From the first race in Daytona we have now arrived at the final Sprint Cup Series race before the playoffs begin. This is a huge night for the NASCAR on ESPN production team. The tension in the TV compound, pictured above, is big.
Allen Bestwick will set the tone with the NASCAR Countdown pre-race show. There is a live college football game on ABC prior to the NASCAR telecast. Hopefully, things will happen as scheduled, but Bestwick is the best at dealing with live sports TV in a NASCAR setting.
This week it will be only Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty joining Bestwick in the Infield Pit Studio. Wallace continues to be outspoken and opinionated, while Daugherty has been put into the role of cheerleader and nothing more. The infield team is always good for a quick shot of enthusiasm during the event, but the three announcers upstairs are the ones really feeling the pressure.
There are going to be a lot of eyes on Jerry Punch, Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. Friday night, Jarrett appeared to be tired during the Nationwide Series race after a long day on the air. It was Petree who stepped up and took the lead during the telecast.
On this night, the atmosphere is going to be electric. Translating that level of excitement to the millions of TV viewers is the challenge for ESPN. Jerry Punch is the person who has been chosen to do just that and it is his third season in the play-by-play position. This telecast needs to work, it's that simple.
Jarrett has been the anchor in the booth for two "Backseat Driver" telecasts of Nationwide Series races that had no play-by-play announcer. While this concept was interesting, it has also resulted in Jarrett becoming unclear on his role. Sometimes, he jumps in and supplies the excitement when Punch has faded. On other races, he waits until he is asked a question to respond. Hopefully, both Petree and Jarrett will step-up and lead the way during this telecast.
On pit road will be Shannon Spake, Jamie Little, Dave Burns and Vince Welch. This group is going to be dealing with some emotional drivers and crew chiefs during the race. It should be interesting to watch this dynamic unfold.
On TV, Richmond is a challenge. Cutting cameras to stay ahead of the cars and let them race toward the camera makes all the difference. Getting behind leaves viewers watching cars racing away from them all night long. This is easy to do as the laps grind by. Richmond features great aerial shots, a super low camera on the backstretch and great pictures of glowing brake rotors.
The graphics tonight are either going to be informative or simply drive viewers crazy. Everyone knows the Chase is going to be set by this race, so the ESPN team has the challenge of deciding how many times that is going to be mentioned in the race.
Throw in a little rain delay and some extended caution flags and it could be a very long night.
This post is going to serve to host your comments about the Sprint Cup Series race from Richmond on ABC. 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 again for dropping by tonight.
702 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 702 Newer› Newest»36 is running all day from what i heard. the car is sponsored.
66 and 71 are start and park for sure
@Jojaye - Add "if you just joined our broadcast" in the drinking game.
@ red & sally, agreed.
Even the poor US Open got whacked by rain this weekend.
Imagine, no TV for one of the women's semi finals.
Anyone else getting the broadcast in Spanish on the HD channel? I flip to the non-HD channel and it's in English....
Hubby & his buds have the game going - last night hubby got drunk before 1/2 way on broke foot... LOL
They agreed not to use MM age. they have to walk to their apartments!
speeding penalty on Scott Speed.
Go to your SAP and change the HD over to English.
@David - About the #36, I think it's sad that just as the team gets a sponsor that will allow them to race, my man Carpentier decides to focus on his home builder business in Québec over NASCAR.
ya know what, jd? you are SO correct about the difference between the racing coming AT the camera vs the camera showing us the tails of the cars . . .
Page the Doctor:
Mike Bliss is in the #71, not David Gilliland
jerry...Denny's from *Chesterfield*, not Chesapeake...that was Ricky Rudd.
Doc Punch screwed up - Hamlin is from Chesterfield NOT Chesapeaque, VA
Is that Jr just bewhind Kryle?
And of course Jabber Jarrett Punch
Drunk and Andy couldnt even wait 1/2 a lap at the start of the race.
Started blabing and taking up space in the world. Have not stopped YET.
I really give up this time. There
is no hope whatsover. Good nite
click gone.*(**}
@sally: yep. the 88 is running in 8th place right now.
@MV - Andy & Carlos have agreed to add your suggestion & they wish you luck tonight! LOL
nice try JP ...Hamlin is from Chesterfield (a Richmond suburb) not Chesapeake (you were only 100 miles off on that one) ...pushing and shoving, get real JP, why not use Earnhardt's line - 'framming and bamming' ...even rubbin' is racin'
Ahhh....you should stay around. Kurt Busch is in the 2 car, Greg Biffle is in the 16 and Mark Martin is from Batesville, Arkansas.
Come on stick around!
that SAP thing happened to me once...thought I was going crazy...
I turned over to tennis earlier & they were showing Agassi...then I knew it was a rain delay, lol.
"If you just joined our coverage" #1
"If you just joined our coverage"... Everybody take a swig! :)
another "if you just joined our coverage"
time for a sip of coffee
Imagine, AB in the booth, JP in the studio...
it could work ESPN, if you'd let it
red, it is as fundamental as how to follow the ball in college hoops or how to go wide when the teams come to the line for a play in college football.
Fundamentals are lacking...
ONE MORE COMMENT ABOUT THE ANNOUNCERS ( And I know it will be
censored ) my comment is ..
CAN YOU PLEASE SHUT UP FOR ONE
LAP ??? GOOD NITE ...@@$
'in case you've just joined us?'
I'm gonna shampoo my hair and throw in a load of laundry and turn UP MRN while roommates gone.
back it a bit
Good thing tomorrow is Sunday an no one has to try working with the 'ESPN Tiviality' hangover!
In case you just joined us...at 8:24? 8:30 would make a little sense.
If you just joined our coverage, we're going to comml. Take a drink.
@Jojaye - I only drink Pepsi, I'll be really gassy when you guys have passed out drunk.
I still say the car sounds are too low on the broadcast. This is what the cars sound like when you're in the media center.
I know they have mics around the track attached to the fencing, but listening here on TV, you can hardly tell it's a car running 800 hp.
Sportscenter? Really? UGH!
Can someone explain why we need a Sports Center update when we are not on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS or ESPN Classic?
wth was that football crap during our race??? geez..
well that was interesting. Football update from Rece Davis, lol. I always think of Better than Ezra when I hear him...
p.s. that was the stupidest timing to say "in case you've just joined us" as they Go to commercial.
NOW I'm getting out of the recliner to turn up the radio ...
One of those cliches that gets over-used in broadcasting.....another one I hear a lot from broadcasters is "of course". Must be out of habit.
ree-gun? ray-gun? anyone know which way smith pronounces it?
Hope #78 Regan Smith's problems are not terminal... No DNF in his Cup career yet.
The same football game score that was on right before the race. Why?
hey, in fairness they showed RIR during the football game, even though nothing was happening. I didn't really have an issue with that.
the SC promo happens for college games on abc too so i wont rant about that.
we have bigger issues than that brief update. least it was split screen.
no parkers yet
ree-gun
Any S&Pers tonight?
believe it or not after the green flag was thrown it took until lap 14 for them to first mention the word "Chase".
@ red
It's ree-gun.
--KarenB
Did JP just say Kyle Busch has 3 wins, looking at getting his 4th? I thought he had 4 already.
blaney parks
@ red, Ree.
it's Ree-gan. They keep mixing it up.
thanks, david. another piece of trivia added to my brain.
(and thanks to everyone else as well!!)
bliss parks
#66 is at the back door of the garage. not sure what that meant over the official's channel. does anyone have a key?
#71 is in the garage too.
wow, dr punch sure sounded as if he was gonna throw to a commercial just then, didn't he?
There is a town about 20 minutes from me called - Blaney Park
71 &66 in the garage
Bliss off REgan is on the track but I guess we'll never know what happened
Regan's had a good year considering. He's from central NY, so I kind of follow him.
synchronized spinning! thought that was a specialty of the trucks!
Swing and a miss...first caution flag pit stop.
Jumior doesn't usually gain spots on pit road! Nice to hear Tony take the blame there.
kinda impressed the Dr. pointed out the 71 and 66 went the garage.
hey itsonlyrockandroll,
We were trying to get the TV networks to offer the natural sound only for those who wanted to listen to the radio or did not want to hear the announcers.
No such luck and it would be so easy to do.
At this time, Kyle is in the top-12 by 31 points over Kenseth.
Hey JD, thanks for trying on the sound. Great idea. Football has taken over my MRN station tonight so I am forced to listen to ABC
There is the backstretch low camera, see how you can take it before the cars come in and let them race right at you?
Need more of that, not this hopscotch.
i REALLY enjoy that overhead shot, tv truck gang! thank you.
Did you know Jimmie Johnson was a 3-time champion?
no power on the 78.
interesting radio to listen to.
regan saying battery cable or something seems unhooked. no lights on the tach, nothing.
Poor Ragan Smith. I'm surprised they even showed him since he isn't in the chase.
would that be the disaster drill? 78 that is
maybe someone's explained this before but why is it that the radio broadcast is significantly behind the tv?
power steering fluid all over the engine on the 78. behind the wall working on it.
red, from what i understand its the delay between the satellite transmission as well as the upload to n.com and such.
I've muted TV & listening to MRN do a full field rundown now.
thanks, david: makes sense.
Daly Planet Editor said...
Need more of that, not this hopscotch.
Come on JD, you know hopscotch was bumped off ESPN for the Spelling Bee Championship.
;)
JD -
No doubt that low backstretch camera is one of the best shots in NASCAR ...no other track offers that view ...almost like they're driving right into the room
I really like the part-time teams like the #78 that actually aren't in it for the S&P money.
Actually, had a ridiculous idea not too long ago. What if 2 or 3 of these part-timers like the Wood Bros and the #78 bunch were to "merge" and not run the same races. They might be in the top-35
alternator bad on the 78, changing it
missed restart here. Just a black Tv.
hey, three good cuts on first lap of restart - headlights not tailpipes ...like those transitions JD?
i can't believe my eyes...they're actually showing mid-pack, 3 wide racing....how refreshing
Yep, get ready for the "bubble battle."
ooohhhh! a "bubble battle"! now THERE'S a mental image.
Now the screen froze and got going, now froze again.
AP seems very animated this race.
Pass for the lead and we are watching in a small screen while we are watching battle for 13th in a slightly larger small screen
Walter, the idea was you went high and wide (using the high cams on the roof) on the restart so you could see the entire field.
Once things sorted out, you went low and let the field race into the picture.
Then, when things got strung out you finally went in-car if there was no racing going on.
Seems kind of simple but effective to me.
yep...just like u said
actually, i don't believe young mr busch used the "we" pronoun when discussing the rear-end housing decision. according to gluck, it was: ""Wrong decision on housing. I knew it. ...I can't turn or get run over."
HE knew it, not his car or crew chief . . .
got the mute on, so not sure why the focus on #14 for a while ...great call from Barney & Joe on MRN ...#24 & #11 - "look at them go for it, even though both are locked in the chase, they're getting with the program"
red, ive been saying if kyle misses this chase, mr. addington is going to probably be on the hot seat the rest of the year.
kyle hasn't done himself any favors this year at times but they have also had some really bad cars at times too. plus the whole debacle last year in the chase with the horrid performance all around.
I have reached my stat limit. Every time right before the commerical break, Jerry Punch spills out the stats.
78 back on track
And I've had it with the 'in-or-out' ers. I really don't care. They have just killed it with overkill...if you get my drift.
hey doc? it's not a "play off." wrong sport -- and i doubt there are a ton of non-nascar fans watching right now, ya know? you really can speak to us like nascar adults!
Full screen video package. Yippie!
arrghhh! talking head and NO shot of the track!!!
Will we get a 50-year old Mark Martin reference again?
If the race ended now...ARRRRGH!
"If the race ended now" #1 - cheers!
but the race ISN'T ending right now, doc! please don't use that faux stat all night . . .
Enough with the - "if the race ended now"
Jerry Punch spilling out the stats again.
So we are told by Dave that..Kyle
thinks that the team made a mistake
with the REAR END HOUSING .
But of course the Announcers fail
to tell us..what it means ?????
I give up.
We need a PCC. Past Champion Caution. Tony in line for LD.
How old is Mark Martin again?
I liked DJ's reaction to Punch saying "if the race were to end now".....LOL...it was as if DJ was saying "yeah, but the race isn't over"
Is Tech Ctr live tonight? I'm surprised that we didn't get a lesson on rear end housings.
Anyone seen Tim Brewer tonight in the race?
How about those recorded soundbites played back under green in the biggest race of the season?
Sweet, settling into sheer boredom while the radio guys are calling a great race through the pack.
Man...
There's Tony's debris caution.
There you go Dot
No TB sightings yet!
TA DA!!!!! Where's the debris?
Duuuuude.
Matt is trying to give away that 12th spot.
--KarenB
Is Jr in the 17? Good grief, how does that happen?
ESPN have taking their entire focus from the race itself in favor for the chase chase chase.
missed the restart
if it were anyone other than kenseth, it'd be even funnier to me than it is but . . . did ya' see the jackman for the 17 when his driver drove right past him?!? also loved the 55 guys: they looked as if they were ready to service whatever car came their way.
still, the wheels are coming off the 17 right now -- sad.
they just missed a restart
Gave up and muted TV. Luckily, my little radio station is broadcasting the race !!
I just hope I can keep the TV picture --- if the rain gets heavier, it may be radio only.
Missed the restart
missed the first 2 laps of the restart
This is falling downhill.
Did they miss the restart by a whole lap?... Or was that just TSN?
Jerry never mentioned we missed the restart.
Is it just me or did we miss the restart?
we need some excitement and someone to call the race!!!
did they hit that restart ...aerial overhead, wideshot and tight racing?
"If the race ended now" #2 - Everybody drink!
MattMatt is feeling the pressure he doesn't do that :(
And commercials while the GF went :sigh:
Houston local channel missed the restart.
And we're only 1/4 thru.
Ok I just got JP in mid word, did my local here screw up or did no one tell JP they were not back from commercial. Never saw that before but it's not my usual channel
They just missed almost 3 laps and they didn't say a word....
Weak.
wow, did they really just talk about mears for a second?
'if the race were to end right now' is as relevent as 'if money fell from the sky'
everyone missed the restart, they missed the first 2 laps of it MV
McDowell in the garage
nrf: espn blew the restart big time: loks as is they missed 2 laps while at commercial.
another one of dr T's "unforced errors."
OK, this is going to be horrible the rest of the way out unless DJ and Andy jump in.
Jerry is reporting everything he knows, cars on the bubble, mergers, news....
Mr Jerry Punch you are a boring play by play announcer
#36 McDowell is shown as "off". Is he parking?...
Ok..doing laundry and MUST say I LOVE these MRN guys...not familiar enough to name them all individually but what wonderful dulcet tones compared to the PRN dudes.
MRN is better than PRN...like comparing a Cadillac to a bicycle. :)
ENJOYING the radio and pictures were ok earlier when I happened to look at tv some a few wide shots for more than 10 seconds...(and made note of it in my diary!)
into a local break here in MI when green flag started. heard it on the radio & knew they'd missed at least a lap.
Is JD pine'n for his boy Alan to be in the booth again?
(amazing how the ratings have gone up 4 weeks in a row, someone out there must think its exciting)
Maybe the 17 did that to the 55 for payback for the last two stops
Too bad A.J. Allmendinger has been ignored all night even though he has been running in the top 10.
Anon, are you watching this race?
DJ and Andy are doing everything they can to help Punch.
How about the nice long silent periods?
Turn on the radio and then come back and talk...
Mike Nope Matt said it was his fault.
OT do they make maternity firesuits? Twins=bigger baby bump
Carrot Top? wow, creepy.
middle of the race blahs, but though tv pics miss radio fills in ok
nrf, due in January, great timing.
Stop it w/the ftball crap!!!
MV i think he has.
really? we're watching a 3-split w/a college band in one window, another screen showing an offensive or defensive unit leaving the field and oh yeah! a race in the third window!
really?
espn just does not get it.
okay, I'm into pageantry myself, but did they need to show the marching band, lol?
FYI, pageantry is marching band, drums corps, color guard, percussion.
Buschseries61,
ESPN is focusing on the chase boys only.AJ is running great and they are ignoring him. I told you, they have taken their entire focus from the race itself.
Mark Martin is 50 #3
Gulp.
Hey Mark Martin is 50
cuz we didn't know how old Mark is.
maybe you guys need to start drinking when they call it a "playoff system"?
@David - ESPN still says he's "off".
@JD - She'll be 7 months pregnant by season's end.
@MV: and that, by anyone's measure, is seriously pregnant! maybe she can borrow one of smoke's firesuits at homestead!
Sophia, MRN is Barney Hall and Joe Moore in the booth, Dave Moody and Mike Bagley calling action in the turns with Steve Post, Glenn Jarrett on pit road.
Don't know if Im missing anyone
My ABC feed keeps starting and stopping.
their radio is silent for McDowell
I didn't know Mark Martin was 50!
See how there is no rhythm? No feel? Just jumping around like a video game until the viewer is lost.
Yes JD 5 months and TWINS now, trust me Maternity firesuit
If it's a playoff, does that mean someone gets eliminated after each Chase race? LOL
And Mr. Obvious, Punch....that #9 car is a team car to the #19 of Sadler.
I priced that Sprint stuff, no thanks.
I can't see Shannon making it to the end. Not being sexist, if a guy had some issue that made him unable to run 5-6 pits in a minute, he would be out too (yes, I know Steve B or someone had a broken toe. But that made it hard...)
jd: (at the risk of showing my age) for me, it's like a pinball game: all bumpers and flippers and bouncing everywhichway. just a hot mess.
either that or a serious case of "the primitive mind is drawn to the shiny (fastest) object."
@MikeC - And Sadler's going to be a daddy, as expertly announced by Dr. Punch.
JD,
I can't believe ESPN is gonna let Punch go down as the worst PXP announcer.
We're not even to halfway and JP is already repeating stuff. I have no problem with stats....I just have a problem when they start to get repeated.
David
Thank you kind sir. I knew Moody and Barney but couldn't remember all the other guys. They work SO WELL together..and they do not try to be comedians or STEAL time and make it about "them" away the ESPNish PRN guys do.
I could listen to this group of voices every night...
I see Weed and Vickers..be hilarious if they accidentally bumped each other out.
aon@9:23: that's the great travesty of this whole hot mess to me. he just deserves better.
MV they are out. thats what they said on their radio. done for the night.
Totally different level of Energy when Alan takes over. Wallace poking fun at his stupid "expert" analaysis saying busch and vickers had no chance....it's totally different. Stay away from the booth!
Did I miss the pass for the lead? Obviously if they showed it no one changed there vocal tone because I would have given the TV my full attention if they had
Look at all the great racing on the track! Come one!!!
So their through the field only includes Chase teams?
Lame.
--KarenB
that jamie just has a flare for the obvious, doesn't she: if kenseth finishes this race 14th in points, he's out of the chase. uh, yeah.
Does Joey Logano even shave?
--KarenB
And back to commercials after only 3.5 minutes of coverage.
Sophia I said the same thing to hubby about KB & BV since Matt is one of my favs.
The MRN guys are talking about the Chase guys, but are calling the race. Like Sally, that's what I hate about this format. The RACE at a great short track gets lost in the hype.
Lots of debris tonight, isn't there? Keeps the field conventiently pushed together.
Another PCC.
OT briefly
Good grief, Jeff Gluck is tweeting IF THE RACE ENDED NOW Chase points?! He asked earlier why so many people HATE that..I told him because it ain't over until the fat lady sings..yet he continues to tweet about it...I think I am going to UNFOLLOW him if him for the night if he keeps this up..sheesh...stupid thing to Tweet..especially since he knows many find it annoying.
Debris caution as Matt Kenseth was about to get lapped. Show us the debris now.
Something is lacking here, Planeteers. Watching this broadcast play by play leaves me cold--and I know and have great respect for all the folks in the booth. Masters of the Obvious, making unforced errors--reminds me of the Emperor's New Clothes fairy tale. Can anyone at the WWL see?
Great coverage for us Matt Kenseth fans, but...
Soph I busted on Jeff for that tweet too
Sofia, it gives the guys and Jenna something to do while watching TV and eating NASCAR food.
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