There is a new post up for race comments on ABC at Talladega. Thanks.
Here we go with what could be a deciding race in the Chase. Allen Bestwick has a crowd in the Infield Pit Studio for the one hour pre-race show.
Ray Evernham will join Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty as the panelists. Daugherty has a strange fascination with accidents at Talladega and this is not perhaps the best place for him to be a cheerleader.
ESPN has been in love with Jimmie Johnson since the Chase began. Trying to keep a balance between the Chasers and the racers has been a downfall of this TV coverage since the Chase began.
Talladega's truck race on Saturday showed that by using few in-car cameras and keeping the cameras wide the race can be tremendously exciting. This is the challenge for the ESPN Producer and Director, who enjoy tight shots of single cars and extensive use of the in-car cameras.
Pit stops are going to be important, but green flag stops cannot take up the entire TV screen as they have during the ESPN coverage. Split-screen is mandatory so fans can keep up with the action on the track.
Caution flag pitstops need the triple-video split to show the top three cars. Losing that effect to go full-screen for Jimmie Johnson has often caused the ESPN crew to miss the race off pit road.
Jerry Punch has to keep it exciting on every lap. Silence is not a effective way to relay to viewers what is going on in the race. Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree should be on their game, as this big track is tough for the TV crew to see and they will be jumping back and forth between the TV monitors in the booth and the view out the windows.
On pit road will be Shannon Spake, Jamie Little, Dave Burns and Vince Welch. In the Tech Garage will be Tim Brewer. Using Brewer live during the race had better be presented in a split-screen. Action happens to fast for live tech features.
This post will serve to host your comments on the ABC coverage of the Sprint Cup Series at Talladega by the ESPN TV team. To add your TV-related comment, just click on the comments button below. Thanks for stopping by, let's go racing!
674 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 600 of 674 Newer› Newest»@Red,
You from philly?
So much for Weed's plan. His drafting buddy just blew up.
I give J Utter's opinion as much creedence as he gives mine. since this blog is here specifically to critique the TV coverage, what else would one expect to find here?
JD
That jim utter comment..that is directed at YOU? & Us?
Wow, did he NOT read the compliments of SPEED yesterday?
Has nothing to do with ANTI ESPN bias they created that against NASCAR!..ESPN disses the sport and insults the fans (DREADFUL camera work/coverage)..and NASCAR ALLOWS THIS...
SPEED STILL follows NASCAR rules but makes it fun and yesterday's Truck was a GREAT broadcast.
So I don't understand why this blog is being attack over the REALITY of ESPN's horrid coverage?
I went out for a 5 minute walk while ago...will go for another one shortly but reading comments here...not been on Twitter today.
Denny H blowing up. :(
@red
my twitter is racepix, what is yours so I can follow?
Poor Denny!
Okay, I"ve been trying to catch up. Home now, listened to race on MRN in car.
Who the heck is Jim Utter and why does he hate us?
@boyd, most of me wishes I was going to TMS. My knees remind me why I gave up my season tics. *sigh*
BTW, if you go by the Speedway Club, my name is on the wall of plank owners. :-)
Did youu noitice how Brad K. windshield was pretty dirty on the right side. He doesn't use full windshield tear offs. HD is fun.
Couple of dozen....hehe...
Beating - My lawn needs raked ... My plum & cherry trees shed most of their leaves in the past 3 days
Clearly Utter doesn't tune in for NW races that ESPN does...
Sad really.
I can't tell you how many times I talk to someone that has seen the race on ESPN but is clueless asto what really happened to a certain driver until I tell them. Most fans who complain, don't put 2 + 2 together to realize the coverage is the problem and NOT NASCAR.
@anon@3:32 my husband dislikes racing: understands it but just isn't a fan. but he just sat down to watch for a bit w/me and i deliberately said NOTHING. his comment when he left? "these guys are as bad as fox with the phillies games!" and then he left to walk the dog.
if you're a phillies fan, you get the reference immediately.
@boyd: red8814.
I dont think mr Cow Utter is telling it like it is. did u see the ratings for Martensville??? 2.9??? I think that us on this sight are in the majority. If we were not such die hard nascar fans we wouldnt watch cause yes the coverage absolutly sucks! I got into Nascar in 2004 and have tapes from 2004, 2005 and the coverage is just lightyears ahead of what we have now. why is this who knows but sorry I side w everyone on this sight, the coverage in the past couple years are just not what it use to be. I dont understand it
JD - Jim Utter & company are the reason why I only read about 4 NASCAR media sites and that is it. I'm not wasting my eyesight reading their ignorance.
J.D.,
My guess is Utter is at the track so he doesn't have to watch the races like we do.
WCK
MM is talking with his cc about hooking up with another car til the end. Mark said how about the #9 car and his cc said well he was very slow at the beginning of the race so they decided against KK. This hotpass is funny because if the track has to make an announcement, we are hearing all sorts of things. People looking for other people, the track found someone's driver's license.
The recaps from the infield studio are a lot more exciting than the race call. You hear me, Utter?
@boyd: philly burbs and proud of my teams -- except flyers (a rangers fan from childhood a long, long time ago!)
Robby Gordon done got him a good crew chief and it shows already
So, JP can tell us what place R Gordon is before the flag drops after pit stops....but ESPN can't reset the field until they run a lap under green? Excuse me?
Man, they have been slinging it on me the past couple of weeks.
Guess the pressure is on from the big house.
JD,
When they sling at you they sling at all us Planeteers.
I'm done with Nascar. Its unwatchable. Not only do they kill the racing by making the drivers scared, I have no interest in watching the "Jimmie Johnson Show". ESPN managed to do what Fox tried to do with rodent promotions, they drove me away. I'll just switch over to the football games.
JD, if they sling at you, they are slinging at us, too. See? insulting and belittling fans is just fine, right? What was that comment about the ones that pay to be at the races as opposed to the ones that are paid to be there?
@jd; hang tough, buddy, hang tough! we couldn't do races without you. remember? we tried that before and failed. don't let the rat bast***s get to you!
I am truly stunned to read Utter's tweets directed at Mr. Daly. This is getting like politics now...don't read somebody's full statement or body of work, just pick one piece out of context and pound on it as if it were the full truth. I feel sad for Utter if he feels like he has to lash out like that.
@looyrich, so right! Hope Robby and Doug R. can keep it going.
Anon said
'Jim Utter is just telling it like it is. The vast majority of racing fans have no problems with the coverage. Its just the couple of dozen or so that post on this blog. That is nothing compared to the millions tuning in.'
November 1, 2009 3:32 PM
except for the falling ratings you mean?
We missed pit stops and resorted to replay...again. Split screen commercials would solve this problem. It is so simple...
JD, we shouldn't sink to that level though. If they want to discredit and disrespect, let em. Let the rest of NASCAR-nation decide for themselves or with their remotes. The rest will get a clue eventually.
ok then Ryan if your done w nascar then leave this sight... Why does hotpass keep calling out names to report to somewhere @ the track... MR so and so please report to the hospitalty center
I don't think any of us hate ESPN. In fact, JD has given credit to the NASCAR now improvements as well as the revamping of the Sports Center franchise. ESPN has done a lot for sports world. In fact, ESPN has done more to revolutionize sports television than anyone else. Now Fox has their regional sports networks that have come in as competition to ESPN. All of that was non existent before ESPN. Now you can basically watch any sporting event from any of the major sports no matter where you live. If it weren't for ESPN, that wouldn't be happening right now. So it isn't that we hate ESPN, it is the fact that compared to all of the other racing broadcasts of the 3 top divisions, the ESPN Cup broadcasts are by far the worst. Mr. Utter should read some of the TNT posts from 2008. They weren't exactly flattering. In 2009, however, TNT improved dramatically and the planeteers recognized that and the comments change as well.
@ Sally, I agree with you. What hurts one, hurts us all here at TDP.
@boyd--nope only going if someone kidnaps me and has tickets :(. I added you to twitter :)
@Sophia--that's my question. WHAT do they want us to do? This is the ONLY place for us to vent since they're busy covering the "sport"
@TRL--:( you wouldn't do well at Sears Point hills and stairs everywhere. They do have golf carts tho.
@Vicky--I know I'm giggling too over all the call on lost items! Glad they're calling it out tho
boyd - Jenna's not much good as a reporter ... She's in love with Jimmie & HMS
@Red,
I'll be rooting for the Phillies for you and my pal Brian Y. of Reading. (He's a 39 fan married to a 24 fan.) As a born and bred Red Sox fan, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
MRN just did a field reset. It didn't seem that difficult, ESPN. However, I'll give you credit, we have seen and heard more mentions of non-Chasers this week.
See, Utter, we can be positive and supportive too.
WCK
Exactly what's wrong with the MRN guys. they call a good race, much better than what's on TV.
Casey Mears will either be a hero or a zero today. Mark my words.
In the three years of ESPN coverage, the ratings have been in free-fall, other than at Indy (first Cup race they air on the season).
With all the crap that went on during the week and today with the "behave yourselves or else" edict from Grand Poobah Helton, I wonder if the geniuses at NASCAR are recognizing they have no clothes.
Darnell back on track after replacing master switch
"How do you explain the emotion?" Jamie, what kind of question is that?
"It's tough to give us something then tell us how to drive it." Denny, you said it.
From his picture Mr. Utter can't put down the food long enough to truly watch the race. If he could put down his cheeseburger and listen he might understand our espn problem
@WCK thanks for the phillies love -- even tho' it's more yankee hate, i'll take it! think REALLY good thoughts tonight, 'k?
They are 3 wide & 4 wide and we are watching Jimmie Johnson single file in 33rd! Hello!?!
I want blimp view for the last 10 laps.
Long interview with Denny??? Where's the interview with Sammy??
Oh wait ... Sammy's NOT in the freakin' chase for the Jimmie Cup
Jamie Mc in the lead? Let's hear about it, guys!
J.D.,
Holy Cow, that blimp shot of three and four wide looks like the Bay Bridge during commute hours (it's still closed by the way).
When i get a second job I'm going to have to buy an HD TV and get a new prescription for my glasses. Damn, them cars is small!
WCK
Enough with Jimmie Johnson already!!!
NO!!! Go back to the pack and away from Jimmie by himself.
@knel, let's not get personal, please.
If you must comment on Mr. Utter, comment on his remarks -- not him.
He is entitled to his opinion.
We are just as entitled to ignore him.
At 3:51 there was a great overhead shot of the field.
Good wide shot of the field. And it's continuing.
A positive comment.
All JJ all the time. And they wonder why we bitch.
Is anyone besides Jimmie out there??? Really, ESPN ...
QUIT SHOWING THE 48 ALL ALONE AT THE BACK! We KNOW he's back there biding his time, we KNOW he's coming to the front eventually. Show the hornet's nest!
Great racing at the front of the pack, yet we've had to hear "Jimmie Johnson riding along currently in 34th position" twice in the last few minutes.
Almost as bad as when ESPN would give us Danica updates even if she were 18th in a 20 car field.
Mad Max running in 12th? Didn't he go down a lap? When did he get it back? On a charity lap, I presume? Did I miss the announcement from the booth?
Suddenly, I'm seeing more headlights than taillights!
i'm thinking that the number of lead changes, in and of themselves, aren't the best indicator of a "good race." especially at 'dega, ya know?
I really wish ESPN would have side-by-side for these types of races. We could keep an eye on what was going on & whether or not the "time bomb" exploded.
@ Red, especially since they count 'lead changes' during green flag pit stops. Not exactly an 'honest' number.
What lap will we break out of single file?
Anyone realize there have been 57 lead changes today?
Weren't we complaining not 50 laps ago?
They usually have a abunch of leadrers at plate tracks. Running 3 wide promotes lots of changes up front.
the JJ stuff is really going to come back to bite them. ya know?
And how many times have we heard people say?, "you want TV coverage, you have to run up at the front. If your driver is running outside the top 30, he's simply not going to be shown, regardless who it is." So much for that idea!
29 laps to go...back to the parade.
so lets not show the meeting!
@sally, yep, that bogus "lead a lap while everyone's pitting under yellow" really annoys me.
@david: it's 'dega. lead changes are part of the deal. i just don't get why that's held up as some special sign that the racing is great here. othertracks, perhaps. here? not so much. it's the nature of the draft.
14 talking about going with 25 to go.
@kenn Fong
I local person I follow on Twitter had the pic of the snap cable on the Bay bridge..then later bridge closed. Person had a phone camera in car and put it on Twitter. :)
Need to fix that bridge right this time.
I need to find Utter and UNFOLLOW. Some people ANNOUNCE their unfollows but that's not my thing...however..if we all decided to ANNOUNCE the unfollow...I could change my mind
:)
Glad I've been busy today though lately, when I LOOK at the correct time, I am seeing blimp or wide shots..but I think I am watching yesterdays race :)
REMINDER F1 repeated at 4.30 for those interested. On SPEED
A Planeteer's comment is going to come true. Richardson is right behind JJ.
ESPN has put all of their "cards" in the Jimmie is going to come to the front and win basket.
I say with about 20 laps to go, this thing is going to get dicey right up to the checkered flag. I say there'll be a GWC.
Jerry Punch et. al. would all jump for joy if JJ wrecked.
I worked until 3pm. I see I have not missed a thing, and am subjected to the same ole, same ole from DSPN.
Sure wish I could listen to the scanner AND the radio at the same time. *sigh*
I really like the feel & energy of the Infield Studio.
I'm glad to see Ray Evernham return.
The Lead Changes stat annoys me.
Since a driver is only counted leading at the S/F line -- 26 leaders doesn't translate into 57 lead changes.
I like Allen Bestwick ...
But
I wish he would just LEAVE the freakin' script ... and call things like WE see them ...
And STOP talking about Jimmie all the freakin' time
@MikeC, so if they go at 20 to go, what lap is the big one?
Buschseries, Ray's next, and last, race will be Homestead.
@Kenn Fong
ditto on the needing new glasses. Me too and pay out of pocket full price :-(
Oops spoke too soon..back to &^%$# bumper cam
Knaus is encourging Johnson to continue to be patient and cautious. Johnson responds, that is all good, but we are losing the draft.
They are side by side at the front and they ZOOM in towards the #48 in the back. It is like a sick joke.
Well, here we go/ MRN said the coffee break is over
Again, quit with the 48 love ESPN. He'll try to get to the front in due time. The front of the pack looks like they're going to wreck & we have to see JJ at the tail.
wasn't that amazing?
@Sophia: my late mother was on the Bay Bridge during the earthquake in 1989, and the upper deck collapsed just a few feet behind her. All four wheels of her car were off the road when it bounced. We missed losing her by about 100 feet. Scary business. 20 years later the bridge is still not done.
Looks like Junior might be the savior for NASCAR!
WCK
I don't think Jr forgot how to plate race.
Take a drink times for me.
STOP taliking as if you're disappointed there hasn't been a wreck today! i am a race fan, i do NOT like wrecks! Ever!
should've added "two" in my comment.
@WCK, yikes. Glad she was OK.
WOW the MRN guys are going crazy..dale Jr lost the draft in top five but my internet cut out where he fell too..a few spots back
Gonna have a long post-race is there is no accident.
you know, I haven't been one to harp on the JJ thing...but this has been a little ridiculous. He's running at the back on *purpose*, and the race isn't ending now.
As for TDP criticism...well, I guess you just can't take people seriously who conveniently ignore all the positive things we've had to say about ESPN, particularly some of the NW coverage.
We're fixing to wreck soon.
Oh, yeah. Punch et. al. won't know what to do if there isn't a "big one"
jr to 4th
Is a Jimmie Johnson update required every 5 minutes?
Ken
Amazing story about your mom and the bridge.
Jr is throwing everything at things but the kitchen sink!! per MRN
c'mon regan! move up!
wish we could hear MORE CAR SOUND...sounding good on the tv...ooo, nervous...:)
J.D.
Great line on MRN:
"This is where it sells tickets at Talladega."
WCK
Yay! Jamie gave a solid report on the #12.
apart from the Jimmie iso's, the pictures have been great over the last 20 laps.
I need a valium now.
aj hit speedy dry. not blowing up
Jr & JPM hooked up?
5 minutes is up, back to Dave Burns with another Jimmie Johnson update.
I think Punch is beside himself because there hasn't been a "big one" yet, and JJ isn't moving up to the lead.
Is anyone surprised no one is helping the 48?
If they were smart, they'd help him, because he'd take them right to the front.
OMG!
oMG@ W@^$@&$^@&^@ BUMPER CAM of course so we MISSED THE LIVE ACCIDENT. hope he;s ok
THe WIDE SHOTS WERE TELLING THE STORY YOU IDIOTS
Newman! What happened to him?
Hope Ryan's ok but woulda liked to have seen it LIVE
Aren't bumper cams great?
Oh, hell.
shut up, jerry punch! just freakin' shut up!
"we were hoping it would not happen . . " then why did you keep talking about it?!
Well, Punch got what he wanted. This is a bad one, folks. This one is not good.
where are the safety crews to help ryan??
HOLY SMOKES!! So much for smaller RP...Geesus
How can they show it again, when they never showed it in the first place.
DSPN almost missed it, too.
We always have to wait on the replay. Always. What a bunch!
I hope Ryan's ok. So much for that new restrictor plate
Newman was the one who said they have to find a way to keep the cars on the ground. Roof flaps won't do it with this car, apparently.
The only way to get coverage of my driver is for him to be near Johnson? This is so bad I am writing this instead of watching the final laps. 3PM games have started, I am watching only because I feel obligated to see the final laps of a long day. Someone needs to fix their product.
No red flag???
Don't know if they've updated on tv or not, but Truex's spotter told him that Ryan is ok, he just can't get out of the car with the way that it's sitting.
Punch talking about safety. Nascar no more cares about safety than the man in the moon. All they care about is $$$.
track announcer says Ryan is ok, just can't get out.
Thank goodness he's OK.
I hope Ryan is ok..he's a big boy to be belted in.
Kind of puts that wives piece on count down in perspective doesn't it.
PHew! Finally! Ryan is okay!!
Twitter told us Newman was OK while TV dragged out the excitement.
@ Sally 4:22...it's that rear wing. When it gets turned around, it creates lift instead of downforce and, as you see, the smaller plate was not enough to keep it slow enough to remain on the ground.
That was so scary! it felt like forever in getting to him hope he'll be OK :(
Doc says he's upside down on his roof?? JP - he wouldn't be upside down on his tires.
Newman is pissed
@KoHoSo: exactly! a very perceptive and concise explanation of the issue!
Terri, I beg to differ. I think safety came to the fore after Earnhardt Sr's passing. Everyone cares about it.
Well, now Punch can spit out some of his Nascar kool-aid.
This is just the sort of situation on pit road where Jerry Punch was outstanding. Wish he was down there now.
Punch is shining here. Giving us details about the protocol.
So TNT is the "drama" network?
We sure about that?
Kyle Petty just pointed out on Twitter that the other voice on Ryan radio was his dad.
I'm glad Ryan is ok. Isn't it funny ESPN was the last source that told me Ryan was ok? I could not believe they missed the wreck live because of bumper cam.
On the positive - this medical aspect is where Dr. Jerry Punch thrives.
Why are the Nascar officials by the car?
NRF, Ryan's dad spots for him is why
Landing on Harvick helped Ryan out tremendously. That made a big difference in the impact to Ryan's roof.
roof flaps didn't help Ryan when he flipped in the 12 either, with the old car.
This. Is. Why. I. Hate. Plate. Racing. Wish I'd been wrong.
"We didn't want this to happen" Baloney! These guys always say that during the broadcast, yet they keep teasing the audience about it....and won't think nothing of it to show this over and over tonight on SportsCenter.
Ummm....there were other drivers involved. While we're waiting, can we please check up on them?
that wreck is completely on NASCAR. Their no contact rule caused the slowdown going into 3 IMO
So....backing out of the throttle to avoid contact going into the corner basically caused the wreck. Good call, Nascar.
MRN interviewed Tony Gibson & said Ryan's fine, but he has to go to the bathroom real bad!
@haus14: as well as disappating the energy. the real concern i have is with what KoSoHo explained: the combination of that big back wing and those relatively smaller roof flaps needs to be reviewed inth eoff season!
Yes, I think if he'd landed on his roof directly, instead of on Harvick, the outcome would be much different than it is.
I'll be very inerested to hear what Newman has to say about the cause of this wreck.
Harvick's windshield didn't even break!
can't believe they don't have the "jaws of life" tool that most rescue squads have...they were using a sawz all
ESPN wished that they had an onboard cam on Kevin harvick's car
Terri, I agree.
Not a fan of the Chrissy shot...
Better than when ESPN showed Katie in the spring NW race though.
so good to see him walking away! that was so scary!
Wonder how it would have differed if the 39 hadn't hit the hood of the 29 first.
Ok what if he NEEDED OUT SOONER!
see, i have NO problem showing krissie heading to infield care b/c i jusr saw ryan get out of the car on his own. and i'm thinking that may even have been a tape delay.
MUCH different than when kenseth wrecked and they were all over a pregnant katie kenseth before we knew if matty was ok.
props to espn for doing that part of it correctly. many thanks.
As I said earlier, unintended consequences with this wreck. Will Marcos be penalized?
Not a fan of the Chrissy shot either
STILL PATHETIC this horrible incident MISSED LIVE due to BUMPER CAM.
I was ready to compliment the wide shots but they had to mess it up.
I am just glad Ryan is ok but I hope his NECK is ok after being hung upside down..and his shoulders.
you think anyone has the sense to credit the earnhardt bar (inside windshield) for saving Harvick?
newmans car smashed out his windshield!!
WAKE UP ESPN!!!!
for restrictor plate races, the green, white, checker should be replaced with 5 laps vice the 3, due to the time it takes to come up to speed.
@ red, I agree with your POSITIVE comment.
@ JD, so much for a long post race.
Did Brad say 6 laps?
I thought it was 3.
Red this is true, at least they waited until Ryan got out to show it. They did say that was her headed to the care center right after the car stopped flipping. The radio for Ryan was chimed right after that wreck so she knew Ryan was okay from what I heard.
Now we know what the COT looks like as a convertible.
Now, who's almost out of gas, and who has enough for a GWC?
Red I was thinking the same thing.
@sophia: if they needed him out of there sooner, he would have been out sooner.
they did the right thing: they assessed the situation, spoke with ryan directly and then worked deliberately to get the roof peeled back. using the sawz all is a much more accurate cut: the jaws just crush the thing open and it can represent a hazard to the driver, depending on where he is in the car and all.
if there's no need for moving with speed, it's better to take time and make accurate cuts that protect the driver.
It's a good thing that Newman's got the build of an Army Strong soldier ...
That was wild ... and a product of the smaller restrictor plate ...
@red...right on all counts.
@sophia: one of my "affectionate" nicknames for ryan newman is . . . No Neck. the man has a bull neck on him! yes, he'll be sore but he'll recover.
They always should have the Jaws of Life with the Safety crew. The new car has holes in the driver's side impact plate designed in it so the jaw can enter into the chassis and cut the roll bars along the door. Great design but you need the right tool to implement the procedure.
Brewers already on the plane home I guess so I thought I would help.
I think they cut him loose with 50 to go to save money. LOL
Instead of replaying the wreck for the fifth time, how about resetting the lead lap cars?
Guys running out of fuel on apron, 1 to go. Gordon might be out or running out
Oh Jamie????
Oh no. Jamie doing the interview.
well Ryan made a trending topic on Twitter
I knew Ryan would have an honest opinion of what happened, and what caused it.
Ryan is on the money. Can't say it any better
Go RYAN! I love it. He would be a great planeteer.
Good job by Jamie!
Yay Newman ...
For throwing NASCAR under the bus and running over it multiple times ...
Good Interview Jamie,
Utter and Pistone: Something positive
God love Ryan Newman for being OK, and for being honest.
Okay....24 out of gas, Martin on pit road. Now what does that do for JJ? Oh, my. Punch will have to refigure his points!
Go Newman! Tell it!!!
red
thanks for explanation..I know the jaws of life are hazardous..but mercy...I am shaken from this and more so after HEARING Ryan talk about what caused it.
They were handcuffed by the meeting this morning as well.
And my routine is diff today so I TOTALLY forgot to get on TWITTER for updates after the wreck.
SHAME TV dragged out he was ok :-(
How many are out of gas now? 4? 6? 12?
They have had HOW long to reset the field? And Jim Utter wonders why we're anti-ESPN?
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