Sunday, February 21, 2010

Live Blogging Sprint Cup Series In Fontana (2PM ET - FOX)


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:

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red said...

@MartinVincent ok, but it looks ugly off that turn, no matter what.

jonathan said...

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

Daniel Christopher Vining said...

@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.

GinaV24 said...

MV, but the view in the camera sure doesn't look promising. My fingers are firmly crossed that it holds off a little

Martin Vincent said...

@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.

The Loose Wheel said...

18 crew says it will rain...

Daniel Christopher Vining said...

I wonder if Mike Joy is gonna bring up his "Vortex Theory"?

GinaV24 said...

shoot, the 24 engine is going down.

Martin Vincent said...

@DCV - Darrell already has brought it up early in the broadcast.

Sally said...

More engines going bad? Wow. Something is different this year...

Andrew said...

The 24 crew is probably praying very hard for rain right now.

Jonathan said...

Hey Daniel sorry for saying that earlier didnt know you were talking about his brother

Haus14 said...

smoke coming from 24 according to turn 2 official

The Loose Wheel said...

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

GinaV24 said...

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.

Jonathan said...

Ouch sucks for Gordon

Haus14 said...

Ambrose out with engine trouble

GinaV24 said...

of course, DW has an explanation for why Jeff thinks his engine is going down

Martin Vincent said...

Ambrose in the garage with the hood up on the huge Sprint Vision screen... Has Fox even mentioned him?

Daly Planet Editor said...

Really like how FOX keeps the leader in one box and shows the green flag pitstop in the other.

GinaV24 said...

Jonathan, they are going to run it til it breaks!

Anonymous said...

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.

Haus14 said...

Rain in turn 3 accordng to Ky. Busch

GinaV24 said...

wow, the 88 has a broken axle

Andrew said...

Ordinarily I'd complain about full-screen pit stops during green flag racing, but at this track...

GinaV24 said...

pit reporters just said, rain in the area.

Anonymous said...

Wow...Matt Yocum was allowed to say r-a-i-n?

Haus14 said...

Nascar spotters talking about rain now

Andrew said...

Twitter reporting major rain in 3 and 4 (@joegibbsracing and many others) while FOX seems content to treat it lightly.

Daniel Christopher Vining said...

@MattYocum reporting that rain drops are falling. #NSACAR Who is gonna gamble on the rain?

GinaV24 said...

Gee DW, A toyota is leading so they need a caution

Martin Vincent said...

One significant rain cell quickly forming just east of Pasadena, could be the one starting to creep toward Ontario.

Jonathan said...

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

Haus14 said...

Nascar spotters says rain is moving out...almost done

Haus14 said...

caution for rain

Jonathan said...

Alright looks like im having what Clint is driving some Hamberger Helper yippie :)

The Loose Wheel said...

rain turn 3, caution

Daly Planet Editor said...

Caution out for rain.....

Daniel Christopher Vining said...

How much ya wanna bet the race is under caution for rain after the break? Maybe?

Daniel Christopher Vining said...

HA! Good Job Guys! Your comments came in faster than mine! :OP

MikeC said...

They may have to red flag the race for a little bit.

Jonathan said...

RAIN RAIN go away. Ugh oh not looking good

Daniel Christopher Vining said...

wow, FOX went to the real weather guy. I wonder if Larry Mac is pissed? #NASCAR

GinaV24 said...

wow, wouldn't that be a hoot if speed wins because of the rain.

Anonymous said...

Rick the weather guy talks a "little funny"

The Loose Wheel said...

KyBu says it is just catching the edge of the backstraight. Shouldn't lose the track

Anonymous said...

His name is "Rick Dickard" ??

Anonymous said...

Typical Fox...can't we get a straight weatherman?

Daniel Christopher Vining said...

DW Reminds us that both first time winners last season (Logano, Reutimann) won rain shorten events. Speed leads, never won.. & it's raining. hmm.

GinaV24 said...

ewww, the creeepy old spice commercial is on - I'm changing the channel NOW

Sophia said...

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.

GinaV24 said...

jonathan - are you really going to have hamburger helper for dinner?

The Loose Wheel said...

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

GinaV24 said...

DCV - yeah, I heard him saying that. heard that nascar was yelling at the 82 for running on the flat and not keeping up

Jonathan said...

Gina yes sure am I love it

The Loose Wheel said...

1 to go

GinaV24 said...

calling one to go. Man, oh man, this could be really scary

Anonymous said...

Another momentum / ratings buster - more rain. I say ratings for this race down 5% from last year.

GinaV24 said...

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.

The Loose Wheel said...

Waved off, 1 to go at the line again

Jonathan said...

MRN is saying the drivers position and its nothing close to fox's ticker why is this?

Jonathan said...

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

The Loose Wheel said...

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.

GinaV24 said...

ah, David - that sounds SOOO good and hungry

Anonymous said...

Camera missed it - again. DW yelling

GinaV24 said...

I agree, bad camera work on that restart.

Andrew said...

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.

Sally said...

My Swiss steak is almost ready! Mashed potatoes, gravy...I'm hungry!

The Loose Wheel said...

I'm pulling for that kid in that Furniture Row Chevy!!!!

Anonymous said...

Jimmie Johnson sideways while we are watching a bumper cam.

Sally said...

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'.

Martin Vincent said...

@DCV - Here we go,... Vortex mention by D.W.

Andrew said...

UGH. I was hoping they wouldn't talk about the (repeatedly disproven) vortex effect.

Daniel Christopher Vining said...

Is that the 3rd or 4th mention of the Vortex Theory? #NASCAR

GinaV24 said...

Geez, its the end of the race, Fox seriously needs to get their camera work and direction right.

jonathan said...

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 :)

Daniel Christopher Vining said...

Ugh. This 5 dollar foot long commercial with Carl Edwards sucks. Anyone else agree?

Sophia said...

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

Andrew said...

@DCV - That's why God invented mute buttons.

Anonymous said...

I want to see Danica taking another shower.

MikeC said...

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.

Anonymous said...

If the rain comes, I don't see NASCAR going into any intense track drying efforts. Just get it over with

GinaV24 said...

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

Jonathan said...

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

GinaV24 said...

MikeC - that's an interesting theory. I wouldn't be surprised.

The Loose Wheel said...

Major kudos to Mike Bliss!!! That car is completely blank and has run all day long and quite well at that!

Daly Planet Editor said...

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.

Jonathan said...

heck yes 3 crank it ups thats what im talking about. THANK you Fox thats what we need more of

Haus14 said...

So we crank it up and go to a Kyle Busch incar?

Sophia said...

FOX!

REMOVE THE STUPID CRANK IT UP LOGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sorry for yelling but got that's a 5 yr old toy gimmick.

Martin Vincent said...

@DCV - The Edwards commercial with the "signature move coach" last year sucked equally.

The Loose Wheel said...

Crank it up = good.

Crank it up camera angles = sucky

Jonathan said...

Gina not looking good for Gordon

The Loose Wheel said...

Welcome to Sprint Cup Bradly K.

Sophia said...

Dw pays attention and sees trouble LONG BEFORE the camera sees it.

#FOXCAMERA FAIL

Fox booth=hugs xoxo

Anonymous said...

The director has a slow trigger finger on the buttons. DW is yelling and the camera catches it 2-3 seconds later

Jonathan said...

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

GinaV24 said...

Jonathan, I know -- I'm sad right now

Anonymous said...

OMG best shot of the crowd (or lack of it) all day. Pitiful

Daniel Christopher Vining said...

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.)

Martin Vincent said...

Is that a Cragar decal on Keselowski's deck lid? Sweet sponsor to have in NASCAR if you're a hot-rodder.

Andrew said...

Mike Joy is sounding more and more annoyed with DW...

GinaV24 said...

DCV - LOL -- yes, we are all gluttons for punishment

Daly Planet Editor said...

Andrew, glad you caught that. I thought last week it was the silent treatment. DW gets tired and then gets ridiculous.

GinaV24 said...

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!

The Loose Wheel said...

Think Mike Joy wishes DW had a shock collar sometimes?

Anonymous said...

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.

Haus14 said...

rain in back by turn 2 according to Brett Bodine in caution car

GinaV24 said...

aaargh, I think I'm going to scream - can the 48 be any more lucky?

The Loose Wheel said...

I nominate Jimmie Johnson have surgery to remove that horseshoe....

Daniel Christopher Vining said...

@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.

MikeC said...

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.

Sophia said...

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.

Ann_Ominous said...

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?

Anonymous said...

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.

Sally said...

Weren't they talking about how roomy the pit boxes were before the race?

The Loose Wheel said...

Mike, it would have had more merit had it not been a caution flag situation

Anonymous said...

The 18 beat the 48 off pit road, though NASCAR decided to give the 48 a lap back.

The Loose Wheel said...

Nope, that video was very conclusive

Anonymous said...

Finally caught up with the pit out story. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Worst thing that can happen is a JJ win or streak of wins. Fans will continue to lose interest.

MikeC said...

The conspiracies will be flying around during call-ins of the Sirius Post Race show tonight. LOL

Anonymous said...

"Hungry Hounds" - DW

DW is over the edge today

The Loose Wheel said...

LOL Mike. You know it!

That was crystal clear though, Jimmie's horseshoe strikes again

The Loose Wheel said...

Enjoy guys, will catch the rest on the sirius.

GinaV24 said...

@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.

Daniel Christopher Vining said...

Kyle Biffle? Really? Opps.

Anonymous said...

KYLE BIFFLE ?????

Jonathan said...

Yeah Jimmie is mr luck i hate it to

Sophia said...

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

GinaV24 said...

right now I'm cheering for burton or harvick to catch up

Karen said...

Like the shortened ticker.

Daly Planet Editor said...

That would be....two wifes...

Anonymous said...

Are the crew shots necessary?

Sophia said...

get rid of the wives my house mate yells.

COME ON..are there other cars on the track!?!??????????????????????????????????????

GinaV24 said...

OK, i don't need to look at the wives. show me the racing and not just the front cars

Andrew said...

Who is "Kyle Biffle"?!

Anonymous said...

If it ends like this - what a snoozer

Jonathan said...

Harvick is one heck of an a hole. if theres one driver I realy hate its him. Unreal

Anonymous said...

By their ticker, I guess Fox just thinks there are 10 cars racing. Pathetic.

Daniel Christopher Vining said...

via twitter:

@nscrwriter

FOX's newest show: "Desperate Racewives"

Sally said...

And we only see 2 cars. 9 to go.

Martin Vincent said...

Top-10 ticker?... What's next? Points as of now?

GinaV24 said...

Jonathan, I just want someone else besides the 48 to win

Anonymous said...

7 pm approaching fast - forget any post race coverage.

Sophia said...

too bad, no more cars in the race!

Martin Vincent said...

Three green-white-checkers might add a little excitement to this race.

Anonymous said...

O my lord!

Daniel Christopher Vining said...

the fox ticker only showing top 20?

Daly Planet Editor said...

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.

It is the most widely read weekly post on our website. Thanks!

Appreciate everyone hanging with us today!

JD

Sophia said...

three crew cams!?!???????????????????????

SUX

Martin Vincent said...

Is Chad Jimmie's wife?...

Daly Planet Editor said...

They use the shorty ticker at the end of the race.

Anonymous said...

Harvick just blew it.

Anonymous said...

Can I have my 4 hours back?

Daly Planet Editor said...

Ms. Zucker has an uphill battle. Media says stands are not even half full.

Anonymous said...

again, annoying white flag graphic...

Anonymous said...

What a lousy job covering the checkered flag.

Bill_R said...

Thanks for cutting away from the side by side battle for 2nd!!

Martin Vincent said...

The flying heads have now come to Fox! :(

Anonymous said...

And next the lousy TV ratings

Daniel Christopher Vining said...

Well I enjoyed the conversation here guys, hope to see you next week or for races in the future!

Happy Posting!

Sophia said...

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.

GinaV24 said...

see you, everyone, time to go eat.

It was fun

Anonymous said...

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.

Vicky D said...

And where was Biffle? Didn't get a headshot!

Lou said...

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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