This holiday edition of the Sprint Cup Series race from Atlanta Motor Speedway is ready to roll under the lights tonight.
Allen Bestwick starts the coverage with Brad Daugherty and Rusty Wallace from the Infield Pit Studio. Tim Brewer is in the Tech Garage. This is a short pre-race show so the pace should be fast. Expect ESPN to focus on the Chase and the guys on the bubble.
Marty Reid, Andy Petree and Dale Jarrett are going to call the race from the TV booth. On pit road are Dr. Jerry Punch, Jamie Little, Dave Burns and Mike Massaro.
This high-speed track has been the cause of much frustration in the garage. Tires fade away quickly and may be the story of the race. The field stretches out quickly and clean air is important for passing. Quick pit stops are crucial.
ESPN repeated a frustrating scenario on Saturday night during the Nationwide Series race. Rarely was the aerial camera used and the director continued the pattern of slowly zooming in with the cameras during each segment until only two cars were being featured. The actual racing on the track was often lost.
Races this time of year are critical and only good fundamental TV coverage by ESPN tonight is going to hold the attention of fans who have lots of other sports TV options.
This post will serve to host your comments on the ESPN coverage of the Sprint Cup Series race from Atlanta. 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.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
367 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 367 of 367Poor Sadler. He's fighting for a ride next season, and this is not helping.
Anon, ESPN's coverage has been driven by a single theme for years now. We call it script writing.
They stick with one story no matter what is happening on the track. You can see it tonight with KyBu.
Remember, Marty only does what he is told. He is a very experienced broadcaster in a lot of motorsports. I wonder how he really feels about this stuff tonight.
@Jonathan - NASCAR has never been so blatant about phantom debris cautions as they have been this year. When it's happened this year, it's practically always been when the 88 is about to go a lap down or somebody's developed a huge lead and the field is all strung out. Back in the '90s, it happened but it was few and far between (and not so obvious).
"Hands on favorite?"
Did she mean "Hands down" or "Odds on?"
David #2, I just started getting that security warning recently after last update.
Hrm, can't figure that one out, maybe wait on it or reboot and try to load it up?
Sadler has no luck. Hope he gets a good NW or Truck ride next year.
still an interesting night...
I agree with MV. It might have happened back then but it was very very far and few. Most of the time you never had one thus cautionfree races.
Now, they use a phantom caution twice a race at least!
Awful mess as usual on the TV side of things :(
David #2
ESPN implodes as the Chase nears. Mostly funny because barely anything has happened Chase-wise this evening.
Wow, confusion is the real TV theme tonight. That was awful, except for Jamie's interview.
I see the trolls have joined up. Sigh.
You know, I don't *hate* Kyle. The Sam Ard stuff was good, and once in a while, he shows he does have a sense of humor and can be amusing (especially on his radio.) But why can't the guys in the booth get that you can respect someone as a racer and still not like (and/or root for) them? They act like we don't recognize his talent. Earnhardt had talent too, but still got a lot of boos. Gordon also. But trying to shove him down our throats is NOT going to help, and that's not Kyle's fault.
Yeah i hear that Martin I wish they wouldnt do it so much but its been better it was out of control during the first part of this year. I dont know just call it a competition caution and i'd be happy it does make the sport look bad but like when the NBA calls fouls when there wasnt one to give a team the advantage
Just reminded me taking tennis and John Isner was at the Coke Zero 400 in the Kenseth pits. Remembered TNT talking to him during the rain delay. He won the 3-day Wimbledon match that wouldn't end . . .
It's only half way. Are these races too long?
Good interviews from that wreck.
OK, did I hear Marty Reid on the restart from Hamlin's blown engine say that he couldn't give the wave-around drivers because there were too many names.
Excuse me, but isn't that his job to keep track of things?
I thought our little teenage troll had gotten a girlfriend and life. Guess not!
Kind of funny when kids thing swear words are daring....LOL!
oops...think
You can tell this is Marty's first time being caught up in this Chase thing. He is not on his game.
I'm really suprised McDowell is still running, it was supposed to be a S&P tonight.
Not a very broad commercial rotation tonight. Lots of the same spots.
glenc1: i agree completely. when a driver is 'pushed" on the fan base by the broadcast, it's unfair to the driver, his team and his fans. i dislike young mr busch but i respect his talent as a driver. however, i am disgusted by espn's fawning attitude over him. it's unprofessional and it's what makes me want to turn the whole mess off and try to get some sleep.
how hard can it be to let the race dictate the story and let it flow? for a variety of reasons, i'm looking forward to my first trip to richmond next week but one of the bigger reasons is: i'll get to watch the race, the entire race, across the whole track, without in-car cams and bumper cams and tight shots and endless focus on one or two cars.
Anyone hear anything from Truex? He's having a great run, and no attention from the booth, natch.
Buschseries, have you been watching? All the S&P cars came out of the garage like they were on fire a while back. They ALL went back on the track.
No clue what was going on. I asked the writers at the track and they had no clue.
Wonder what NASCAR told them? Maybe go to halfway or no money?
Okay, not to be splitting hairs, but something can't be shared 'between' 5 drivers. It can be shared between 2 people. or among 5, but NOT between 5. Sorry. Drives me nuts and they do it all the time.
@Buschseries61 - I didn't think McDowell would S&P tonight, or Conway. But with Hamlin and Sadler out of the race, our 5 S&P teams might come back out and try to pass them for more positions.
Just curious, how will the ratings compare between ESPN and ESPN2 tonight. This race has pushed Jon Miller and Joe Morgan to the deuce.
JD I think they are just trying to pick up some spots since the 11 is out and the 19 is as well
What the heck was that?!?!?! Massaro needs his mic CUT and Reid needs to get on that!!!!
@Sally - You're right, I've seen many NASCAR race reports saying there were, say, 5 lead changes among 2 drivers. My race results pages always show "among" and "between" used properly.
Good lord, give this whole point thing a rest until the race is over!!!
Remember when JJ went to the garage during the Chase and all we saw was Chad and the crew working on the car?
It's hilarious to see all the S&P cars creeping around on the apron.
I hate the word "POINTS" now! I wonder how many times the guys in the booth says that word tonight.
Sally, that's ALL that bothers you, LOL? I've given up mentally correcting grammar. Too exhausting.
@TracyD...good heavens no, that's not all that bothers me. It just happens so often during a race.
love to hear the story on S&P. What is really going on.
JD, I just started watching at halfway when I came home from work. I'm glad NASCAR might be forcing them to run.
was all of that coverage for the three seconds that it took to tell us kyle busch made the chase? sad.
Why focus on the 16? He's not going to win, and will be laps down. But, this race is too long to be interesting. They need to keep Daytona as the only 500 mile race and knock every other race down by a lot of laps.
Glen, trying to get the reporters at the track to follow up on it.
They all came flying out of the pits. They don't even have a second set of tires!
love to hear the story on S&P. What is really going on.
duh. hamlin and biffle go down and they go out to move up a spot or two to earn more money. not a hard concept.
@Anon 9:56 - That's exactly what I said 10 minutes ago!
They would have to run a daggone long way to make that happen.
Noticing some of the lights down the backstretch are different colors, a few red and a few yellow.
The battle is still to not be the first car out but it appears Yeley may be done so expect the rest to park shortly
Harvick is running 4th, and barely a mention from TV. He's been leading the point forever, and they basically ignore him. Nice. Guess he isn't Kyle.
@JD - The S&P have been in and out so much, last place Yeley is only 16 laps away from passing Sadler for position.
JD, and do all the S&P teams even have crew chiefs?
Have to have one and a tool box to start the race, but once you go to the garage you can come and go onto the track.
@Vicky - Some S&P teams have been parked for not having a crew chief, so I'd say they must have one.
The problem is on a big track like this they have to keep a minimum speed per lap. So, we don't usually see them use up tires and engines.
Vicky,I've seen bare spaces in the pit stalls for S&P cars. There may be a few people resting on the wall, or someone sitting there with a computer, but it's clear no one is running more than a few laps. No tires. No war wagon. I have to admit, it bothers me.
Heck...some of them haven't had pit creews or spotters!
Matt finally gets a mention on lap what is it?????
Man I sure went upstairs at the wrong time what happened???
Tracy, at Phoenix last year I got a picture of Nemecheck's pit box for the NW race and it was pathetic. A smurf among regular people
@Sally - I don't think NASCAR would let them race without a spotter. Reutimann was black-flagged just for not having communication with his spotter.
MV & Sally, maybe the driver's kindergartner is acting crew chief tonight! And I cringe every time RW says "Kensis"
If they don't have crews, who is fueling them? The crew chief in the garage?
JD,then the tool box for a S&P is like the one in the back of my husband's pickup. Nemechek doesn't have anything, maybe a few "crew" members who look bored to tears. I remember being so impressed with Jeremy Mayfield the last time he raced, because he was trailing the field by a ton, but he had a crew and war wagon, and he kept working on his car and getting back on the track. It was clear he was going to run the whole race, no matter what.
did they tell the S & P they have to run the race or what???
Tracy, Jeremy also stiffed alot of people to do that and owes a TON still
Anon @ 10 07 - The S&P teams bring the car to the garage, and whatever crew they have slowly fuel the car and put tires on.
I saw one of MSRP's Nationwide pit stalls at Watkins Glen 2 years ago. Smallest pit cart you'll ever see, without seats or computers and barely any tools in it. Two guys with their backpacks on their back, just waiting for their car to run a few laps and they were gone. I told the fireman assigned to that pit stall he was going to have an easy day.
Scott Speed quietly having his best race in months...
DAvid, yes, I read somewhere owes like $875,000. And can't sell his unfinished McMansion. Such a horribly sad story.
No clue, got the boys working on it.
For the start of the race, there must be a crew chief and a tool box. Every team must have working radios and a spotter.
These teams rarely change tires or add fuel. They can do that in the garage area or even in front of their hauler.
That is why it's weird they are out there so late in the race, regardless of the position.
Regan Smith in 13th place! Wow.
it is nice to see I wish they S & P would run most of the races I know I would if I could even if I had to go back to the garage whatever, wouldnt it stick to have all the hype of a race and run 15 laps and pull in what fun is that
Ragan Smith in the 13th spot and do we hear a whisper about it?
Jonathan - $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
That's about a million dollars worth of fun a year, Jonathan.
Jonathan, Todd Bodine was on Windtunnel last week and had some good comments on why he and other teams are S&P'ers. It was pointed out that his team has gotten so much more money from S&P'ing in cup than from him leading the truck points and winning races.
It's quickly becoming the year of the finger.
lets cover greg biffle in 39th place. great job ESPN.
why? biffle is in 39th! why?
Anon 10:20 - Because he is a Chaser, sadly. The Chase vs. the Race struggle has begun.
Kevin Conway passed Biffle on national TV. Only car he passed this season....
They should show the Pennzoil commercial more often. I havent seen it much tonight. Not! (Psych reference)
Anon, Biff's car was wrecked but good in the same wreck that took out the 19 car. They put on a new front end and raditor in the garane.
Buschseries, Jim Utter was going off on that today, he hates the Chase and was all over the reasons it has changed the sport in so many bad ways.
VaTech game tomorrow! Can't wait. Go Hokies!
Wow. How did I miss a good anti chase rant by Jim Utter? Where was it, JD?
So does anybody know why the inside backstretch lights are colored? Does that enhance how the cars look or something?
He posted it so it's probably at thatsracin.com.
Does anyone know (per Twitter) to whom JJ was extending his digit?
This is one of the tracks that has the infield lights that reflect in the mirrors. Sometimes they look yellow.
Thanks. I'll have to check on it.
I do believe that was JPM.
No JD, just saw it. I saw green, yellow and red so that is quite interesting...
Finally the booth remembered Ragan Smith's team and mentioned him by name!
Interesting info from Jamie about JPM's crew chief setting car up for the long runs.
No love between JPM and JJ, LOL, huh?
So go to commercial when Edwards gets to inside of a second. Odds are lead change happens at break.
And there it is
Thanks, I'll watch for it.
John Paul Montana short pitted
pit stop here we go this will get interesting
Missing the green flag pit stops
JD, its about midways down the backstretch and into 3 a little. you get a sequence then it goes back to white lights, then back to the colors
Bummer for Harvick.
ESPN dropped KyBu when Biffle broke, should be interesting to see if the run to Harvick now.
So there is a timing/scoring error. Harvick may have inherited the lead on that and not realized it. By going back out he actually has a lap on the field. Or it's a glitch
Is Brad K not on the track? I haven't heard any talk about him retaliating to Kyle. Guess that is old news and no need to show us everytime Kyle passes him. They must spend the time instead talking about the chase!!!
no one should read into this 300+ comment night as any sort of sign. this h as been the longest race of my life. and it never ends. and nothing has happened.
KH's team looks like they did a good job of repairing the damage to his fender. Nice update from Allen on the running order.
So, Harvick is the leader. He gets penalized for pitting too soon.
All the other cars get the wave around. One lucky dog.
Yeesh.
This might be controversial, but why not park it if you're RCR and Harvick. The only way to make any relevant points is to win the race, which will not happen here.
I think what happened was it was a glitch where Harvick was coming down then pulled out before he could fall behind the pace car. So the penalty would probably be passing the pace car and pitting too soon. Dual penalties there, the lap for passing pace vehicle and an EOLL for entering closed pit. but hey, good way to lead a lap or 5 right?!
Old, there really is no severe damage on Harvick. It is cosmetic and with 75 laps to go anything can happen.
I hope all of us East Coasters
can stay awake so BZF's Left Coast Hollyweird types get to finish in
prime time.
I haven't heard any talk about him retaliating to Kyle.
Brad K wouldnt retaliate in a Sprint Cup race with Kyle Busch. It makes sense and yet it doesn't.
Not only is he on probation, but the N'wide shouldnt crossover to the SCup races. Different teams, crew chiefs, etc. Also...I'm still of the belief that Keso doesnt wreck like that on purpose.
Either way, it shows how stupid it is that Kyle Busch and Edwards keep winnning N'Wide races. Cant win a Cup though. Prags.
Thank goodness for Twitter. I sure miss TNT's online racing deal during the races.
biffle moves up to 36th. nice coverage. now watch kyle busch! reid WTF
Scott Speed loses an engine? What's going on here tonight?
can they not cover this as if its' KyleBusch vs the field?
Does Marty Reid want KB to win?
So much for Scott's great run =(
I actually wanted him to get a good finish.
The engine attrition reminds me of the good old days. That's one of the reasons they run so many 500 milers. Keeping an engine and tranny in one piece for that long didn't used to be easy. Guess Atlanta proves it can still happen.
Casey Mears in 22nd place in the 13...just sayin'
Oh and this will make fuel mileage a story. Some will try to make it from here...
Wonder if they will red flag it? Oil is supposed to be all over the place.
Anon at 10:53. I think ESPN's script is for KyBusch to win this race actually!
David, thanks for pointing that out about the 13 car. It's Mears' first time in it, isn't it?
David - I'm not shocked with the performance of the #13. Max Papis is a great guy, but it was obvious from his debut he was very underprepared for Cup.
I dont mind long races like this I love it Ill be wanting more when its over like I always do! THIS is going to get good wooo
I dont think the races need to be shorter theres only 36 races a year its not like baseball what over 100 games thats way to much
@Tracy - Germain Racing swapped drivers earlier than previously announced, Mears S&Ped at Bristol for them. This was their first "scheduled" full race together.
Yeah, Rusty, I, I, I, I, we know what you used to do.
Yes Mears' first full race out with them. Germain has great equipment. I grow tired of hearing Todd say they never know if they'll go to the next truck race when they've whined about it for 4 years now and yet show up every week. When they actually don't show up THEN i'll buy it.
Mears doing solid though only a lap down. Then again with these blasted wave around cars it's hard to tell how he's really run today...
Think JPM is coming
I see a big mess about to happen!
See the lights JD?
Did Harvick officially lead 5 laps or will the NASCAR.com scoring be corrected after the race?
MV, i'd think since they held him a lap, yes it would stand...
Jr. up to 11? My oh my.
Montoya team unhappy with this set of tires
From the scroll I see the S&P'ers are out now (in case I missed someone else posting this). Is JJ going to win this race?
Vicky, I'd rather see KK win than JJ>
Kasey is driving a heck of a race. So is JJ.
Ohnoohnoohno. Caution!
THAT was FUN to see!!! Hate a caution came out
Searched google and twitter, asked a few of the writers on twitter, no answer to why the backstretch lights are colored. Interesting.
This is the first time I have seen the colored lights, so only someone who works at Atlanta or SMI can answer that. It is probably an appearance thing then something functional.
Blaney, Gilliland and Bill Elliott getting back on the lead lap and headed for a top-25 finish under this caution.
Jr. back in 17? What happened to his pit stop? Thanks for the info, boys.
Nice driving by Kahne and Kurt Busch, that could have been big!
Thank goodness for replay technology huh?
LV, I just sent an email to my friend who is working turn 1 at AMS and asking him if the lights are different colors. Since he's currently working, I probably won't hear from him til tomorrow.
Give Front Row Motorsports some credit here. With limited funding to have 3 cars out there not start and parking is huge! Even coming in and bolting tires on late, pretty bold statement of how for real they are about wanting to race
@David - Dave Blaney must be ecstatic to be able to race for the first time in 2 years (except for that Charlotte race the #66 ran in its entirety). He might just put that team back in the top-35 before long.
MV thats what I was just thinking. Blaney must be LOVING to be able to race again
Kahne retaliates on Newman
For those of you leaving right after the race, there is a new "Your Turn" post up for your race wrap-up.
Thanks again for hanging with us tonight.
JD
Good race!
Good for Tony!
Good finish line shot
Great finish line shot! Thank you ESPN for that!
What does Jamie Little mean by saying "first win for Tony with Darian Grubb." Not true.
Will be at the track next week, so I hope the broadcast is good for you all at home!
Alan Kulwicki victory lap.
NASCAR Now is on ESPN2 with Ricky and Nicole.
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