The popular saying is that the season actually starts in Fontana. Daytona is a unique experience, but the Auto Club Speedway is the type of track that teams will be seeing a lot over the course of the year.
For the NASCAR on FOX team, the real TV season may also start in Fontana. Daytona brings with it a level of media hype and expectations that are rarely met. Throwing in a pothole and several hours of red flag conditions did not help matters.
Chris Myers starts the day from the Hollywood Hotel with Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Hammond inside. No clue if the A-Team van made the drive from Daytona to Fontana. This pre-race hour is hit and miss. Myers is sometimes so over the top that it turns into amateur hour. This early in the season, perhaps things will be different.
Waltrip makes the transition to the broadcast booth late in the show to join Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds for the race. Joy is the consummate professional, but found it tough to get a word in last week. A very tired Waltrip simply rambled for hours.
Larry McReynolds continues to supply outstanding information and stats during the races. What he has ended is his independent thinking. Once a tireless advocate for change, McReynolds has decided to stick with facts rather than incur the wrath of NASCAR as he did last season. This has changed the dynamic in the TV booth.
While this trio has fun in the relaxed atmosphere of cable TV while on SPEED, they high-profile NASCAR on FOX telecasts are very different. Aimed at a different audience, they result in more theatrics from Waltrip and more gimmicks from the TV director.
Keep an eye today on the use of in-car cameras. Several times at Daytona, key moments in the race were hidden from the TV viewers because the FOX telecast was showing the in-car view from a roof or a bumper. On this big and wide track, it should be interesting to see if the director chooses to cover more of the action with wideshots.
In Daytona, FOX tried to use a TV effect with four video boxes on caution flag pitstops. The results were not good. It's hard to get all that arranged as cars slip onto pit road and then roll off with different pit strategies. Catching the race off pit road is going to be a priority for this telecast.
FOX has the best pit road reporting team, they just need the opportunity to offer more updated information. There is no RaceBuddy today and no live Tweets from pit road. It will be up to the pit road gang to tell the stories of the teams on this huge track.
Rain is in the area, but folks are optimistic that the race will be run today. This post will host your comments on the NASCAR on FOX coverage of the Sprint Cup Series race Fontana, CA. To add your TV-related comment, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
567 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 567 of 567@MartinVincent ok, but it looks ugly off that turn, no matter what.
I dont have a problem with a little longer race fine by me cause I look foward to this all week long. Now if we had a 24 hour race like GrandAm then we would have problems
@Martin @Gina Yes, I meant Mikey Waltrip. He could be okay if he doesn't promote NAPA or Aaron's all day.
I almost felt sad about Inside Nascar (aka The Mikey Show) moving to a network that I don't have, until I realized I haven't payed attention to that show since Totally Nascar was still airing on Speed.
MV, but the view in the camera sure doesn't look promising. My fingers are firmly crossed that it holds off a little
@red - I don't know how accurate Weather Channel is, but their Weather in Motion and their new TruPoint "future weather" feature doesn't show any big clouds headed for the track. Los Angeles might be getting some rain later on, but Ontario looks OK for a while.
18 crew says it will rain...
I wonder if Mike Joy is gonna bring up his "Vortex Theory"?
shoot, the 24 engine is going down.
@DCV - Darrell already has brought it up early in the broadcast.
More engines going bad? Wow. Something is different this year...
The 24 crew is probably praying very hard for rain right now.
Hey Daniel sorry for saying that earlier didnt know you were talking about his brother
smoke coming from 24 according to turn 2 official
guys, remember what SPEED said Friday, there was no gear change for this track like there was at Daytona and Vegas next week. In a year teams have learned alot and are turning alot more RPM
wow, are they actually doing a "thru the field deal". trackpass is doing its stupid sign off message.
I think they are just trying to give me a heart attack.
Ouch sucks for Gordon
Ambrose out with engine trouble
of course, DW has an explanation for why Jeff thinks his engine is going down
Ambrose in the garage with the hood up on the huge Sprint Vision screen... Has Fox even mentioned him?
Really like how FOX keeps the leader in one box and shows the green flag pitstop in the other.
Jonathan, they are going to run it til it breaks!
3-3.5 hours is about as long as a televised sporting event should be in order to retain viewers. Races need to be shortened to fit that window.
Rain in turn 3 accordng to Ky. Busch
wow, the 88 has a broken axle
Ordinarily I'd complain about full-screen pit stops during green flag racing, but at this track...
pit reporters just said, rain in the area.
Wow...Matt Yocum was allowed to say r-a-i-n?
Nascar spotters talking about rain now
Twitter reporting major rain in 3 and 4 (@joegibbsracing and many others) while FOX seems content to treat it lightly.
@MattYocum reporting that rain drops are falling. #NSACAR Who is gonna gamble on the rain?
Gee DW, A toyota is leading so they need a caution
One significant rain cell quickly forming just east of Pasadena, could be the one starting to creep toward Ontario.
One more live leaderboard update for you all. Will this rain pass???
Laps:
185of 250
Time Elapsed:
02:31:17
Cautions/Laps:
4/17
Leaders: 12
Lead Changes:
23
Nascar spotters says rain is moving out...almost done
caution for rain
Alright looks like im having what Clint is driving some Hamberger Helper yippie :)
rain turn 3, caution
Caution out for rain.....
How much ya wanna bet the race is under caution for rain after the break? Maybe?
HA! Good Job Guys! Your comments came in faster than mine! :OP
They may have to red flag the race for a little bit.
RAIN RAIN go away. Ugh oh not looking good
wow, FOX went to the real weather guy. I wonder if Larry Mac is pissed? #NASCAR
wow, wouldn't that be a hoot if speed wins because of the rain.
Rick the weather guy talks a "little funny"
KyBu says it is just catching the edge of the backstraight. Shouldn't lose the track
His name is "Rick Dickard" ??
Typical Fox...can't we get a straight weatherman?
DW Reminds us that both first time winners last season (Logano, Reutimann) won rain shorten events. Speed leads, never won.. & it's raining. hmm.
ewww, the creeepy old spice commercial is on - I'm changing the channel NOW
ok they go west to escape weather issues & get rain..tho I get its' too cold snowy, here now that you mention it.
Happy medium? Vegas? Start season later? Less off weekends, shorten races.
jonathan - are you really going to have hamburger helper for dinner?
Kyle Busch: "Couldn't happen to a better guy...." with sarcasm
Spotter "That's what she said."
LOL. a small clearing, more rain 8-10 miles away. skirting track and mountains
DCV - yeah, I heard him saying that. heard that nascar was yelling at the 82 for running on the flat and not keeping up
Gina yes sure am I love it
1 to go
calling one to go. Man, oh man, this could be really scary
Another momentum / ratings buster - more rain. I say ratings for this race down 5% from last year.
Jonathan -- LOL -- I'm a big fan of eating whatever you love. I can't say I've ever tried it so I'm no judge.
It's 6 p.m. here and I'm going to go find dinner before too much longer.
Waved off, 1 to go at the line again
MRN is saying the drivers position and its nothing close to fox's ticker why is this?
Gina I never thought I would like it but I tired it and man is it good. give it a try just make sure you use good meat lol
Had me some leftovers from yesterday.
Probably going to miss the end of this, gotta head out to work soon.
Grilled lemon pepper chicken, oven-roasted red potatoes, and broccoli. all made by me. good stuff.
ah, David - that sounds SOOO good and hungry
Camera missed it - again. DW yelling
I agree, bad camera work on that restart.
Unbelievable. Six-wide racing and FOX cuts away to the leaders breaking away single file, a full-screen replay, and a replay of Hamlin spinning that we missed BECAUSE of the previous replay.
My Swiss steak is almost ready! Mashed potatoes, gravy...I'm hungry!
I'm pulling for that kid in that Furniture Row Chevy!!!!
Jimmie Johnson sideways while we are watching a bumper cam.
And we have to see it on replay becuase they were using a bumper cam! The replay accidently gave us a great shot of the very sparse 'crowd'.
@DCV - Here we go,... Vortex mention by D.W.
UGH. I was hoping they wouldn't talk about the (repeatedly disproven) vortex effect.
Is that the 3rd or 4th mention of the Vortex Theory? #NASCAR
Geez, its the end of the race, Fox seriously needs to get their camera work and direction right.
Im loving this this is so sweeet! Its like the man upstairs said I wanna see the end of this race cause its going to be good :)
Ugh. This 5 dollar foot long commercial with Carl Edwards sucks. Anyone else agree?
Again bottom line for HORRIBLE race viewing..
HORRIBLE CAMERA WORK. just edited photos and same old gripe even at the end of the race. PITIFUL we went from 4 wide racing to tight shots of 2 cars
How long until TNT? Mr. Wells still running that segment I hope.
This train ain't gonna get no better. :(
I am enjoying the booth fine.
It's the camera action driving me to distraction=very little "watching" the race live.
sigh
@DCV - That's why God invented mute buttons.
I want to see Danica taking another shower.
Last week with Daytona, Fox went to commercial with 20 to go of a 200 lap race. Today, I want to see if they take a break with 25 laps to go, with it being a 250-lap race. If so, it'll all but confirm it to me that they've sold some "10% to go in the race" commercial slots.
If the rain comes, I don't see NASCAR going into any intense track drying efforts. Just get it over with
I have never been a big fan of the subway commercials. They all seem really strange to me. I don't watch commercials - I change the channel
I dont know im enjoying this like no other. No ones perfect the camera work is fine w me. but hey what do i know
MikeC - that's an interesting theory. I wouldn't be surprised.
Major kudos to Mike Bliss!!! That car is completely blank and has run all day long and quite well at that!
Mike Joy got back on his game this week. That was great to see. He is leading DW and Larry Mac today instead of the other way around.
heck yes 3 crank it ups thats what im talking about. THANK you Fox thats what we need more of
So we crank it up and go to a Kyle Busch incar?
FOX!
REMOVE THE STUPID CRANK IT UP LOGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sorry for yelling but got that's a 5 yr old toy gimmick.
@DCV - The Edwards commercial with the "signature move coach" last year sucked equally.
Crank it up = good.
Crank it up camera angles = sucky
Gina not looking good for Gordon
Welcome to Sprint Cup Bradly K.
Dw pays attention and sees trouble LONG BEFORE the camera sees it.
#FOXCAMERA FAIL
Fox booth=hugs xoxo
The director has a slow trigger finger on the buttons. DW is yelling and the camera catches it 2-3 seconds later
Sophia I can handle the logo fine w me. Fox is the only Network that lets us actually hear the cars so kudos to Fox
hey remember crank it down lol that was funny a couple years back
Jonathan, I know -- I'm sad right now
OMG best shot of the crowd (or lack of it) all day. Pitiful
Digger Update: Yet another acceptable use.
Vortex Update: Mention Number 5?
(I feel like I have made my bed, and now have to lay in it as far as these things go.)
Is that a Cragar decal on Keselowski's deck lid? Sweet sponsor to have in NASCAR if you're a hot-rodder.
Mike Joy is sounding more and more annoyed with DW...
DCV - LOL -- yes, we are all gluttons for punishment
Andrew, glad you caught that. I thought last week it was the silent treatment. DW gets tired and then gets ridiculous.
I'm thinking a headslap to DW would be a good thing for Mike Joy to do.
And now it's going to rain again. Crap!
Think Mike Joy wishes DW had a shock collar sometimes?
Fox just completely whiffed on the 48-18 situation with beating the 31 to the end of pit road. Johnson was waved by the pace car and will get take the lead while Busch got trapped... that's why they were holding off on opening pit road.
rain in back by turn 2 according to Brett Bodine in caution car
aaargh, I think I'm going to scream - can the 48 be any more lucky?
I nominate Jimmie Johnson have surgery to remove that horseshoe....
@Gina If Mike Joy were to give DW a nice brisk slap to the face, it may give DW as nice spark of energy, but I doubt it will change his commentating. Would be hilarious though.
This commercial break came with 25 laps remaining, 10% of the race remaining. So far, my theory is holding true. We'll have to see next week if they go to commercials with 26 or 27 laps remaining.
Jonathan
I remember the crank it down.
The logo is too busy and flashy and distracting to some of us. I liked it the way they used to do it. JUST CARS & ENGINES on the screen.
But far be it for me to want things simple :)
But I gotta give it to the booth but I am repeating myself.
It's not the booth it's the camera work that makes or break a race. Mike wells makes me feel like I am "SEEING the racing" and captures the mood of tracks.
Picture does look great in HD.
Olympics look great in HD, too.
Booth seems improved this week.
Camara shots shown, not.
Do you think that Hamlin will send Ruiti a fruit basket?
Fox still clueless on the 18-48 deal. The race could have just been decided by a matter of inches... 48 must have barely beaten the 31 to the end of pit road while the 18 must have missed by an inch or two.
Weren't they talking about how roomy the pit boxes were before the race?
Mike, it would have had more merit had it not been a caution flag situation
The 18 beat the 48 off pit road, though NASCAR decided to give the 48 a lap back.
Nope, that video was very conclusive
Finally caught up with the pit out story. Thank you.
Worst thing that can happen is a JJ win or streak of wins. Fans will continue to lose interest.
The conspiracies will be flying around during call-ins of the Sirius Post Race show tonight. LOL
"Hungry Hounds" - DW
DW is over the edge today
LOL Mike. You know it!
That was crystal clear though, Jimmie's horseshoe strikes again
Enjoy guys, will catch the rest on the sirius.
@david - I'd be willing to volunteer for performing that surgery so long as I can do it without pain killers.
Just thinking about Mike giving DW a headslap gives me a case of the giggles.
Kyle Biffle? Really? Opps.
KYLE BIFFLE ?????
Yeah Jimmie is mr luck i hate it to
over USE of the stupid lipstick gopher cam.
CRIPES even my room mate is yelling over bad camera direction and he hardly watches NASCAR!! ugh
right now I'm cheering for burton or harvick to catch up
Like the shortened ticker.
That would be....two wifes...
Are the crew shots necessary?
get rid of the wives my house mate yells.
COME ON..are there other cars on the track!?!??????????????????????????????????????
OK, i don't need to look at the wives. show me the racing and not just the front cars
Who is "Kyle Biffle"?!
If it ends like this - what a snoozer
Harvick is one heck of an a hole. if theres one driver I realy hate its him. Unreal
By their ticker, I guess Fox just thinks there are 10 cars racing. Pathetic.
via twitter:
@nscrwriter
FOX's newest show: "Desperate Racewives"
And we only see 2 cars. 9 to go.
Top-10 ticker?... What's next? Points as of now?
Jonathan, I just want someone else besides the 48 to win
7 pm approaching fast - forget any post race coverage.
too bad, no more cars in the race!
Three green-white-checkers might add a little excitement to this race.
O my lord!
the fox ticker only showing top 20?
When the race is over, please take a moment to go back to the main page and leave us a post-race comment on the "Your Turn" post.
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Appreciate everyone hanging with us today!
JD
three crew cams!?!???????????????????????
SUX
Is Chad Jimmie's wife?...
They use the shorty ticker at the end of the race.
Harvick just blew it.
Can I have my 4 hours back?
Ms. Zucker has an uphill battle. Media says stands are not even half full.
again, annoying white flag graphic...
What a lousy job covering the checkered flag.
Thanks for cutting away from the side by side battle for 2nd!!
The flying heads have now come to Fox! :(
And next the lousy TV ratings
Well I enjoyed the conversation here guys, hope to see you next week or for races in the future!
Happy Posting!
Like ESPN
****** camera work and now GIANT sliding heads!?
Wow, Fox, we hardly knew ye!
I like the booth but the truck camera direction gets a big fat 1 out of 10 stars.
When the guys in the BOOTH see problems LONG before we the viewers do, you have problem. Not respecting the fans.
Glad I didn't watch this from flag to flag.
see you, everyone, time to go eat.
It was fun
Amazing that Fox never wants to copy anything from the other networks until now... and of everything they choose that damn horizontal head shot mess at the finish. And worst of all it's HUUUUUUUGE! And Scott Speed somehow was 10th and 11th.... Lame Fox, lame.
And where was Biffle? Didn't get a headshot!
timing is everything sometimes. dinner is ready. to bad another 48 win. 48 got the break of the race on that yellow. oh well , see you all later
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