The NASCAR on ESPN team had a long day yesterday and tonight they end the on-track coverage from the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The pre-race show begins at 7PM on ABC.
Allen Bestwick has Ray Evernham, Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty in the Infield Pit Studio. Yesterday, it was tough for these four to get airtime with the active racing on the track and all the unfolding stories.
Tim Brewer continues in the Tech Garage. Lately, Brewer has been quickly updating things that go wrong on the track. The problem is, he is often the one who is proven wrong when the driver or crew chief is interviewed. Brewer is in a tough spot, but perhaps suggesting what may be wrong as opposed to telling viewers might make more sense.
Dr. Jerry Punch, Jamie Little, Dave Burns and Vince Welch are the pit road reporters. It is always interesting to see the personal on-air dynamics between these four and the drivers they are assigned to cover. Little and Welch are "in your face" style reporters while Punch and Burns are more low-key.
Embattled Marty Reid, Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree are playing on a very big stage tonight. First, this is a home game for the sport and second the telecast is on ABC up against a key MLB playoff game on FOX and college football on ESPN.
"Sell it" is a term heard in TV when producers try to encourage the on-air talent to get excited about the sport they are covering and relay that excitement to the viewers. In the middle of a ratings slump and up against stiff competition, tonight the entire NASCAR on ESPN gang is going to have to "sell it."
Saturday night, the ESPN director continually cut to tight shots and missed action or incidents on the track. He missed key moments on pit road and even used an in-car camera shot on the final lap. In terms of directing a live TV sports event after four years of covering the sport, it was dismal.
If ESPN decides to present this event with the same style of coverage that leaves viewers in the dark to the stories and racing on the track, it is going to be the end of the Chase for many. Wideshots under the lights on TV from CMS are some of the most spectacular in the business.
Everything is right there waiting for the TV team. Good stories, a great track and a nice night for action in primetime. What ESPN chooses to do with those pieces of the NASCAR puzzle will be something we will watch and discuss right here tonight.
This post will serve to host your comments about the Sprint Cup Series coverage from Charlotte Motor Speedway on ABC. To add your TV-related comments, 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.
317 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 317 of 317I disagree. As much as you want it to be the car, there has been passing. TV just doesn't show it.
Ole Miss and 'Bama are now playing on ESPN2. Just another competitor for viewers.
This mixed pit strategy is going to make this a hot mess
OMG ESPN always playing driver radio comments they make abt 10 laps ago
Where's IZOD pit strategist Jack Arute when you need him for mixed pit stop schedules?
as usual thanks JD. will check in for updates here but time to go totally Bama football on tv. tired of switching back over for this debacle.
Good lord, Bob Jenkins is even more dull :\ If you think ESPN's record of awkward silence is pretty bad, you shoulda heard him on the IndyCar broadcasts on Versus this year. Painful.
Nevertheless, I don't see it happening away as he basically chucked NASCAR under the bus near the end of the Motegi race - to paraphrase, "some series manufacture a close championship, but not in the IndyCar series!" Rather amusing that was :p
Green Flag pit sequence has to be very difficult & I appreciate the effort.
GO WISCONSIN !!
Wow even the seats are empty in Nascar's country.
Please, please Nationwide Insurance shoot some new commercials. I'm really gettin tired of Jr and Kelley.
You and me both Vince..
@Ken-Michigan
I assume you are looking live at Camp Randall Stadium?
Anon at 9:52 I'm always wondering if the reason for the tight shots is because there are a lot of empty seats and ESPN doesn't want to show them.
How do they calculate the ratings if you are not a Neilsen home?
FYI we did not enjoy the Indycar booth!!
And I just ate the worst piece of Cheesecake from Honeybaked Ham...(room mate brought home from work yest) Jello junk in a box is better.
I emptied the dishwasher w tv on Phillies...got tv going on NASCAR off & on out of curiosity tonight.
very sad. Listening to PRN online..2 minutes BEHIND TV. Sheesh
wow no caution from Nascar? He could have got ran over
There just might be some beer drinkin at Camp Randall tonight !
If ESPN goes out of their way to play the audio of Chad Knaus saying "New Leader...48!" again after JJ takes the lead, I'm listening to MRN the rest of the season.
They do it every...time...he takes...the lead...
You aren't counted unless you have a box or diary.
Oh boy Jimmie leads and fans have probably tune out
And this is how you flip a switch . . . back to you Marty.
Gordo a lap down. Time for a mystery debris caution?
If JJ wins a fifth championship, it will be the final nail in the coffin for NASCAR. Just not good for the sport.
Plus I hate this commercial with the #48 car dropping down off the lift in real life it could really be serious and injure someone and these guys are laughing!
What the 48 is doing is great but its killing the sport at the same time.
OMG, Hamlin leads a lap and ESPN was going to make it part of the Race Rundown.. Not good
Andy called Tim out right away. Gordon is draining the battery because of alternator problems.
Brewer is always wrong when they go to him toooooo quickly. I mentioned that in the post today.
And the Buckeyes go down. nice!!
And although it has nothing to do with the race broadcast, ESPN now is going to commercial using "covered" versions of classic rock tunes rather than the real thing. Guess it's another way to cut costs...
Yeah, Andy isn't shy about correcting Brewer tonight, is he?
Is it just me or does anyone else get annoyed with Jamie constantly screaming in her mic every 3 min. on pit road? Couldn't stand it any longer and turned the baseball game on.
Tks.JD Ron Il.
JJ's team is not helping him tonight.
It was more important to talk about the 48 pit stop then the wave around and who they were.
Jamie is either on high in volume or in your face asking how you feel.
She seems not to understand that we can hear her in the mic.
JS your right he does say it every time but it's not Chad it's Earl the 48 spotter
RE: Jamie Little screaming into the mic--I have nothing at all against female pit reporters, but their higher pitched voices are a bit more shrill when they're forced to yell. Welch's baritone is much easier on the ears when he's forced to scream over the din of the engines.
How's the crowd tonight?
Early reports were that traffic was noticeably light coming into the track.
I can't wait for that Tim Richmond piece. I am clearing my Tuesday for it.
Big time college football games and close baseball games. Nascar dosn't stand a chance with what they are putting on tv.
Not tv related, but those yellow walls are butt ugly. Sprint must be paying Bruton a boat load of cash.
When Wendy or Krista was working the pits they would put a card behind the mic and talk in a normal tone.
Tks.JD Ron Il.
They started this one too late. Gonna run past 11 pm.
did you know....
#11 Hamlin has never had a Charlotte finish higher than 8th in his career.
#18 Busch OR #16 Biffle has never won @ Charlotte.
FYI to all,
Randy LaJoie is with Doug Rice talking up the race in the PRN booth. Doing a nice job, too!
Hey everyone! Just started watching, have the grandstands been this bad all night. You can physically count the people by hand it looks so bad.
they caught the 31 spin live. amazing..
JD, your blog has died. College football?
Stop net radio & went back..now only a few seconds behind tv..that's better than 2 minutes earlier....
Yea...i'm trying to watch the tv but have lost interest...having fun on twitter... tweeting local guy who is in Korea for 2 months in his business. Views outside hotel room are AWESOME.
Is this race finished yet? ZZZzz
yes, if NASCAR really wants to go green...shorten the races is my vote..and use better cameras for less time.
LaJoie's a hoot. I'm glad he's back in NASCAR. Wouldn't mind seeing him in the booth more often.
I see very few new posts since I was on last. Guess the broadcast hasn't gotten any better.
I bet ya that Marty doesn't know there is a start/finish line on pit road.
@Vince
Giants lead the Phillies by 1 in the 9th inning.
I've started to realize that Marty very rarely makes any kind of comments concerning the history of a driver or a particular track.
The PBP guy has to have the ability to rattle some "historic" comment from time to time.....marty reid simply cant do it & makes for a very boring race call.
Bestwick, Squire, Joy have this knowledge and rarely have to even look it up.
Although, Marty Reid can really read a promo liner card with the best of em.
JJ Yeley in the 9 car for Kasey. No word from the booth about it.
The trouble with this Formula One race is that the host broadcaster at this track isn't feeding the best pictures to the international announcers in Bristol.
I'm already gettin a headache. Marty's fake excitement and forced stats is a sharp contrast to the silent, monotone Jarrett.
The camerashots should follow the play-by-play. But tonight it is the other way around as Marty is stuck to the monitor. The shots randomly cut to battles all around the track.
Justin Allgaier was just on Twitter asking what happened to Kahne....
Kasey is reported to have left the track after his wreck. RPM reports, he was sick. Hmmmm.
I appreciate ESPN trying to cover non-chasers, but why do the cars have to be divided in 2 categories for updates? ESPN could just update positions 1-18 and a notable in deep in the pack
Did Kasey just walk out on his team?
As I was going through tweets, I must say I smell bs. If Kahne were really sick tv would have reported it. I say he was pissed cause the car was garbage and just left after the wreck.
Scanner chatter says Kasey wasn't sick, but mad.
Hi gang. Watching BB on Fox. TBS does a better job.
So what happened to put JJ Yeley in the 9 car? I saw Kahne wreck it, looked done.
Man this is boring.Getting a headache from watching this snoozer.
Marty Smith has reported an update on the Kahne situation on Twitter. He works for ESPN, at least.
Any chance Kahne has raced his last race for RPM? Roush wants to put Trevor Bayne in a Cup car soon.
The running order are at a still. No passing.
Would be nice to have (an honest) report about Kasey from the TV guys.
Hmmm, so the official line is Kasey is sick...
If Kasey is sick, this is a good broadcast.
I think I heard Roush was going to put Bayne in a car at Texas. Wasn't sure how but the 9 would do it. Not sure if Kahne will be done early simply due to Buds deals with RPM and Kahne.
Is Bayne over 21 yet?
They use the blimp for a camera shot
Hurry !!
showing pit stops
Booo.
no Bayne is only 19
They had no idea Jeff Gordon had a penalty until the penalty? A few minutes ago, they were talking about Kyle Busch pitting while showing the 24. Pitiful.
@Anon 11:01 p.m.
Good catch!
So, forget about my conspiracy theory with a 19 year old selling beer.
Well the Budweiser thing won't fly then.
If Kahne did walk out, and gave up, he is not a true racer. Just another spoiled over-rated pretty boy brat.
I figured they would put Bayne in the #21 cause they put Wingo over there.
I bet NASCAR has an opening for a pit road official - after last night's lug nut debacle.
@longtimeracefan: kinda like when young mr busch walked away from HIS car a few years ago?
although Bayne is only 19, they could shift things around. Sadler wont be in the 19 next year so he could slide into the 9 and Bayne in the 19. just a thought.
@anon 10:59--nope Trevor is 19
Yes interesting getting 2 different stories--team says Kasey is sick; fans say Kasey is PISSED and left the track.
Caution for the bubble gum wrapper.
red bull racing still doesnt have any driver listed for the 83 next weekend
Kasey is "sick" of driving the #9 RPM car.
Hey guys. I just woke up. The race was so compelling that I nodded out on the couch. Guess that's how much the 'chase' is keeping my interest.
Kahne to Red Bull a little early - that could happen.
Did we forget? Bud is leaving RPM, Ambrose is in the 9 with Stanley. So if Bayne does go to RPM it would be in the 19 only. IF they can land a sponsor.
the 21 sounds much more likely I think...
Bayne isn't ready for Cup though. I feel bad because a month ago Ty Norris was talking about their plan with Trevor, to get him to Cup in 2012, then it all fell apart.
They messed up on the start time - make a note for next year.
Andy Petree agreed with Marty that Jeff Gordon won his first Cup Race at CMS in 1993!!!!!!!!
JD: Sorry we took the blog down the driver/sponsor speculation road. Maybe the booth will pick it up for the last 20 laps here. Alabama's 2nd half just started but I am trying to make the checkers before I give up again.
It fell apart because MWR owed Martin Truex a favor to sign his little brother over Bayne.
Just discovered that tomorrow morning at 8 a.m., Kasey Kahne is hosting a 5K road race in downtown Charlotte to benefit his foundation.
GO JAMIE !
Red, exactly, but Kasey is way prettier than Kyle. Still a bonehead move, if not for cause.
Maybe I missed this, but has the booth mentioned the circumstances surrounding the 1st time Jamie won this race, as the Sterling Marlin injury replacement?
Don't think the start time will move. Standardized start times. It's Saturday night, I don't see an issue with it.
Kyle unhappy about the bogus caution
Regan Smith having a heck of a run tonight.
Go Jamie Mac, go.
ESPN was doing a really good job the first 10 laps after the restart. They showed some great racing in the middle of the pack. But now the cars are spread out and the in-car cameras & old radio chatter come back.
So its obvious that who ever gets in front first wins because no one can catch up. This car just sucks.
oldnewenglander:
Once, but of course they didn't bother to show any clip(s) of that win. When their next precious commercial break is bearing down there's no time to lose!
Wow. Have the stands been that empty all night? Or have people left in droves before the end of the race? Those blimp shots look really bad.
Not much post-race. Late local news is scheduled for 11:30 p.m.
SportsCenter on ESPNEWS.
Nascar Now at 1 a.m.?
What a pathetic end of the race. The radio chatter & Marty overlapped and it was not pretty. Didn't get to see half the field finish either.
Well, it doesn't appear that my nap deprived me of many thrills. It's hard to believe that a few years ago you couldn't pry me away from watching every minute of every race. Now I fall asleep. So sad.
Nice burnout! Congrats Jamie Mac. Johnson leads Hamlin by 41 and Harvick by 77. It looks like a 3 man dance already. Hope all this non drama for the cup makes Brian France happy. With less than stellar broadcasts, they needed that "closest chase ever" but they just aren't gonna get it.
And Kyle Busch steps on Dave Burns on pit road...again. No respect there.
Congratulations to Jamie! Glad Dad was there tonight :)
We get the JJ show no matter what happens on the track. The race was slightly better than the test pattern we used to get at this time of night.
NASCAR Now is at 1AM. This is ABC and the late local news will be next.
All the SPEED shows are on Sunday night as normal.
Kyle Busch in the media center - post-race conference
Thanks folks! New post up for your race wrap comments.
Well....it was interesting!
JD
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