What a wild Wednesday for both NASCAR fans and TV viewers. ESPN2 is offering coverage of the NASCAR trip to the White House while SPEED is offering a doubleheader from one of the best tracks on the circuit.
It will be a special time of 4:30PM when Nicole Manske leads ESPN2 onto the air with a special one-hour White House edition of NASCAR Now. A large group of NASCAR drivers and personalities are going to be meeting the President and getting the tour.
Dale Jarrett, Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty will be participating while Marty Smith gets stuck reporting on the festivities. The President seems to be very sports-minded and it should be interesting to see the interaction with the group.
Update: Thanks to ESPN for the information that Manske and Daugherty will speak with the President live on NASCAR Now.
TDP will live blog this event for those of you who would like to express opinions and offer comments on the show. There have been several high-profile specials done by NASCAR Now over the past three seasons. Some have been wonderful and several have been disasters. This series has come a very long way and there is little doubt that ESPN will have things buttoned-up for this show.
Once everybody calms down, it will be time to go racing. SPEED made a great decision to carry the Whelen Modified race from Bristol, TN at 7PM ET. Even better news is that NASCAR on Fox's Mike Joy and Dick Berggren will call the race with Bob Dillner down on pit road. This is a very historic series with great action and colorful personalities. It should be fun to watch.
At 8PM, Krista Voda starts the Camping World Truck Series coverage with the pre-race show. This week, Voda will focus on Ron Hornaday and his challenge to continue his winning ways in the series. Crew chief Rick Ren will be featured as well. Voda will also follow up on the popular Johnny Benson and how he is doing after a tough wreck in a Supermodified car a while back.
At 8:30PM, the trucks take to the track for what should be a fascinating race. Rick Allen, Phil Parsons and Michael Waltrip will call the action. Down on pit road will be Adam Alexander and Ray Dunlap. A group of very diverse drivers have entered:
Max Papis is there in a special one-off Geico truck.
Short track aces Dennis Setzer and Butch Miller are entered.
TV favorite Kenny Schrader makes an appearance for Federated Auto Parts.
Kyle Busch is back in the Miccosukee truck for Billy Ballew.
Ryan Newman is driving for DeLana Harvick with Pringles as a sponsor.
Former Cup drivers Johnny Sauter and Aric Almirola are entered.
Brad Keselowski is driving a Chevy truck he owns with no sponsor listed.
SPEED's Hermie Sadler is driving a Victory Junction Gang sponsored truck.
Former ESPN announcer Stacy Compton is running and is very good at Bristol.
All in all, Wednesday has the potential to be a great day of NASCAR TV. TDP will be live blogging NASCAR Now at 4:30 and then the live races beginning at 7PM ET. Please join us if you would like to comment on the TV coverage.
We always invite you to comment on the topics discussed above. Just click on the comments button below to add your TV-related opinion. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
52 comments:
Trucks are great at Bristol. I actually love it when they get into a bumper-to-bumper single file line and the only way to move ahead is to shove. Really fun racing.
Can't wait for the Bristol action. It's great to have some Wednesday night racing.
There is no way in you know what I'm watching the White House stuff, although I guess it's only fair to compliment ESPN for showing it.
I haven't seen what drivers are going. Guess I'll find out tomorrow but that could have been posted except maybe for security reasons they couldn't.
Once again ESPN in my opinion is on the ball. Great move to cover the White House event. I dont get it but i cannot view the modified race on Speed. They are showing pimp my ride and pinks. Is it because i live in NY? I dont get why all those drivers are going to DC. They should just send Hendrick Motorsports (Except JR cause he is a joke) to represent NASCAR. they are the class of the field
Happy to have your comments about the TV programs coming up this week.
TDP has a long standing policy of not being involved in national politics or political debates.
I would appreciate if that could be kept in mind when posting. Why get a comment deleted over just one sentence or thought? We would like to hear from you on the topics contained in the column.
Thanks.
JD
dupontfan,
You are looking at the SPEED schedule for Thursday night. Both races are on Wednesday.
There is no blackout of any kind and it should be a good night if the weather cooperates.
JD
This truck race definitely has driver appeal. I am looking forward to watching it. I always enjoy the truck races where some of the cup guys are in them - especially Kyle Busch.
got your deleting fix in for the night JD? ;)
always love that midweek mayhem the trucks put on at the worlds fastest half mile. and ive never seen a mod race on tv or in person, should be fun to watch for the first time, ive heard good things aobut that series
JD,
Is there any chance ESPN will repeat the "White House" program?
I'll be at work since it will be 10:30 AM here.
At least, I'll be able to sneak peeks at TDP.
Makiki
Honolulu
Vicky D, here are the drivers, according to NASCAR's press release: "Joining Johnson for the celebration will be members of the 2008 Chase field: Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart. Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth cannot attend due to schedule conflicts.
Past champions and special guests in attendance will be: Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Juan Montoya, Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip."
Should be some good sound bites for ESPN out of this group.
I'm looking forward to NASCAR Now at the White House. It has to be a thrill regardless of politics.
As for Bristol, I hate to be a wet blanket, but Mother Nature may have something to say about the racing. *sigh*
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
JD I have a feeling you're gonna set a new record high with your "This post has been removed by a blog administrator" on todays post!
I'm really looking forward to the Modifieds at Bristol. I grew up watching them at Bowman-Gray stadium in Winston-Salem. Should be a good show. Especially with Joy and Berggren calling the action. To bad Jimmy Spencer can't fit in a modified any more!
Makiki,
I emailed ESPN about it. In the original schedules there was no re-air, so I asked if they were going to add one. Should get a response shortly.
The J,
Politics is a hot topic right now. There are plenty of Internet sites for that topic, just not mine.
Fran,
Come on with that weather outlook! After Sunday at MIS, I am starting to get PTSD when it rains!
(look that one up....)
JD
They'll be showing the modified race on a 45-minute delayed basis. However, there's a good chance for showers tomorrow afternoon....so that could lead to some interesting television decisions. Hopefully it won't damper the television coverage for the modifieds.
Hey, JD, don't shoot the messenger. LOL
I'm just reporting what NOAA is saying. Worse luck.
TRL...unfortunately it will probably rain on the Truck race. We are leaving Thursday for the IRL race in Sonoma. So, I am sure the rain delayed race will run while we are traveling...LOL! We were traveling on Pocono & Watkins Glen Monday's. So, I have totally brought on the rain jinx!!
Love the trucks. Speed is great about reairs, so if I miss a rain delay race hopefully I can catch it later.
YAY! Schrader! Not counting on it but would love Schrader time :). Schrader is always adorable. I think it was either 2K2 or 2K3, Schrader, Happy, DW and Mr. Petree were in a M'ville race together. That was a fun broadcast! Maybe it was 2K3 because I think it was the Spring race and in 2K2 is when Happy and Coy Gibbs weren't playing nicely together so Herman got to fill in for the Cup race :)
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO rain :(
Look forward to reading everyone's comments on the NN show. And hopefully have some break to get some racin' in :(
I would note for those unfamiliar with the Modifieds and their regular venues, Mike Joy was once the public address announcer at three hotbeds of modified racing - Thompson, CT, Stafford, CT and Riverside, MA
Thompson and Stafford continue to operate. Riverside met its demise when the theme park it was on the property of became part of the Six Flags empire.
Anon 11:38PM,
Small world. For being on the Safety Patrol at St. Justin's School in Hartford, CT my 8th grade reward was an outing to Riverside Park.
Saw the track for the first time. Redefines bullring. Really helps to understand why those NE guys race so tough.
Hope the Mods put on a great show.
JD
Well not to add to the buzzkill but weather is iffy.
ANYTIME you have dewpoints in the 70's and such high heat, rain/pop up showers are always a possibility (thus I was not surprised it rained at MIS and wondered, what weatherman guaranteed none!)
The last couple of days in Ohio, you talk to somebody 10 minutes away as the crow flies and it's raining to beat the band. Sunny skies here.
I wonder what the record is for rain delayed seasons? sigh.
Culo - the 2007 chase drivers went to the White House. Now the 2008 Chase drivers are going, albeit a little late but it was an election year with lots going on in DC. Dale EArnhardt Jr was a 2008 Chase Driver. I just don't understand the nasty Jr haters. He was a chase driver just like the other 11 and deserves to be there just like the rest.
Glad to see Mike Joy and Dr. D will be calling the modified race. Those two know that division and its drivers. Good move by Speed.
Thanks for the reminder about the truck race, I forgot that it is on Wednesday night, so I'm really looking forward to it (hoping that it doesn't rain. I'm suffering a little PTSD myself! LOL
I've got the DVR set to tape the WH deal. I can FF through the parts that don't interest me.
Can I just mention, Ryan and Marty's Tweets are funny, especially Ryan's...
I hope NASCAR Now's coverage lives up to the hype...I'm leaving work early to catch it, and I was going to make some popcorn & all for later...but I'm afraid this morning's Bristol weather report hasn't changed:
Tonight: Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Storms more numerous this evening. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Now if it's a quick storm, as someone mentioned, at least Bristol dries quickly. Not my favorite place to race, but I'm looking forward to Ryan's quad this weekend, but I hope they don't make it the 'scripted' story of the week...
Hey, I was in the safety patrol and never got a cool treat like that! Bummer...
It's about time SPEED showed some interest in racing by showing the modified race. Mike Joy and Dr. Dick doing the race is a great idea. If only they would , and I hate to be negative, replace M. Waltrip on the truck race with someone who doesn't talk over others and who would give some good commentary about the race, instead of babbling way too much. He ruins the truck races and I really miss watching them, but I never do anymore because I cannot listen to him.
ESPN has updated that the afternoon version of NASCAR Now will not re-air. There was no room in the schedule for a late night airing.
Sorry for the deletions, mixed bag of politics, racism and driver comments. We are taking about the TV coverage this afternoon and tonight of NASCAR.
President Obama is expected to be live with Manske and Daugherty at about 5:05PM.
JD
This whole WH thing doesn't interest me... for it's a CHASE promo, and I dislike the chase.
Nothing to do with politics with me. :)
Regards to the weather forecast- One of my online contacts who is going to Bristol. She said rain in the forecast... so I guess I can back up everyone else on the outlook.
Whenever they get this truck race in, it should be a good one! I'll try to remember to get on here for the live blog, but again, it's Wednesday, and I'm usually doing other things.
maybe you need to make that line bigger...where it says "Where NASCAR Fans Talk TV All The Time", lol. But no, some people just want to argue about everything, all the time.
I don't get why it would be a big deal for ESPN to put some of these shows on the web...especially if they don't re-air.
It's raining over the speedway at the moment. Truck series final practice was taking place. Modifieds are scheduled to qualify at 3p.m. There's not a continuous line of showers, but a lot of spots of shower activity on the radar.
I enjoy the Truck short track races. The first 2-3 years of CT racing was on short tracks. That's where they belong. The modifieds provide very exciting racing. I wish they were televised more often. Like to see Speed do combo truck-modified races at Eastern and Mid Atlantic venues and maybe even Iowa.
Since I seldom check ESPN Classic, I am mystified about what compelling programming they have that would be better than a re-air of the first EESPN show from the White House.
Wow, we went to Atlantic City for our safety patrol trip. Got to see the famous diving horse! LOL
The trip to the track sounds like it was way more fun.
I'm not sure I understand the whole White House thing to begin with. The president should be working on more important things than a photo-op to promote The Chase, and I'm not sure what benefit the drivers get standing next to a president at odds with the politics of most NASCAR fans. Just seems weird.
Anon 3:35PM,
NASCAR goes to the WH almost every year. There are plenty of pics of President Bush with Jimmie Johnson and others.
This is just the first time with this new administration and a live TV program.
Should be interesting.
JD
Gina,
Riverside Park was a local amusement park. Kind of a theme park before there were theme parks.
We got to ride the rides and play lots of games and eat food our mothers told us to avoid.
All good 8th grade fun. The bus trip home...not too much fun!
JD
OK, new post is up for the NASCAR Now show from The White House.
No, I know the tradition of going to see the president. But if Obama said "I'm busy with the economyhealthcarenorthkoreamiddleeastforeignrelations" -- would NASCAR be any worse off? And if NASCAR said, "You know, appearing next to Obama is not the kind of promotion we need right now." Would NASCAR be any worse off?
I just think cooler heads should prevail. I don't think NASCAR gets any good pick up out of this, and I think it's a chance for people who dislike Obama and point and say "see, he's hanging out with sports guys instead of working."
Bad move.
@Richard--but how are the folks going to watch their boxing from 2000 years ago and Old School American Gladiators :p
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