TDP has been chasing NASCAR and begging for information about the big change from New York City to Las Vegas for Champions Week that ends with the Sprint Cup Series banquet. We have not had a lot of luck.
Tuesday, NASCAR issued a media release detailing that the television coverage of this season's banquet was leaving ESPN and moving to SPEED so the evening could be seen live by fans. This is happening only weeks before the event.
While we waited for SPEED to finalize some plans, fans started sending suggestions in about who they would like to see host the evening's telecast. Surprisingly, no one suggested that David Spade return. Instead, there were a wide variety of NASCAR media types, some current television personalities and even some retired TV folks whose names were offered.
Since this big jump from ESPN to SPEED, we can perhaps assume that ESPN's Jerry Punch will not be the Master of Ceremonies for the banquet. That gives us an opportunity to let you read the official information and then tell us what person or duo you would like to see that might spice up the festivities and make the evening more interesting for you as fans.
Here is the news release:
Las Vegas, Nev., is the host city for this year’s Champion’s Week festivities, which culminates on Friday, Dec. 4 with the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas.
This year, SPEED will televise the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony live, from 9 p.m.-1 a.m., ET. It will re-air from 1-5 a.m. ET, on Saturday, Dec. 5, and from 1-5 p.m. ET, on Sunday, Dec. 6. The awards ceremony is the series champion’s formal celebration.
“With the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony moving from New York to Las Vegas this year, there continues to be a great deal of buzz about how things are going to be different,” said SPEED President Hunter Nickell. “So, when the opportunity came for SPEED to be the television home for the event, it was an easy ‘yes’ from us.
“SPEED now opens the year with the Gatorade Duel at Daytona, carries it through the NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race and NASCAR Hall of Fame ceremonies in the spring and wraps it up with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas without missing a single week of coverage.”
OK, now that everything is official, click on the comments button below to tell us who you would like to see hosting the banquet this season live from Las Vegas. As usual, this is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting and thanks again for giving us your opinion.
Not that I want him to, but anyone think Tom Cruise will be the emcee of choice (he's gotten lots of NASCAR exposure this year with the Together DVD about Hendrick Motorsports)...?
ReplyDeleteCould be a NASCAR TV person, a celebrity or anyone. That's a big name to start and he did a bang-up job on the Hendrick Story DVD.
ReplyDeleteI don't care if it's Ward Burton, IT'S OFF ESPN. WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
ReplyDeleteYes I'm one of those who watch and enjoy the "celebration" of the champion and top 10.
Don't care to be involved, but I like to see them "out of their element" and "just like us" normal everyday people.
Ward Burton! We would have to have Jeff up there as a translator!
ReplyDeleteThe definitive NASCAR-type host would most certainly be Kyle Petty.
ReplyDeleteHe's knowledgeable and quite entertaining.
That is w/o being goofy like some other NASCAR possibilities.
You know Peg, I think he could pull it off.
ReplyDeleteDarrel Waltrip or Larry McReynolds
ReplyDeleteeither of those two would be cool!
It would be easier to list NOT to have MC the show if BSPN was doing it. Who hosted the NW & Trucks banquet? Rick Allen? I forget. I remember Krista in the second chair.
ReplyDeleteRick Allen would be my choice. He's got the voice and the stage presence.
No mention of entertainment? I just hope it's not the Blue Man Group. Hopefully they can get a strip headliner/show to do something.
Is this really going to be live and not BSPN live?
A real car nut - Jay Leno, maybe with Kyle Petty assisting.
ReplyDeleteThey need to use Michael Waltrip & Kenny Wallace!!!
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ReplyDeleteDot, it's on SPEED live which opens the door to a lot more possibilities.
ReplyDeleteRick is kind of a truck series guy and he is hosting that show, but he sure does have a great set of pipes!
I should be hosting it! I am way funny. I crack myself up all the time and I am quasi-infamous.
ReplyDeleteHow about Wayne Brady or Drew Carey? At least it would be entertaining...
ReplyDeleteJay Leno! Man, never thought of that one.
ReplyDeleteDrew Carey or Jon Stewart as hosts.
ReplyDelete"quasi" being the key word I think!
ReplyDeleteBrett Griffin, Elliot Sadlers' spotter.
ReplyDeleteKyle Petty would be an AWESOME choice!!
ReplyDeleteSo that means it will be either Tom (it's time to come out of the closet) Cruise or Kevin (who's has another 500 million for me to blow on a crappy movie) Costner.
If his band plays, that fat lady from Texas will have been singing about my participation...
I would like to see Kyle Petty and Michael Waltrip as co-hosts for the awards banquet....and YIPPIE that SPEED will be handling the broadcast...can't wait!!!
ReplyDeleteCould you even imagine Michael Waltrip and Kenny Wallace? Lord help us...
ReplyDelete@ Glenn, too funny.
ReplyDeleteBut Ward would give it 1000% and I think he would be happy to be there and it would show by his presentation.
ReplyDeleteI guess Jerry was happy to host over the years, it looked and sounded like he was just "going through the motions". (imho)
Jeff Burton would be fine, how about Sterlin Marlin, Buddy Baker, James Finch, or Humpy Wheeler.
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ReplyDeleteSince its on, Speed how about Rutledge Wood! And he could be the entertainment as well. Though honestly, I think Rick Allen, Wendy V, or Krista Voda would do a great job hosting.
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ReplyDeletep.s. In any event, no comedian who has ever tried to do the banquet in the past.
ReplyDeleteRutledge? Hmmm....that is kind of an interesting thought.
ReplyDeleteIt has to be Jay Leno.
ReplyDeleteHe's a car guy right down to the ground. Plus, he's very entertaining.
I vote for an Elvis Impersonator or Celine Dion. or Clance (she made me say that).
ReplyDeleteWe need a man's man, Charlie Sheen!
ReplyDeleteSeriously they don't have the headliner signed 2 months out??
ReplyDeleteThat just funny. IS this the graduation ceremony for the local high school or a hundreds of millions of dollars a year industry event?
Allen Bestwick would be the number one pick, but we know the WWL wont let him.
Another vote for Ward!!! (with subtitles)
Tom Cruise....But only if he brings one of the reptilian gold mining aliens with him.
Charlie Sheen and Michael Waltrip?
ReplyDeleteI like the DW & KP suggestions. They'd be good. They can be fun and serious at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThe RaceDay crew would be fine with me. John, Jimmy & Kenny. Put their table right up there on stage. Krista & Wendi also.
ReplyDeleteIf we're going duos:
ReplyDeleteThe Kennys: Schrader and Wallace.
Single host to be directing traffic:
Mike Joy, John Roberts, Rick Allen, Krista Voda, Wendy Venturini.
Maybe do it like the awards show and have a host, but get everyone involved.
Whoever it is, make sure they are involved in NASCAR in some way and know how to pronounce the people involved in the sport. Even better yet, use people that drivers are comfortable around and won't roll their eyes when they speak.
I could go along with Tom Cruise or Leno as Emcee, and use media veterans Eli Gold and Dave Despain as commentators.
ReplyDeleteIf Charlie is a real man. he would B***slap the Waltrips for all of us!
ReplyDeleteWay to ruin my idea Mr Editor :)
Kinda wonder who is best, a NASCAR type or a celebrity type? Tried both in the past...
ReplyDeleteOh, an Eli Gold mention!
ReplyDeleteHow about Ned Jarrett? I used to love when he was announcing.
ReplyDeleteAllen Bestwick or Mike Joy for the actual host but for gods sake PLEASE get some good entertainment..Jeff Foxworthy, Brooks & Dunn..in recent years theyhave some pretty crappy entertainment
ReplyDeleteMike Joy! He is a SPEED guy as well...good one.
ReplyDeleteMike Joy!!! I think he would be a good MC for the banquet!
ReplyDeleteI an honestly say I am amazed at the positive feedback for Mike Joy, he gets on my nerves like a Brad D. or Waltrip
ReplyDeleteHow about Tina Turner? She can wear the ThunderDome outfit!!
I think Rowdy Busch wearing a black tux with a black cowboy hat should host..
ReplyDeleteI like having a "red/yellow" carpet thing before the event and then have the host and then some interviewers thing.
ReplyDeleteI liked when Michael Waltrip and Melissa Rivers did the Yellow carpet thing a few years back. Maybe then you could have Steve Byrnes and Rick Allen and Krista Voda kind of in the back like they do for the Miss America pageant and then have maybe Kyle Petty and Kenny Schrader and Kenny Wallace and maybe Mike Joy up there interviewing different people.
My vote though overall would be Michael Waltrip and maybe Kenny Wallace and Kyle Petty and the other driver twitterers that are a hoot. Love them.
I hope that I made some sense. Just some random thoughts.
So no one is jumping on the Kevin Costner bandwagon? Come on, he is all about NASCAR! *cough*
ReplyDeleteOooo.....Mike Joy. He would be GREAT!
ReplyDeleteHow about Winston Kelly? He'd be pretty good too.
Amy, I miss a good pre-show and fun comments before the banquet begins. I think that is a great suggestion!
ReplyDeleteMike Joy
ReplyDeleteThat it!!!
I just dare Kayne to take the mic from JPM and Tony. He wouldn't know what hit him. Literally.
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ReplyDeleteNo celebs. They have their own gigs.
ReplyDeleteMike Joy would be good, too.
No one from RD. Maybe a segment, not the whole show.
Steve Byrnes?
Anyone but Kevin Costner.
ReplyDeleteI actually think Jerry Punch would be good for this kind of thing. I HATE JERRY PUNCH AS A PLAY-by-PLAY ANNOUNCER, but he can be charming, obviously loves NASCAR, and was good as host of the Nationwide banquet, which was a Tonight Show interview-style setting.
If not him, I would like to see a rotating series of hosts throughout the night, kinda like the Oscars. Get as many big names from the sport's history on stage as possible.
Whoever said Jay Leno was a great suggestion. He loves cars maybe more than the drivers themselves!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great point. This is really right up Jerry's alley and he has had a rough season.
ReplyDeleteMan, these are some great suggestions! Keep them coming!
ReplyDeleteI second Kyle Petty!
ReplyDeleteWe don't see enough of him on tv since TNT left.
Ain't gonna get a quality celebrity this last minute.
(Quality being in eyes of beholder)
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ReplyDeleteLooking for your pick to host the Cup banquet. All are welcome. Man, lots of good names and ideas so far.
ReplyDeleteI agree about Dr Punch hosting. It would utilize his stronger skills. :-)
ReplyDeleteLots of Krista Voda votes in email and Twitter. I think she is on a roll this year...
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ReplyDeleteWhy be like ESPN? Change it up, use "audience / table hosts" and Dave Despain / Wind Tunnel as the Rover
ReplyDeleteI'm picking Mike Joy all the way.
ReplyDeleteNo word yet on any format change or additonal TV before or after.
ReplyDeleteWill keep everyone posted. Should get some more news Tuesday PM.
I liked the Michael Waltrip-Melissa Rivers red carpet pre-show from a few years back. I hope SPEED does something like that again this year. Really got me pumped for the banquet!
ReplyDeleteAs for hosts, I have to agree with NASCARista on Tom Cruise. I don't necessarily want him to host, but narrating the "Together" DVD definitely moves him up the list.
Ken Squier!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGood one. Squier has hosted his share of racing awards....for decades!
ReplyDeleteIt should not be a celeb-it should be someone within Nascar who can provide humor and old stories while knowing about the present and being entertaining. As much as Id like to see Carl Edwards host cause I think itd be a riot, these are my choices: Eli Gold, Mike Joy, Ken Squier, Barney Hall, Winston Kelley.
ReplyDelete@Glenn--the Sweet Babboo might get my friend Ivy out of hiding :). She's been MIA since he's been gone. My friend Ivy loves him and calls him her Sweet Babboo :)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Mike Joy host it. Schrader and Herman would be hilarious!
Mikey is good too :).
Reading some of the tweets that the Daly Planet had going on, I think the idea of Carl Edwards is a good one.
ReplyDeleteHe could even start the show out with a back flip.
I think he could handle it.
I think @MW55 and @Kenny_Wallace should host. They would totally kill it! I never tire of listening to them. Sooo freakin funny.
ReplyDeleteI think with SPEED they have a lot of options with a lot of good connections to people who would be perfect as hosts. Most were mentioned, lately Ken Squier, who is usually only on during Speedweeks and also did some work with the Hall of Fame announcements I believe.
ReplyDeleteJay Leno would be an awesome host, whoever suggested him was right on.
I think Kevin Costner's performance last year was bad enough to have everyone shy away from having him host this year. Tom Cruise is an obvious choice given the work he's done this year with HMS.
Dave Despain would be a good host as well. Not sure if he was mentioned. Personally, I'd love to see Kyle Petty get the honors. He seems like he'd be a natural as a host and would also add some much needed humor from what's been a pretty bad season.
Lots of good recomendations already listed.
ReplyDelete#1 Mike Joy
#2 Kyle Petty
#3 Eli Gould
PLEASE no actors or entertainers as MC!
I think the banquet needs someone who can be spontaneous, doesn't need a script - that is unless Tina Turner would do it.
ReplyDeleteOK, so I think Krista is a good choice, so is Kyle Petty, but Krista is way easier to look at. I know it wont happen but Allen Bestwick would be awesome as well, Krista still wins for the reason mentioned above. My favorite award banquet was in 2001 when it was on TNT and NBC. AB had the hosting duties and just like during rain delays he was awesome.
ReplyDeleteI got it!!!
ReplyDeleteHumpy Wheeler!
Tell me he wouldn't kill it.
In case anyone was curious, Carl Edwards introduced NASCAR-related showcases on "The Price Is Right" episode that aired this morning (Tuesday). He was relaxed and confident.
ReplyDeleteThe show was taped when he came out to run the Cup race at Auto Club (nee California) last month.
I think he'd be great and I love the backflip entrance idea, but he may not be at 100 percent after his foot injury.
Ken Squire
ReplyDeleteI think the MRN turn announcers would do a great job. They should be able to keep things interesting and prevent a lot of the painful silence that has plagued previous banquets. Moody? Bagley?
ReplyDeleteRobin Miller.
ReplyDeleteNow that would be different. Someone who doesn't drink the NASCAR Kool-Aid.
#1) MIKE JOY - he's the most professional sounding and knowledgeable of the people we associate with NASCAR
ReplyDelete#2) Jeff Foxworthy - just for laughs :-)
OH, I FORGOT:
ReplyDelete#3) LARRY THE CABLE GUY! - Could you imagine ????
Famous Hollywood types to emcee: I like the Tom Cruise or Jay Leno suggestions (or both); at least we know they appreciate the sport.
ReplyDeleteNascar personalities to emcee: I loved someone's suggestion of the Kennys. Kenny Wallace and Kenny Schrader. LOVE those guys and they are hilarious.
Comedians: Any of the Blue Collar guys or Jeff Dunham.
Oh and alternative to the Kennys I'd say Alan Bestwick (yeah I know like others said probably won't happen but I like Alan); Mike Joy, Wendi Venturini, or Krista Voda as suggestions.
ReplyDeleteI can only think of 2 people, and that is either Bob Varsha or Dave Despain. My first pick would be Varsha though. I know he is a F1 guy, but he is motorsports through and through and they don't come more classy & well spoken than Bob Varsha.
ReplyDeleteMy vote, if asked, is for JD AND the Planeteers--but that would, unfortunately, be unlikely.
ReplyDeleteEli Gold would be great..but he has Crimson Tide football to prep for.
Knowing NASCAR's predilection for control and its infatuation for celebrity, Cruise might be an 9-2 favorite right now.
Ward Burton is probably helping manage the wildlife in his corner of VA at this time. (great choice, though)
Someone mentioned Barney Hall--why not?
How about Krista Voda and Wendy Venturini for 'pre ceremony' interviews (like walking the grid), and Kyle Petty and mike joy as co hosts?
ReplyDeleteHow about John Roberts and Wendy Venturini?
ReplyDeleteThose "stars" always try to make it all about themselves. Keep it in the Nascar family and make it about the sport.
I think it appropriate that Mike Joy host the event. Kyle Petty would be a good asset to have, too, and so would Wendy Venturini.
ReplyDeleteLike many others have said, the fact that this won't be on ESPN Classic this year is plenty good enough for me!
Wendy Venturini
ReplyDeleteI'm scared that Rutledge Wood might get the call, or perhaps that light-hearted fun guy Mike Helton.
ReplyDeleteI nominate Dave Despain.
Hey
ReplyDeleteMaybe Kanye West!
That way, he could interupt each of the top 10 speeches and claim that Shakira really had the best season!
Seriously, no host can save this event. Fact is, its a thank you to the sponsors, and trying to make that "entertaining" will never work. NASCAR has spent the last decade trying to morph into a Hollywood-esque super-cool entity, and in the process has lost its fan base. The proof of that is in the posts of Planeteer "Red", who has abandonned the sport in frustration.
Just make the show FOR racers and sponsors BY racers and sponsors.
Get Ken Squire, Bob Jenkins and Eli Gold to tri-host and be done with it.
Bray Kroter
I'll vote for Bob Jenkins as host. Knowledgeable and intelligent would work well with Kyle Petty working the "room" and wacky Ruthledge Wood wandering around in the parking lot.....
ReplyDeleteMike Joy, Allen Bestwick or Ken Squier. No celebrities. They know nothing and are usually a waste of time and PLEASE not any of the comedians who think they are too funny but are worthless.
ReplyDeleteHooray that is won't be on ESPN this year. At least the racers LIKE the Speed folks.
Of course I just had a horrible thought -- they wouldn't use Kenny Wallace or Jimmy Spencer, would they? LOL
Yuck to Kevin Costner. That was horrible last year, almost as bad as Ed Wood's version a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteI can't say I was a fan of the Yellow Carpet deal -- I do like the idea of some pre-show deal, but honestly Mikey and Melissa, I won't watch if they do it.
I suggest Terry Fator. I saw his show live a couple of years ago in a sery funny and smaller town and he is very funny. He would be a unique host and is currently performing in Vegas. Google his name if you never heard of him.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see the banquet will be somewhere it can be seen other than ESPN Classic.
ReplyDeleteI think Dave Despain would be a great choice. He's a racing guy and has a good sense of humor for the entertaining side. Another good one would be Mike Joy with someone to come out a couple of times to crack jokes like Bill Engval or someone like that. I don't think a comedian should host the whole thing and I don't think a strictly racing guy should host the whole thing either. Leno would also be a good choice. No more David Spade, Jay Mohr, or anyone like that.
If Tom's in, I'm out. I just can't like a guy who lets himself be brainwashed so they can take his money. Ewwww....
ReplyDeleteJoy, Rick Allen, or Krista Voda. If they *must* use a celeb, Jay Leno would be good (but seeing he's kinda busy, I'm thinking not...). Costner isn't an 'emcee' exactly...I think he's too low key. On the other hand, most of the 'comedians' have been incredibly lame.
I wonder how Patrick Dempsey would do? He knows his GrandAm but I don't know if he's a NASCAR fan.
Yeah SPEED got it!! YEAH!!
ReplyDeleteA lot of great ideas but I'd like to see them go with one of their own, a NASCAR person instead of a celeb. My choice would be Wendy, Rick or Mike, or even Ralph. If it were to be an ex driver I would pick Kyle Petty. I would not pick any current competitors. A mix of all the above names would work too.
And yes, I expect Kyle Busch to crash the event at some point. ;)
Since the emcee would be reading from a teleprompter, the pres would be a natural.
ReplyDeleteI could also see Robin Miller unplugging the teleprompter, much to the emperor's chagrin!
Seriously, Mike Joy is the obvious choice. Perhaps Tommy Kendall?
I thought about Tommy but he struggled a bit with Despain's show...I think he's better when he's rehearsed. Plus a lot of people don't know him.
ReplyDeleteNick Lachey comes to mind...he's a pal of Jimmie's so presumably he knows his NASCAR.
They should just have a down home, backyard barbecue!! Honor the roots!! They'd all be much more comfortable.
ReplyDeleteI think Mike Joy with a co host of Will Farrell, serious and comedy together.
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ReplyDeleteWhat about Mike Rowe? I know that he is doing the intros during the chase, but I think he would really be great MCing the banquet
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
Chatugah...of the Chase drivers, one is from Vegas, 3 from California, one from the country of Columbia, one from Washington state...several midwesterners....exactly whose roots are you talking about, and how do you know they'd be more comfortable? Not saying they don't have barbeques everywhere, mind you...just saying, the 'down home' bit is old, which is why they're in Vegas....and it's largely about thanking the corporate sponsors, anyways, which is why they used to be in NY...
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jay Leno and Kyle Petty.
ReplyDeleteDave Moody as host would be a blast along with Jennifer Nettles and Christian Bush of Sugarland as co-hosts, Use Sugarland for the entertainment, "Down in Mississippi and up to no good" would get the house rockin'!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn...that was a great thought. Mike used to do QVC so he's used to 'emceeing' and thinking of things off the cuff. Great voice. Don't know how much of a NASCAR fan he is, but he certainly embraces a challenge, lol.
ReplyDeleteBut if we can have SPEED people, I'd vote for Krista. I seriously think she'd be good at this, so would Rick Allen. They'd be good co-hosts, with maybe some Kyle Petty thrown in.
I like the idea of Barney hall or Eli gold hosting the banquet. I also like the idea of using the blue collar tv guys as well. Either way, it will be good on because it is on speed!
ReplyDeleteIf all this has to happen, then Jay Leno would be the logical choice. He is a professional entertainer, not some jock who doesn't have a clue on how to do this type of thing. It's bad enough to see most of the drivers struggle through the banquet, let alone an unprepared host or hostess. Which is why I have no intention of watching it anyway. After Homestead, racing season is over until Daytona Speed Weeks. Good luck Jimmy, and enjoy your 4th championship. You are the best of the best.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Jay Leno already committed to work on 12/4 on his own show?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Jeremy Mayfield is available. Now that would be funny.
I think Kyle Petty would do a respectable job of it.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTaking your comments on who should host the Sprint Cup Series banquet now that it has switched (at the very last minute) from ESPN Classic to SPEED and will be shown live.
ReplyDeleteI think they should do a red carpet outside with Mikey and Rut.
ReplyDeleteThen to host and direct traffic should be Mike Joy. With Wendy and Krista as roving table reporters ala the grid. Then for special features guys like Kyle Petty, Larry Mac, DW etc. No outside Nascar family 'stars'. Use Mike Rowe for the porno voice over stuff.
Jeff Foxworthy for comic, and Bigg and Rich for music.
Carl Edwards and JR.
ReplyDeleteThe editor's comment removed by the author. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteJay Leno
and/or
Mike Joy.
Both love cars and knows them inside and out.
Leno for the funny side.
Joy for the more serious side.
No current drivers should host.
ReplyDeleteJay Leno would be a blast.
He's on a lot of the shows that Speed currenty airs. His car collection and car knowledge is huge in all respects. He is not just a comedian.
Jay Leno
My first answer was Krista but I like the idea of her and Wendy talking to the guys outside. While Mikey/DW would be hilarious I think the banquet needs to be a little more professional than that. Kyle might be a good choice but I would love for it to be Mike Joy. Hey he flew into Dover in Sept. just to MC Jimmie getting his plaque for winning the spring race so I know he can handle it. Don't think we can get Leno on such short notice but wouldn't that be cool. My bet is that the entertainment and possibly the comic relief are already set but we can always dream.
ReplyDeleteDoes Wendi own a push up? Would someone post of picture of her at the banquet? Why is Rutledge on TV at all? Leno needs a ratings boost. He'd be OK. The cast of 1000's on the talking head shows and race shows are way over exposed. I've had enough of all of them. Larry the Cable Guy? Maybe if levity is the issue, he is pretty darn funny. And about as moonshine as you will find with a stage presence. Naw, NASCAR won't do down home Alabama. So I'm thinking Nancy Pelosi and Glen Beck co-hosting. Yeah, I think that is just the right ticket.
ReplyDeleteHow about Mike Joy and Jay Leno. Mike Joy calls races for FOX and does a great job and you need a big name and car guy, that would be Jay Leno.
ReplyDeleteMad Max and Marcos! The two guys who are always smiling, have a great sense of humour, and love being in NASCAR.
ReplyDeleteOn a more serious note, Mike Joy gets my vote.
And no Mikey, Rut or Kenny on stage. Totally inappropriate for this sort of event. They go too far in the other direction from the flat delivery of Dr. Punch.
--KarenB
i think danica could do a great job, any thoughts on bringing her in early to host the championship weekend? itd be great for any of those people who can't wait for her to come to nationwide, she could be right there next to jimmie and the sprint cup
ReplyDeleteYes to Barney Hall being part of this!!!!
ReplyDeleteI was gonna mention Robin Miller...with all the DP stuff, he should at LEAST get to record a bit for the show. :-)
Don't want blue collar comedy guys, no CURRENT drivers, some guy with INTERESTING history tied to the sport.
Maybe an off the wall guy balanced with a sane guy..DW & Kyle Petty or Barney Hall and make it a trio. :)
Shows long enough they could rotate hosts for what 2 or 3 hrs?
I nominate Penn & Teller. They are arguably the most entertaining act in Vegas at the moment. Penn has the voice & presence required for hosting duties and together they can easily entertain the audience with their magic tricks & sight gags.
ReplyDeleteThe one guy that can do it right, that is tied in with Speed is Mike Joy.
ReplyDeleteIt should not be an outsider or a big name from hollywood. it should be someone who loves and respects the sport and it's history.
Other names come to mind, many listed in earlier comments. Mike is tied in with Speed unlike most of the others.
This just in...
ReplyDelete@dustinlong: #NASCAR ... Steve Byrnes & Jeff Hammond to host Speed's coverage of Cup banquet. Mike Joy & Krista Voda will intro drivers & award winners
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ReplyDeleteNO TOM CRUISE! come on lets get someone who at least we can relate to, i vote for john c reilly!
ReplyDeleteMy top three: Jay Leno is funny, knowledgeable and probably the best all around for the job. Mike Joy is without question one of the tope racing announcers in the business and would be perfect. Wow, Mike Rowe..an inspired, thinking-out-of-the-box selection. Can't go wrong with Mikey..great pipes and one funny, but respectful guy.
ReplyDeleteIf I may, I would like to offer my out-of-the-box choice and that would be Brian Williams of NBC News. Brian is a huge NASCAR fan, has always been a friend to the sport and has a wonderful personality to complent his sense of humor. He'd be so stoked he'd probably do it for nothing!
Oooooo, I really like the Brian Williams idea! Unfortunately, we're out of luck.
ReplyDelete--KarenB
I first suggested on Twitter Krista Voda, then I thought it would be cool if Delana Harvick would host.
ReplyDeleteThen I suggested if they wanted people to watch, they should have Dale Jr. host it. But someone tweeted (not you John) that I should leave the man alone already.
I wasn't picking on him, I would just like to see him that night. Since he is my favorite driver.
john c reilly, mike rowe, or ron white thats a vegas kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteWe have a new post up on SPEED's choices to host the Sprint Cup banquet and all the TV that will go along with it.
ReplyDeleteJust head back to the TDP main page by clicking the logo at the top.
Thanks for all the great comments!
JD