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Here we go with a race that is wide open. The Saturday Nationwide Series race at the Fontana track sizzled. Now, the big COT's get ready to try and pass on a track known for aero issues.
It will be Allen Bestwick leading the ESPN production team on the air at 2:30PM with a one hour version of NASCAR Countdown. He will be joined by Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty. There are plenty of topics for Bestwick to talk about and hopefully the TV team will try to balance the stories of the race with the stories of the Chase.
Jerry Punch is next with the race coverage. He will take over slightly before the 3:31PM green flag. Punch is going to have a very long day calling the action. This is a 500 mile race and covering all the stories is going to be crucial.
Now in year three, fans are used to watching these races without a true play-by-play call. Instead, Punch offers minimal information, no excitement and begins to lapse into asking questions of his broadcast partners about halfway through these races. Fans still email me about his total silence during the Logano accident two weeks ago. How much longer ESPN will tolerate this remains to be seen.
Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree look and sound like they have had a long season. Jarrett has worked with Punch, Marty Reid and been also asked to handle the play by play alone several times this season. As a result, his formerly crisp and interesting comments are not as well-placed because he holds back.
Andy Petree is the one who has just stepped up and let it fly recently. His ability to step in and point out action on the track that Punch and the producer are missing is key to these telecasts. Petree often calls out the accident location and then fans wait while Punch and the TV cameras try to find it.
Tim Brewer is about out of new things to tell the fans. Saturday, he detailed for fans who have watched the sport since February what a driver has to unbuckle to exit a car. It was painful. Who ever is producing this venue needs to understand fans want knowledge, not repetition.
Shannon Spake, Jamie Little, Dave Burns and Vince Welch are the reporters on pit road. Last week, this team was forced to ask post-race questions to everyone except the security guards as the network had to fill over thirty minutes. Amazingly, once the reporters got away from the questions they were forced to ask by the producers, they did a great job. Hopefully, a lesson learned.
Fontana is rough for tight camera work. It is rough to show the cars racing away from the camera. On the backstretch, only a wideshot shows the pack fanning out to set-up for the passing zone. In-car cameras work best for replays. How much of this is followed and how much is disregarded is about to be seen.
This post is going to host your comments on the ABC presentation of the Sprint Cup Series race from Fontana, CA. 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 stopping by The Daly Planet.
724 comments:
1 – 200 of 724 Newer› Newest»If David Gilliland is going to be on stand-by for Kyle Busch, does that mean he'll only run a handful of laps and park the #71? Or does TRG put a different driver in the car since they have sponsorship from Mahindra Tractors?
Other S&P are expected to be #87, #09, #66 and #36.
Compared to ESPN's play by play, production, direction and camera work, the start and park issue is a non-issue. Let's address and correct the large problems we have with the racing first. David Gilliland is a prime candidate to sub for Kyle Busch.
What's up with the swearing? Come on man, this is a good forum for fans.
Martin Vincent @ 2:18 PM
Accoding to Scene Daily, J.D. Gibbs says Gilliand is not expected to finish the race.
" Gilliland is driving for TRG Motorsports but he is not expected to drive the complete race. JGR is putting Gilliland in the No. 02 Cup car for three upcoming Cup races.
“David will be the guy to get in there, depending on how far and how long [Busch] goes, how he feels, we’ll have David ready to jump in there,” Gibbs said."
Amazing isn't? I driver starts in one car for another Race Team knowing he is going to Start & Park and finish in another car for another race team.
I see the copy and paste artiste is with us again.
I think it's just a kid. As if swearing is something cool. Takes all kinds to make a world.
Well, AB brings it out in the open about JoLo's dad!!
MV, Gilliland is a start and park. The car was relatively blank, Mahindra was on the hood and that was it.
Hopefully Kyle can run all day.
Foreigner? Really. Why does CA torture us like this?
Wish Las Vegas ABC would have played the Hendrick story today. But guess that infomercial for the super juicer and slimming jeans is just as good.......
Do you suppose there's any chance that ESPN will manage to actually cover the racing on the track today, as opposed to that mess they gave us yesterday?
I know many are not happy with the Kyle/DG plan but I have a question that a long time fan can possibly answer. I seem to remember DW saying something along the lines of guys doing relief driving for multiple drivers in the same race. Am I remembering right. I realize S&P is the issue but still
If California has another race day with empty stands, is the next move for ISC to build a casino at the track?
Filming a vid at the track? Kewl..
Oh yeah, I'd much rather listen to a band than get information or interviews with drivers that they wouldn't usually 'have time' for...like non chasers?
@ Bill, yeah, what was up with that?
@ Sally, let's hope.
Is it true that Greg Biffle said on his radio yesterday that he was going to wreck Joey Logano?
If it is, NASCAR is showing its inconsistency in enforcing the rules. A precedent was set in 2002 at Martinsville when Kevin Harvick intentionally wrecked Coy Gibbs in a Truck race. He was parked for the rest of that race and the next day's Cup race.
The fact that Biffle is in the Chase shouldn't factor in as far as rule enforcement goes.
Hey ESPN/ABC ... I'd rather see interviews with drivers that this crap. I didn't tune in for a concert.
I really don't think ABC/ESPN cares enough to do any better than what we viewed yesterday.
Can anyone answer this please.....
Over the course of the weekend, has anything been said during any broadcast about the JC France issue ?
I have yet to hear or see anything at all.
@ Nrf, you are correct. They showed that on the series Back in the Day.
And, remember, Jr got in Weed's old ride, now his.
I have nothing against Gilliland getting in the car for Kyle. It's just a direct tell that the 71 will not run all day is all.
Good chance for Gilliland to get a taste for next week if he does get in for Kyle.
71 doesn't have much to race for anyways, protect 37th, if in theory at least 2 cars in the top 35 disappear which I anticipate will happen, they will be locked in come Daytona regardless.
Didn't listen to that little segment there by ABC, but what the H was that?
well, guess we need to get ready for an over-abundance of "don't slow down" for the balance of the season -- and it's not even that good a song.
Like the use of Marty Smith. Wish they'd make him a pit reporter
@ Ken
They did mention it (briefly) at the beginning of the Rolex race from Homestead, unsurprisingly since JC France drove in the series.
All they said was he wasn't driving because he had some legal difficulties for an early-morning incident. I don't think they used the word "arrest", but I could be wrong.
Apparently the team said something later, but I wasn't home and missed it.
--KarenB
Hmm.... decisions decisions, non-NASCAR related pre-race concert or football?, concert or football?.... obviously only the most passionate NASCAR fans are choosing a pre-race show over NFL so I guess ABC figures why not drive them away too. The decision making of this production staff is just sad.
Hope this racetrack gets some good racing going like Saturday.
Another COT test session is going to be killer.
@david: and i'd wish they let him out of that freakin' suit and tie drill! he's just so much more comfortable talking w/harvick 1 on 1 in jeans and a shirt. such an artificial constraint imposed by espn.
but it's a GREAT interview!
Ken maybe Dave Despain on WT tonight, or tomorrow on Nascar Now will mention JC. Or maybe the France family is on damage control.
@ JD, probably not. The drivers have to drive carefully around the Chasers.
Sure we're running bad but nobodys dead. WOW. Kind of put's it in perspective doesn't it
Harvick has talked leaving before, things got better, he stayed.
I think this go around though, he will walk since Tony's got that seat open and they should find sponsorship for it I imagine
@nrf-Marty looked abit taken back after Kev said that. I was surprised myself.
thanks Karen & Vicky !!
Great interview with Harvick. Wish they gave us more of that sort of thing instead of a band video....
Just reported Kyle Busch got booed at intros....
Boy with all that talk about Tony's Kansas performance, it almost feels....scripted?
ESPN loves to repeat themselves....its like a really bad NASCAR for Dummies book.
Kyle Busch likes to play the bad boy. Bad boys get booed. It's a path he chose.
And how many of those people in the stands know he's that sick?
--KarenB
@ KBaskins, if they watched the NW race, they all do.
@NRF - I don't remember ever seeing one driver driving in relief in two different cars, but I do remember two relief drivers getting into the same car in one race.
At Talladega in the spring of 1998, Dale Earnhardt, Kyle Petty and Joe Nemechek were involved, I believe, in the same multi-car accident. Kyle Petty got into the #3 while Joe Nemechek completed a few more laps before parking his wrecked car. Then Nemechek climbed into the #3 car after Petty brought it back into the pits or garage.
Kyle gets booed everywhere. He's used to it. He bows when they do, remember?
I would have not wanted anything signed by a sick boy. Talk about spreading germs! (not that I would want anything from him anyway)
MV, it hasn't happened in a long time.
Probably not since the mid 80's
Lets go lean and green today! Wanna see the end of this one, if it runs in the 3 hour 45 minute range, its going to be close for me to even hear the ending on radio.
nascarsays on twitter that the #18 is starting at the back for an engine change. hmmmmm. . .
guess they couldn't count on the debris caution today.
In JD's AO--getting the straight scoop on l'affaire Logano and the Pepsi 500 from the Planeteers, whose instincts and judgement I trust more than that of the mainstream NASCAR media. Take a bow before the green, Planeteers!
Even though it's Weed, you have to hand it to him driving sick.
Jamie mentioned S&P Gilliland taking over. Bet NASCAR loves that.
Rred he blew it in the first practice, missed a shift. Way before they knew he would get worse not better
@David - I remember one weird instance of "relief driving" in the late '80s. Dave Marcis started the race in his #71 Helen Rae Ford and Phil Barkdoll started an identical car with the #73 on it. During one pit stop, both drivers got out of their car and got into the other. I never understood why they did such a thing.
I wish it was PAUL McCartney singing the National Anthem.
Alvin and the Chipmunks! I love those guys!
OK, we're not ecven thru the second stanza and the guy has changed keys 3 times already. He should stick to being a 'chipmunk'.
Did he just skip a line???
Thanks to the blowout giants game Lions on CBS here. going to stick with that for the mostpart until it is over.
MV, got no answer to why they'd do that. Maybe a backowed favor?
Major faux pas on the anthem.
well, that was really bad.
really, REALLY bad.
Welcome to "So You Think You Can Sing The National Anthem"
That's BAD when you don't even know the words to the Anthemn.
Shame.
So he missed a sentence or two, he has great hair!
Before I forget...
Happy Thanksgiving to Martin and RobFromToronto and any other Canadians on here I don't know about. May you be so stuffed with turkey and fixin's that you have to take a nap.
--KarenB
Guess he's too young to remember all the words. Oh my.
@karen-my jaw dropped & I thought, this kid doesn't even know the WORDS!
I guess they had to find a singer embarrassing enough to match the ESPN broadcast.
Jesse screwed it up ...
I knew he would ...
@sally well, they found him.
Heard about 4 words then hit the mute button.
Thanks for clarifying the fact that he did skip a line or two, JD. I thought I was hearing things.
That was really bad. Just have a military band do it every week. They never let down.
LOL Sally!
--KarenB
Sorry about misspelling "anthem".
Too much rain the last few days has mildewed my brain.
*mea culpa* ;-)
They are kidding me with that National Anthem, right? Anyone who can't sing the National Anthem with all the words should be banned from the world of entertainment! Really! This is NASCAR, people...not the opening of Joe's deli...ugh!!!
a gotta admit, he fits in with the overall mess we get, doesn't he?
@ Sally, true.
Jesse McCartney wasn't even a very good actor when he was on "GREEK" last season ...
I wonder if Kelsey will be able to give the command ... and Audrina can wave the green flag ... and Christian drive the pace car ...
All that had to do was bring back that young lady from yesterday.
She nailed it totally. Marty Smith said NASCAR should give her a hard card after that one.
They cost $$$$$$$$$$$....
okay, this is the THIRD time today I've heard/seen this intro. Enough already!
About typical for todays ESPN version of NASCAR.
Boy, ESPeeN is really hammering the Hollywood crap.
I kinda liked it. Only, because it was shorter than it would've been if ALL the words had been sung.
They are getting all the voice over big boys out to push Nascar & California race track - Mike Rowe really has a great voice.
The stands don't look exactly crammed full, do they? Pretty good start from 'Frasier'!
Are you ready for some racing!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOO Cali time. I sure hope this race plays out like yesterdays Nationwide race, that was awsome! Here we go Start your engines!!!!
As usual I am your Juan Pablo Montoya report.
Anyone else having pit command sound problems?
Kelsey -
Short & to the point
Though, I bet the guys would've rather had Kelsey's daughter, Spencer, there ... LOL
whoa! was that just a subtle shot at the booth by Bestwick?
@Patrick...great point! It reduced our suffering!
On National Anthems--more than a few of my brother and sister soldiers (I'm retired Army) occupy prime real estate at Arlington National Cemetery because they died defending this country. I kinda take bad renditions of the anthem personally and think it is disrespectful to those soldiers--and all who are now serving--that these people take liberties with the Star Spangled Banner as though it was a disco lounge song. Sorry to rant.
@KarenB - Thanks! My brother is stopping by from Waterloo on his way back to Quebec tomorrow and we'll be stuffing ourselves with turkey.
Since the driver points don't mean anything outside the chase, why not put Mike Wallace in the #71, so Gilligan can be ready for the sickly one.
I think we'd seen that girl from yesterday before...her name was familiar. She was good. Honestly...people complain when someone reads the lyrics, and they complain when they mess up because they weren't looking. Look, people get nervous; it's not that they don't know the words. That's why so many at big events are all prerecorded now. But yes, that's what happens when you pick someone who hasn't done it a lot. The kid's not that bad of a singer; just not an anthem singer.
Mark's got the curse today.
I have a bet with Dan that JJ takes over the points lead today.
not too subtle for me! shot across the bow.
Dr. T I agree wholeheartedly.
@DrT: not a rant, a solid opinion that i second -- and from this Marine brat: many thanks for your service!
Dale "uhhh" Jarrett is getting into a VERY BAD habit with saying "uhhh" in between his words/sentences.
Very annoying, someone please give him some coaching.
If you're going to be a broadcaster, start sounding like one DJ !!
I LOVE Mark Martin..He's the real deal. Doesn't need a championship to consider him a champion in my book!(that's from a Tony Stewart life-long fan!!). I am so glad they didn't ask Mark Martin how old he is and "how does that make him feel?". Enjoy the race, y'all!!
so much for my Lions game. =(
I think the racing could be good for once based on yesterday, but I'm wholely unconvinced I'll ever see it. Jr just mentioned no incar camera so he can 'let the gestures fly' very interesting perspective on how much all the cameras in the dirvers faces my change how they concentrate and race. Not all myabe but some.
Go JPM!!!!
Nooooooooooooooooooo! Mark's been cursed with the in-race reporter status? C'mon!
Just switched over from football. Have they mentioned the whole Kyle Busch being ill thing yet or are they side-stepping it?
was that "hotel california" going to commercial just now?!?
David, just crazy about Juan Pablo. Hope he takes it all the way. I probably just jinxed him by saying that.
@ red, yes it was. CA Dreaming was on earlier.
Could the GF take any longer?
@ Dot
My PitCommand sound is fine. Then again, I have to use the TrackPass Scanner because I have a Mac, and there's a year-long unresolved problem with PitCommand audio and Macs.
When I complained about the problems to TrackPass support, they said to use Scanner. It's free to those of us who have PitCommand. You access it through the TrackPass web page.
--KarenB
Had a pitcommand issue on firefox, works fine on IE. JPM radio here, will update accordingly.
I call pit strategy to win today, 48 will rebound from a miscue last week.
Sleeper, look out for Reutimann. This place owes him one after that wreck in 07.
I sure hope the uniform start times next year do away with the too long pre race shows.
@dot: thanks, that's what i was afraid of. time to go pull a beer or two from the frig.
Here we go folks, gonna be interesting.
Boogity, Boogity, Boogity..Let's Go Racin', Boys!!! I miss FOX...I hope Kyle doesn't have the H1N1 flue..terrible example set by Nascar if he does...
No scanner mish mash! Hooray!
77 hits the fence, cut to the 48. Makes PERFECT sense!
Thanks had to reboot but still can't hear JJ everything else works
Tight angles already? Yikes.
JD - I gotta disagree with you on the girl singer from yesterday ... She was not very good ...
And let's just concentrate on the top 5 cars...the heck with everyone else.
What's with dumping a shot of Sammy getting loose for a shot of Jimmie??
Compared to the rest of the singers this season, that was just my opinion.
This year has been a mess.
...
JP is doing everything he can to avoid saying "start and park".
Jr. seems to be moving forward. You can see him just ahead of Kyle. barely.
So now we have a true start and park update, only because Gilliland is getting into a top car...
This is flipping stupid how long something like this took to get a real pit report...
I wonder if TB will again go over a driver getting out of a car, then another driver getting in.
Glad I chose getting caught up on ANTM on YouTube vs. watching the prerace.
I wish they had gotten the Chipmunks to sing the anthem. Quite embarrassing :(
@ VickyD, you know he will.
#09 - "No Power"
mrn: lead change: 48 to the lead.
oh, right: espn is still on commercial.
It's embarassing NASCAR would let the 71 start the race knowing they "didn't have enough money to finish it". I am just a simple person but imagine the "best scenario" if the 71 was leading the race...would some millionaire at the track open his checkbook? Somtimes, the world is more confusing to me than others.
Gilliland told to bring it in on lap 13. Caution after that? Hmmm....
#71 to the garage. Who had less than 20 in their pool?
JD - Does this mean you didn't like last week's singer?? Blaine Larsen ... I thought he did a really good job ...
How about we hook me up with Sir-Mix-A-Lot ... get me in the studio to record my rendition of the National Anthem ... Then play it at every race??
a couple of seasons ago I was watching Deadliest Catch, and nearly fell off my chair when one of the fishermen said boogity boogity boogity boys lets go fishing, could this be the mike Rowe connection?
Deja vu anyone?
Gilliland parked.
--KarenB
Junior up to 20th.
@Karen--when I was having problems with the PitCommand audio before it wouldn't work on Firefox but worked fine on Safari. FF is my default browser. So far it's worked in FF I don't know why it doesn't want to play nicely with Macs :(
Looks like Gilligan is getting ready to fill in.
Good lord. I want to see racing, not stories. The whole Gilliland/Busch thing is interesting, yes, and the Chasers are important, yes, but there's got to be more out there than single cars. Like that pass by Smoke.
dara, You don't have to run all day to field the car. There is no rule that you have to have money to run all day to enter a car. This start and park thing has been going on for decades, its just that now it has become a business model which is unfortunate, but if it keeps the doors open and people at work to bridge to a better day, I can't cry foul too loud. Teams like PRISM and MSRP make me sick, TRG runs when they have the money, they just didn't today.
Daly Planet Editor said...
"Deja vu anyone?"
. . . all over again.
(with thanks to yogi berra!)
Oh good, we got to watch the "walk" to the other pits. At least M&M's is getting some TV time over this.
JD, apology for OT ---
James Hylton was injured in a serious crash at Rockingham. Alive and conscious, transported to hospital.
Sending good thoughts.
ri88, Demographic overlap. Have seen Sig and a few others at Nascar races Last year or the year before. E Sad loves Deadliest Catch
Is that the ARCA race they are televising at 10PM tonight?
Gymmie & Karen
I had to restart my RaceView. PitCommand is stable.
@ Gymmie
I get this weird Silverlight box when I try to use audio in PitCommand. I just use Scanner instead. It's easier on my nerves. :-)
--KarenB
No probs, that is on tonight on SPEED at 10PM. Rick Allen, Phil Parsons, Ray Dunlap and Jim Tretow.
Bob Dillner gets to host The SPEED Report tonight with Adam Alexander. Nice to see him get a shot.
Hope Hylton is okay.
#66 to the garage
@sally that's a yes on tonight's arca race @ the rock and hylton's wreck.
We should be having that pity caution anytime now. YF average at lap 20.
Thoughts to J Hylton, too.
Montoya new leader.
--KarenB
Drama Jerry? that's the second time you've said that in the last five minutes and KB says he feels alright so maybe there won't be the much ballyhooed driver change- does ESPN have a contingency for that?
New Leader - #42
Let's see if Punch calls the S&P cars like Marty.
Pit Command worked after reboot but JJ NO. Was waiting in Q in Nascar.com when I heard them change channels so works now. Was a trackpass problem after all. I get very stressed when I can't hear Chad and JJ sad I know.
Another broadcast by replay.
@jd: let's see if dr punch does ANYTHING like marty reid today.
#36 to the garage
#09 OUT - Engine
#171 OUT - "Overheating"
And Randy LaJoie's son, Corey, drove in the ARCA race today and had a good finish. I was "watching" the live timing and scoring and noticed the red flag near the end of the race, but didn't know what it was for.
"That guy just doesnt get it" 42 Spotter in reference to Papis
Man, great sports tv across the board right now
#187 Nemechek to the garage
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Thanks Patrick!
Oh no! Brewer again on the same thing!
bingo whoever called the TC about driver change ugh!
NOOOOOOOOO!
Not Brewer.
Reeediculous
showing it again-UNREAL!
aarrgghhh! the dreaded etch center driver switch explanation!
just do this change and get it over with: put us out of our misery for a change!
who called the brewer segment. Repeat from yesterday. LAME!
@ NRF
I hear you. I *need* to listen to my driver at work. (I work Sundays.)
I got all bent out of shape when TrackPass audio wasn't working for me on my Mac. Stupid Microsoft Silverlight info comes up instead of the audio box. Turner gave me a free month of TrackPass because I complained. Apparently it's a common problem on Macs.
--KarenB
OMG, TB doing the driver change!
Get a grip, ESPeeN.
AHA! Same old replay from yesterday about changing drivers. How ridiculous! and showing the #18 while he does it? Pathetic.
Oh boy!, clear proof that ESPN doesn't accept fan feedback, they're rerunning Brewer's piece on how to get in and out of car, under green...
Why didn't they just show yesterday's swap? Nobody wants to see Brewer. Probably would've taken less time, too.
Born to Run, again?
#66 OUT - Overheating.
Has anyone figured out there is a new NASCAR conspiracy? Allow Fox/TNT/ESPN to have lousy TV commentary so people will listen to MRN which is owned by ISC (NASCAR). That way NASCAR makes their TV revenue and gets more radio revenue.
Now now, we're not giving 'fan feedback' (according to ESPN and much of the media), we just love to complain. Remember?
I really didn't think ESPN would really show how to do a driver change.
Isn't there a race being run somewhere?
I seem to remember it being scheduled. Wonder what happened to it?
Guess they figure we're too stupid to remember from yesterday.
Anon, I like it! That time of the season for conspiracy theories.
Gibbs Twitter says Kyle expecting to stop and get out within 10 laps.
@ TRL
LOL!
I'm not even watching on TV. Between here and TrackPass and Twitter, I'm covered.
--KarenB
KB coming next time we shall see
Will the #18 really do a driver change under green? He has to feel terrible if that's the case.
I think JP should do a medical report on Kyle. Maybe he could give us his vitals.
Kyle stayin in until a yellow flag.
Its a good cycle of pit reporting I think right here, but PIP needs to be ESPN's friend. Full-screen stops is just a horrible decision
@vicky what?!? and actually use the good dr AS a doctor? whata novel idea.
I really don't understand why ESPN/ABC can't do split screen on pit stops. They showed they could do it before JPM pitted. But then again, they showed a single car with a 2 sec lead on track rather than racing.
But then again, I'm so disappointed with the ESPN/ABC coverage that nothing they do surprised me anymore.
It really is hit and miss. Single car shots on green flag pitsops should never happen.
Is Gilly & TRG thinking they gave up 3 spots and 9 points by parking too soon? Were they really 'overheating' so much that they needed to or should they have just pulled some tape for another 20 laps?
JPM is en fuego.
ARRGGGGHHH!!!
Points as of now. *sigh*
Patrick, no.
They won't lose any spots in the owners points the rest of the season I don't think.
They will wind up locked in at Daytona anyways, my guess at least.
All those other cars park based on who parks first, had TRG stayed out, the other teams would have too.
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