Saturday, March 12, 2011

Live Blogging Camping World Truck Series From Darlington (SPEED - 3:30PM ET)


It's a tight one-day show for the Camping World Series trucks in Darlington, SC. Qualifying is on SPEED at 3:30PM for approximately one hour. Krista Voda then hosts the pre-race show at 4:30PM and the trucks race at 5PM.

Rick Allen will call the action along with Phil Parsons. Micheal Waltrip is off this week, so Larry McReynolds will call the race. I am told this is not an audition, just a guest appearance. Hermie Sadler and Ray Dunlap will handle the pit reporting.

With each passing week, the truck series looks more and more like the feeder series for Sprint Cup. While the Nationwide Series has become clogged with drivers on various agendas, the trucks continue to be the place where drivers can stand-out against good competition.

Darlington in the daylight is a reminder of old-style racing, despite the fact that the start/finish line was flipped years ago to what was formerly the backstretch. This type of track makes great TV pictures, especially from low angles when the trucks are allowed to race into and then through a "speed shot."

SPEED produces its own races in this series and has a style that is very different from ESPN, FOX or TNT. Over the years, fans have simply come to expect that this TV team will describe the action, cover the racing and let the teams take centerstage. That is almost the opposite of FOX and ESPN, two networks that thrive on TV personality-driven telecasts.

Despite his TNT gaffs last summer, Parsons continues to be the informed voice of the series and offers a perspective that can't be beat. Allen was simply abused by Darrell Waltrip at Daytona, but can pump excitement into a live telecast and that is his role. It should be interesting to see how McReynolds adapts to this series.

This post will host your comments before, during and after the block of TV truck series programming on SPEED. 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. Thank you for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.

143 comments:

Jonathan said...

This is going to be sweet! Have fun everyone

Roland said...

Larry Mac instead of Mikey? YES!!!!!!!!!!!

AncientRacer said...

Only one race this weekend and I did not see any last weekend. I do hope it is good.

Daly Planet Editor said...

SPEED says it will stick with the trucks and deal with the delayed AMA superbike race from Daytona if or when it gets restarted.

MW is testing sports cars for the 24 Hours of LeMans. His partner in MWR makes him race international sports car races. He's not too good at it.

AncientRacer said...

Which partner, JD? Travis?

Daly Planet Editor said...

He only has one with the $$.

AncientRacer said...

Wekk taken ;)

AncientRacer said...

Actually, that should have read "Well taken ;)"

Roland said...

Rob Kauffman is the partner in question. He doesnt make Mikey drive the sports car races. Mikey has been dabbling in sports cars since he got out of the 55. I doubt Travis owns much of the Nationwide team. They probably put his name on it to attract sponsors.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Roland, I am going to disagree with that. When someone else pays the bills, you do what they want.

AncientRacer said...

I knoe about Kauffman, but I did not know he had that big a stake. That is news to me and I thank you for it. I really did think it was Travis -- and not for the $$ he has personally, but for the beaucoup sponsor dollars he commands. :)

Roland said...

True. If it wasnt for Rob MWR would have gone under.

Good qualifying coverage so far

Daly Planet Editor said...

Roland, you got that right!

Daly Planet Editor said...

Superbikes back on the track in Daytona, SPEED sticking with tape delayed truck qualifying.

w17scott said...

Mr Editor -
We can only hope MW has sports car practice every NCWTS weekend ...maybe, DW can be persuaded to join him, eh? Very interesting how tire situation evolved, was quickly addressed and is being handled for bikes at Daytona
Walter

bryanh said...

Off topic.
Speed channel has been off since Wed. I emailed them, and you now have to have digital to get it. No notification, just wnt off. You now have to rent a box, and remote. This is in the Myrtle Beach, SC area(Murrells Inlet), thanks Time Warner. Is Truck Buddy on today anyone?

Anonymous said...

Happy Race Day Planeteers <3

@Roland--Yup Mikey's been in France he's returning home today.

@Bryan--that's a shame that they didn't give any notice :(. Yes many areas it's been digital tier only for years. When I had cable here, we had it on the lower tier & digital tier. Something odd, was when I was in Cali, with Comcast my friends in the Bay Area couldn't get SPEED at all without paying for the higher sports package and I had it on both tiers with Comcast in Sacramento.

bryanh said...

Thanks for your reply Gymmie. 1 hour away from me it has been on high tier before digital came out also on TW. Enjoy the race everyone.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Been off tracking down the IndyCar story. Comcast/NBC/VERSUS says no more streaming of any IndyCar live races, even pay.

Going to be interesting to see what happens to those folks who do not get on the online video wave.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Kind of miss Jen Jo Cobb in this series.

Vicky D said...

Great qualifying show, what's with Speed showcasing the cup guys already though. Glad Cole Whitt is up front our guy is starting in the top 15 and we're really pulling for him for a top 5. Want to mention that I have several friends and a couple of co-workers over in Japan and just want to say my thoughts and prayers are with the Japanese people after the terrible earthquake.

AncientRacer said...

Yes, but Johanna is there. Our panhandle fav.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Oh, this is going to be a great showcase. Mike Helton and the NASCAR brass are there as well.

I bet they gave a nice little lecture on how to put on a show and not a wreckfest.

Lisa Hogan said...

Happy Race Day, Gymmie and everyone!

Soooo happy about the booth today. I like Mikey; but, his jabbering gets to me.

Wishing everyone a great race!

Daly Planet Editor said...

Got to figure out who the two in-truck cams are on TruckBuddy!

AncientRacer said...

Here I am again. Working with seven hands and fourteen ears. This race watching stuff is getting perilously close to work. Jus' Sayin'

Daly Planet Editor said...

Matt Crafton and Timothy Peters. Thanks NASCAR.

Charlie said...

Saw this on twitter

The in-truck cameras for tonight are Matt Crafton and Timothy Peters. I'm chatting at nascar.com! http://soc.li/uvCPSzJ

AncientRacer said...

Nice anthem. She held the high C's very well, and yodeled the hardest one. Good job.

Charlie said...

NASCAR_COM_Mod posted that tweet I just posted

Daly Planet Editor said...

We are busting down the walls with the NASCAR folks. They are starting to offer personal responses and good online customer service.

Just a total change of culture!

Couple of years ago, the only thing NASCAR had was a mailbox for letters in Daytona. Not even email.

Vicky D said...

JD, I remember that time not too long ago that if you wanted to contact Nascar you had to do it via snail mail! C'mon let's go racing!

AncientRacer said...

You see JD. Few blogs ago people were saying how they do not listen. Somebody at the Palace must be listening

GinaV24 said...

Hi everyone! Looking forward to the pick em up truck race today -- No Waltrip! Yay!

Boy wish I could get down there for this race, but things just didn't work out to do it. Maybe next year.

look at the list of first timers!

Daly Planet Editor said...

I think some new faces are going to wind up changing everything. It looks very promising right now.

slander q. libel said...

Just loaded up my feed. Wow. Neither Waltard is there? I might not mute my audio this time around...

GinaV24 said...

cats on the keyboard, Ancient? LOL Mine are laying on each arm -- makes typing a real challenge!

AncientRacer said...

BTW I'll put my $$ on Elliot today. If not him Kahne. If not him Hornaday

AncientRacer said...

@GinaV24

Another Cat is on the desk. Lap Cat is in the lap. This Cat is on the floor. That Cat is currently unaccounted for. lol :)

slander q. libel said...

And Ceiling Cat?

Daly Planet Editor said...

So much for the "putting on a good show" lecture!

PammH said...

I use the mosaic mode on TB & I saw that wreck happening waaay before they mentioned it on TV! Luv it!

GinaV24 said...

JD, it doesn't look like Helton's lecture worked!

Shame with all that early in the race.

slander q. libel said...

NASCAR didn't throw a flag for a relative non-incident? Well, color me surprised...

GinaV24 said...

Ancient, my two kittens are still in the struggle for being "top cat" since I'm not very big, that can be interesting.

JD, that's really good news about NASCAR. It used to make me crazy to send e-mails and get that stupid canned response.

Gee, is Larry going to offer real commentary? Awesome.

GinaV24 said...

oops so much for the drivers they talked about early on. Is that Kahne's truck?

slander q. libel said...

I knew it couldn't last. They always end up reverting to form.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Got to settle down and race. Some younguns in this one.

GinaV24 said...

Bristol commercial -- you notice the clips are all from BEFORE they reconfigured it AND the COT.

It used to be one of the 10 events -- I'm glad we made it before they changed it to make the racing "better".

Anonymous said...

YW Bryan

Hi Lisa :)

The Lady is busy early & often today :)

AncientRacer said...

@ Slander

I've got TB running, TV on, Twitter, Planet, four cats that live here that I know of and you actually want me to look up to see if there is A Ceiling Cat?

slander q. libel said...

Heh

GinaV24 said...

Ancient, if there is one and you look at it, it will probably leap on you!

Mine have just discovered they can leap onto the mantel. Not cool!

GinaV24 said...

restart! Good camera work on that restart.

GinaV24 said...

Wow, calling it out that two drivers don't like one another. super real PXP.

GinaV24 said...

OK, they are at lap 27 of 147 and they can do this on one more stop? Is that right?

Jonathan said...

Hey Gina whats up!!! I like the new Bristol I like side by side racing the old Bristol was great as well but nothing we can do about that. Go Sadler!!!

AncientRacer said...

Am I Greedy, JD? I've got a 4x TB plus TV and I wish I had and 8x or 10x TB. Like, ya know, if I was at the race and watching all around all the time like I do at a race. Am I unreasonable?

GinaV24 said...

Hey, Jonathan, things are good here. The rain and wind didn't wash us away and today was a sunny day.

things OK with you?

Daly Planet Editor said...

Ya know, this is a fun series.

Sally said...

@GinaV24...I'm with you about Bristol. I blame the 'chase' as much as anything. That's when it started to get too polite. I gave up my season tickets because it isn't what I expect from Bristol racing. More like MIS with traffic these days.

AncientRacer said...

Yes it is JD, but as the resident TV expert please tell me if I am greedy.

Jonathan said...

Things are great just enjoying this great race! Its fun when the Trucks take center stage... I usually dont get to watch the truck races as they race on Friday nights most of the time so this is fun! Hope all is well with you Gina

JD yes this is fun

AncientRacer said...

*Sally

I did not give up my Britols. Goinbg there next week. Cannot give up Bristols. The greatest sports (racing) venue since the Circus Maximus with Charlton Heston. But this week is depressing. I am supposed to be at AMS. Dag Brutaon Smith :(

GinaV24 said...

Sally, yeah, the chase definitely changed things, too. I just don't enjoy it as much so I'm glad we got there when we did.

JD -- yep, this series is the most fun to watch on TV for sure. I have to see if my brother wants to make plans to go to this race next year. usually the schedule for the trucks doesn't work for my travel schedule.

Daly Planet Editor said...

I was trying to go, but could not swing it in the schedule. Wah.

GinaV24 said...

boo hiss on a cup driver being the leadaer in this series!

majorshouse said...

From what I have seen so far, it sounds like Larry Mac has blended in really well and nice not having a Waltrip in the booth over running everybody else.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Agree on that, Larry sounds great in this mix.

Anonymous said...

Any Truck broadcast without Mikey gets my vote! I don't understand why the race leader isn't highlighted on the race ticker at the top of the screen. To me it's common sense. Guess not with the racing experts in the production truck??? Looks like the wide angle shot caught the first spin in real time. Wow! How'd dey do dat??

GinaV24 said...

I agree, Larry is fitting in well with the regulars and the camera crew is doing an awesome job. It such a nice relief not to have to listen to Motormouth today.

we actually get to see the action -- why can't that happen on Sunday's?

AncientRacer said...

#Gina

Um because the people at Speed realize we are hardcores? That they do not have to "dumb it down" I think that may have something to do with it

Anonymous said...

I was surprised when I turned the race on at 6 and realized I missed the first 40 laps. Larry Mac was another surprise. Larry is much more tolerable than any Waltrip, but Allen & Parsons are fine on their own.

The Speed director has done a great job catching trouble on the track.

slander q. libel said...

I wish the people in charge of their so-called "reality" shows would figure that out.

Vicky D said...

The only bad thing was Rick Allen's sounding giddy when Kahne went to the front! C'mon let's see some of David Starr!

Roland said...

I have never enjoyed a Speed Truck broadcast more than tonights. Larry Mac is a great addition to the booth. It makes a huge difference when you remove the goofy buffon and replace him with someone who knows whats going on. I know this is a one time deal but Speed needs to look at replacing Mikey with Larry or someone with a technical background. Excellent broadcast and great work from the booth.

GinaV24 said...

Ancient, you may be right -- the truck broadcast isn't playing to the "casual" fans. they figure we already know tires are round and go on the bottom.

Slander --- LOL, I think that commercial is really creepy!

red said...

i should know this but only the info for practice is coming to mind: how many sets of tires do trucks get tonight?
not too many comments: we must all be enjoying this. and i add my voice to the consensus: larry mac is informative, interesting and great tonight!

Daly Planet Editor said...

NASCAR allowed them an extra set today. I think it went from 6 to 7.

red said...

thanks, jd!

GinaV24 said...

Some of these guys are going to need ALL of those sets, too.

Anonymous said...

Loving the broadcast.

As fer you, JD - you get Mattioli in place of JJC. Sorta, kinda, I guess..haha.

I don't know why he's doing it or she's helping, though - either the equipment or the racer is lacking enough to make the costs hard to justify.

And now JJC racing is out a truck. Silly racer peoples.

GinaV24 said...

Wow, talk about a strike!

slander q. libel said...

Mattioli may as well go ahead and hit the pace truck. Seems like he's hit everything else...

... to bastardize a line from one of the worst racing movies ever made.

AncientRacer said...

Ya'll know the series sponsors really ought to love Larry Mac. Did you hear what he just said: (paraphrase) "fill up with Sunoco Race fuel and put on 4 Goodyears"

Not Buy Digger Stuff, Toyotas, and Mikey! Mikey!

Jus' Sayin' :)

Anonymous said...

Now now, Slander - be nice...he just wants to go faaaassssst. When he gets his Wonder Bread/Me sponsorship, he'll show us all.

Just you wait. Don't hold your breath while you do it, tho. ;)

Anonymous said...

Now THIS is a serious Truck broadcast with Larry Mac replacing Mikey! It's like a breath of fresh air!

Anonymous said...

Anon 6:30 - This is Chase's trucks/team with JJC's owner points. JJC is focused on the Nationwide series this season, which has not gone very well.

Anon/J said...

Busch - the mighty Anon here - gotcha.

Saw Cobb was basically selling off her stable on RacingJunk but didn't know if he was driving her stuff or his own.

As for Cobb's season, it's early, she's new to the ride, etc...I'll reserve judgement. It's a steeper learning curve than when I got behind a wheel at 14 and went in straight lines for sure.

GinaV24 said...

oh man, that was ugly. Poor Johanna. geez.

slander q. libel said...

There go my two faves...

Anon/J said...

Ouch....this is bad for Jo Long - she's been getting wrecked constantly since she started. Dunno how they're paying the collision bills or buying used chassis...

Daly Planet Editor said...

Can you believe it! And she just got the Lucky Dog. Darn it!

AncientRacer said...

Oh S%%T! My race is over. No KyBu and Johanna is wrecked.

I am depressed. :(

Roland said...

JD you shouldnt be cheering for Johanna youll get fired!

Daly Planet Editor said...

Watched her come through the rough and tumble Super Late Model ranks here in Florida. Tough girl and great driver.

But, something big broke.

AncientRacer said...

@Roland

JD has a lifetime TV provisional for cheering.

It is in the NASCAR Media Rulebook. You can find one of them on any bookshelf tight next to the NASCAR Eylebook. :)

I am soooo bummed out

Anonymous said...

We're under a red flag now. The Production Truck apperently doesn't have any clear video of what happened with Johanna Long and Piquet. They showed Ricky's video ten times. Too bad.

red said...

LOVE that shot of flagwoman, kim lopez, watching the wreck while she waves the yellow!

hey adam alexander! STOP YELLING! microphones are more than capable of amplifying your voice, 'k?

Daly Planet Editor said...

Man, this finish is going to be a good one. Not the last caution flag I don't think....

GinaV24 said...

Man, I think we are all in the same boat now -- bummed for Johanna big time. Glad that she wasn't hurt, that was ugly.

Anon/J said...

Just saw clear visual again of Jo Long hitting Carmichael...and it was ugly looking.

AncientRacer said...

@JD & GinaV24

Not even me and my guys "Old Beater" ever wrecked her like that. Paint yes, but never like that.

Anonymous said...

dang, wish Johanna would have had a good run.

AncientRacer said...

Glad she is ok. Nice bit from Infield care. She will be a force to be reckoned with! :)

Anonymous said...

JD

I noticed you are cracking down hard on your tween troll.

Not even having that this post has been removed by a blog admisnistrator when you delete.

Nice.

Anonymous said...

Johanna has a lot of talent. she will break through soon. remember she's only 18

GinaV24 said...

Ancient, no that was an ugly looking wreck -- hard for a small team to keep going with $ so tight.

I keep hoping that some of these companies will step up for the little teams.

Anonymous said...

Nice bit from Infield care. She will be a force to be reckoned with! :)
----------------

don't have speed. could you say what she said please?

red said...

it's so refreshing to be treated like an intelligent fan by this booth tonight. these guys have brought their A game and i'm enjoying it. have even turned off truckbuddy tonight!

Daly Planet Editor said...

Just a new computer gizmo. Edits entire comments with a key stroke.

1990's technology moves forward! My friends always laugh at me. Even my 80 yr old mom has an iPad and I don't.

slander q. libel said...

Wouln't the first lap he's made in that truck be the first lap after the green flag?

Not to pick nits or anything...

red said...

did larry mac actually use the word "rectified"just now?!? watch out, larry mac: folks might actually learn that you are a VERY smart guy if you keep using them big words!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful wide shots, excellent commentary, solid reports on pit road. Such a fun race to watch.

PammH said...

I am enjoying the race soooo much more w/Larry Mac in the booth! Not even listening to Sirius tonite, which I do when MW is in town. And RB is fab!

AncientRacer said...

@Anon ^:56

She said she was oik and that they got turned nd all. But I confess I was not listening so much to her words as to her voice and looking at her face. Told me she wass all good. But since I am familiar with bher that is what I would look for. That she is (personally) OK

She will be a champ. Bet oon it. The kid is dtermined. And she is as has been said 18. been watching and racing with her for years since she was a real baby -- though she is staill a baby now -- at least to an old coot like me

rich said...

Now this is good race coverage!

Daly Planet Editor said...

I think they worked this race for all it had. Hope they close it out on a good note.

Sally said...

It's amazing to me how, without Mikey yammering non stop, telling us how EXCITING the race is, I find the race much more exciting!

Anonymous said...

I knew NASCAR would throw a caution.

AncientRacer said...

@BuschSeries61

Do not be glum. This has been a really good race. :)

GinaV24 said...

Sally, I am sooo with you on that. I haven't used the mute button at all. Mikey makes me have agita since he NEVER shuts up.

This broadcast has been really good. I haven't even gone to make dinner yet.

Anonymous said...

Is it me or are the guys in the booth getting a little sloppy and disjointed?

AncientRacer said...

Oh let us see. Kahne was my number 2 choice for a win. He is driving the 18. The 18 is owned by whom? Let me think... Ah, KyBu

Lord its hard to be humble.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Nice finish line coverage.

GinaV24 said...

awesome ending to the race. Well done by the booth and by the camera and production crew.

Can we PLEASE have them do the Fox broadcasts on Sunday's for Cup?

Anonymous said...

Of the 6 Nationwide & Truck races completed this season, 0 have been won by a series regular.

Sally said...

Any mention of what happened to Austin Dillon at the restart? Nice job showing the entire finish.

red said...

ok, off to dinner! great job, solid broadcast, excellent finish!

GinaV24 said...

Congrats, Ancient! LOL

AncientRacer said...

Tine to cook. See you guys next week -- well actually not on TV since I will be in Bristol!

Bye!

Sally said...

That was one of the best races this year, and the coverage was great. Can they arrange to have Mikey out of the country for the rest of the season? It was a pleasure to listen to the booth tonight. Goon info without hyping and hyperventilating. Nice job, Speed!

w17scott said...

Mr Editor -
Entertaining race, informative coverage ...worth the while when production team knows their job and gets it done ...such a pleasant way to enjoy a broadcast - Waltrip free!
Walter

Daly Planet Editor said...

Thanks everyone, see you next week. New columns starting Monday!

Sally said...

xTaht shoud be 'good' info. the goon was gone tonight.

Charlie said...

Nice show of the finish.

I agree, lets have Speed do the Sunday races.

saltsburgtrojanfan said...

Hey JD

Now if Fox & ESPN uses this format for all the races they televises our viewing pleasure would be more enjoyable.

No in car cameras constantly, wide view and DW annoying the bejesus out of us.

Fox and ESPN can put you to sleep in a hurry.

Last week and the week before was reminiscent to TNT's 2007 Sonoma meltdown.

Anonymous said...

Great race! Classy comment from Todd Bodine for recognizing the dedicated fans that came out to a Trucks-only race!

Anonymous said...

Perfect coverage. Anyone that does not understand the complaints many members here have with the FOX & ESPN coverage needs to see this race.

The flow of the coverage was smooth and relaxed. The camera did not have to jump from truck to truck. The director found the racing, saw when there was about to be trouble. The reports and commentary were informative, not dumbed-down lectures. We all got to see the entire field rush to the finish line, bouncing off the wall and each other. Great job by everyone at Speed!

Slick said...

Buschseries61 said...

I knew NASCAR would throw a caution.


Until they showed a replay of Jeffrey Earnhardt bouncin off the wall, I thought someone had sighted one of my favorite drivers, Jimmy Spencer, in the crowd.
Jimmy would always try so hard, that he'd often smack the wall with 20 or so laps to go, and tighten up the field. :)

Hard to not cheer for any Earnhardt. Jeffrey, if you keep drivin like Jimmy (not to mention Dale), you'll have a mighty fine career ahead of you.

***

Tracy D said...

JD, just wanted to say we were at the race. Amazing crowd, tons of families, everyone cheering on their feet.

Johanna sounded rattled over the broadcast at the track. Hard hit right in front of our seats.

Ton of fun. Our first time at Darlington. Hope the bog crowd gives the truck series a boost.

rich said...

I invite any critic of this blog who says that we criticize everything broadcast to simply read all these comments.
When they get it right, we say so!

Anonymous said...

Don't you find that Larry Mac always does a better job when he's away from DW? Another question...but off the topic,do you think Danica may have influenced Barnhart to consider double file restarts and 'lucky dog' in IndyCar?