Saturday, August 1, 2009

Live Blogging The Nationwide Series From Iowa Speedway (4PM ET - ESPN)


This is truly going to be a NASCAR telecast to watch from start to finish. A lot of things are going right for ESPN and the results could be one of the best Nationwide Series races in a very long time.

With Jerry Punch and the rest of ESPN's Sprint Cup Series broadcast team in Pocono, it will be Marty Reid, Randy LaJoie and Rusty Wallace handling the inaugural Nationwide Series race from Iowa Speedway. On pit road will be veterans Mike Massaro, Jack Arute and Rick DeBruhl.

For those who missed the earlier TDP posts about this event, extra grandstands have been brought in to expand the size of the sold-out crowd to slightly over 55 thousand. You read that right. 55 thousand fans on a Saturday afternoon for a Nationwide Series race.

Rusty Wallace connections are all over the place. He designed the track, is a part-owner and his two-car Nationwide team includes his son Steven. There should be little doubt that Steven's guys are going all out to see if he can win this event.

Marty Reid has been just what ESPN needs to get the Nationwide Series through the end of the season. His great sense of humor and ability to make things exciting really works well when he gets both Wallace and LaJoie fired-up.

Wallace has really gotten a new lease on life as the analyst on this team and does a completely different job than his earlier appearances in the analyst role with Punch on the Cup side. This should be a good challenge today for Wallace to balance all four roles as track developer, series owner, father and TV analyst.

Look for the ESPN team to keep it simple. No gizmos on the telecast, few recorded driver soundbites played-back during the action and a focus on the best racing on the track. This has all the potential to be a blast for the fans.

This post will serve to host your comments on the Nationwide Series telecast from Iowa on ESPN. 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 stopping by.

296 comments:

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Charlie said...

Of course they did good showing Kyle and Brad. It was a two car shot.

Daly Planet Editor said...

brad, we have one rule here. Do NOT feed the trolls. I will handle any problems, just enjoy.

Sophia said...

My main gripe all year has been the LOUSY CAMERA DIRECTION.

I do believe my gripe proves the point that it matters not one whit how good the booth is.

w/o good camera work, the races are ruined.

So much potential and the arrogance of "somebody's agenda" ruins what the fans see in their homes. Not understanding it, but not surprised.
Shame. :(

red said...

@dot: mostly irish, hence the nickname (and hair color.) i concede that warm giuness is an acquired taste that most americans don't appreciate.

and even tho kez is featured, we once again need to remind espn: driver heads in the SMALL window; race in the BIG window.

and i can think of no one i'd rather have on my pit box than pops -- except maybe knaus.

Patrick said...

Well, looky looky, JWT spins on lap 1 or 2, goes to the garage, comes back out 43rd. With the Cash4Clunkers and 8 other wrecked cars, he's up to 31st with a couple more spots up for grabs.

@red: maybe, but I'm inside and its in a ice cold mug. Besides, its all I've got except for a Monk bottle (Westmalle Trappist Dubbel)

Dot said...

Finally they noticed Kenny W.

Unknown said...

Thx to Marty & Lajoie giving a call out to NW regulars

Sophia said...

Kenny W gets a shout out ! Woo hoo.

ok, really tired of this GD commercial.

bevo said...

For those debating between Trucks and IRL don't forget you can log on to the IRL site and watch or listen on your computer.

Patrick said...

"We remove the word veri for live events"

I'm aware, perhaps just a little hopeful that a plea might be a bit more adhered to.

red said...

woo hoo: morgan gets some love! excellent!

PammH said...

btw, the interviewed Pops on MRN.

brad said...

The IRL usualy put on a heck of a show in KY. Trucks usually put on a heck of a show anywhere. Unfortunately it looks from the entry list that there will be a ton of S&P trucks tonight.

Unknown said...

@PammH ...thx for a production crew that adheres to professionalism

Daly Planet Editor said...

Patrick, it's mechanical robots. They search for open blogs and then return with spam.

Sophia said...

bevo or Anybody

hearing of rain in Sparta?

Weather.com just says partly cloudy but dark and questionable here..and I am about 45-60 minutes as the crow flies from there, over an hour human drive time.

Patrick said...

Speakin' of Pops, that move of staying out is going to burn the Kez. Even fooled Marty.

red said...

as i said: i'd rather have pops on the box than any one else in any of the series.

red said...

@patrick: the tires won't make the difference. my concern is gas.

brad said...

would it kill them to actually talk to the crew chief?

Unknown said...

another great Lajoie line about Pops - "that moustache was a lot darker before that call"

red said...

@brad: historically, pops isn't all that chatty w/the piot reporters during a race.

Karen said...

What model Ford do they race in NW?

Patrick said...

@red: I agree with you on Pops, but not the tires. see?

Unknown said...

Marty speaks from knowledge; sadly, JP speaks from a cue through his earpiece ...look at that kid come back on the inside

Dot said...

Dang it. Oh, wait. Dang it.

Martin Vincent said...

@Karen - It's the Fusion. When the "COT" is introduced, it'll be the Mustang.

red said...

@patrick: ain't over yet. 2 new vs 4 hard older tires? not so sure. those new tires aren't holding after 5-10 laps and the 88 seems to have had the better car today.
we shall see.

bevo said...

@Sophia- no rain mentioned. IRL Twitter is IndyCarNation

red said...

@walter: in re: reid vs punch: excellent and perceptive observation!

Karen said...

Martin V, thanks. Can't wait to see the Mustang next year. Love that car.

Charlie said...

I bet if you were at this race it would be one of the best you have seen. With progressive banking there has to be passing going on all over the place.

Patrick said...

Now I'm left wondering if JP would've said 'whoa!' leading into a commercial with Morgan spinning. I kinda feel like at this point of a race, he'd be spent and would think to himself that it could be handled on the other side of the break. Don't like being this critical of JP after his years and years of great service, but he just doesn't have it this year and/or isn't capable.

Martin Vincent said...

@Karen - Dodge will run the Challenger, that one will look cool too!

Sophia said...

thanks Bevo

I follow them but didn't trust peeps to be honest on the weather...some are more than others :)

sometimes the drivers/spouses are more informative at the tracks.

red said...

so, if the driver & the crew chief didn't want to do the in-race reporter "thing", then why not leave them alone?!?

Unknown said...

@red -
JD can tell you I'm a Marty fan from way back (NHRA)...big difference when a real pro is at the helm, but production team really is a drag ...remember early TNN shows when Buddy Baker was making his race comments by looking out the window, not at the monitor ...they had to reign him him ...he's right they're all standing ...I saw it, I think that's what they showed

Vicky D said...

Marty is really showing us what a good PXP guy can be on ESPN.

Sophia said...

^%$#@&!?

Karen said...

Oh, no. I love Lil Gator.

Dot said...

Looked like those three cars were welded together.

red said...

very disconcerting: as that car wad was happening, an ambulance was approaching my home from about 5 blocks out. so, as they're wrecking, i'm hearing an ambulance and wondering why.

life intrudes into my racing.

Unknown said...

yeah, I'm sure those gestures meant you pull forward, I'll move back ...right ...at least, Rusty has US Fidelis to cover the repairs

brad said...

@red. GoDaddy probably had more to do with that than Kez and Pops. Finally a crew chief interview.

Martin Vincent said...

Darnell's front fenders must have been caught in the other two's rear wheel wells, so until he moved back, Wallace or Allgaier couldn't do anything.

The Loose Wheel said...

MV...there really are only 2 dodge teams anymore...so dont get too hopeful on seeing many challengers next year lol

Unknown said...

omg ... they actually spoke to Pops ...Rusty does patronize his sponsor doesn't he? ...Carl uses Claritin, too ...might be four wide if Carl goes to the bottom ...giving call again to NW regulars again, thanks Marty & Lajoie

Martin Vincent said...

Benny Gordon running 9th, what a run for the guy who started his season in the negative in points after a penalty when he missed his first race.

PammH said...

okay, gotta admit the in-car for the wreck was kinda cool...C'mon Brad!

Martin Vincent said...

This is going to be a shoot-out...

Dot said...

Go Kez. Win that bonus money.

Patrick said...

Great PxP by Marty there; telling us Stenhouse was slow and headed to pit road instead of showing us, while a good battle was going on. AND, GREAT move by the Kez pinching the Shrub on that pass.

brad said...

what a show Kez and Weed are putting on.

Sophia said...

uh oh...

kbaskins said...

Go Kez! (I'm of the anti-Kryle camp.)

--KarenB

Unknown said...

wow, didya hear the crowd ...must have been a mistake by the audio guy, huh

Patrick said...

ok @red. you're ultimately right now. 2 tires vs. zero don't matter now.

brad said...

listen to that excitement in the booth.

Sophia said...

YAY!

I was so worried something was gonna happen.

YAY! Brad!!!!!!!!!!!!

not get rid of the sliding heads..AFTER you get better cam directors

Unknown said...

Marty called the top 10 finishers ...director must have missed a cue on that

Vicky D said...

Yes!!!! Congrats to Brad and team.

Patrick said...

...and the dreaded flying heads... can't hardly ever tell who finished 5th, 10th, 15th, etc. As soon as they appear, they fly off the screen.

Dot said...

WOO HOO Kez.

I won't be joining you for the truck race. Going to Mom's bday dinner. Will read you later. Have fun.

brad said...

how bout Kenny Wallace getting 7th.

Charlie said...

Just think what this race would have been like if they had the camera work like they did last week.
It would have been unreal.

kbaskins said...

Too bad. Shoddy picture selection ruined a pretty good race and a solid effort in the booth.

--KarenB

Unknown said...

nothing like a pro to share the excitement ...imagine having the win for dad's birthday present today, huh ...keselowski family in racing forever, it seems ...thanks for listening JD

Sophia said...

@Dot

have fun at Dinner

Think I am gonna watch the IRL and tape truck race..dunno yet.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Charlie, if they had shown us the race like the folks in the stands see it, nice and wide...it would have been awesome.

Instead, I feel like I missed so much of what happened on the track and almost all of the stories except a few.

Bummer...

rich said...

Wow, now thats racin'. Great booth work. Thanks guys

Daly Planet Editor said...

For those who are going to hang for the 7:30PM CWTS coverage, there is a new post up for telecast coverage.

Karen said...

I agree with Kez. Should have a Cup race there. The last 20 laps most exciting of all.

bevo said...

Reid, LaJoie and Arute saved the broadcast.

Sophia said...

So much for the more MATURE Kyle! :-)

I knew it was fake last week.

SHEESH.

PR talk has worn off.

Kenn Fong said...

J.D.,

With everyone talking about beers and the Golden Corral spots, I'm hungry. All I had was a salad with romaine, feta cheese, celery, and an heirloom tomato, covered with ranch dressing. Oh, and flat Diet Pepsi and a turkey dog with cheddar and sirachi hot pepper sauce.

Go Brad Daddy! He's definitely ready for prime time. I hope Hendrick or JR Motorsports will give him a Cup ride.

Wow! Kryle-Baby Busch said he wasn't good enough to win! Geez, he better cut that out or I might stop hatin' him.

WCK

brad said...

there's the old Kyle. Guess the new kyle is gone after a week. What an smart@^&. He doesn't have to be happy but gracious would be good.

Patrick said...

One week at acting like a decent guy and Kryl reverts back to his pre-adolescent ways. It is time to grow up, dude. For FSM sake, he's finished 1 or 2 in how many straight races now? 8 or 9? Can anyone tell me who else would be disappointed in that?

The Loose Wheel said...

For years I have said build another Richmond, for years Stewart has said the same. Was this any more proof of that argument?

Only saw the last 50 but it looked great!

Phathead said...

Congrats on Busch for showing his lack of class again this week. Bravo my dimwitted friend, bravo

bevo said...

Once again not a Kyle fan but I like seeing a driver upset about not winning. Too many these days who are just happy running around collecting a paycheck.

Anonymous said...

Notice that rather than having the regular Nascar reporter (Massaro) go to victory lane to talk to Brad, they had him talk to the dejected Kyle Busch.

I bet Jack Arute would've been like - "you sound worse than Scott Goodyear after he passed the pacecar to lose the 500"

Anonymous said...

A Paul Page sighting???

brad said...

Anon usually post race interviews are based on pit stall coverage. Cover the pit during the race and do the interview after.

Anonymous said...

How ironic. Marty Reid talking to Paul Paige.....

Sophia said...

WOW. look at the crowd...claustrophobic just looking at them.

Again darn SHAME camera work did not match the great work from the booth.

bevo said...

Nothing says X Games like Paul Page :)

The Loose Wheel said...

Im with bevo. Im tired of the "fake" voices happy running 2nd. They know they aren't when they do. Maybe if you've run 20th for the last 5 years straight you'd be happy with 2nd but then again it would probably explain why they ran 20th the last 5 years straight. If you arent going in with the mindset that your there to win, you dont need to be in the seat IMHO.

How about McDowell in that 26?! Impressed the heck out of me!

Bires...man that was nice to see after all the stuff he's had to go through S&P'ing that #10

Daly Planet Editor said...

Nice to see the good post-race. Solid pit reporters make such a difference.

Not one "feelings" question.

brad said...

In my opinion you can be upset about not winning without being a jack@#$. Nobody says Kyle needs to be happy about finishing 2nd. Show a little class for your sponsor and more importantlly the team that works on that car every week.

Anonymous said...

Paul wasn't fired and replaced with Marty on the Indycar series if I recall. There was someone in between, Todd Harris I think? Still strange to see that duo on a split-screen.

JD you probably remember.

The Loose Wheel said...

Its a process with Kyle. You can't expect an overnight turnaround.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Thanks everyone, Truck race is up next on SPEED! Appreciate all of you dropping by!

The Loose Wheel said...

Sorry Bruton...me thinks Kentucky Speedway might be waiting a bit longer for a Cup event.

Granted the folks who built this track admitted they DONT expect a Cup race ever.

Sophia said...

I agree about petulant KB being back. It's possible to show great disappointment at coming in 2nd w/o acting like your are so superior to everybody else.

especially when I knew the fake stuff coming out of his mouth last week was temporary.
You don't have to be happy about losing but put on your big boy undies and get over yourself.

PammH said...

Love Marty calling Kryle out on being dumpy in his interview. I understand he wants to win..show some CLASS and act like you had fun, geeze.

Sophia said...

re: IRL

Is Todd that guy that had the annoying shrill voice that always sounded like he was yelling. He drove this house crazy...glad he is gone.

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