This week NASCAR is on the West Coast, so both the pre-race show and the live event coverage are on ESPN. It's 2PM ET for NASCAR Countdown and 3PM for the race.
Allen Bestwick starts the day from the Infield Pit Studio with Brad Daugherty and Rusty Wallace. Danica Patrick was the story in the Saturday Nationwide Series race, running strong until getting turned on the backstretch in her first NASCAR payback situation. It should be interesting to see if this makes the Sprint Cup Series pre-race show.
ESPN has been on the Kyle Busch vs. David Reutimann bandwagon all week long. At the Fontana track, Busch has been giving the media additional soundbites that should allow ESPN to make the issue a key pre-race topic.
Chasers vs. racers is again at the forefront as tempers are tight, sponsorship money is scarce and there are lots of teams that need a good performance and some TV time. They dynamic of racers not giving Chasers an inch on the track is relatively new and should wind-up being a story in the race coverage.
Marty Reid is calling the race with Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree in the TV booth. This is the first event since Reid's interview on Yahoo! Sports. Reid said blogs like TDP are basically full of like-minded people who gang up on those who disagree.
He said blogs don't provide constructive criticism, ESPN shows the best battles for position on the track and that drivers are targeted for coverage because they are important, not because there is some sort of TV script. Click here for the interview.
Dr. Jerry Punch, Jamie Little, Dave Burns and Vince Welch are going to cover pit road. Punch has raised the level of reporting from this crew and quickly made the performance of the pit reporters a non-issue. This change has been drastic from the antagonistic and often adversarial relationship ESPN had with the drivers for the past several seasons.
Tim Brewer is continuing to labor in the Tech Garage. There is almost nothing new Brewer can add after fans have watched coverage on FOX, TNT and ESPN since February. It should be interesting to see if ESPN makes the decision to return the Tech Garage for 2011.
The Auto Club Speedway is full of seams in the pavement that control the racing and affect the cars. Goodyear was dealing with a tearing problem in some tires that will hopefully be fixed prior to the event. Speeds at Fontana are far too great for tire problems to happen.
TV coverage from ESPN continues to be a wideshot with the camera then zooming into a small pack of two or three cars. On a track like Fontana, this causes continual frustration for the viewer. ESPN just cannot sit still and let the racing on the track speak for itself. Keep your eyes out for the number of times tight camera shots cause passing or incidents to be missed on TV.
This is a critical telecast today. NASCAR starts later than the early NFL game and is going to have to draw viewers away from those games already in progress. The race also runs into the second NFL game and will need to keep those fans glued to NASCAR until the checkers. It's going to be a big challenge with the nature of racing at Fontana.
As always, we invite your comment on the ESPN coverage of the Sprint Cup Series race from Auto Club Speedway. To add your 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.
374 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 374 of 374thanks, sally. i'm trying to remain positive and offer concrete suggestions . . . like it will matter.
OMG. The Lions won a game. I know the end of the world is near.
Hi everyone, well just came in from a gorgeous day in NJ. Gotta soak up that sunshine in prep for winter coming! LOL -- I hate winter.
So, I just tuned in to see green flag pits stops and listening to Marty sounding really really relaxed as he told us about all the cars who had been in the wall, the 12 and 33 were on camera at the time. Guess its a typical cali race huh?
I'm going to have to read through the posts to catch up.
Shouldn't someone thell coors that Nascar hasn't had 'smokin' hot trophy queens' in many years? We get Miss Sprint. No offense, Monica. Or whatever her name is.
Get the flow right with one screen first then try two screens.
according to trackpass, Reut is right behind kybu
Activating the crawl to give us running order since pit stops would be nice, since the booth isn't about to tell us anything useful.
Sally, LOL, they yearn for the good old days just like a lot of us fans do as well.
Miss Sprint -- a walking talking commercial
At least the 'Miss Winston's' were Babes. Many of them ended up married to drivers.
OK, Andy, that is a really stupid comment. The 48 is running 3rd, not like they are in the back and its only halfway. A lot of time for chad to wave his magic wand and turn the 48 into VL again.
And believe me that thought does NOT make me happy.
Monica just got engaged. Expect her on TV next season. That's the buzz...
LOL, Sally.
@Sally
Thank you for saying that. I might have but I have picked up two fouls today from JD, and I am doing my best to try to behave
7 laps is 'way past half way'...
Motor mouth marty is not having a good weekend...
I've seen her irrelevant time on 'Hub'. Can't figure out just what they think she has to add to anything. I mean, reading tweets?
Glad to help you out, Ancient! ; )
These long races have got to be weird for Marty. All he has done is NNS events in NASCAR.
The drag racing is recorded and the IndyCar races are short.
I wish him the best, but it's a tough road right now.
This blog is what is keeping me awake after I switched from the ball game. I saw a hugh number of enthusiastic fans today. Unfortunately, they were watching an exciting football game.
He just seem to be fumbling around for what is going on. Feel for the guy doing this in public. Tough way to learn.
If you gave Marty a memo that said the last 3 winners of this race used Crest toothpaste, he would fit it in.
Any crowd estimates ? 60,000 ?
The Hendrick has the best grip today. And "today, they all three have it"??????????????
Jeff Gordon - Pepsi Max - "THE SCRIPT" for today
anybody got a link to the MR article?
Not seen any on Twitter yet.
OK, and for a moment at least I am HAPPY!!
@osbornk...I noticed that, too. All 3...except there are 4 HMS cars.
Yeah caution. More is good on this track.
Kyng @ 4:36 pm Same thing happens to me too when flipping channels. Just timing I guess. Makes you think jezz their in commmerical everytime?!!
Sally and AncientRacer - you guys are cracking me up. I agree watching her read tweets has got to be one of the dumbest things they do.
I knew I was right with my "Casino" suggestion earlier. They could not resist with Sharon Stone there to go to break by playing the opening of the Stones' "Can't You Hear Me Knockin'" used in a great expository scene featuring Joe Pesci.
Bestwick has to be in the booth next season. His mere presence on the air changes the entire tone of the telecast.
Sally, didn't you know, Jr is driving the R&D car?
anon @4:59: dunno if anyone's answered you yet but JD linked to the marty reid interview on the front page of today's TDP, about 2/3 of the way down. it's a blue link. i just tested it & it linked thru for me.
There is a link to the MR article right on the post for this chat.
@ AncientRacer
Are you saying on top of all his other pending issues and problems, he has a gambling problem too?
JD, it would be wonderful if AB was in the booth next year. I liked Marty when he was just calling the NNS races, he was OK, now its too much for him.
I hope no one minds if I say I would be very very happy if the PepsiMax car gets into VL this race --- even if it IS following the script. I like a happy ending once in a while (for me that is)
Red, not that I am not appreciatie of your efforts cause I really am,and JD for posting it, but wouldnt it have been easier to just paste the link rather than type a paragraph :)
I agree JD Bestwick is the man, been watching him since "This week in NASCAR show" (Johnny Benson Fan)
wow, are they actually showing wide angle long shots? Or are my eyes fooling me?
Anon 5:04
I didn't say that! I was talking about cinematic art. Stone, Scorsese, Di Niro, Jimmy Woods...
Not close enough to Halloween for trolls yet, is it?
Agree about AB. He is professional, has the proper degree of enthusiasm, and isn't afraid to ask hard questions to pin down answers. He should be the Man.
Increasingly believing that AB should be in the booth.
To demonstrate I am actually pro-ESPN, I'll add a related cost-control move.
There's really no reason you couldn't move Nascar Countdown to Bristol.
@ Gina...I think slithering must be using the same stuff Brian France uses.
Nice wide shots in that segment. Even some zooming out and only 1 in-car camera shot.
I think ESPN needs to do some more cost cutting. Two booth monkeys are plenty and only a couple of in-car cameras are needed. Take away half the cameras and do more wide shots. They could cut their budget in half and produce a better product.
You know Marty needs to crank up the excitement when even our troll is bored!
Marty with good camera work you don't have to talk all the time.
Good point Charlie
The booth doesn't know why there is a caution until a replay? Sounds like the booth badly needs spotters.
Protip: You don't look so clueless if you are watching the race out the window instead of staring at the TV monitor.
Need at least 4 or 5 more cautions to keep this race interesting.
Oh man, why do you waste so much time on this? Just enjoy the race telecast with the rest of us.
Well this caution was not debris, but please contrast it with the ARCA race yesterday where a similar no-contact spin occurred and they stayed green.
IMHO no caution was called for here either.
Well, if it does not turn into a fuel mileage deal, this would be a nice run to the finish with one stop included.
Well my Lions won so I was excited about that but my comment is related to this most recent caution, HOW DOES A CAR SPIN ON THE TRACK AND A CAUTION COME OUT AND NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON IN THE BOOTH HAVE ANY IDEA?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!!!!?!?!?! You sure they aren't calling this race from Bristol, CT?! Because there is this giant glass thing in front of them that they can look out of to see action rather than a television monitor. Benny Parsons in his 60's had better vision and more of a clue what was going on then this ESPN booth. I was a huge MR supporter going into this season but he seems like a man just towing the company line now.
David, we have been talking about the fact that yesterday and today Marty has called the race off the booth monitors.
He got caught bad yesterday by Petree and today he is just lost.
Unless he hears it in his ear or sees it on TV, he cannot find it.
David @ 5:19 pm Kind of insulting isn't it? But then your a Lion's fan so you know. (they kicked butt today)
I guess marty just isn't used to having so many cars to keep track of at one time.
Hey David that was very nicely said.
I was hoping for Bob Jenkins to come back in the booth for PxP but i liked marty and his work too. But they are just towing the company line.
Bring back Bob jenkins.
What's driving me crazy is the GREAT wide camera work on re-starts and then it's to the usual ADHD. *sigh*
Sally, I think you are correct, he is enjoying the same stuff as BZF. I'm sorry but I don't feel sorry for the guy. This all seems to be self-inflicted and as I said yesterday, on top of all that, he has messed up my favorite sport.
I was complaining about this to a friend the other day, he said -- start watching hockey again - its gotten better.
2 min warning - my Cowboys are down 17-3,
that is sad
Caught the 24 pit crew in the sub 12 sec pit stop. Thats awesome I remember when 18, then 15 were unheard of. 11.8 is unreal!
Heck, I'd take Eli Gold and Buddy Baker!
SHOW THE DEBRIS
OK Show the Debris please
We can see they went below the line Marty. We have Tv to.
JD, I only caught a few laps of the NW race yesterday but didn't Allen Bestwick in the TRAILER call a caution as it was happening when he threw to commercial yesterday? When your guy in the infield is seeing what you can't in the booth that is a very direct indictment on your method of calling a race. Loosen the reigns in the trailer and booth and you might just see something, but thanks to big dollar racing and "influence" we get garbage.
Yes Detroit got it done today, I am very very proud of them. Sellout too.
Cup race comes here to Phoenix next month, thinking about going but at the pace this season has gone I may just do the CWTS and NW races again. Then again the racing product has been good lately, just shoddy production work.
Montoya and Kyle Busch very active on the radio today. I think booth may have missed Kyle catch the wall or something last run since he went off on his radio
Well, you know if Marty's watching the ESPN camera feed, its no wonder he's lost trying to call the race from that.
2011 may be down a few cars. #77 looks to be out, Petty down a team, Front Row down a team.
I remember when pit stops were 21 seconds and Benny Parsons would put a time out there to beat and give away a prize for the team to beat it.
Oh Sally Your thinking about those TNN and CBS day's. I loved Buddy Baker.
The debris must be the hot dog napkins that Kenny Wallace was complaining about of Speed this morning when he got off on how much trash there was at this track. He was quick to say that he was not talking about people, just hot dog napkins.
Kyle Petty agreed and right there and then I, Sherlock that I am, said, "Ha! I know what is coming!"
Prediction: One of those cars who just pitted on lap 146 will win this race.
I like AB right where he is..
He used to bore me when he had the booth on NBC.
Come on JD, you know the answer is Bob Jenkins...;~P
The racing at this track is just not exciting. C'mon Talladega
I don't think changing the talking heads in the booth will help much. The only people allowed in the booth are obviously people who agree to toe the company line. I think that is the reason we are disappointed when we get a good person in the booth but they perform very differently than the person we remember.
Did not get to break quick enough.
Missed a restart for a NFL Commercial. Great Job Espn. Since Marty Reid cant handle critisim without a better idea being tossed out heres my idea to may idea: Dont miss the restart. Groundbreaking
You know there are a lot of tracks that don't have napkins or paper towels to cut down on the debris. I have to say I don't understand why people at the track don't control their own personal debris. I know I do.
JD, I think there is a difference in the camera work at least a little - since they seem to be using some more wide shots.
Billy, I hear the IndyCar TV team is going to be blown up, so you never know.
Bob was horrible on the final IndyCar telecast, but you never know what was going on behind the scenes.
Got to see Tony take lead, NFL is having comm'l fest for a review
MIS is the same way with trash. Must have something to do with 2 mile tracks....so, maybe we should not race on them! Can't wait for Martinsville!!!!
actually, for California, this hasn't been a bad race. Not the usual snoozer.
Hello everyone!!! Great crowd today, great racing, and great coverage!!!!!!!!!!! I will be going for the first time to Cali next year and after seeing what i've seen so far im pumped! good Kyle is done woooooooooo
Okay. I'm not going yo gloat, I'm not going to gloat....well, maybe a little.
If I could watch a race and not hear these three words:
1. Danica
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Chase
I'd be happy
@GinaV24
Exactly! That is what I said earlier before you got here. They are using wider shots. JD said it was maybe because of the producer this week who is not Mr. Goldberg, but his boss.
It is a vision thing. Producers and directors matter! The wide shots make it much better for me and I do not like Fontana. Puts me to sleep usually.
Dang! KyBu just blew up. Crap!
Tim the Tool Man
I don't need to hear Brewer explain why the engine broke.
Don't tell me we're getting the same broken valve explanation that we got earlier...talk about redundant!
Odds Timmy gets this 1 right?
Worthless.
Tim Brewer is clueless. He just waits until something happens that might fit his program. Pitiful!
I dont understand the hate for these bigger type of tracks this has been awsome!!! You cant and will NOT find 3,4, even 5 wide at th short tracks! I love short tracks as well but this season we have seen some off the hook racing at the 1.5 and 2 mile tracks!
Having soooo much fun today this is AWSOME :p
2 tires ???????
With 45 laps remaining we'll have to wait and see what happens? Really Marty? We have now gone from the merely obvious to the incredibly obvious!
AncientRacer -- I'll say sorry about KyBu because I know you like him.
You know who I'm rooting for -- dammit, gordon just got caught for speeding.
observation: i don't know why we're shown 3 pitstops in the split screens and the entire pit road in one big screen. this long shot doesn't add to the understanding of what's happening, even with the position arrows pointing out where each of the split-screen drivers is pitting.
i suggest we eliminate the long shot of pit road and focus on the individual tops of whoever has been chosen.
is it just me or does Tim always seem a lil jacked up, buzzed??? Maybe just nervous I dont know but he needs to go
Ugh, 29th with 42 to go. Yuck.
I have a feeling we are about to see some arguments over space on the track after the green flag.
you know what's funny...that voice you're hearing on the new Chevy ads is the original Tim the tool man...
Come to think of it, he might be pretty funny doing the tech segments....
I agree with what Lou said at the beginning. NASCAR Performance does it so much better.
For all those who have direct tv press the active button on your remotes Is nasar the most watch program in your area??? It is for me in Central, National and Sports! Just curious cause I think the ratings system is junk! Thanks
GlenC1, I much prefer either the nascar performance stuff or what Hammond does on Race Hub. Much more informative and intelligent.
Brewer comes across as clueless as the rest of the ESPN booth (except for AB)
"Points are points, they are all so important"
Marty Reid
oh gee, Marty, I didn't know that all the points are important.
holy moley did he take capt obvious lessons or just drank too much espn kool aid?
If this was last year, the race would still have 85 laps to go. Someone made a really good decision to shorten.
observation: these last 20 or so laps have been much more interesting because of the consistent use of wide shots and focusing on the actual racing. using these camera angles comes closer to re-creating the feel of watching the race at the track more than in-car or side-cams do.
Hello Gina! Have you ever been to California Speedway???
He's caught up in selling it rather than just letting it happen.
Very weird segment of race calling right there. These three are not clicking for sure.
OMG so true, 400 miles is better.
Im curious how the sight lines are cause I love to sit up front and at Chicagoland you can see em all the way around, Phoenix no way but am curious if you sit say row 1-30 can you see all the action or do you need to higher?
at California
OK, I just read the Marty Reid interview and I just have to comment on it. He has absolutely NO clue at all. Maybe he should read this blog.
He doesn't understand NASCAR fans is absolutely true.
If 400 miles is better than 500, maybe 300 is even better, or 200 or NONE at all.
who just said "you better give it to him?" and what it was in reference to just then?
Hi, Jonathan. No, I've never been there and probably wouldn't make the trip just because for me, the 2 mile tracks don't thrill me.
I can tell you're enjoying it though!
GinaV24
Thank you for your sympathy. Jeff really got hit bad by that penalty. Now down to 24th.
...I's say there was a script here, but that wouldn't be true, they say. Yet is is not sad that I am even tempted to say that. KyBu, Cousin Carl, Jeff, The Biff all movin' on down in points.
Jonathan, in my experience, the higher up you can get at any track, the better the sight line. We try to never sit lower than row 15.
I added the stairmaster into my workout routine since climbing up and down those bleachers is serious exercise.
Doc gets the best out of who ever he interviews. Even KyBu acts nice with him.
AncientRacer -- well, I was happy a while ago and now sad again. The story of the year for me. The 24 just cannot seem to get it done.
The 48 winning with the 24's setup last weekend really cranked my chain.
@Jonathan
I've been there. In the stands and in a suite. It is much better to be high up because the track is so flat.
Yeah im loving this Gina sucks others dont but hey it is what it is! I also like Michigan thats just me! I do have one thing to say though, even though I've been a fan since '04 and never got to see a Nascar race from The Rock I feel we NEED NEED NEEEEED a Sprint Cup Race there cause the Arca race was something Great track
@Jonathan
I've been to Fontana twice and it is a relatively flat track with a very long back stretch. My seats were way above row 30 and IMHO I don't think you'd have a very good view of the large track that has little banking sitting very low.
I think it should be mandatory that Doc always interview KyBusch after a problem. KB was very respectful I found the interview very different than previous ones.
Thanks Ancient! Much appreciated
The KyBu problem may improve the racing for the rest of the chase. He can let it all hang out and go for a win in every race and not worry about the points. He can run every race like a it's a non-points race.
Two or four tires now with 17 to go?
Nor were you able to see all the track when you were around 30-40 rows back?
alright everyone here we go have fun enjoy this and stand up and cheer this is going to be something ;P
Boys tied @17 & did they show the debris? MRN said caution for debris but not aware of what it was...
The comment that Reid made in his interview about how the fans should just cheer the fact that the 48 is doing something "special" just shows how little he understands NASCAR and its fans. The only reason that the 48 is able to do this special thing is because NASCAR made the trophy run a 10 race deal, not 36.
If Johnson won 5 in a row over a full season, I might be more respectful of it. This way, it is bogus to me and always will be.
Plus as JD has pointed out, the main deal that ESPN and NASCAR seems to have forgotten is that most race fans have their favorite and it doesn't change at the end of the season.
Gina how do u not like this????
Jonathan, my guy is in the back
LOL, plus he's in a car that I can't find on the track
@Jonathan
As long as you're at least 25 rows up and not too far into turns 1 or 4 you should be able to see all of the track. I tended to watch the action on the backstretch on the big screen due to the flatness of the track.
OMG, my guy missed that!
WOW I'm surprised more cars weren't caught up in that... last thing 14 needed was this
Ugh, pit road is still closed -- they are going to get their damn GWC
Funny quote from David Ragan after his run in with Kurt Busch: "I'm gonna park it before I hurt something here."
really? someone would come for tires with 4 laps +/- to go? i will be ASTOUNDED if that happens . . .
Going to need a big reset from Marty and then a strong pull to the finish from the booth.
Gordon's spotter said the 20 was in it, but they didn't show it on TV. I thought I saw that a little bit on the one long shot replay
You know, this whole 'chase' thing is getting to be a joke the way these top 12 (except for JJ. of course) are taking themselves out. And I agree that the 10 race format is why many fans aren't that impressed with JJ's 4 in a row 'titles'. Just isn't the same as winning a 36 races season.
the 24 is coming
I really do ont know which is worse, A race with not good coverage or a kicker who misses the uprights. Both only have to perform 1 stinkin day a week!
the 17 has an issue, too, maybe?
ginaV24, i think the #17 is trying real hard to blow up right now . . .
and to have Johnson win ANOTHER race at this track, Jonathan, would also be a reason why I probably wouldn't go to California.
I know that sounds petty, but my brother is a 48 fan and I have to put up with it at races all season.
red, did they say that on TV? I heard Gordon's spotter say it
Time to make the donuts.
The best we could hope for is a situation that, by the end of the year, makes the Chase irrelevant. Maybe that would wake up some people in Daytona. And their television partners.
What, no cheering wife and crew? You're slipping.
Well, I picked up three penalties today from JD but I finished running.
Better broadcast (pictures) than in quite awhile. I was pleased with that. I was also pleased that there were less "as they run" comments.
Not so pleased with what happened to KyBu and the other chasers who had bad days. Still hate the chase, though. Bad hate it I do.
I was also pleased with the company here. So was my GF. She has told me repeatedly to "find somebody who cares" about racing and now I have.
Kudos to Smoke, but JJ is pulling away. Just like we wrote the script last January.
See y'all later!
Finally !!!!!!!Tony wins at Cali!! and the 48 not
GinaV24: i don't believe so but the smoke was coming from the pipes in the back, not from a wheel rub and that speaks of engine.
Tony isn't married, so no cheering/teary wife.
OK, I'll admit that was an exciting finish.
If you are scooting off to watch football, leave us a comment on the "Your Turn" post before you go!
Thanks for stopping by, a pretty interesting day in TV land.
I hope Jimmie Johnson dies, NASCAR would be better off w/o him
Anon -- unfortunately the chase will never be irrelevant in the eyes of Brian France. for the fans, its another matter.
If Johnson wins another title this year and it appears likely, I will continue to care less and less about these last 10 races. For me, the season ends at Richmond. The only reason I continue to watch is because Gordon is on the track -- when he retires, I will be gone.
Tony wins and it's still the JJ show.
Good for Bowyer!!
Bowyer mentioned into his interview that the debris was there all run and then Nascar called a caution. Wonder if he'll get fined for that statement. Congrats to TS & team.
Love that Clint said that and the ESPN guys had never noticed it.
Remember the race started with debris on the track that was never explained?
Come on man....
@Gina
Ditto for me on your Johnson/Gordon comments. I agree with Gordon that the last 10 races need to be mixed up from year to year. Otherwise, it's the same JJ show every year.
Watching Sportscenter now with Craven. Ricky needs to be in someone's at-the-track line-up next year.
OK, moving the comments up to the "Your Turn" post on the main page.
Thanks again for chatting with us.
JD
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