Sunday, September 27, 2009

Live Blogging The Sprint Cup Series in Dover, DE (ABC - 1PM ET)


Here we go with Round 2 of the big NASCAR vs. NFL match-up. This week, the NASCAR on ESPN gang is armed with a tough and high-banked one mile track that will generate much more excitement than Loudon, NH. Add-in the new restart rules and it should be a great opportunity to keep sports fans watching NASCAR.

Allen Bestwick will be first with NASCAR Countdown at 1PM. Joining Bestwick will be Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty in the Infield Pit Studio. Tim Brewer will be in the Tech Garage. Reporting this week will be Jamie Little, Shannon Spake, Vince Welch and Dave Burns.

Shortly before the 2:15PM green flag, Jerry Punch will lead his team of Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree on the air to call the race. This trio is charged with relaying the excitement of the race to the TV viewers. That has proven to be a tough assignment for Punch who starts fresh and fades long before halfway.

Expect Bestwick to be on the air from the infield after caution periods and when field updates are needed. Keeping a perspective on all the cars in the race and not just the Chasers has been the Achilles Heel of the ESPN crew. Fans of the top drivers who did not make the Chase do not suddenly change their loyalty in September.

Dover is fast on TV. It is tough to sneak Tim Brewer on the air under green. It is almost impossible to play back recorded material under green. It is also a big risk to use the in-car cameras live. One moment at Dover can change the complexion of both the race and the Chase in a heartbeat.

Look for the cameras at the end of the straights to offer the best perspectives. The worst come from the "high" cameras above the start/finish line. The director will work hard to cut around the two bridges over the track all day long. Cutting cameras constantly for over three hours is really the toughest challenge on this track.

This post will serve to host your comments about the ABC coverage of the Sprint Cup Series race from Dover. 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. Thank you for taking the time to stop by.

339 comments:

1 – 200 of 339   Newer›   Newest»
Daly Planet Editor said...

20 minutes to on-air and I can feel the sound of TV's watching NFL football. Not good.

Kiteman11 said...

I'll be using PIP all day for sure. I'll switch the PIP off when the Falcons game is over and then go to all race coverage.

Cooter said...

Jayski is reporting 43 cars racing today at Dover. I've watched all the pre-race hype and TV led me to think there are only 12 entries.
That's what is wrong with "The Chase." The lazy TV coverage is chasing away fans and sponsors.
For the rest of 2009 I'm rooting for #18, #31, #17 and others. Hope they'll run up front so Punch et al will be forced to see them on the track!

Daly Planet Editor said...

Jeff Gluck reports local ABC affil in Dover showing the Philly Puerto Rican Day parade live until 2PM so no pre-race show for the reporters.

That is funny.

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Anonymous said...

What is your obsession with NFL football taking away NASCAR viewers? It's not like the NFL wasn't programming on Sunday for the last 15 years of NASCAR's exponential growth. I mean, really.

Anonymous said...

I have drank twelve cups of coffee this morning in the sincere hopes that Jerry Punch doesn't bore my friggin ass off. Good luck, Dr. Punch - you will need it you boring s.o.b.

Andrew said...

@Anon 12:51 - Loudon's ratings are down 20% from last year. The awful coverage from ABC/ESPN is not helping keep viewers from jumping to the NFL.

Anonymous said...

NFL has had the same start-times as NASCAR for years? Why the unhealthy obsession now?

Daly Planet Editor said...

Did you read the column? NASCAR used to run a pre-race show at 12:30PM and then make sure the race was started at 1PM to go head to head with the NFL.

Now, the race start is delayed until 2:15PM because TV asked for it to be that way.

Instead of helping, it has wound up killing NASCAR. The ratings last week for Loudon were some of the lowest in NASCAR TV history.

We talk about change and this is an issue that needs it badly.

Happy to have your comments on this topic anytime.

JD

Anonymous said...

So why is this blog's answer to move start times away from NFL instead of fix the programming? You would think someone who claims to be a media expert would have a better solution that "run and hide"

Daly Planet Editor said...

No clue what you are talking about. None. Thanks for stoppng by.

Anonymous said...

You are DEAD WRONG. It isn't start times, it is the production. If the production was up to snuff, people would tune in no matter what. Don't tell me the start time is what's killing NASCAR ratings, because by doing so you are telling me that the start time was responsible for NASCAR ratings, and that's just not true.

Anonymous said...

I don't get why you think NASCAR should change start times to fix their problem. How about some changes to the product they put on the air? Maybe you should write a column with some suggestions there instead of just suggesting NASCAR run away and hide from NFL.

I am stunned that you think the popularity of NASCAR is tied to start times!!!

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I gotta agree with Anon @ 12:58: NASCAR's popularity has nothing to do with start times, and you really should know that JD.

Daly Planet Editor said...

I appreciate your opinion, but think you are comparing apples to oranges.

Without a heads-up comparison of both sports starting at the same time and letting viewers decide, nothing can mover forward.

For the last three seasons we have talked during every race about the good and bad points of the various networks that produce NASCAR on TV.

The issue you first raised was start times. NASCAR needs to return to 1PM ET start times during the NFL season for Eastern Time Zone races.

JD

Andrew said...

@Anon 12:56 and Anon 12:58 - Have you been around this site at all this year? The start times are one of the many many MANY things wrong with the coverage right now. (The biggest being ESPN.)

Anonymous said...

Actually, I think JD is correct -- NASCAR's popularity is largely tied to start times, which is why we are now seeing NASCAR's popularity fade. Once you change the start times you realize people aren't really as into it as they thought, it just happened to be the thing that was on when they turned on the TV. Start times are everything.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Not sure why you guys are here, it is obviously is not to talk about NASCAR on TV.

Just last week, Mike Helton said getting the start times back to 1PM was a priority for the sport in 2010.

Anonymous said...

Without a heads-up comparison of both sports starting at the same time and letting viewers decide, nothing can mover forward.

HUH? You think viewers can't make a decision unless both shows start at the same time? Wow, that is really condescending!

Anonymous said...

MIke helton didn't say that. He told biffle they were working on some things and would announce something soon.

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Daly Planet Editor said...

Huh? This is a site where we offer opinions. Happy to have yours.

Anonymous said...

Here is the bottom line with NFL and NASCAR -- NASCAR's popularity is entirely tied to the NFL because without the NFL bringing in all the viewers, who would switch to NASCAR to begin with?

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Daly Planet Editor said...

No, he specifically said standard start times were a goal for next season just like double file restarts in the truck series.

Sorry for the profanity folks, no clue what this is all about.

Those who cannot contribute, disrupt.

JD

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Daly Planet Editor said...

So, I have endless posts now from our little friend who is screaming profanities at me. Takes all kinds to make a world huh?

Maybe it's just the rain. Brings out all kinds.

JD

Damon said...

I don't care what Anon says, starting a race an 1 hour and 15 minutes after the early NFL games have started is NOT a good idea, regardless of some of the issues that fans may have with the product.

Dot said...

JD, can the start times be changed? Aren't the start times written into the TV contract?

Anonymous said...

all the drivers are in civis think I'll call back in a few hours

Daly Planet Editor said...

Just going to take me a little bit to clean this up and then we can get back to the TV broadcast.

Not going to tolerate profanity. Not going to tolerate hateful speech. Any opinion can be expressed just like tens of thousands have been over the past three seasons.

Sorry about the hassle. Probably going to membership sign-up soon.

JD

Unknown said...

Membership sign up is good idea. I don't get to contribute much but when I do follow this blog, it's full of useful comments. Nobody likes a knucklehead.

Martin Vincent said...

Allen Bestwick said the weather forecast was looking clear to run the full distance of the race. Weather.com is calling for an increasing chance of rain around 5:00pm.

The Loose Wheel said...

Gonna be watching both. Wanna see my Lions win and until opening ceremonies, TV is on the local games here

Daly Planet Editor said...

Trying to get some new start times.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Dot, the can be changed for next season. This issue is big right now with the other financial and sponsor issues in the sport.

I think everyone is already on the same page, just a matter of getting it done.

Anonymous said...

YAYAYAYAYAYA Sunday

Yes membership would be perfect! Sorry you have to babysit again this weekend :(. Maybe by the race start they'll be off watching football and leave us alone :)

Damon said...

Danica commercial #1

Anonymous said...

Jay and Duke! And Brad where he always is with the food :p

Daly Planet Editor said...

Hey, takes all kinds to make a world. Someone is having a tough time in life I guess.

With all the different discussions on NASCAR topics that we have had here, you would think he would like this place. Oh well!

JD

Kenn Fong said...

Daly Planet Editor wrote: 20 minutes to on-air and I can feel the sound of TV's watching NFL football. Not good.

J.D.,

With a rare Sunday off, I'll be watching the race with my fellow Planeteers. It's on my DVR, and I'm also recording the Yankees-Red Sox which starts late because of rain at Yankee Stadium. (Yes, I know the Yankees will win the American League East easily.)

My Comcast DVR can only handle two recordings, so I have the radio on for the 49ers at Minnesota game too.

West Coast Kenny (who is not enjoying a sweltering Native American Summer morning)
Alameda, California

Daly Planet Editor said...

Not too sure it is fair to have Rusty talking about Kurt Busch, ya know?

Smokey_14 said...

A few things that I would like to say: First, Congrats to Johnny Sauter on last night's win in Vegas, he has found his place in NASCAR with Thorsport Motorsports and the Camping World Truck Series; Second, I feel bad for SPEED and those who were on hand for yesterday's Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, but the weather over there was just too much. And finally, I'll be viewing this race through MRN Radio and the NASCAR.com Live Leaderboard, as I have been since the Brickyard, the fact that ESPN/ABC's coverage absolutely sucks! No football or ESPN/ABC's sorry race coverage for me. I'm sticking with MRN and Live Leaderboard.

PammH said...

Not to mention Brad & Marcos getting all that extra air time for the sponser...totally inappropiate. imo.

Daly Planet Editor said...

That was a little weird, especially for a race as big as this one.

Sophia said...

JD, yes membership will save you lots of baby sitting time.

If the sun does not come out soon, I might just scream. MERCY a week of darkness, rain, drizzle & gloom. Not looking promising on the tv.

Come 4pm will have on the game here...major Steeler fans in Cincinnati been tailgating since this morning. One guy on Twitter can listen to the crowd from his condo deck and take all sorts of interesting pics of the stadium at night.

Who was that blond girl Tony Stewart was wrestling with as they went off camera...

uh oh..Vince W interviewing TS. Dumb question...sigh...

Anonymous said...

how about you just don't babysit the website at all and you let people have FREEDOM OF SPEECH like every other blog in the world. You can't constantly monitor everyone's opinion.... it's creepy!

Daly Planet Editor said...

This is why it is sometimes no fun to run a website. Just wanted to give you all a glance.

Daly Planet Editor said...

That was one without the profanity! This could be a long day.

Dot said...

As with life, the bad wreck it for the good.

JD, I like your idea about a membership.

The Loose Wheel said...

Gotta love when its bridge after bridge after bridge.

Sorry JD.

Opening ceremonies yet?

Vicky D said...

Penske has some issues with Busch I couldn't believe that screaming on the radio. All the time we have been to live Nascar races and listened on the radio, we have never heard a driver talk to a cc like Busch did. I think Rusty had some good points except he's been very close to that team and has special feelings for them. I'm sorry that the trolls are out and about today.

PammH said...

I hardly ever read the comments at other blogs. David Poole's was one of the worst. People calling him horrible names, along w/each other. that's why this place is sooo refreshing. Also, just dawned on me that Marcos was the ONLY non-chase driver to be seen on pre-race show.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Yep, I am not having any of those hijinks. Just talkin about TV.

Engine start 2:07PM, green flag 2:15PM.

bevo said...

Love when people who claim freedom of speech are too stupid to know what the first amendment applies to.

You are a patient man JD :)

Smokey_14 said...

Here's what I think NASCAR's start times should be:
Sunday Afternoon races: 1 P.M. ET
Saturday Night races: 7:30 P.M. ET
Auto Club 500 at Fontana & Coca-Cola 600: Keep 'em the way they are.
Sunday Night Labor Day weekend racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway: 7:30 P.M. ET
Daytona 500, 2nd race at Texas, 2nd race at Phoenix and season finale at Homestead: 3:30 ET

Daly Planet Editor said...

Too much fun to be had to let things get off course.

Once these cars get running, it is going to be one of the biggest TV challenges of the Chase for ABC.

This is going to be non-stop action when the green is out.

slander q. libel said...

"This is going to be non-stop action when the green is out."

True, but will ABC/BSPN show it?

Dot said...

How did Ella get the blonde hair? What a cutie.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Did you guy see that Auto Club Speedway in Cali was letting the fans vote on the start time of the race?

Just go to AutoClubSpeedway.com and you can vote too. Interesting idea.

PammH said...

Yes, but the times they picked still suck for the east coast. btw, I read a tweet this morn that Fox already nixed that idea.

The Loose Wheel said...

i voted for noon JD.

Vicky D said...

I see the scroll at the top of the tv screen showing other drivers racing here today, but will we see them? I doubt it. And some of these segments we have seen this week already. And why is Rusty still screaming - please turn down his mic!

Anonymous said...

JD - What happened to Ray Evernham in the infield studio? I thought he was improving & then poof, he's gone. He would offer a lot more than Brad Daugherty does.

Daly Planet Editor said...

I agree. It was too much with three guys and Allen, but Ray had so much more info than Brad.

Smokey_14 said...

I think we'll be able to get this race in today, as long as the rain stays away from the track. And besides, Dover is a concrete track, and just like DW said back at Nashville, concrete tracks dry up faster than asphalt tracks, so it shouldn't take long for those jet-dryers to finish up with track drying.

Anonymous said...

Great job at the National Anthem!

TexasRaceLady said...

Not a bad anthem --- but she just had to dress up the end. *sigh*

A hot,steamy Texas afternoon. Good thing it's Race Day!

Anonymous said...

I was wondering the same thing and so well behaved. So cute of her pointing to his Pepsi patch and wanting one too! He needs to get her a baby firesuit! I loved how Zach use to be dressed in his baby crew chief get up! I was sure it's nice that Tony won but I want to see Baby Zippy!

Daly Planet Editor said...

Jeff Gluck post a pic over on Twitter of Red, Newracefan and others at Dover.

I told him to stop hanging with my peeps!

Daly Planet Editor said...

Remember all those years that Jeff had to deal with all that gay talk?

When he did events and appearances for me back in his Busch Grand National days, he was a chick magnet.

I always found that stuff hilarious. Nice to see him happy and with a family.

Martin Vincent said...

Were those weepers the track crew was working on at the exit of pit road? The tractors with the big blowers seemed to be working on that just a minute ago.

Sophia said...

Jeff's daughter had great looking hair. I wish I could highlight my hair like that!(Not enough talent or foil or arms! ha)
Course I hope her's is natural but it was too cute on top of her precious face & demeanor.

Never used to be a JG fan but changed in recent years and like seeing him so enjoy fatherhood. :)

Dot said...

The stands look pretty full from what I've seen.

Anonymous said...

Radio communications already?

Daly Planet Editor said...

Official update:

RamseyPoston#NASCAR - everything on schedule at Dover - coming to the green on ABC - competition caution at lap 25-no refueling before then -

Andrew said...

I shall be joining you guys briefly (at halftime) and then back to the NFL game. Which is kinda funny. If the two had started at the same time, I probably would have started over on the race since the Jaguars were so bad last week, and flipped at commercials. If I hadn't been watching the game, I would not have known how well the Jaguars were playing despite the score for most of the first half, and would have kept flipping back to the race. Instead, I will be mainly watching the game and flipping to the race when CBS has commercials.

Summary: Start time are important even for long-time fans.

You listening, ABC?

PammH said...

I'm not so much a fan of JG as I can tolerate him more now. And fatherhood has really suited him. Ella is adorable. Why do they let Vince talk to Tony? You can tell he doesn't care for him.

Kenn Fong said...

Daly Planet Editor said: I agree. It was too much with three guys and Allen, but Ray had so much more info than Brad.

Gee, J.D., do you think the executives made the decision based on diversity issues? Don't get me wrong, I like Brad, but this seems like a political correctness issue.

WCK

Martin Vincent said...

S&P teams should be 71, 66, 09, 87, 37 and 36.

Dot said...

This is a test. Hit some kind of issue with my prior post.

Haus14 said...

Evidently Hotpass can't stand the ESPN booth either. MRN is providing the play by play for hotpass.

Dot said...

This is a test. Hit some kind of issue with my prior post.

Haus14 said...

Evidently HotPass can't stand the ESPN booth either. MRN providing the play by play for the hot pass channels.

Martin Vincent said...

I get an error code "bX-xo1gxq" every time I post. My comment gets in, but the page gives me the error code instead of refreshing normally.

Vicky D said...

I got an error message on my previous post I was posting that I thought there was a lot of empty seats. Hey, JP just mentioned Matt's name.

bevo said...

Blogger getting bloggy today?

Anonymous said...

Still getting an error msg. Now I'm trying to post as Anon.

Two minutes in and JP is already saying "in case you just joined us".

Dot

Andrew said...

@MV - I'm getting that too. Wonder if it had something to do with the moderated posting?

Daly Planet Editor said...

We need to be patient. Blogger is having a tough day. Great timing on that one.

Anonymous said...

Yes I do remember that talk!

And DTV is playing MRN today :) but the radio for JR is quite loud today. They need to adjust the volume for the CC/Spotter.

Kenn Fong said...

J.D.,

Nice touch at the end of the invocation to say "Shalom."

To all the Jewish Planeteers: Happy New Year!

WCK

bevo said...

37 to the garage

Anonymous said...

The grandstands do look a little empty in turns 3 & 4.

Dot said...

Thanks guys. I'll sign back on as Dot.

John said...

Well, I for one am glad DTV has opted to go with MRN audio instead of ABC, I guess they might have listened to the public for once. Plus they are having no ads for the resy of the season. Sounds like they have people there to fill in for when MRN goes to break.

Vicky D said...

I wonder if broadcast will let us listen in to Kurt Busch's radio.

John said...

Well, as soon as posted that, they go to an ad. So much for Tweets from DTV being accurate.

Anonymous said...

At least we got Jerry Punch to give us a S&P update.

..but he is back to asking Andy questions.

Haus14 said...

Evidently HotPass can't stand the ESPN booth either. MRN providing the play by play for the hot pass channels.

PammH said...

Why Vicky? Is he going off again?

John said...

Well, this is a technical question, with the new digital TV signals, can they offer multiple audio feed like DirecTV used to?

Sophia said...
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Daly Planet Editor said...

That is what the SAP is for. On this telecast, the other channel is Spanish.

Sophia said...

the blogger issue has nothing to do with moderation..I've gotten it on blogger many times but today just a little more stubborn than usual :)

Sophia said...

sorry for duplicates. can't delete them, JD> sorry for the hiccups !!

Vicky D said...

Pamm I wonder if Penske suggested to Kurt that he keep his comments nicer. I doubt whether we'll ever hear it live over the air.

Vicky D said...

OH NO

Dot said...

WOW.

Andrew said...

#NASCAR on Twitter just exploded. What happened? Why are we under a red flag?

Daly Planet Editor said...

Jerry's voice never raised.

Vicky D said...

I think Joey's ok.

Anonymous said...

WOW! The only other car I can remember flipping at Dover was Donnie Neuenberger in 2005. Glad Joey is ok. At least Andy was looking out the window.

PammH said...

They were screaming on the radio!!

rich said...

You should have heard that on radio. Excitement in excess. We need to bottle some of it and mail it to the TV booth

John said...

7 1/2 flips by Logano

Andrew said...

Holy cow! Glad to see Joey get out of the car after that. And no emotion from the booth on the replays at all.

bevo said...

Wanna buy a race car cheap? :)

Vicky D said...

We have TS hotpass and he hit Joey

Vicky D said...

Tony Stewart said everyone in front of him checked up.

Dot said...

Did Tony get alot of damage?

Anonymous said...

Not surprised JD I was otherwise preoccupied trying to hurry so I could get to the laptop and see what happened. The MRN boyz let me know that something BIG was happening!

WOW! So glad JoLo is OK!

Anonymous said...

I went back on the DVR to watch it again. As Joey was flipping Jerry Punch was silent, then kept going in his monotone voice. At least Andy & Dale said something.

Martin Vincent said...

@John - I'll have to paraphrase Ken Schrader about your comment... "7 flips, not 7 1/2, it started on all 4 wheels and stopped on all 4 wheels!"

Schrader was asked what his name was by a rescue worker (standard question to see if your brain's suffered some sort of trauma) and then told he flipped 2 1/2 times. To which Schrader replied something like the above and then asked the rescue worker what his name was.

bevo said...

Jaimie- wrong place at right time. Huh???

Andrew said...

If this was on FOX, we'd have had Mike Joy goin' nuts.

If this was on TNT, we'd have had the entire booth echoing the grandstands' general reaction of "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!"

Either one is far preferable to getting nothing from JP.

Sophia said...

Espn did not need to show Joey;s father running to the care center did they???

That;s typical BSPN :(

Anonymous said...

Was that the most appropriate time to play the dramatic drumroll music?

Vicky D said...

MV - the Hotpass guy said he flipped 7 1/2 times.

Haus14 said...

Sorry about the triplicate post. I was getting an error message and didn't realize that every time I was getting the message it was still actually posting.

Anonymous said...

Oh dear Bevo!

JP *crickets* so sad and not surprising!

Vicky D said...

Kinda looked like Michael McDowell's flip at Texas.

peggyann said...

Just found Jeff's photo of the Planeteers. Anybody else going to Kansas next week?

rich said...

Buschseries61, I agree, just reran the DVR and the dead air from the booth was unbelievable and I don't think it was from being at a loss for words.

Martin Vincent said...

@Vicky - I know, but the Schrader anecdote just popped up in my head when I read John's comment. Did anybody here remember that about Schrader? Must have been in the mid-'90s at Sears Point when he was driving the #33 Skoal Chevrolet for Andy Petree.

PammH said...

Martin, I wasn't a fan back then, but it totally sounds like Schrader!

Vicky D said...

MV I don't remember that comment by Shrader the one that sticks in my mind is when he says - it's 1 and a half thumbs up and shows his thumbs since one of them is half gone.

Anonymous said...

"Are you ok?" should be the first question you ask, Jamie, not the last.

Martin Vincent said...

@Pam - Just checked it, I think it was 1999.

@Vicky - Yes, that was in the good old days of Inside Winston Cup Racing and Michael was always trying to get him to give something 1 1/2 thumbs up.

Sophia said...

Oh JAMIE! Why ask the lame questions..he is SHOOK UP! DUH.

OBVIOUS the worst wreck he's been in.

!#^!&^#!&#^$^!

Daly Planet Editor said...

Not perhaps Jamie's finest hour.

Anonymous said...
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bevo said...

Has Jaimie had a fine hour? :)

Dot said...

@ JD, or her season so far.

Anonymous said...

Hell, yeah, Jamie is fine!

Anonymous said...

Investigator Little: "Is your body feeling ok as of now"

O lordy Jamie. He said he is ok & just shaken up.

Vicky D said...

I don't think there's much damage to TS's car.

Sophia said...

I don't see how Jamies kept her job this many years. I have tv back on mute and MRN guys on..with dreary weather, signal not coming in clear on radio.

Jamie NEVER has a "Fine 5 minutes" let alone a fine hour.

Sheesh

MRN saying they are surprised race is today compared to how it looked this morning.

bevo said...

To do list for 2010:

1. new producer
2. new director
3. new play by play guy
4. whole new crew of pit reporters

PammH said...

I'm sorry, but cuold she BE any blonder?

Anonymous said...

Looks like Andy is in charge of looking out the window today. Caught Mark Martin 3 wide & the camera missed it.

Anonymous said...

With due respects to previous opinions the NASCAR media problem is much bigger than just scheduling or production. There are many issues that need to be (and can be) solved and others that are beyond NASCAR control.

First, much of of NASCAR's growth was bot sustainable but rather interest from the curious. These people did not make up a sustainable fan base. Unfortunately, NASCAR structured a business plan on bad assumption.

The poor economic conditions have impacted attendance. Odd and inconstant and ill conceived start times certainly hurt viewership. Poor production quality, weak broadcast teams,low quality content and an obvious disconnect between the core audience and NASCAR and media have resulted in a loss of traditional viewer while simultaneously failing to attract new viewers.

In short, NASCAR needs a revamp of its media and business plan. Unfortunately it appears the the current France family lead management simply does not get it or does not care.

Anonymous said...

This race needs some long green flag runs to get it back on schedule. I doubt ABC will allow the season premiere of their prime time programming to get pushed back.

Martin Vincent said...

Are the #43, #1 and #7 really working on getting their cars back on track or is ESPN just slow in showing them as "OUT" instead of "OFF"?

bevo said...

87 to the garage

Anonymous said...

Anon@3:06
Good analysis. That is why I find the NFL vs. NASCAR "competition" rather silly. The France family completely overestimated the popularity of the sport on a national scale. Its never going to be on par with the NFL. The focus should be protecting the fan base that has been around for decades.

bevo said...

09 to the garage

Anonymous said...

With Dr Jerry Punch, someone is never in "7th place" they are always "currently being shown in 7th position". What a mess of words!

bevo said...

Horrible buzz on that pit reporter's mic

bevo said...

71 to the garage

Daly Planet Editor said...

Being told by Jeff Gluck that the Gibbs PR Person stepped into block Jamie Little from talking to Joey's dad.

That was the real interview.

bevo said...

87 out - overheating

Anonymous said...

JD, HELP PLEASE!!!

Our local ABC affiliate KIFI, Channel 8 Idaho Falls, ID just ran a promo announcing they would be Running the Mormon Annual Conference from Salt Lake live NEXT Sunday and tape delaying the race to 1030 pm Sunday night.

Any suggestions? Do affiliates have contract obligation to run network events?

Vicky D said...

I think a good interview would have been with Joe Gibbs.

TexasRaceLady said...

Drink!

"Points as of now." *sigh*

PammH said...

Probably why TPTB didn't want us to hear from Tom Logano.

Anonymous said...

17% through the race & we already get a 'points as of now'. Not even one quarter through the race. Unbelievable.

Dot said...

Jamie to Tom, "How did it feel to see Joey flipping like that?"

Anonymous said...

24 to the garage

bevo said...

09 out - vibration
71 out - electrical

NorCalFan said...

#66 to the garage

Anonymous said...

I was expecting more than positions 1-6 in that run-through.

Martin Vincent said...

#36 McDowell came off the track and the #66 Blaney pulled off the track just a couple of laps later.

TexasRaceLady said...

Why doesn't ESPN use the mikes that fit over the mouth like CC use at these noisy tracks?

It would sure make their reports easier to understand.

bevo said...

Wreck turn 2

Dot said...

Well kids, I'm off to the pool for the last time for the season. I'll read you guys later.

Reut out of gas. How does that happen? Imagine if it were Kurt. That would be some good radio ranting.

Sophia said...

MWaltrip wrecked. CRAP

NorCalFan said...

#55 needs the points so they're going to fix the car and get it back on the track.

Anonymous said...

18 car to the garage

Bobby said...

The NFL standardised start times at 1 and 4 PM ET since 1975, although in the 1990's we saw a slight change to 4:05/4:15 for the second game depending on which network had two games for that weekend.

Noticing the times (in the hour - 1:30 goes a 1 PM, et al):

* 2 races have 1 PM ET starts (Chase: Martinsville, Talladega)
* 16 races have 2 PM ET starts. (March: Atlanta, Bristol, Martinsville; April: Texas, Talladega; Dover (2), Pocono (2), Michigan (2), New Hampshire (2), Indianapolis, Watkins Glen, Kansas.
* 5 races have 3 PM ET starts. (Daytona 500, 4 Chase races: Fontana, Texas, Phoenix, and Homestead)
* 1 race (Las Vegas) has a 4 PM start.
* 2 races (Charlotte May, Infineon) have a 5 PM hour start.
* 1 race (Fontana February) has a 6 PM start.
* 5 races (Richmond (2), GoDaddy.com 500, Bristol Night Race, Charlotte October) have a 7 PM start.
* 3 races (Phoenix April, Daytona July, Joliet) have an 8 PM start.

Anonymous said...

36 mcdowell to the garage

bevo said...

Think I'll finish this one on the radio while I run out to see some family. Wish I had gone to the drag races today, catch it on ESPN2 later.

Y'all have a great day!

Bobby said...

Regarding the KIFI situation:

No, ESPN Broadcast Network affiliates aren't required to air everything. The local ESPN affiliate (WOLO) has plans to block the SEC Basketball Tournament (this is an SEC market) and instead air syndicated ACC Basketball Tournament coverage. The SEC tournament is moving to the ESPN Broadcast Network this year. The SEC tournament will not air in an SEC market as the affiliate will block it.

From 1992-2000, they blocked the NASCAR race in Atlanta to show the ACC tournament.

TexasRaceLady said...

I can't believe it --

JP did NOT say "50 yr old, Mark Martin."

The world is coming to an end.

Martin Vincent said...

@NCF - The ticker showed Michael Waltrip as out of the race, the damage must have been too severe to fix.

Daly Planet Editor said...

I am missing Mike Joy, Rick Allen or anyone else in the booth right now...

TexasRaceLady said...

JD, I'm desperate enough to allow Mikey in the booth. *sigh*

Anonymous said...

66 Blaney goes into the garage. How about some start and park reporting?!?!?

Anonymous said...

I have no idea what Brad was rambling about. Something about being suprised about lack of pack racing & passing. This isn't Talladega, Brad.

peggyann said...

TV is behind radio, kind of cool to know what I'm going to see... maybe.

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