The track is very happy that the Saturday night race is a sellout. One hundred and sixty thousand NASCAR fans are going to be making some noise as the Sprint Cup Series action unfolds.
ESPN has a one-hour pre-race version of NASCAR Countdown scheduled at 6:30PM. Allen Bestwick will be in the Infield Pit Studio with Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty. These programs have proven to be hit-or-miss this season. Bestwick has the goods to define priorities and host good conversations, but often the production team has other ideas.
This week, the drivers were asked by the speedway to pick a song that will be used during driver intros. Click here to see the full list courtesy of our friend and veteran reporter Dustin Long. Unfortunately, ESPN will not be able to show this because the network has to pay rights fees every time popular music is used on national TV.
Once the action gets underway it will be Jerry Punch calling the play-by-play. Friday night was rough for Punch who struggled with everything from accidents to updating teams outside the top five. This event is extremely fast-paced and the challenge for the on-air TV team never ends. Even under caution, there is a lot of information that fans are looking forward to having updated.
Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree will once again be alongside of Punch. These two have been polite and enjoyable, but tonight face a new challenge. Once Punch fades, it will be Jarrett who slides over into calling the race while Petree will provide the strategy updates.
It is impossible to insert Tim Brewer from the Tech Garage full-screen under green flag racing because the laps are so quick. Look for ESPN to present Brewer in a two video box effect. Hopefully, he will be put in the smaller size box so fans can continue to enjoy the action while Brewer talks tech.
The aerial views and high camera shots of this track at night are spectacular. On Friday night, ESPN chose to bypass the opportunity to use this video as bumpers into and out of commercial break. Perhaps, seeing as this event is a sellout, TV viewers will get to see one of the most unique sports venues in the nation tonight for more than just a couple of seconds.
The excessive use of in-car cameras live during the race ruined the Friday night Nationwide Series telecast. Bristol is so steeply banked and the laps are so fast that live in-cars just jar the TV viewer and completely lose any perspective that had been established. Where the in-cars have a value is on replays, especially with the use of the audio recorded during incidents. See if there is a shift tonight.
"Headlights, not tailpipes" was the motto used by the TV networks that have telecast racing from BMS over the years. The ultimate challenge is to continue to cut cameras and stay ahead of the action. TV viewers should be seeing the front of the cars coming at them, not the rear ends of the cars racing away.
There is no doubt that tempers may be tight tonight, especially with drivers who are forced out of the race due to incidents on the track. The ESPN pit reporting team of Jamie Little, Shannon Spake, Vince Welch and Dave Burns will be right in the middle of the action.
There is tremendous potential tonight for an outstanding TV broadcast. The fans, the track and the teams are all in place. It would be a great time for ESPN to deliver a telecast that could set the network up for the Chase for the Championship to come.
This post will serve to host your comments on the ESPN Sprint Cup Series telecast from Bristol, TN. 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 for taking time out of your Saturday night to join us at The Daly Planet.
674 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 600 of 674 Newer› Newest»Getting paid for this assessment. "something happened there. don't know if a tire went down there or not or if something broke but something happened there." Is it me or is Andy off his game the last 3 weeks?
I heard SEVERAL MINUTES AGO on PRN yes Denny H & J Gordon bumped fenders...Gordon's car was handling like hell ever since..that was several comments ago..TV just now saying it happened??
I really have a hard time thinking this is going to be the last pit stop.
With the cautions we will have at the end I bet somebody makes it from here
Anyone thought about trying to get some attention from the ESPN Ombudsman? Could also include the different standards for different series, no side by side in NASCAR
Looks like damage on the 24 car to me from Hamlin. Now they are falling back through the field like a rock! Geez, plus I have to put up with ESPN showing me in car or low level shots at a small track. Yech.
I am confused ESPN is just NOW mentioning the Hamlin and Gordon incident..that had to be a while back! sheesh...I thought it was before I took a music siesta but I could be wrong.
Swiss Cheese brain. THEY DID BUMP earlier in the race and Gordon had body damages and got real loose afterwards
have i mentioned recently how much i hate full throttle?
Full CRAP! I hate this feature.
lol From the ESPN broadcast crew---you can see how loose jeff was, look at this tire what does it tell you in the booth? that he had a tire rub.
So, they are going to take a race from Atl? And leave 2 at Pocono? What idiot thought up that plan?
where are all these big media people at. Aren't they noticing espn's horrible nascar coverage too? or are they ristricted from saying something?
"hammer the throttle" seems to be dr punch's new favorite expression.
You know, I'm really starting to miss FOX. If they would lose Digger (or at least relegate him back to 2D status) and start acting more like they do on Speed, it would be good again. And even with those aspects, it's still better camera angles and far more exciting than this dreck.
Gina, different owners. Bruton Smith wants a race in Kentucky and he will probably give up an Atlanta date to do it if things work out.
That was Kenny Wallace info on Twitter, nothing else yet.
gina, bruton wants a race at kentucky, he HAS to take it from an SMI track. pocono won't give a date to Bruton. thus why atl would lose a date and not a track like pocono.
sophia, they showed it when it "happened" but there was never contact between them. not from the clip they aired anyways. denny's left front was clean which says no contact.
JD, jaysi had a blurb saying 2011. no real changes for next year aside from dover and michigan getting shuffled some due to the way the weekends fall next year
@red -- I'll bet he says Mark Martin is 50 at least 10 more times before the end of the race.
It's like Punch has a tape recorder inside and someone just spools up phrases as needed (or not
Jenna Fryer had a post on twitter that went like this
"somewhere out of tv sight there is a battle for the lead"
she writes for AP but I don't think her supers would let that story go across the wire.
Fox had HORRIBLE in car cams problems folks remember. They totally screwed up Dega something fierce!
Clint B thinks he has a rt rear tire going down
petree notices "we haven't said alot about him. . ." in re: newman's presence in the top 10.
yeah, andy, we know. actually, you haven't said ANYTHING about him until now.
Marcos losing handling on his car...
Mikey and Jr scrapping for 13th..Jr got the spot then Mikey tapped Jr HARD and wriggled him around! wow...
per PRN...Jr maintains
It's called "over-directing." You have to know when to use the bells and whistles.
Fox struggles because the director is a stick and ball guy.
TNT was awesome from that standpoint.
Now, ESPN has decided they are going to emphasize the in-car cameras despite the track or the effect on the TV viewers.
Just a situation that needs change.
Gina - It sucks, in historical terms, but the race has to come from an SMI track. They obviously won't take one from Bristol or Charlotte, and Sonoma & Las Vegas only have one race each, leaving Atlanta, Loudon, and Texas. Of the three, Bruton will never move a race from Texas after fighting so hard to get two there, and Loudon tends to sell out races, or at least sell more tickets than Atlanta has in the past few years. It's unfortunate, yes, but Atlanta really is the only option.
David
Trust me about an hour ago or so Denny and Jeff HIT cause the guys on radio went nuts briefly over damage as Jeff complained immediately it effected his handling.
Can't speak for what BSPN tried to "Manufacture" just now for their tv script.
If Tony was on Ryan's frequency, wouldn't Ryan have heard him? Late question I know.
"what a struggle tonight for our points leader tonight; he's shown two laps down . . ." but we're not gonna tell you what happened.
it's no wonder we multitask.
Robby G to the garage. What happened to him?
great question DOT
great point RED
Dot I thought the same thing but it seems Ryan's group would have heard Tony. Puzzling
sophia, if they hit, ESPN never had a clip of it. just saying the one they had shown was one with no contact
Dale Jr is 10th. i can live with a top 10
The reason Jenna and others won't officially criticize ESPN is professional courtesy. Don't want to open the flood gates. Same thing from the hosts on Sirius, fans can call in but they won't say anything themselves.
BTW I've noticed a lack of a certain blogger on Sirius lately ;)
So, 100 laps to go. Think this coverage is bringing new fans to the sport? Exciting? Interesting? Fun to watch?
Wonder if Smoke accidentally reset his radio to a frequency no-one was using?
bevo, you got that right. No further comment.
Good point Bevo. JD when are you gonna grace us on Speedway again???
sorry JD I was typing when you posted.
I just lost PRN, tech difficulties.
By the way MRN is much better coverage that PRN. I had not listened to radio much until my doctor advised me to quit listening to Dr. Punch.
PRN says it is raining
What! I just lost radio sound.
..went to commercial...must've lost the feed from Bristol...hope it gets fixed soon
Dot
YES earlier Ryan was the only one who could hear Tony as I heard it explained on radio..but PRN did not GIVE as many specifics for the issue..thus you and I can think of more questions. Hope to read the complete deal after this race. They just said Tony lost lots of time for radio changes only to THEN figure out it was the wrong frequency
Tony needs to guest on TWIN.
Raining!!
Rain on the back stretch now.
PRN just came back but PRN guys can't see the rain but others do.>Spotters?
drivers saying rain?
I'm not a violent person. But, I really would like to punch the two yokels in the Golden Corral commercial in the face. Maybe that would be a problem.
Frank in Sebring
well someone needs to get back on Speedway
brad, every heard the expression when hell freezes over?
JG says it's raining...
@ Dot & Trish TS told RN good luck and tried to change channels back to his frequency and he said he "got behind" Also they have hand signals for these type of problems. Darian was telling Tony to hit the roof for loose, touch the A post for tight, but Tony said he almost broke his left hand hitting the roof to tell Darian he was tight. Guess they need to work on the hand signals. Oh, Tony couldn't hear anyone since he was on the wrong frequency. He even said it was all his fault.
Let's hope Allen Bestwick is still awake in the infield.
now all see the rain....
this is such a long race.
raindrops keep falling on my head at least if it's a quickie it takes a minute to dry Bristol
Didn't mean to hit a sore spot. I'll blame it on Bevo. Although I did enjoy your segments.
Gymmie
not sure I have seen the word quickie used for rain. :)
PRN said sending it back to local stations..they mean for a batch of commercials or until rain stops? Confused?
LOL! Yes we don't get many quickie rain showers. Here sometimes we'll get one that lasts 30-60 minutes and it's annoying because you get your gear out and it's OVER!
Actually, this is going pretty quick for a Bristol race....at least the OLD Bristol. I always felt lucky to have it end by midnight and could get on the road to the motel.
Bad pit stop for JJ. I think his hopes for winning tonight are gone
ok only caught the last part of it but I've never seen this shaving commercial with Logano?
Sheesh...he has to shave?
hey wickedj: i can certainly live with a top 10 but would it be too greedy to hope for a top 5? he was turning the fastest times on the track for a while there.
@jd: to answer your question at 10:06: i have 4 words for you: hell. to. the. no.
We've been having these quickie showers around here all summer. The tracks dries fast being short and steep. There is no danger of it being called for rain.
I don't think Logano has to shave or watch his weight.
@Brad- thanks for throwing me under the bus :)
About now I would imagine that there are lots of 'new fans' wondering why people get so stoked about racing at Bristol. Watching on TV you sure don't get any reason to think this is a premiere race.
pesky mist...barely raining so no jet dryers are out..just cars going around to keep it away.
Is this where DW's vortex theory comes into play?:)
Dale Jr fading late in races...tonight he's moving forward..but STILL no details what his deal has been all night.
I remember back in the day when they focused too much on Jr...then again, the boy needs a break but I would like to know what the deal has been for this race since they alluded to it.
Maybe BSPN will fill us in.
(giggles!)
p.s. PRN says getting ready to go back to gree
must be BEHIND tv my bad
Sorry Bevo! I'll take the next one. he he
MORE RAIN on the way and drivers have been told to hustle!
more rain possibly on the way
Let's just say there may be some very different things coming next year. That's all for now.
Whaaaaa... vs. being credited credited with unofficially leading a lap?
a wreck is imminent
WOW Kurt bush, clint bowyer harvick rats
Jr up to 6th! Oh No! Poor Kevin. Can't buy a break!
Accident and cut to a close camera? Why?
will Harvicks nightmare ever end??
what the heck was hornish doing there?
Man jerry punch is just plain terrible.I mean look at 3wide and a complete silence from him. am just imaging how the radio announcers were calling that.
Had to be Harvick on the short stick. He doesn't need this.
JD. if big changes are coming next year what good does that do this year?
Hornish losing it late in the race.
Again, in car cameras totally blow shwoing what actually happened.
The ESPN team had NO idea what happened to Harvick.
@Sophia--I was thinking the same thing when I saw JoLo in that commercial
@Brad--not until Homestead is over :( He can't win for losing this season
@Brad- yes... when they make the announcement that he's signed with Stewart-Haas ;)
That would be where I am concerned David.
No clue to what NASCAR is going to do in post season meetings.
But, I will hear about it.
Editor, what do you mean there may be some very different things coming next year? You mean with the broadcast? You gonna have something to do with it?
PRN voices went up half an octave on that wreck.
uh oh..Tony stalled?
harvick has had helluva year:(
Really not the 77's fault that the RCR boys can not play well together
Steve.... why not? No reason for the doofus director to change now...
So are you saying your in some hot water with the powers that be or is a certain network in the hot water?
Is this the largest track on the circuit? How could they miss the stuff that took place up where Harvick was at? I can't believe there wasn't a camera that didn't catch that.
Does someone write that crap? We're racing "Bristol Style". what does that mean? And I'm seeing a camera shot from the ground. eck
Talk about a total lack of useful information...ESPN has set a new 'standard' tonight for incompetence.
No way to enjoy watching a race on this station. This is painful! No excitement or anything.
@ JD, why do you tease us so?
Didn't mean to open that can of worms JD.
Good grief, Harvick can't catch a break! And neither can ESPN catch a clue on how to show and call a wreck. Cutting from a wide to a tight camera angle and having no idea what happened to Harvick?
now Tony has electrical problem...car keeps cutting out..and silent again on pit road.
Night from hell for Tony
SEE Kyle Busch.
harvick has had HORRIBLE season but knows how to have grace
Nice job of smacking RC Happy!
You know, I'm not thrilled with JP as a PxP guy, but I can't say I miss the Fox booth, either. They have the opposite problem for me...they are always on hyper drive, and never chill it out. I get worn out being yelled at all race long. With ESPN they have the opposite problem. TNT seems to be the only network that can strike a balance.
No problem Brad, bevo was just asking why my radio appearances stopped on Sirius.
I am now regularly on the Rowdy.com podcast and will continue to be for the rest of the season.
Nothing to do with the TV networks or NASCAR at all. They are all locked in long term contracts with the current radio and Internet partners.
I enjoy the fan interaction on both the Internet and Twitter.
If ESPN keeps this up for the next couple of races, NASCAR is not going to be able to avoid doing something. What...is their problem.
I missed the RC comment from kevin? What was it..was trying to listen to PRN and TV same time (no can do)
More rain on the way, five to 10 minutes away.
--KarenB
Fox covering NASCAR races - no problem
TNT covering NASCAR races - no problem
ESPN covering NASCAR races - PROBLEM!!!
ESPN seems to have a day late, dollar short mentality. They're so late on reporting things going on in the race. Like the situation with Stewart. They should've explained that before the commercial break.
JD, what day or days are you on Rowdy?
@ Haus
LMAO!
That's funny. You watch too many commercials...
--KarenB
hey wickedj: look here! see where the 88 is right now?
Wow, what a break for Montoya!
LMAO @Haus
@KBASKINS, I watch so many commercials because I am watching the race on ESPN.
A post-race show actually at the end of a race. What a novel concept. SPEED needs to get their heads out of their backsides and follow ESPN's lead with NASCAR Now tonight.
@ Haus14, you're killing me.
Jr is dropping F bombs. hes PO'd at Marcos
&^$%#^@^ the Weed leads?
he is like Poison Ivy.
@ Haus
Oh snap! And he zings ESPN *again*.
You're the most entertaining thing happening during this race. It's certainly not the action as broadcast by ESPN.
--KarenB
Haus... ba-dum-bum....
I wish someone could just post me a link to a free prn radio.
Thanks for the info about Atl, JD. I forgot that Bruton is all hot and bothered to get a race for Ky. And NASCAR, in its infinite wisdom, would rather have a race move from a track where the racing is good, then change the schedule up so it makes sense. Actually, no offense to the folks in Atl, but I'd rather see them lose a race than Martinsville.
Sorry, Red, i stopped paying attention to this tab lol
ESPN has to have NASCAR now tonight so that the fans can find out what actually happened during the race! They sure wouldn't know if they only watched the race on ESPN.
Anon, if you would tell your co-workers at ESPN, I would appreciate it.
Go ahead JD, it is ok if you delete this.
hornish behind the wall needs new radiator
How many times has that "no problem" commecial been shown tonight?
@ anon 10:38
On my initial quick scan, I read that as "free porn radio".
*sigh* I need new glasses.
--KarenB
ROFL@Junior regarding the Hornish wreck "That didnt look fun at all"
Also, his temps are "f-ing 240". and Lance says "i dont care if the sumb-ch runs 300. stop looking at the d-n gauges"
Maybe Marcos, up there behind Vile kyle will punt him aside for us!
Happy's comment...things happen when you run "In the middle of the pack"
Why does PRN say there's "WEATHER" in the area. We always have WEATHER...just call it rain....
JPM major issues...not up to speed dropped 25 spots...wah
Juablo didn't pit? That yellow was a gift. Is the BSPN director working his pit box?
That bites for JPM. Flat tire, keep digging???
Heavier rain on the way ...not far out either
If this race would stay green, we could have an outstanding finish with the leaders trying to get through lapped traffic.
Yuck the Shrub, but he was a bit nicer last night after being punted
omg battle for lead and commercial?
Yippie...a commerical with 28 to go!!!!!!!! You ROCK ESPN!!!!!!
That was 42 cc bad call.
PRN all over the battle for the lead. What are we seeing on the TV? Bowyer and Johnson duking it out for 8th.
Ouch!
thanks, folks, you're all right about the SMI situation. I was just thinking with my heart and about how good the racing is at Atlanta and how it would be nice if that would be a factor!
LOL silly me!
Oh yeah and how many times are they going to run the rusty wallace commercial? Is that a public service announcement or what?
DirecTV, i hate you. got the volume turned up for the race then it cuts to a direcTV commerical and its blaring loud
PRN says the crowd is on its feet urging Mark to pass Shrub and ESPN is in commercial, again
Two races now that the points leader hasn't done well. Visions of Kyle last season.
Caution
another caution
somebody on fire? Truex Jr?
I have it! ESPN's goal is to convince us that nothing ever actually happens on the track at all! The results are simply a large gentleman's agreement between the drivers.
@wickedj: i think lance is getting the hang of dealing w/dale: "stop looking at the d**n gauges" indeed!
yellow is out
Just what Jr needs--someone not taking his crap and telling him to shut up and drive.
PRN went to commercial..another caution...I can NOT multi task AND TYPE.
how the hell does Patrick do it....sigh
I'm getting the sense we're getting 2 commercial breaks thrown into 1 right now.
Did we seriously just go to commercial with 30 laps left at Bristol while the race was under green? G
"lot of traffic on the race track..." Ya think?
If JP gets any more excited about a caution during commercial break, they might have to embalm him
Jr runs better when he has someone to cuss & fuss with.
Jr. sounds like he is talking to his daddy when he is talking to Lance. Jr. just came on the radio and said, "I am trying, I promise."
I thought they said fire...OBVIOUSLY I mis heard or something.
I am tired...sheesh
this race feels like it's lasted for DAYS
Ok....did Truex have a tire go down on it's own, or did he have contact from someone?
Andy Petree was ready to call the battle for the lead a 2 car battle & go home. Well we have another DFR & anyone can still win. Come on!
Mark Martin is 50? Wow! Who knew?
--KarenB
The 50 yr old, driving his heart out. Good grief.
Another commercial break?? Good thing we're under caution! Otherwise I don't know where they'd have stuck this commercial break in.
reutimann lost 5 places..had to come in for loose lug nuts
MikeC.... Now why on earth would we want to know something like that.....
ESPN takes these breaks whenever the booth runs out of things to say.
Sad.
now PRN are talking baseball?? not amused...get back to the race.
Truex is ok
Sophia, I think confused fire with tire.
sheet metal PAPER THIN from Martin's wreck...sigh..gotta clean it all up
Anon 10:49.... so that explains it.... Tons of commercials tonight..
Diet Mnt Dew commercial a little strange!
there was the magic announcement. Top 3 interviews and off to sportscenter. we hope you enjoyed. What a joke!
50 year old MM runs his heart out...24 year old shrub just trying his best.....JP you are a beauty!
TIRE I thought they said Fire...I thought Martin hit the wall but don't know if he did it on his own or if the TIRE not Fire caused it.
I have a headache.
I just realized I ate no dinner..had one light beer and some brownies just a bit ago...need protein. :-)
beginning to rain again
Haus, yep.
Hard to hear on PRN
my excuse ;-)
I don't think Martin has a chance....too many yellows.
Waltrip & Bowyer, oh the irony.
I can honestly say I have no idea whatsoever what is going on in this race.
55 hits the 00...life is good!!!!! Then helps wreck his good buddy 33...this is great!!!!
I see more radio chatter from Bowyer re: Waltrip in our future...
--KarenB
Great. Green-White-Checker at Bristol. This will NOT end well.
CRAP..Mikey around...that sucks...Clint B..UH OH!!!
MIKEY TORN UP. SUCKS he did so well tonight.
Wonder what Clint is saying now....
wreck plus rain.
go shrubby!
Poor Mikey :( He was doing so well
Great... will we get to hear another critique of Michael Waltrip by Clint?
Sophia, throw some peanut butter on another brownie.
Logano hit bowyer...wow..Mikey ok..he looks banged up
JD, you're on the Rowdy podcast! How did I miss that one? I'll have to start uploading it again to my little nano so I cna listen to what you have to say.
You don't think NASCAR can continue to ignore things? Ha, they are a herd of ostrich! They can keep their heads in the sand until even more fans drop off.
Oooh, not a Mikey fan, but he had a good car all night. that is a shame.
Raining Now??
Poor Mikey was doing so well tonight til he got into his 00 car. Bet we'll hear all about it Monday.
Ambrose behind Kyle on the restart? That could be interesting.
Dot - Spot on with the irony
Trish in NC
LOL at peanut butter comment. :-)
well the replay sayd Logano wrecked Clint Band CLINT hit mikey...so...interesting.
but HATE seeing that for Mikey...This Bristol has had lots of crashes and wrecks.ouch
I am listening to PRN and not Jamie
Points, chase, points, chase.
Over & over!
Gee, let's just watch a race.
JD - do you think the producer of this broadcast (I use the term loosely) told the booth guys to update the points every chance they get! It's really out of hand though I am sick and tired of it.
PRN saying that rain might have caused that wreck
I am surprised we haven't gone to commercial yet
Actually interviewing Frank Kerr
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