It's an overcast summer day in Pocono with a good chance of rain. The Sprint Cup Series has some fireworks at the last race here, so today should be interesting in many different ways.
There is golf on ESPN this morning, so ESPN2 will host the NASCAR Countdown show at 12PM ET. Allen Bestwick has Brad Daugherty and Rusty Wallace alongside. This will also be the location that provides the "rain fill" should weather come along.
Marty Reid will call the race with Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree in the TV booth. On pit road are Dr. Jerry Punch, Mike Massaro, Dave Burns and Jamie Little. Vince Welch is recovering from a Thursday car accident back in Indy.
Pocono is a huge three turn track that has been a source of controversy for years. Safety issues at the track and the lack of the kind of racing that fans have come to expect from other tracks makes it tough for TV.
A short truck race on Saturday with several restarts showed that the track can be exciting, but if the Sprint Cup guys get strung-out and long green flag runs are the order of the day this one is sometimes tough to watch.
Long camera shots down the frontstretch and low angle shots from the infield as the cars go between turns one and two make for good pictures. The pit road is wide and straight which makes for easy coverage of both green and caution flag pitstops.
Last week, ESPN cut away from the finish and focused the cameras on the winner, his pit crew and crew chief. Hopefully, Pocono will bring a decision to show all the lead lap cars race to the finish line for fans of those teams and drivers.
This post will serve to host TV-related opinion, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thanks for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
388 comments:
1 – 200 of 388 Newer› Newest»Nascar Now was on at 6am PST. I was still sleeping.
I can't seem to find it online (of course I know it's ESPN).
I was wondering if anyone knew where they have online replays, if at all. Thx.
Here we go. Pre-race showtime!
Gee. It's not even football season yet and Nascar is already relegated to the deuce. Probably planned that way, but I have to wonder if women's golf has higher ratings?
Was that Allen Bestwick saying "Did we blow it out?" as ESPN was going to commercials?
Is it just me, or have there been a lot of open microphones at really weird times. You'd think if they were going to commercials after a pre-produced piece, all microphones should have been turned off when the piece started.
Encouraging weather news! Let's go racin'!
Martin, I noticed that same thing a lot this season...mostly with TNT, but also the others. You would think it would be more controlled.
I enjoyed Friday and Saturday races and am hoping for three out of three!
Wising everyone a green flag day!
so they all speak the nascar line. I'm in d.c. so if i'm a driver and i want news out then go the way of how things work in washington, a driver talks off record with a reporter and they start using anonymous sources
Very nice piece on the young lady with cystic fibrosis.
Again, hysterical laughter with open microphones before the broadcast goes off the air. Don't the announcers know when they're on the air and when they're off? Sounds very unprofessional to me.
Jimmie totally dodged Jamie's question about his car setup; not sure why - it shouldn't be difficult to answer.
@Wisconsin Steve - Did she say she was there to sing the national anthem? We may not have to mute the broadcast today.
@bozo
That's where it has to be going -- unnamed sources.
Also, whether we like it or not, Nascar is different from the NBA in several ways. Notably, drivers are independent contractors and not unionized. There's no collective bargaining agreement to stop criticism of officials.
Tarps going back on the cars, rain starting. Ugh..
Martin - She performed a prerace concert at the track yesterday, but I'm not sure about today.
don't see any traps on cars at the moment.
If there's one track that's going to have weather issues it's Pocono. I don't think there's been a year where both races went off without a hitch due to weather.
Hey JD and everyone good day!
I have a question.
If NASCAR is fining drivers for comments then when will they start fining announcers?
The announce teams all have hard cards just like the sport participants.
Will they draw the line on all card holders?
The recent post with a video of DW Larry and Jeff having a discussion of NASCAR state of being is an example.
So should they be fined also?
PammmmmmmH,
Couple of minutes after the reporters tweeted that from the track, NASCAR had the teams remove them.
I think they might start this under yellow. We already have a comp caution at lap 15.
Jeebus, TB just doesn't add any value. Its either too vague, too dumb or too confusing. Now, I know what magnaflux means, but that was the opportunity to really explain something interesting instead of just pointing at components with the guido manicure.
And, what a cluster that flyover, anthem was. Really bad start.
Did the national anthem singer start singing before he was fully introduced? So, when do we switch over to ESPN?
Hi all Pre race stuff is still on the duece
hey gang! tuned in at the anthem.
nice job by bestwick to remind everyone SEVERAL times that the switch to espn from the deuce was coming.
This is one of the stupidest race intros I've seen in a while.
AB handled the throw very well
That switch-over kind of reminded me of the old days when Nascar 2day preceded race coverage. Remember that?
That bit with the professor and students was really lame.
I appreciate Bestwick and ESPN being much more honest about the weather than Fox gets.
It was a different opening, that's for sure.
Six S&P teams expected today: 87, 09, 55, 66, 36, 64
Forgot #7 P.J. Jones as a potential S&P, otherwise Robby Gordon would have been in the car, I guess.
Wonder how long this hold will last?
Sorry, Allen, but that intro was NOT cool.
Guess it doesn't surprise me that nobody asked Hamlin or Newman about their fines. I guess the folks at ESPN got the message too.
Another great singing of the National Anthem! But they completely blew the timing. The flyover came after the prayer. And the announcer introduced the singer after he started singing.
I Think the storyline for this race is Denny must be the winner. For the way it sounds lets forget the race give him the checkers & go home. Sheesh.
Tony on his radio reported to Darrien he's taking his helmet off since the raindrops are getting bigger & more of them
Martin, you think the #36 will S&P? Any idea why Robby Gordon is sitting this one out? I saw the reports that the #7 had 'issues' yesterday.
Man, this really takes the wind out of the TV sails.
7 wrecked the primary and is in the backup. even if they didnt wreck they are going to start and park. 36 should start and park too.
MRN is reporting that the track is become wetter and wetter. They say the track isn't lost yet, but getting close to it. We're probably not far away from going into an extensively lengthy delay.
Drivers to their cars. We are about to get going
I am officially over the phrase "Tricky Triangle" for the next 10 years.
Lovely. We advanced NASCAR's diversity image and set it back both in the same interview.
That was ill-advised to say the least.
I missed it...
palmetto: i was absolutely thinking the same thing! sometimes, they just cannot win -- because they just do not get it. pretty certain they could have avoided at least the perception they tossed out there.
I guess the driver diversity progeram doesn't cover dultural diversity and political correctness, does it?
veri:inablyri
Sally - Amen to that
Talk about actions detrimental to the sport.
awwww, jamie just got the in-car race reporter curse. sorry jamie fans.
I'm glad someone else had those kinda thoughts while the tap dancing was happening...:(
Competition caution at lap 15
GREAT comeback by Petree!!
Nice how they totally miss Harvick getting into the wall in front of Kahne
Either they're front-loading the commercials or there's a heavy commercial load today. Surprised they went to commercial with just 5 laps complete.
pocono and nascar on front page of ny times web page.. something about them using solar power...
this is some good racing they are showing rite now!
As strung out as this thing is already, I'm guessing that NASCAR's old friend Jacque Debris will be making numerous appearances on today's telecast.
I have been watching, I thought, but I missed seeing Gordon pass Johnson for the lead. Did they show that?
I gotta wonder why someone didnt short pit, take the tires under green then come back under caution for fuel and pick up track position
Remember when 20 seconds was a good pit stop.
@bozo: Yeah, it's the only way that waste of tree carcasses will ever say anything positive about NASCAR...
#46 going to the garage. led a lap, then asked to get out of the way so they could sort the field.
64, 36 off
Pretty good show until they get strung out.
46 and 36 back out, 64 and 55 off.
the start and park contest has begun
Haven't missed watching a race for probably 20 years.
I remember when our only tv option was the embarrassing days of Bob Jenkins having no clue what is going on out on the track unless the producer tells him. By contrast, the excitement of Marty Reid is such a joy to hear, putting him right up with Bestwick, Joy, and Eli as voices that highlight the thrill of the sport.
I wonder if ESPN is following Bowyer since he has already passed half the field
That's the problem with the 1 1/2 mile mostly flat tracks. Doesn't take long for them to get strung out and follow the leader. Don't even have to worry about traffic or lapped cars. Yawn.
OK. Long way to go!
a race recap without Rusty and Brad. is that gonna be the new way? I like it!
Really need to shorten up the races here at Pocono.
Too early for mystery debris?
Like the trucks yesterday. Actually exciting on TV.
The truck race was almost too short. It was over before I got settled into watching. Maybe another 50 laps. Loved the multiple qualifying, though! Should use it on all 2 mile and larger tracks!
Seems like anytime mystery debris have made it into the news (such as this week with the fines) we seem to go a few races without them. Maybe that'll play itself out this week. Plus, have to keep in mind they're running about 30 minutes behind due to the weather....so not as much free time to play with for caution periods as there would be if the race would've started as scheduled.
Sally, I disagree. The race was too short but another 50 laps? Maybe another 20 to force a 2nd stop but that's all.
I like the idea of everyone having to race hard from the start. 100 laps and you'd have people riding.
about 8 laps from stops
Ok, I definately liked the race recap without the infield studio much better. The infield recaps just tend to slow the flow of the booth in my opinion. If the information needs to be given the booth should be talking about it.
Pocono suggestions: make the second race a 400 miler, or put restrictor plates on to keep the field bunched up.
How about 70 laps for trucks and 90 for the Cup? That way they'd have to race...
longtimeracefan: i say shorten the race to 350-400 miler & keep away from restritor plate here. it's a gigantic track & a shorter race would work wonders.
This is rough. If I was a fan and had somethings to do, I would leave and come back in two hours.
This track has been so bad for so long for these cars.
They were pretty racey for the first couple of laps after the restart. They might throw a yellow soon to bunch the field back up. I think for now they're concerned with getting to halfway.
As a side note, no plates at Pocono....you'd definitely have no passing doing that.
Shhh JD you might get a secret fine from NASCAR!
This isn't as good as the last 3 Pocono races have been. Good thing I have Kyle's scanner up he is making it entertaining.
Sure is an exciting race. I can see why Nascar has two races here a year.
About time for a caution.
Hard to stay interested today. "While we were away" great! I really hate hearing that crap.
It's brutal.
This is the box NASCAR has painted themselves into with those fines last week. They'd love to throw a yellow to bunch the field back up, but they know they don't dare to, because it would look like a driver was fined for saying the truth.
Restrictor Plates: because wreckin' is racin' *
*(There is supposed to be a Sacmark® here, but my $1.99 check hasn't cleared, yet...)
What Nascar could do is have a caution come out when the broadcast is in commercial so when they come back to the track they can show the pit stops and never bring up why the caution was flown.
Personally, I would rather watch this than a "show" full of contrived cautions.
Bowyer is compelling at least
I agree with WI Steve
Geez, I like Brewer's demonstrations. Even if I know the issue he's showing, he just tells it so well.
And the props are getting better, too...
These cars have sure strung out and it looks boring to me.
With few cautions, the race will be over faster (putting us out or our misery?). The most 'excitement' I remember at Pocono was when DJ encountered a ground hog during quals.
I remember DJ Kopp filling in for Brewer once last year and doing a much better job of explaining things.
@Sally - How about the drunk who hopped over the wall and crossed the track during green flag racing? That had to be exciting for a few of the drivers.
I'm ready for a nap. I'll tune in later to see the finish. just can't tolerate this many parades these days. I also remember the days when you worried if the engine would last the entire race.
Seem to remember a deer coming out on the back stretch when cars were on the track one year also.
Wonder if that big new solar installation impacted the fauna population there?
I got the dishwasher going, feed the cat, got a beverage and I see I haven't really missed a thing.
I want to be sure nascar knows, I am with WI Steve also. I would rather have this style of racing than bogus debris (or Brian's manipulated entertainment - please don't fine me).
Hamlin will be racing Gordon for 2nd here pretty soon
ESPN's starting to embellish on Johnson's lead....saying it was down to 2.3 seconds after pit stops. The lead has grown to 5.1 seconds
i'm missing racebuddy -- altho' i'm not convinced even that could help right now. too long a race on too big a track.
Nascar just have to make this car better for better racing period.
"Grip!" Ah, the euphemisms drivers use to keep from being fined...
MV, On Raceday this AM they alluded to the guy who ran across the track in front of KP many years ago.
Folks that think this is boring have never sat thru a professional baseball game....
Good grief! Not even 1/2 way.
No fake cautions thanks for not fining me ; )
Gonna go cook dinner, and do some more laundry.
Dale Jr's about 3.5 seconds from being put down a lap.
As of the halfway mark, this is the most boring NASCAR race I can recall in the last couple years. And I've seen 'em all.
Folks that think that professional baseball is boring have never set thru a Formula One race...
Okay, I've been home from work for half an hour. I've got the picture of this race. Just what I expected. Why, oh why does this track still have two dates?
I think I'll go harvest my Farmville crops.
If a driver says something on their radio to their crew, can nascar fine them? Drivers right now can't believe they are only half way, complaining about the track.
Little race recap info graphic in corner is cool & useful "if you're just joining us..."
By the way, did Petree refer to an in-car shot a few laps ago by noting the driver was "shifting gears"? I thought there was some new rule that precluded shifting anymore at this track.
How about a Friday night Nationwide and Saturday night Cup race in Iowa this time next year?
I have a feeling we would all be more interested if this race were happening at Iowa Speedway (or some other short track).
As for ESPN, I think they're doing a very nice job with what they've been given so far.
Ok, I'm throwing caution and hope I don't get fined, but this race sucks. I see more action on I94 during rush hour. NASCAR needs to wake the heck up and see the truth. Straight line racing is a travesty.
Re: cp43
I'm also watching Oakland A's at the Chigaco White Sox's baseball game. The Sox are winning 4 to 1, end of the 6th.
It's way better than the race at this point.
They need to give this track I race and shortened the race to 300 miles.
...twin penalties for Jamie...
@cp43: No, NASCAR changes the gear-ratio rules, which ended up somewhat discouraging shifting. A couple of drivers still set up their cars for shifting, though.
Thanks, Longtimer. I bet you're right!
It is really only an anti-overdrive rule. At the time without overdrive there was no reason to shift. But with the evolution of the engines since then and how many rpm's they are turning as well as gear ratios, you can set it up where you might be able to shift as Mark Martin has been doing all weekend.
BORING.
Good work in the booth providing enough info on the race that the infield studio is not required.
I like AB but RW and BD don't add anything at all to the broadcast.
Thanks, Slander. I didn't realize the ratio rule let anybody shift at all. Interesting that's still an option. Yet another strategy call!
Oh wow! went to feed the kids and missed 39 laps. came back and I see that I missed absolutely nothing. only thing that has changed is the number of cars on lead lap. pretty sad!
These announcers keep implying NASCAR is going to throw a caution to bunch things up. Wonder if they'll get fined.
Well isn't that just lovely...
Mystery debris caution?
Hallelujah, a pass for the lead and a caution at the same time.
Be still my heart.
Where is the debris. Sorry for asking Nascar. I don't want to be fined.
Worked out go though. Earnhardt Jr. gets the lucky dog and Gordon was in the lead.
Dang. No sooner than I commented about cautions, they throw one. Imagine that.
Here he is: Jacque Debris!!!
If the Director does not show the debris when Nascar throws a debris caution, I have to assume this was really a "competition caution" and no serious debris really existed. If it is large enough o have a caution, it is large enough to catch on camera.
Did TV show Monsieur Debris anywhere?
Can't re-start the race until the safety trucks go out and pick up the debris. They just showed an overhead shot of the track and there wasn't one safety truck on the track.
Really upset ESPN did not show the debris or say it could not find it.
If there is debris on the track, the safety team HAS TO go out in their truck and pick it up. If ESPN can't show the debris they could always show the truck on the track. So why no shot of that?
ESPN not referencing the debris only fuels the "phantom" debris debate!
TV just brushed that caution off as if it didn't happen.
Looks like all but 2 cars that were off the lead lap used the wave-around.
Frustrating. It's like NASCAR doesn't even bother trying to pretend anymore...
Maybe it was actually a four-drops-of-rain-in-the-tunnel-turn caution.
But what a restart!!!
Surely you can trust Nascar to only throw a debris caution for the safety of the drivers? Please don't fine me.
Some of the wave-around cars are now pitting and will stay on the lead lap.
Count me in the group of fans that does not like the wave-around rule. I much preferred the somewhat odd looking tail end of the lead lap.
Am I allowed to say that?
Had some errands to do and since they were in rain delay I went out and did them. Listened to MRN in the car. Just got back and there's still a long way to go, but from teh sounds of it and the long green flag runs, I didn't miss much.
RobbieJr, the MRN guys were talking about how there needed to be a caution to "close up the field". I had the same thought as you did about the fines.
This track should only have one cup race a year and not even a truck race!
Kyle feels like something is dragging either the splitter or the side skirt or something.
Says he can hear it in the car and it just doesn't feel right
Looking at the weather on the computer it looks to me that the rain will miss the track and pass North of there.
Lap-by-lap on Live Leaderboard said the debris was in Turn 2.
Charlie, I've been to Pocono when the sun is shining in one part of the track and its raining lilke crazy on another part. It's such a big track, the weather is weird there
At least ESPN now has a story to tell. The field vs. the weather.
Kyle feels like it may actually be the lower radiator pan that is dragging which is why the car is running hotter. Crew confirmed sparks from under car. Losing tons of ground
They just completely blew Montoya being on pit road right now under green
LOL, JD. So true when they are struggling for there to be anything to say.
David, were you actually expecing TV to be covering the race?
Another caution for debris.
Caution is out! Debris in 1
Debris cautions breed debris cautions...
caution for debris again and we are at commercial again. nice! buthey "while we were away" is coming at you.
while we were in break!
Why does every non-crash caution seem to benefit Jr.?
And they missed the pit stops too!!! now that they showed the debris this time, it just fuels the claim that the 1st debris caution was really a competition caution!
This should be fun, Junior up front with two tires and a thundering herd behind him.
Jamie reported Hamlin saying his car was "loose off and his tires were over-rotating"... Is anyone familiar with that term and its effect on the car?
" cp43 said...
Debris cautions breed debris cautions...
"
If the commentators actually said this I would probably cough up a lung! Very funny sir/madam.
A Caution, JR close to the front, & rain 3 miles or so away...
Yup could be interesting - maybe
JPM and Junior out front? This could be fun.
This should be an interesting restart with the 42 and 88 leading the pack.
Gordon's crew chief just said that the rain is coming - maybe 10 to 15 minutes out, so they are expecting to end this under rain! Gonna get nuts
The debris was legit since 18 had massive problems
Next week, of course, that short-pitting move JPM made is the only move because its a road course.
Kyle to 27th, WOW his post race will be interesting
Nice clean restart! Awesome
42 radio says rain 4 miles out
Look at that, real racing!
Y'all still think this is boring?
Real racing! Real excitment! too bad it wont last long!
Would you think that since there is racing going on right now that they would hold off commercials until it gets to single file. Be plenty of time to run commercials then.
This goes to show Saturday's Truck length was perfect. These guys can race on this track when the money's on the line. This race is just too long and the drivers just ride around until it's time to go.
Terrible decision by ESPN to go to commercial on lap 156 in the middle of the best racing of the day.
NASCAR needs to hang rain clouds outside of every race track! Marty's excitement is engaging, and he's doing a good job staying on top of all the action.
Sounds like they just missed the wreck
Great we get to see racing & they go to commercial. These PA races need shortened
longtime, I so agree with you - terrible decision to go to commercial. why not wait a few laps until it strung out?
talking about sprinkles on the track now. if it lingers this may be over
jojaye, even worse is being there. at least I can see the racing when the cameras catch it on TV. The track is so big that when they get over to the far side of the track, they disappear.
Gotta get those commercial breaks in just incase it ends early for rain. who cares if the viewers at home miss the action right. bad theory but that is reality!
Pace car driver said weather was fine, but they waved off restart. Juan says rain is getting worse. Kyle talking about putting a packer in the front shock to try and keep from hitting the patch they built
Holy crap!
Gina - you are right I went 1 time with Andy & I opted to stay home after that. The weather is nuts, and rarely matches all the way around, you can't see most of the race ( like Indy) just bad. And then there are the PA State troopers, & tickets ( not race ones either)
OMG the engine is out of the 19!!!!
Missed it all.
Thank you Jimmie Johnson!
He took credit btw
Oh, my.
Kurt Busch's bumper cam gave a great shot. Man, I hope Elliott is OK.
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