The first Nationwide Series race from Daytona is going to be run under very cool conditions. There are fourteen Sprint Cup regulars joining the Nationwide ranks on this Saturday and in the past they would steal all the TV exposure. ESPN had become famous for featuring the big names on the coverage. This race is going to be different.
Danica Patrick has been a media magnet from her arrival in Daytona last week to run in the ARCA event. Now, she is racing in the Nationwide Series. The TV ratings for the ARCA race went through the roof and ESPN is hoping for the same. That means a good dose of Danica throughout the coverage today.
Allen Bestwick has the task of setting the tone for the coverage as he hosts the one hour pre-race show from the Infield Pit Studio. Brad Daugherty, Rusty Wallace and Ray Evernham will join him. Fans watching coverage during the week saw both Daugherty and Wallace in the garage talking with Patrick during practice.
During this show, Bestwick will be using the ESPN pit road reporters for interviews. It will be during that time that viewers will discover which reporter has been assigned to the Patrick team for the race. Hopefully, ESPN will make a wise move and welcome Jerry Punch back to pit road by giving him that task.
Once live race coverage gets underway, it will be Marty Reid beginning a very long year of calling both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series races. Allen Bestwick, Dave Burns and Vince Welch will all have an opportunity to call a Nationwide race this season. There are several stand-alone race weekends and Reid will also be calling the IRL races for ESPN and ABC.
Joining Reid in the booth today will be Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. These two appeared several times this week and seemed to be having a lot of fun with Reid's excitement and energy level. The race today should be a good test of how Jarrett and Petree will work with Reid this season in a very different booth environment.
Jamie Little, Punch, Burns and Welch make up the pit road reporting crew. Shannon Spake is still on maternity leave. With Punch joining the pit road gang, ESPN has already announced that Spake will be hosting some NASCAR Now shows and reporting during the week for the network as well as returning to pit road later in the season.
While ESPN has made many changes in the on-air personalities, perhaps the biggest question remains the decisions being made inside the TV truck by the producer and director. Staying with a script written before the live race has been a sticking point for three seasons of coverage. If Danica is the theme, than ESPN may remind us of the insane coverage of Jimmie Johnson offered down the stretch last season.
On the good side, once again the pictures and sound have looked great all season. No tech problems are on the horizon and the weather picture is clear of rain. Daytona is an incredible venue for TV where equipment is concerned. The in-car cameras in HD are looking wonderful again and should add excitement as the Nationwide cars move around much more than the COT machines.
We invite you to join us and talk TV today. To add your opinion on the coverage of today's race, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thanks for starting the fourth season of NASCAR TV coverage here on TDP with us.
292 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 292 of 292Daly Planet Editor said...
Told Danica was throwing F-bombs on the radio after the race and what ESPN showed was the edited version.
February 13, 2010 3:25 PM
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How DARE she?!?!
UHH WOW?!
WOW!! hope are are all ok
Red flag. This is going to be a little change of pace for TV.
It's been an expensive day for JRM.
hope all are ok
Wonder how someone will make this Kyle's fault?
good work Carl
Hope Carl doesn't try to blame BK.
JR out, danica out...ratings 0...
what ever happened to live action replays?
Andy Petree calling Carl Edwards out on that one. DJ defending Edwards. Good commentary.
Hi folks, sorry I'm late but I spent mostof the day dealing with the ice dam on my roof that was making a lovely leak in my living room.
Turned the TV on just in time to see a lot of wrecking.
Looks like Edwards had a brain fade on that one.
Kyle Busch: "Think they'd mind if I got out to go to the bathroom?"
Well, at least Carl took out most of the Cup drivers, so maybe a 'regular' will have a shot at winning this thing!
Tony is unbeatable now
David, they may not be done wrecking yet!
i thought it was interesting commentary from the booth on this one. i enjoyed it, nice to see opinions from all for a change
I like your thinking, Sally
Wow, that was quite a view from Jr.s in car. Glad that all the people involved walked away from that one.
Not a lot of room for error out there, that's for sure.
The production truck is still a huge weak spot for this ESPN group. Shaky camera angles/cuts/replay angles, questionable decisions what to show at what time. The booth is finally solid, pit road seems to be up to par, but still no idea what that production truck is trying to achieve
and they walked away!
Marty handled that so well, called what he saw and then just let us watch the chaos. It's amazing how much better this than last year. I'm even OK with how Danica has been handled
Plate racing wreck
TB with a bit of a slam against Randy LaJoie
bevo, I think it was a bigger slurp of HMS than it was a slam on Randy
Credit to whichever ESPN staffer decided to plant Dr. Punch at the infield care center.
Nice with the triple split and long shot of the pits again. Keep it up!
I would have liked to hear her throw the F Bomb or two.
That would remind me of my ex girlfriend. Sexy and Sassy!
Ummmm?
So what's this going to do to the Sports Center piece that is suppose to start at 4pm and then live basketball at 5?
Missed the RL slam what did he say, I tend to tune Brewer out
I imagine the SportsCenter thing is floating in length just in case the Nationwide race ran long.
@David- I know what you mean but he could have left the reference to LaJoie out of the thing. That's his company and he's helped out a lot of local racers too by keeping the cost of those seats down for them and provide greater safety.
Marty Reid's first run to the checkered flag as the main man for ESPN.
@nrf- Explaining the seats that HMS makes and he said that RL's are OK but HMS makes a much better seat for their cars.
Bevo, that's just wrong, the seats may be better but they are not cheap. Could have handled it better
Ouch! I tune out TB too. That was definitely not a nice thing to say. I wonder what the cost difference is between the HMS and the Joie of Seating seats?
Jerry Punch should sit Jamie Little down and teach her how to ask proper questions.
Quite a bit. Carbon fiber seat = alot of coin.
I think Jimmie or someone was saying though they used the same seat for years and years though
One of the big differences I notice from last year is the booth guys are more outspoken than they used to be. Like Petree just now said NASCAR needs to check these cars before they go back on a track after being involved in a caution. That way nothing falls off that causes a debris caution. I appreciate them being more out-spoken.
It is nice having Marty in the booth and Doc on pit road. DJ and AP are adding a lot. ESPN is doing better this race with wide angle shots.
Since I came in just after the 7 wrecked, so I missed most of that part of the coverage. 20 laps to go, it will get even crazier now.
Not too sure the wrecking is over....it's got that look.
Wow, hang your brother out to dry.
Re the carbon seats that HMS uses, they are form-fitted to each driver, so you don't want them gaining or losing a lot of weight.
@Charlie- If you notice JP doesn't set up the question with all kinds of observations first. He knows what he wants to ask and does it. JL and the others stumble around before trying to ask a question. Even if they are knowledgeable about what they're asking (and I'm not saying JL is) they sound weak, ineffectual and scatter-brained.
The LaJoie seats are form fitting as well I do believe
I believe the LaJoie seats have always been form fitting. Way ahead of the other manufacturers.
Lots of genuine excitement and energy coming from the booth. Emphasis on genuine.
From web article dated Dec. 2007
"Hendrick, more interested in safety than profit with this venture, sells the seats to all teams at cost -- $10,400 for the main section and $1,200 for the headrest. Hord said 26 Cup drivers now use the seat and another six, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., are planning to move into it."
sorry, I didn't mean to imply that LaJoie's seats weren't, but if I understand it correctly, the carbon fiber seats are top of the line and as everyone said, very expensive.
OK, 5 laps to go and I'm back to biting my nails. I hate RP racing.
Doesn't sound like 12 will pull out. He will follow Tony to the end. So who pulls out?
Me too Gina!
wow, the booth is really excited and calling the action. They are making me jumpy -- in a good way. Reminds me of the way MRN usually calls a race.
What an awesome way to call that race.
what an excellent call of the end of the race. I'm forgetting about Jerry Punch already.
Good finish. Hmmmm, KB vs BK. Kyle gets loose and blames Brad?
PammmH, glad I'm not the only one biting my nails. Tomorrow will be worse - there's a driver in that race that I actually care about. LOL
Great job by ESPN today with the lone exception of the wide shots. MR is just the spice the booth needed and it was great to hear a real pro in the pits like JP.
The gauntlet has been thrown down for Fox.
3 years in a row, 3 totally different teams! impressive
That was a good race, with good coverage. Pretty good coverage of the wrecks, good commentary during the race, and decent camera shots. Minimal In-cars helped a bunch! Great effort, ESPN!
What did you guys think of the ESPN coverage today?
Notice how good it got after Danica left. Just saying...
I see what you mean about the difference between the way that JP starts an interview than when Jamie does it. She takes too long to get to the point. JP does a quick ID and then right into it. He's such a pro and in the right spot at last! So great to see it.
ESPN coverage was very good I think it had a lot to do with Marty being the PXP guy.
Vast improvement over last year! Having JP in the pits is wonderful. Insightful, intelligent, and knowlegable.
I'll second the comment that the coverage improved when ESPN started covering the race, not the "personality of the day". I don't mind them covering the 7 car, but a more balanced approach would be nice.
The booth was really on it and Dr. Punch was in his element. Still a few kinks to work out on the camera work, but those last 30 laps were really well done.
so what happend with Brad K and Kyle Busch? any words exchange?
Congratulations ESPN!
You finally listened and you nailed it. The booth was super and the camera choice was much improved.
Let Marty Reid continue to quarterback race coverage and it will be a great year.
Makiki
Honolulu
Broadcast was good but the camera work needs to step up.
Makiki,
Ever thought you would be saying that?
JD
Says something about how far Alan Bestwick has come in the ESPN universe that he gets to host programs labeled with "the franchise" name of SportsCenter.
The Chris Berman of Nascar?
I enjoyed the coverage of this race, esp after DP wrecked out. Need to widen the camera angles abit-booth was great!!
Did you hear that DirecTV is said to be chasing Berman around to offer him a job hosting the Red Zone coverage during NFL season?
He would get to only work 18 weeks a yr and make big money. Hmm...
That was predictably atrocious. It got a little better after she crashed out, but then they lead their SportsCenter coverage with the wrecked 35th place rookie. Ugh.
I think what's happening with ESPN in regards to people like Berman is they've spent so much money on their properties (NFL, BCS, NASCAR, etc.) that they're having problems finding money to pay their talent in the future....and they're all jumping ship to other networks that can pay more (MLB Net, NFL Net, etc.)
@Gina- If a reporter with that style is knowledgeable and firm they will often come off as a know-it-all or an attention whore. The opposite is what we see so much with NASCAR coverage and the result is just as bad.
Be knowledgeable, know what you want to ask and keep it concise. That's why JP is one of the best.
@bevo - agreed! and never ask a driver who has crashed out of the race "how do you feel" as the first question, unless it is being asked as they are coming out of the care center and is a legit question.
Otherwise, I'm betting the answer that the driver can't actually give is self-evident.
After watching the entire race, none of the pre-race, but the race itself I must admit it was balanced with Patrick. They covered her yes, but it was not over done at all. They kept their camerias on the front dozen cars or so. From time to time they panned back to Danika. But that's only to be expected as she is news. To bad Crissy Wallace wrecked so early in the race, and to bad Danika wrecked also. She was starting to do better in that second run.
Espn, you did pretty good. I've been critical of them for months for good reason.
But, got to call it as I see it. They did much better today then expected, based on last falls coverage. Hopefully that carries over to Cup tomorrow.
@JD- That is the one sure fire way to ruin the Red Zone. Berman has to be the focus when he does something. Red Zone is perfect the way they're doing it right now.
Sorry if I'm late to this . . .Brad's wearing a carnation? or is it a rose?
Rose, his 47 cup car is sponsored by Kroger. Marcos has been giving out roses all weekend
Thanks NRF
IMHO This was the best race broadcast by ESPN since I’ve been watching NASCAR. For more than 2 years I haven’t said a good thing about ESPN or their coverage.
Good job today. I did not hear one provoking question from any announcer or pit reporter. (The kind of question that tries to start trouble)The drivers seemed willing to talk to them.
Other than replays of old races this was the first time I’ve seen the good Dr. on pit road. IMO it seems to fit him like a glove. Good respectable heartfelt questions and dialog between him and the interviewee. What a tremendous difference Jerry made on all the pit reporting. I didn’t even cover my eyes and ears when Jamie would ask a question. Dave and Vince were even ok today.
The balance of DP and the rest of the field was better than I expected. It seemed to balance out all right. Not once did I think, enough already!
I saw more cars on the track today than ever before on ESPN. Wide angles caught most of what was happening. There were some shots that may could have been better, but minor issues.
Overall, an A for ESPN.
My only concern, we’ve seen this movie before. ESPN coming out great and that’s the best it was all year. We know they can give great coverage; it’s just a choice for them if they will.
I kept trying to get here during the race, but the great booth work and excitement they generated kept me glued to the TV.
ESPN, you have nailed it with this one. Great booth work, great pit work, good camera work.
Jerry Punch back in his pit reporter role is sooooo wonderful. He knows his NASCAR and it shows in his questions, and the way the drivers/crews respond to him.
Marty Reid has put life back in the booth. Both Andy and Dale responded in kind. I literally couldn't quit watching.
Excellent day overall.
PS -- the snow has finally melted here in East Texas. LOL
ESPN did a nice job of covering the race, hope all the usual suspects are happy.
I liked the shout out they did for the truck race early on in the coverage. That was a nice touch mentioning "SPEED".
Agree with Glenn, an A for espn
awesome speed shot replays of JR's wreck
would be an A++ of Bestwick were in the booth on play by play
Bray Kroter
JD,
I had hope....
The key was getting Punch out of the booth;then the rest fell into place.
I truly believe the other key was TDP. The rational, knowledgeable, caring NASCAR fans spoke and ESPN finally listened.
JD, you must keep on keeping on with your blog. It makes a difference.
Makiki
Honolulu
Just watched the DVR and the race, I LOVED Jerry being in the pits. It seemed so natural to me and I have always liked him in that role from the early days of NACSAR on ESPN.
I watched because Danica was in it, normally follow Sprint but I had to see this. I think she did fine, I have no problem with her there. They balanced the obvious attraction of her being in the race with everyone else.
I thought the broadcast was good. I've seen a lot worse from ESPN.
Well, despite the DP over-coverage I thought that it was a good broadcast. Love JP in the pits and Marty is the man for pxp. The production truck still needs some improvement calling camera shots but it was still an improvement from last year.
Good coverage. Booth was great. If thats what they are going to do with the cup coverage then it will be light-years ahead of last year. Camera direction was spotty at best at the start. But seemed to pick up the pace as it went along. Danica mania was in effect but nothing close to the ARCA race coverage.
The Dr. is in. That's where he belonged and he nailed it all day long. Great to see him in his real element.
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