good combo.
Weed is Kyle Busch for those of you who don't get it
Maybe the new rule changes will help the IRL races be more competetive. Lately it has been which Gannasi or Penske car was going to win. Nascar is my first passion but i like all motorsports and watch all of the series. I hate to see them struggle. Here's hopeing for two great DRY races tonight.
IRL: Green flag. open wheel wins. I'll read y'all later and see ya tomorrow.
brad,
I was hoping that some of the top Grand Am drives would eventually migrate over to IRL rides as well.
They need to get the car count up right now. One multi-car accident and there are not too many cars left.
so many choices: irl, trucks and our daughters are watching x-games. someone better impress me pretty quickly -- and i'm banking on the truck guys to get rid of the nasty taste in my mouth from espn's iowa mess.
Radar looks like there's another cell about 45 - 60 minutes out, although it may stay south of the track.
speaking of car counts JD. Bestwick was on with Moody and said he wouldn't be surprised if we have short fields within the next 6 weeks. Do you think the S&P guys in each series can make enough money to keep showing up or will they stay home. I'm not really sure if i would be upset haveing 38 cars show up to start since we usually get there within 25-30 laps anyway. what do you tink?
brad,
Cup is out of start and park guys. Short fields will begin for the long tow races.
It is about to get grim, which is one reason I was beating Turner and Sirius about getting some weekday NASCAR radio online.
Rick, and Phil may go have a beer, because the Waltrips are taking over the broadcast.
Just clicked over from the Indy race. Two Waltrips... I'm going back to Indy for the night :)
@bevo: looks like irl for me as well. speed is good and more speed is great. will be back now and again.
bevo,
Totally unannounced. Should be interesting to see how long DW stays. He has quieted down Michael totally.
@bevo -
I'm with you ...I've downed my Claritin, now where did I put my Adderal ...at least, IRL has ol' pro Bob Jenkins at the helm ...interesting byplay between Robbie Buell and Ian/Jan (Yan) Beekius adds to this follow-the-leader series
Much like Rusty needing Marty to keep him in check, DW needs Mike Loy to do the same. Nothing against Rick but DW needs to be steered down the right path and calmed down to let someone else get a word in.
ok, so i felt guilty about abandoning the trucks and came back to watch in-car terry cook run a lap or two w/ no one around him (second time this broadcast); hearing only the waltrips; seeing single car shots.
guilt is assuaged; back to irl.
Not going to give any spoilers in the IRL race. Solid broadcast so far and plenty of action on the track and in the pits :)
That should read Mike Joy in the last post. One day I'll learn to read what I type before i post it.
@red- I'm with you. Before this season I would have felt really bad about not watching Speed but this season they've been so inconsistent with their Truck coverage I don't have any qualms about it.
can't watch anymore of this-will catch up Sunday! Can't stand 2 of them in the booth!
Daly Planet Editor said...
bevo,
Totally unannounced. Should be interesting to see how long DW stays. He has quieted down Michael totally.
if dw disappears and the rest of the booth gets to talk, please let me know. i'll be over on versus.
we have seen DW stop by as a guest before, but he usually leaves early in the race. We shall see...
I'm with @Bevo. No spoilers from either: Good amount of excitement/animation from the booth at the IRL race. Jenkins is the consumate pro while Robbie offers great driver's perspective. Too bad there aren't more cars, but the cameras definitely follow the battles (even during the commercials with the non-stop action (pic-n-pic).
remind me again why nascar can't do PiP technology for races?
Ask the networks Red. =\
I can just barely stand one Waltrip in the booth. Two is one-and-a-half too many. It's too bad, because I totally enjoyed DW when he's in thoughtful mode like he was a couple of weeks ago on Wind Tunnel. DW calling this race isn't enjoyable.
--KarenB
Well, mslti tasking and missing everything...action in pits on IRl but will not say who.
Saw doe in the backyard around tomato plants and flowers, ran out front in time to see two babies with her and their little tails in the yard across the street from us. SO CUTE!
I hope the rain holds off for both races. Was STUNNED to see DW on Truck race.
Hope Hornadays issue before beginning is better.
Saw Sam Bass interview...was hoping they would ask about last visit but he probably is too classy a guy to go there.
@david: the phrase "shooting one's self in the foot" springs to mind, eh?
@red,
as I understand, it comes down to advertising/commercial dollars. there was a time when IndyCars were paying to be on TV (or so I heard). With NASCAR, the sponsors pay enough for our undivided attention (no PnP).
i would say the side by side wont happen in Nascar because advertisers pay 4 or 5 times the rate of an IRL broadcast and they wont give up part of the screen.
Here is one thing I been thinking what is the difference- besides setup between Side by side and Wide open coverage
^^^ brad said it better than I did.
3 different TV networks, all selling ad time against each other for the same racing series.
Not going to happen....
see Wendy V says it is still raining in Pocono. Maybe it will move through and out by tomorrow afternoon.
only glitch in the networks' PiP position is: i don't watch the commercials during a race. i mute the tv and work the laptop and rarely watch until some freak internal clock tells me it's time to bring the sound back up.
and i don't have a dvr. imagine the drop rate with those folks.
so, their argument is fallacious: they spend more money and . . . i don't watch. irl does PiP and i keep the sound up and watch at least parts of the commercial -- depending on the on-track situation.
it's a new world and the networks are thinking about broadcasting in the same old way.
I wish I could bail for the IRL race too. *sigh*
On the upside, only 10 days until I get TSN2 so I can watch more IRL and Nationwide races! Yay!
For now, I think I'll go take a shower. It's very hot here on the Left Coast. Don't the weather gods know this is a temperate rainforest? We haven't had rain for over a month. This whole province is gonna go up in flames, soon.
See, I'm so bored I'm babbling about the weather. Sheesh. Sorry. I'll be back for the end of the race.
--KarenB
A+ for the sound mix on Versus, perfect balance between the announcers and track sound.
and there's sir jackie. man, i miss him!
@patrick
I would like to take credit but that came from Dave Moody on Sirius Speedway. He has been answering that question since before they moved the show to the Nascar channel.
Plus, TNT is using the NASCAR audience to advertise their other programming to bring more advertising dollars to those prime time shows. they bet on more people tuning into the wide open coverage, hoping more people return for 'Leverage' and ask higher rates for their advertisers.
(altho' to be honest? not sure i can understand him any better than in the late 60s and 70s!)
Red, it was tested by TBS in 2000 at the fall Charlotte race but unfortunately since 2001 was a new contract with a MASSIVE pricetag, everyone wanted to get the most out of their dollars.
Think of what you get for an IRL commercial vs NASCAR. IRL commercials are a majority of IRL promos, Honda commercials, Ethanol, and Firestone where NASCAR has many more advertisers to have to please and come to terms with.
Sucks, I wish we had it because it would be nice but at the same time I get why it doesn't happen and don't hold my breath on it. As long as they break back in when something happens and don't ill time them, commercials don't usually bug me too bad.
I know one thing, the advertisers see that I don't switch channels on IRL races with side-by-side on my Tivo
Yes Patrick Ive heard that answer many times too.
IRL is not a high demand series as ESPN so harshly showed them this year.
Gotta love what that split did to open wheel...
so here's one of the best things about TDP, jd: i just tossed out a snarky rhetorical and viola! i learned some real information!
thanks, all.
(but i still think there's a bunch of feet with holes in 'em in network-land . . .)
on IRL broadcasts.
I am seeing tons of MXXXderm commercials, M.E. junk. anybody else or is that a local insert. See this stuff every IRL race.
just curious
Most answers on why we don't have PIP commercials is lip service by NASCAR and partners. Facts are facts, the advertisers want the most for the bucks they spend. I think its pushing 100K for 30 seconds during the Daytona 500, maybe 200K
Marty Reid has been looking through the glass. You know, ESPN, that can be done. Just look through the glass and see the cars on the track. Not that hard, except maybe for toddlers.
@sophia: in re:irl commercials: not here in philly area. just the ususal ones that david pointed out in his post.
but they did just show the weather on the irl race broadcast!
Thanks, red.
I missed the weather. My new rescue kitten (now 11 wks, had since he was 8, named Stewart :) ) has been begging for a piece of hamburger I just cooked so I gave him a tiny bit. Never had a kitten beg for food the way this guy does...must have been really hungry before being found in the country, but I digress. He gets kitten food or course.
Ok I am seeing all sorts of cheaper looking commercials on the full screen...I guess Full screen is local and side by side National?
Still think NASCAR should consider this..isn't a smaller percentage better than none for all involved?
I dont' DVR either but when we tape IRL guess what, we WATCH commercials.
Not true in NASCAR.
Everytime I turn on the truck race there is neither Waltrip talking. wow..must be my timing. Ok, I lied, I hear Mikey..back to IRL
We were eating dinner watching the truck pre-race and that awful commercial came on and my husband was really upset with it and couldn't believe it was on tv. Ok now watching the race hope our guy has a top 3.
Trucks putting on a darn good show. The funny thing is I am liking DW on this broadcast. He works well with Rick Allen.
ok, jd: i'll give 'em another try but if it's a fail, it's on your head!!
@Vicky D
If it's the commercial I mentioned it's really pretty disgusting..and they all are but mercy! they need limits to the way they are allowed to word things.
Ok, this is annoying I have to turn stations between the two digital channels. I need to go back and TAPE the Trucks race but the kitten is asleep on my leg and I don't wanna move the baby.:-)
Room mate is gone out to dinner so can't ask him.
It's fun following some IRL guys on Twitter and learning other languages.
Obrigado
DW not so bad. Probably had to promise not to hog the conversation before Speed would let him stay. And no gopher mention either.
red, I hear that all the time!
Anyone count the S&P trucks yet?
so, have been watching trucks for 10 or so laps and i'm seeing a whole lotta shots of a single truck on the track w/ no one else around. ever now & again, i get 2 trucks on the screen together and then it switches to an in-truck of the following truck.
and now a debris caution.
has it been better than this? 'cause my remote finger is twitching to turn back to versus . . .
red, the IRL race is much better for speed and side by side racing.
This is a tire war and only about ten trucks with a shot at the win.
What is with the single shot focus in NASCAR.
Is a some odd MANDATE by TPTB. Only one or two cars or in cams allowed?
Disapointing.
IRL camera work is great. You see wide shots and like 8 cars on the screen at one time..and sometimes just 2 or 3..and only some in car cams.
Is Mike Wells working IRL now? :)
the way I see it there are only 3 or 4 vehicles in either race with a chance to win.
I'm dodging heavy storms, so I'll duck in for a moment.
DW is really impressing me tonight.
He is calm, cool, collected and very informative.
Dang, Jason White!
but jd? i want to watch racing, ya' know? and tonight, unlike most race days/nights, i have choice: a tire strategy race w/my favorite racer having a shot at the win or speed and side by side racing being done by racers with among whom i have no favorite?
which would you pick?
now add the difference in broadcast quality and booth dynamic between the two and it becomes easier for me, especially since i sat thru that espn/iows fail.
i love my trucks, i really do. but tonight? it's been a tough choice.
but i'm still tuned to the trucks . . .
I'd say any of the top 8 have a chance to win the Indy race
Looks like 8+ S&P ...don't know they were mentioned ...good racing w/both shows trying to beat the rain ...IRL avging 198.6 ...trucks getting my attention with Hornaday coming hard ...wonder where Jack Sprague is tonight ...he and Hornaday had some slober-knockers over the years
"racefotainment"?
just realized this is the TOYOTA Tundra 250. Might explain haveing DW and Mikey in the booth together.
@TRL- those storms came through here this afternoon. 2 more inches of rain, makes 5 for the past two weeks. Can't believe it's July/August in Texas :)
Brad, its also Nashville and DW is just right down the road. Home track to both he and Mikey
I was on the nashville thing earlier. Just that DW usually doesn't stick around for the whole race in Nash. Usually it's a hit and run.
I think the whole announcing team is doing a good job.
I agree they found their footing since the start. Normally you don't have a 4 man booth for a whole race.
Great finish in the works for the Indy race!
@bevo: yeppers! big mistake by one of the teammates there!
Great finish - this is racing!
wow! amazing finish and what energy out of the booth, calling that finish!! awesome!
Versus dropped the ball not showing all the cars crossing
would be great to hear Sir Jackie's comment on the race and finish ...what a run for Ed Carpenter, but Team Penske brought another one home
would have liked to see the lead lap cars finish...
To be fair, the finish of the IRL race was too tight of a camera shot. Only saw two cars cross the line.
0.008 second for the win
Digger and ask.com in the same ad? I'd rather see the ED commercial.
@bevo
yea Vs and ABC cut away too soon a LOT of the races. sigh
I called the IRL race (3or4 with a chance) but I think I was optimistic on the trucks. Beginning to wonder if Hornaday is ever gonna loose again?
No problem with the camera shot of the two at the line but they should have pulled back for the rest
@Walter: I guess you missed the many requests for no spoilers on the Indy race.
WCK
@brad: as i said a few weeks ago: every win is a vindication of the way espn treated him so i'm good with him continuing to win.
besides, he is a master at restarts! they are a thing of beauty to watch.
Ok what's this I hear about Digger...I will turn on Trucks in a few.
I thought there was a rain caution earlier?
Walter you can DELETE your SPOILER comment but it's probably too late night.
Red
I like Hornaday. It was just an observation of how good they are running. There was a lot of speculation of what would happen after Chevy pulled back. Good to see KH keep putting it on the track for him.
brad: agreed. sorry if it came across as me thinking you were frustrated by how well hornaday's been running: it wasn't. i'm glad for both hornaday and the harvicks and like these races that don't feature cup guys (if you get my drift.)
Red
absolutely agree about the cup drivers.
Hornaday is the class of the field. If he keeps it up and wins the trophy, bet he won't smash it.
@ Sophia There was a search digger at ask dot com promo at the pattom a few minutes ago. No verses here so I have been watching it all.
Oops that was supposed to be bottom.
now it will get interesting. GWC
and as glad as i am for harvicks and hornaday, i am seriously missing benson.
jd: the irl race was a far better broadcast than the trucks for me, partially b/c of a better actual race but also b/c the irl booth actually called the race instead of chattering on all night. was there really no good racing on the track in TN? sure looked like a whole lotta single trucks running in a line.
not a big fail but a fail, nonetheless.
and: second nascar broadcast fail today.
Wow, Todd killed that tire
Thanks, Mike.
I think we'd heard or seen Digger once before during Trucks or something on Speed...sigh.
Still I will take that over "other advertisements" JD wrote a column about but I refused to name. ;-)
YAY! Cool beans...gnight for Ron and KHI.
Red
well i would like to tell you it will get better tomorrow. Unfortunatly, Pocono is typically not what you would call exciting and with JP doing the call. There are the ingredients to make a horrible day. Hope for dry skies and hope for the best broadcast they can piece together.
Truck series needs a Chase.
Or a Benson. :-)
--KarenB
w00t! w00t! Congratulations Grampa, Rick, Happy, Dee and all of Team KHI! Go Old People Go!
hey brad: i'm likely gonna pass on pocono tomorrow. as i say: not a good track in person and worse on espn. time for me to spend some time as a "life hobbyist" instead of being frustrated by espn's broadcasts.
It is disheartening that the defending champion doesn't have and can't get a ride. Atleast before he got hurt. Benson is sorely missed on the track and on camera.
Three fun races today.
All pretty enjoyable.
agreed about benson: if he hadn't been punted out of his seat so someone's dad could buy him the ride, johnny'd be battling hornaday for these wins.
and THAT'S how a gentleman accepts a classic, handmade guitar as a victory trophy. but i guess young mr busch isn't watching tonight.
ask Ron if he's gonna break the guitar!
meow
I love seeing somebody win that is still so passionate, grateful and takes NOTHING for granted.
And he's older..so that's probably why.
Well, and some health challenges..THAT will do it every time as well. Glad to see him breaking records.
Wendy V is playing Debbie Downer with the forecast updates for tomorrow.
Nice easy telecast. Miss Krista on pit road. See you guys tomorrow...bring your raincoats.
I know its late guys, but I want to commend almost everyone for respecting those watching one or the other race on a delay. Only one spoiler in the whole bunch (and it wasn't a complete spoiler with 3 possibilities). It appears that the consensus is that the IndyCar race was a better broadcast than the trucks. Who'd a thunk it. Not only were Jenkins (what was ESPN thinking letting him go?) and Buell (sp?) a good combination of PxP and ex-racing commentator, but it seems the changes to the cars REALLY made the side-by-side racing and passing more exciting.
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