Juan Pablo Montoya is on the pole and that is a sign that things are going to be very different today in New Hampshire. There is a driver working for free, several teams in full meltdown mode and the oldest Chase competitor just extended his contract to drive in the series.
Into this fun walks the NASCAR on ESPN TV team for the third consecutive year. This group will have the ABC television network as a pathway to the fans for the rest of the season. All ten Chase races are on free over-the-air TV.
Allen Bestwick will open the show at 1PM with NASCAR Countdown. This is a one hour pre-race show from the Infield Pit Studio. Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty will be alongside of Bestwick for both the pre-race and for comments during the live telecast. Tim Brewer will be on site with the Tech Garage.
Last season' pre-race shows during the Chase proved to be tilted toward the Chase drivers despite what else was happening in the sport. There are lots of stories across the board to choose from, but expect a full dose of Chase-mania from the ESPN gang today.
Wallace continues to be outspoken and that has been a positive point for these telecasts. Love him or hate him, Wallace draws the fans to hear what he will say next. Saturday, Jeff Gluck from scenedaily.com offered a column critical of current NASCAR team owners like Wallace and Daugherty being on TV. It should be interesting to see if Rusty chooses to respond.
Bestwick will transition to Jerry Punch prior to the 2:16PM green flag. Punch will be joined by Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree to call the race. It's no secret that things are not rosy in the TV booth and this is the type of track that requires a lot of work from the announcers.
Flat and sometimes boring, it is going to take effort to continue to comb through the field for racing. The pit reporters are also going to have to push to get the stories as passing on pit road under caution flag pit stops is going to set-up the new doublefile restarts.
Tight camera shots and in-car camera views don't work in Loudon. The track is two high speed drag races with passing going into the corners. Seeing the field come down the front and back straights is going to be key to covering who pulls out to pass. We saw it in the Mod and truck races time-and-time again.
There will be non-Chasers with nothing to lose who take risks all race long. The TV challenge is to blend the reality of what is happening in the race with the story of what is happening in the Chase. That balance will tell the tale for the viewers.
This post will serve to host your comments about the ABC coverage of the Sprint Cup Series race from the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. To add your TV-related comment, just click on the comments button below. Comments may be moderated prior to posting.
Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and talk NASCAR on TV.
457 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 457 Newer› Newest»anyone know how the 83 came back into the top 10? last i saw, they were mid-pack.
We almost had a wreck at the front of the field, where Tony had to back off. And we only get it on replay. I remember way back when (yesterday during the Mods), when we saw the wrecks as they were happening.
Well, things are a little disjointed between the booth and the pit guys. Anyone seen Dave Burns or Vince Welch?
Shawn Courchesne, "s watching Dale Earnhardt Jr. lead the GT2 Class at the Sprint Cup Series Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway."
JD
What is "entertainment" tv?
Which reminds me, saw a clip of football game from 70's. I MISS how sports USED TO BE. About the game you were watching and not a bunch of cross promotion?
Simple is better.
thanks for letting me know the camera work has been better. As soon as I get too annoyed, the radio is coming on :)
Old AC/DC song going to commercial! 1980..I remember cause the boys where I worked listened to that one, lol
more commercials on NASCAR than the NFL.
the overload of commercials, times and length or races is just too much for average person, busy person or those, like me, losing interest due to the telecasts.
No intervals on the ticker since lap 85... Problem?
@ Steve L - I am liking the aggressive Tony. I don't think he has been as aggressive this year at certain times. Maybe that is why he has done so well, but it hasn't been the same.
i am SO looking forward to going to dover next sunday: pretty sure there'll be a race hapening there that you won't see on tv.
and i'm still p'd at espn for not being honest on when that pit road accident occured. that's just so freakin' inexcusable! did they not have the footage when it happened and so decided to show it when they did and then "neglect" to mention it was on the stop BEFORE?!? just so wrong.
everytime i think they can't tick me off any more, they pull a stunt like that.
How can Earnhardts crew be leading fastest crew?
I have been watching that too MV. Let's see if they do it this segment.
mcgrew says the lap times for the 88 are "pretty spectacular' right now: started 23rd, up to 7th.
Red which rce at Dover, I'm going to cup.
9.5 something seconds between 1st and 10th.
Ask and you shall receive. Intervals are finally back.
Goodness! Don't the commentators have access to timing and scoring and the trends it shows? Brad was waxing eloquent about JPM--but the graphic showed the Blue Deuce Beerwagon 3/10th faster than leader JPM. An unforced error, IMO.
stremme still in the top 10...
TELL THE STORY OF THE RACE DANGIT ESPN!!!!!
There are stories beyond the Chase and Dale Jr and Kyle Busch!
prn now discussing the smoke out of the 14 car -- just a tad behind when TDP noticed.
Here we go with single car shots & yet another video package. Isn't there any racing on the track?
HA, HA, HA, Jerry.... saw that one in the blogs on the day the extension was announced!
nrf: a gang of us is taking the bus from perkiomenville to the cup race. (i'm also asking for monday off as a weather contingency plan!)
The Director is bored. Random cams, tailpipes and aerial shots. Lost the intensity of the racing.
So we have been missing the last few laps of drama battling through lapped cars with Montoya and Kurt...
Kurt makes the pass on the inside after Montoya wiggles.
Kurt Busch leading..
The Director is boring me as well...
Montoya due to pit on lap 145
This is the second pass of the lad on the track that ESPN has missed. Ain't that great coverage?
How many will we hear from on thru the field?
Pat Tryson not allowed to come to shop now? I was making a pitstop of my own.
Kurt Busch takes the lead...Maybe Penske should have locked Tryson out of the office earlier in his career..LOL..What a mess...really
I just want to say whoever broke HotPass needs to leave it alone. i like this
With all the focus on the 'chase', I was interested to read a comment Jeff Gordon made at a press conference. He said if he won a title this year, he wouldn't think of it as his 5th. It would be his first 'Sprint Cup' title after his 4 Winston Cup titles. Maybe fans aren't the only ones who think this format gives a watered down 'title'?
Wicked, what is it showing right now for audio and video?
Why do they bother with points as of now? There is still half the race to be run! They all started within 40 points, the standings are just going to keep flopping around. We still have 9 races until the champion is crowned.
JD, i have PRN plus the splitscreen of incar/ESPN.
Earlier it was PRN audio plus ESPN video and no commercials. i'd pay for that..
Wow, we got 16 on the swing through the pits, getting better guys.
Also some of ESPN's audio is overlapping the PRN feed occasionally. a feature about Stewart earlier and just now something with Chevy and Jeff Gordon
Red we're driving down but also leaving from Perkiomenville. We should try to meet up would be nice to put a face to the name. Sitting in section 138
debris caution
Caution. debris. Officials are just guessing. It sounded to me like they wanted one, so the unknown was good enough
Hot Pass is GREAT!!! PRN audio + some guy when PRN goes to commercial! Don't change a thing. well, you could have put chase drivers on, but let's not get picky
Had to check--shades of Dick Kotite...Jets lead Pats 16-9 3Q...maybe Kotite is in the truck for the NASCAR broadcast--the only explanation I can figure.
ESPN almost missed the caution with all those commercials they were trying to fit in.
OT so feel free to skip EXCEPT nrf!
nrf: not sure where we're sitting this time out. it's usually section 218 or thereabouts, row 24 or 25.
are you leaving from the bus station in perkiomenville? i'm told i need to have the box o' coffee and donuts in hand at 5:45 sunday morning.
OH BOY! Full Throttle
Hey ESPN Full Throttle sucks big time. How about just one spotter?
Non-chase news: Junior to 4th; Kyle 24th
Chase news: Vickers has dropped lugnut; from 11th to 30th.
Oh no, full throttle!
Patrick, without you we would have no idea what's going on! You rock!
shot from the blimp = good. DJ commentating on what happens to JPM in a run = better
That overhead shot really shows what's going on with a pass attempt. NUCH superior to the in car cam!
Another useless "if the season ended now" graphich.
From what JP just said Hamlin doesn't know how important one position is in the points.
HuH?
Bah, humbug
"points as of now"
Take a drink.
half way through race 1 of 10 and we need a how the points look now. Way to think outside the box ESPN.
caution. wreck #96 Darnell (not BLabonte)
I was listening, not watching. did ESPN really not show Darnell hit the wall
well, they blew THAT set of pit stops big time.
and montoya didn't "lose the race off pit road": the others just took gas and montoya took 2 tires and gas.
wickedj
We were at commercial and no replay when we came back.
Lucky no one was hurt on pit road. AP how many people know who Joey Chitwood is?
All 4 cautions took place under commercial. What are the odds of that?
What a perfect hit by Kurt to put David in his box. Kurt should've hit Kenseth last week. And Jr earlier in the season.
Red I live in Pekiomenville, the other half doesn't like buses so we are driving. I like to leave at 0 dark 30 too so I don't spend hours in traffic, use less gas and he gets less annoyed. He naps when we get there and I read. Email me and we can set up a place to meet. I'll be at the monument @11 but it will be pretty crowded since JJ is suppose to be there too :)
Was there any explanation of the massive order shuffle at the front?
9 6 87 36 66 43..all out or in pits....almost as predicted, MV..Start and park alive and well in Nascar..
Can you say completely blown pit stop coverage at a crucial time in the race? FAIL.
@vicky d, waving my hand in the air: i do! i do!
(espn is on mute: why do you ask?)
Commentators said Erik Darnell was clipped by Aric Almirola, but the replay seemed to show he was pinched by Scott Speed.
I think I figured out the bumper music--maybe those songs and particular performances are public domain, and hence are free to use. I was typing this, and didn't see Smoke take the lead--shouldn't that get a mention usually?
My wife says that I make watching the race too much like work.
TDP and Twitter on the computer, and the race on TV.
Official race, the 55 wrecked lol
#77 to the garage. Any mention?
It's a first!!! We actually saw an accident AS IT HAPPENED. Every other action item has been on REPLAY.
'No Chase cars involved". Well, then I guess no one cares about any of them then, right? And they still wonder why we hate the chase?
Nice job Joey getting through that after turning Elliott
That was obvious the booth guys were not looking out the window.
I'm surprised ESPN showed the replay of the wreck since none of the drivers are in the Chase - they should have just carried on.
It's like ESPN is on some sort of tape delay. They don't cover anything out of the ordinary until well after it has happened. And this is LIVE coverage?
Robbie Gordon and Mikey involved in
a wreck. What a surprise.
some of these in car cams for wrecks...USELESS.
sigh
(nrf: will email later tonight, once i have all my info in hand but it sounds like a plan.
anyone else going to dover who wants to join us?
lou, you out there?)
prn reporting the 6 car may have a track bar issue as result of the pit stop smack by the #2.
No mention of the problems for the #77 and the #6, both were behind the wall by that last restart and no explanation was given.
11 having fun racing the 42. Juan apologized for getting into Denny since he is super loose on restarts, spotter came over smiling saying they were having fun
did AB just give a TRUCK promo for speed?!?
@dara2k - Yes, Almirola was the only one who blew my prediction for the S&P teams today.
and there's a messed up tech center as well.
yep, the wheels are now officially off this bus.
We're going to have double file restart? Really? When did that start?
/sarcasm
Screw up in the tech center! :)
I know we have seen that cut tire tech center piece before. Did he have to do a segment on how to pull off tape?
What the hell was that TB segment? a two-fer? does that mean he's met the quota and can go home now? please? oh, we're doing another mundane explanation. quite the dumbfounded look on him.
Sally said...
'No Chase cars involved". Well, then I guess no one cares about any of them then, right? And they still wonder why we hate the chase?
~~~
i was offended by that comment..as if nobody cares about other drivers.
Please hold on Tony's Axle!
Nice catch ESPN and Andy on the axle cap. I will give credit when due.
They promo the trucks, just not the other Cup races on TNT and Fox.
That axle cap on Stewart's car is not going to stay on long. Just the rotation of the wheel is going to yank that last screw off and axle shafts have come off the left side (happened to Truex earlier this year). Let's hope it's just the cone-shaped cap like Brewer explained. (What do you know, he was useful for once.)
MV
If you throw enough stuff against the wall somethings bound to stick.
That was when to use the tech center. On the other hand, how to cut a tire, how to beat a fender with a bat & how to remove a piece of tape should be left on the shelf.
ACDC is not public domain but I think music is cheaper if it's before a certain time period..but that was from 79 or 80.
This music copyrights thing is so complicated i don't even understand it...it's like Japanese calculus.
Many things come into play for all the copy rights stuff though.
Hornish back to garage, said he did not wanna screw it up for someone else and gave his crew kudos for good effort
Not much mention of the guys behind the wall either.
#6 & #77 back in the race.
Doesn't look like just the cone-shaped tip to me. it looks like the extender. Not sure that's what keeps the axle in. I thought there was a ring clip.
#77 back to the garage.
kinda scary they're not telling smoke what they think may have happened. would that knowledge change how he drives it? doubt it.
problem is: if it isn't as benign as it seems and he takes a spin, he'll take the front of the pack out with him.
Sophia, pretty sure Sally was being sarcastic.
Junior is having a banner day so far. He has actually gained spots on pit road and stayed near the front. Hope it continues.
Junior to 2nd. Did you see it? Nope.
I am lost. Where did Johnson come from?
@sally: shhhhh. to quote elmer fudd: "we're huntin' wabbits!"
Tony back around Junior for 2nd. Did you see it, either? Nope, again.
#77 OUT - Engine
Hold scorecard #43
Dear Production Truck: How can you guys so consistently cut to the wrong cars. Do you have a printed list of priorities as to who gets camera time, for it seems it has nothing at all to do with the race.
@ Pamm and Sophia, yes, I was being sarcastic. Many of us are fans of drivers that aren't in the chosen 12. I resent like heck not being kept up on 2/3 of the field just bacause of this abortion of a format!
Okay Red. I'll stay 'Vewwy, vewwy qwiet.'
Caution, Stremme
This is a great race on the radio.
@Patrick - What's going on with Sorenson? Has he been ignoring a black flag?
Missed another accident due to being in commercial.
Come on Dave Burns, what are you looking at? That was a disaster. They are just putting on a new cap.
Clueless...
closed caption just told us we have a caution at . . . minnesota! wow: and we thought espn was (to quote marty smith) "cattywompus"!
ESPN much better today. Love the wide shots and racing in mid field.
Seems like they had a lightbulb moment. Don't want to get too excited it will continue, but much better today.
Might also be better b/c I'm a JPM fan.
Uncanny ability to be at commercial when 99% of cautions occur.
GO Bills 7-0 over Tampa Bay early 1st q--J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets 16-9 over Patriots. So the ESPN crew has just discovered Jimmie Johnson.
Question--was Mr. Burns actually watching that pit stop--AP called it better from the booth.
Another unforced error.
Glad Planeteers are updating us on the track & car problems I'm thinking we are watching a different race.
MV
"Hold scorecard" is what they do when someone goes to the garage. It keeps them from gaining laps by crossing the start/finish line on pit road. Back a couple of weeks when Johnson went to the garage, he backed over the start/finish line and the PitCommand showed him with a lap lead, until it was corrected.
Geez, they don't know they're back on the air and they're all talking on top of one another.
I think the bumper music has been much better. I've heard Blue Oyster Cult, The Outlaws, and STP.
Pit stops were a mess. I have no idea what everybody did.
Sure does seem like this race has been going on all day
Does anyone know how old Mark Martin is. I've been listening to the radio and they don't seem to care. (lol)
Just a heads-up, we had a troll earlier today who was just flooding the comments section.
That is why the comments moderation is on. Thanks.
so espn pulled away from the 2 and 5 car battling for the lead -- with the #5 car needing the 5 bonus points -- and they pull away to show the 48 and 88 who are in 14th and 15th.
just makes no sense. it's as if they don't understand how to call for the best camera to tell the story.
Pit stops were a mess. I have no idea what everybody did.
My guess is that about 12 guys stayed out or some other short pit strategy.
Drink. "50-year old Mark Martin"
JD- that's why you get paid the big bucks ;)
Wow, they never reset after the pit stop. Now the field is scrambled and no one knows why.
Man, that has to be fixed. Just listen to the radio, it's not hard.
YAY! Thanks for letting us know about Hot Pass just switched what J channel I'm watching! w00t! :). I usually have it on C's channel because of the Hot Pass but he was late in switching over so never turned on his audio :)
So much better :)
How old is Martin again Jerry??? That TS BK commercial is funny with Estrada and Carrot Top.
Points as of now. Gulp.
Second 50 year old Mark Martin of the day. Gulp.
Bevo, the salary has remained surprisingly consistent over the past three seasons.
@RR - Add U2 as the bumper music a few breaks ago.
Aric Almirola looks like he'll be running at the finish. Last time the #09 finished a race as a Chevrolet was at Watkins Glen in August, but as a Dodge, it was at Richmond in May.
Patrick said...
My guess is that about 12 guys stayed out or some other short pit strategy.
Oh, Lord help, Patrick. You almost owed me a new keyboard. ROTFL
Your guess is just as good as the PxP booth.
JD I am doing Twitter and JJ scanner on Pit Command don't even need the radio, since ESPN isn't telling me the story of the race anyway
PammH
I knew Sally was being sarcastic but the tv guys were NOT! :)
I need to put on some water for dinner..and get a glass of wine.
Oh no, the concept of "mulligans" being brought up again.
@RR--since it's 21st Century money, chasing 20th Century technology, then why NOT have the 20th century music, :-)
From jeff_gluck:
Breaking News: #NASCAR TV broadcasts have a lot of commercials!!! (I forget about that when I'm at the track). Kinda sucks for all you.
Welcome to our world, remember when Marty stayed home and freaked out?
Methinks Mr. Burns is slowly morphing into some kind of weird Jamie/Shannon hybrid.
Seriously, what has happened to him? He used to be a pretty intelligent pit reporter.
@JD - Somebody should force Mike Helton to watch the ESPN broadcast all through the race, see how he likes it.
What a smart report Dave - N O T
Jeff Gluck: welcome to our hell, join the TDP group.
Isn't it interesting that when the media types have to watch a race on TV instead of being there that they suddenly see why fans bitch about the coverage? Hmmm. thank about it. They keep telling us what a great race was happening live, but we don't get to see it on TV!
Actually, radio has a lot of commercials too, and they have said "in case you just joined us" at least three times. Now they are talking restaurants.
Add Grand Funk R.R., Foo Fighters,Joe Walsh and Kansas to the bumper music list.
Soph water and wine for dinner New diet?
You're having water for dinner Sophia? Sad
lap 226, the 88 is turning the fastest lap time.
Delco, write them down and email me when its over!
Jeff Glucks tweets about watching on TV are killer. JD, send him an invite to our world.
WTH was that are we watching a race on FOX? Sponsor plugs over green flag racing, great just what I wanted to see
ESPN must have told Burns to tone it down.:-)
Going through the Mark Martin story again. I feel like there is no progression in these broadcasts, just the same ages, hometowns, & stories about each driver. We know Mark is 50, we know he semi-retired, we know he won this year and broke his winless streak.
Maybe Mark Martin would like to hear "Whip It" if he continues that kind of drive out front at NHMS
63 laps to go and we get a "thru the field" finally.
#2 car planning to pit on lap 24 per prn. 29 cars on lead lap.
Big thumbs up on the other cars! Well done - take a bow!
With all of the commercials, it is almost a waste of time to watch a race on tv. This is ridiculous.
Coming back for Martin's stop. Nice!
That was weird, Mark Martin was stopped on pit road and the ticker was showing him keeping the same interval behind the leader (7th, approx. 6.5 seconds behind) the whole time he was sitting there getting service.
Doing my usual now-have the race on with the volume down and listening to TrackPass. The Texans/Titans game was really good.
Kudos to ESPN for that rundown at the back of the field & coming out of commercial to show Mark Martin's pit stop.
Grubb just told stewart they could go about 30 more laps. Sounds like he is going to stay out for a while longer.
If the infield studio is reading could you please do a full field recap please
pitroadpressbox: People are getting up and leaving with 50 to go. Huh, what an entertaining race.
Imagine leaving to beat traffic....
Jr. up to 4th?
New race fan,
Water & wine diet? LOL..no need for that...just made mac & cheese so put on the water and got a glass of White Zin while at it. (I Know that is not real wine to wine snobs but I can only do sweet wines)
I am so not into NASCAR it's pitiful...can't put my finger on it but still enjoy the blog immensely.
I seem to have ADD though..maybe from being FORCED to multitask when TV USED TO GIVE YOU INFO NEEDED for a race.
Some of my Twitter folks are more entertaining than the NASCAR races speaking of huge local events this weekend.
I did NOT turn on PRN and judging from a comment here..glad I did not.
But in all fairness YES RADIO has lots more commercials this year...like tv. Sign of the times.
REMEMBER BARNEY HALL on WTunnel tonight. Hes from MRN..the REAL NASCAR radio group. :)
Take the fenders off and slap on some 14 inch wide tires and let's go racing New Hampshire style!
I think now would be a good time to show the "if the race were to end now" Chase points because it would be a whole lot different than the last time they showed it and it still wouldn't mean a thing! ***SARCASM intended***
Must be time for a yellow.
in case anyone missed it: #24 had a 19 second stop b/c a lug nut fell off the left rear tire.
Hard to say JD. When I went to the night race at Bristol I could stay thru the vidtory burnout, get to my car, and be on the road back to the motel in less than 45 min. Don't know what traffic is like at NH. I think they're just bored.
Replaying the johnson stop.
Jimmie's pitstop was tape delay. STOP LYING TO US, ESPN!@
@sally in re: dale's position: great car under him; has told mcgrew to NOT do anything but tires and fuel on this stop -- NOTHING!
@Red...in case anyone missed it? HA! If it weren't for this blog most of us wouldn't know 90% of what's going on!
RED
do I have to take a drink for your 'in case you missed it'?
@Sally - I agree, exiting Bristol was a breeze. Trams took a little longer than Wednesday's Truck race and Friday's Nationwide race and traffic was diverted differently, but we were out of there in no time as well.
Traffic on NH Rt 106 and I-93 S can get verrrrry nasty. A telling comment when people leave early--I don't think they'll be watching Channel 9 (ABC local in NH)--perhaps they'll listen to PRN or Sprint NASCAR mobile.
@boyd: absol-freakin'-lutely! thank the racing gods for prn right now: it's the only way i can even figure out who's where.
and again, espn: shame on you for deceiving viewers on a pit stop! there's just NO excuse for this behavior.
Dale Jr is as confused as were are
"I have no clue what place i'm in, what lap i'm on or if we're in the lead lap"
makes me feel less dense
Lost. Need some help putting things in order after the pit stops.
ESPN using delays of pit stops is certainly totally LAME and fake race coverage in my book...sheesh.
What's new? Liars
Pitiful
ri88girl: one difference bewteen dale and us (among many others!) is: he just needs to keep turning left and listen to his crew chief.
we're stuck with multitasking for info and not a crew chief in sight.
What was that bump?
So we leave for a commercial 26 laps from the end when there's almost always a caution with less than 25?????
Caution for the 6
sorry. caution for debris.
Debris between 3 and 4 17 free pass
Debris caution as ESPN is in commercial, they can't catch a break.
@ri88girl --
Glad to hear I'm not the only lost person.
Have no real clue as to who is where.
OK, things are going to get even more confusing.
lap 276 caution: debris.
Caution is out again and we r @ commercials...has there been a caution during tv coverage yet today?
Top 10:
5
2
11
48
00
88
42
31
39
33
What in the name of Sam Hill is wrong when I can go to Twitter and know about cautions before the P-B-P telecast finds out?
Post a Comment