After a week off, the NASCAR on FOX gang seems to be eager to get back to work. Some of the announcers have been working for SPEED this weekend on practice and qualifying coverage. The single storyline that has emerged is tires.
Equipment issues are the great equalizer. After trouble on Friday, Goodyear and NASCAR switched right side tires for both races. The Nationwide Series race went off without a hitch, but the Sprint Cup Series cars are a bit different.
Tires may be the hot topic for Chris Myers, Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Hammond on the pre-race show. Waltrip has already said FOX has a surprise in store for viewers. The hint is that the location of the outside stage may be rather unique.
On Saturday, NASCAR lost all timing and scoring at the track for a good part of the Nationwide Series race. Marty Reid responded by simply ignoring the big scoring pylon in the infield and telling viewers nothing. No top ten, no lap counts, nothing.
Luckily, Mike Joy is a veteran and is great at passing along information. The key to Joy being effective at Bristol is having Waltrip give him time to talk. Last year, the emotion of Waltrip overpowered the race telecast. Waltrip told stories, updated his opinions on NASCAR topics and generally ruined a good portion of the race for TV viewers.
The 16 second laps at Bristol require focused commentary from all three men in the TV booth. While Larry McReynolds has faded into the background this season, Waltrip has continued to dominate the telecasts. At Bristol, that leads to another problem.
Once the race begins, the pit reporters are basically in a bowl of sound. The noise is so loud hand signals are the only way to communicate with crew chiefs, officials and field producers. As the stories of the race unfold, the pit reporters are going to be key to keeping viewers informed, especially with the new points system in place.
On the video side, pictures from Bristol are both beautiful and challenging. Wideshots and aerial views can show TV viewers just how small the track really is in relation to the grandstands. Low angle "speed shots" work on restarts and replays, but are tough to cut-in live. In-car cameras live are just a disaster.
This season, FOX has refused to show the lead lap cars racing to the finish line on the final lap. Instead, the drama of the NFL approach is back. Several key members of the NASCAR on FOX production team also work on the network's NFL coverage.
While it might be nice to see a tight shot of a wide receiver catching a long pass for the winning touchdown, this approach has fallen flat in NASCAR. Watching only one of the 43 drivers who are racing in 36 events over a ten month period win a race loses a little something. That something would be the entire rest of the field.
As we have said since 2007, fans of all the drivers deserve to be treated equally by the NASCAR TV networks. While SPEED and ESPN do a great job on the final lap, the FOX production is simply a misguided mess. If only one car is seen crossing the line at Bristol on TV, there is going to be a fan backlash of epic proportions.
This post will serve to host your comments on the FOX coverage of the Sprint Cup Series race from the Bristol Motor Speedway. To add your TV-related comments before, during or after the race just click 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.
323 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 323 of 323Blogger Vicky D said...
Terry G you are killing me!
March 20, 2011 2:59 PM
-----------------------
Thanks!
If Foxs coverage of the NFL was like it is for NASCAR, there would be a hew and cry like none ever seen before. God, this is awful. I remember the first in car camera I saw. It was in Cale Yarbroughs car at Talladega. Yes, I'm that old. Anyhow, I remember how cool that was to see the drivers perspective. Little did I know that all these years later, it would be beaten to death. I hate them now. They really need to go back to the old school way. Wide shots, kill digger, and the fish eye lens, and show us the race!!
It looks to me like lots of fans are leaving to miss post race traffic jams. So sad.
I'm not watching again. I'm hearing the same old things here and I follow you all the way. Why should i waste time watching crud. Fox is getting away with murder. Fox does not care about putting on a good broadcast because some people keep watching races on fox. Why do we keep giving multiple chances to people that refuse to change.
JD and all my planeteers, you have more patience with Fox than i do.
It is oh so embarassing and thank god the NCAA tournament is here for the next two weeks because these next couple races on Fox are going to get all the attention it deserves.
BLab still running near the top! Good to see that.
Anon 3:23, I've been making that same point about how FOX does the NFL and MLB so well and then insults us with the NASCAR coverage. I also agree 100% about the in cars , I remember Cales in car also.
A whole lot of talk on twitter and facebook about the extremely poor crowd in attendence.
Next up = California don't expect a sellout there.
The first three weeks were likely a fluke - back to the same problems of 2010.
Tiny dancer?
98 laps to go.
You can't expect to solve the attendance problems without offering compelling and dynamic TV coverage.
Can't put the car before the horse.
Why would anyone go when this is what they think it is?
@Terry G - Preach on !! You are so right about the NFL not putting up with this type of so called "coverage"
I've been preaching - wide shots, no fancy cams except replay for 3+ years now :( could be longer time drags in NASCAR coverage these days.
How long till next contract, 2014?
They never should have taken last week off. It took a little wind out of the sail of excitement. I also use to never even touch the remote during a race. It's sad to say both races this weekend were just plumb boring.
JD, that's the same thing I've been saying. If you want people to come to the races, you've GOT to show them a good race when they tune in at home. Otherwise, why would anyone think it's a good idea?
I was at Las Vegas ... It was not a sell out for the first time in the history of the race. For the first time ever, there were seats available in Turn 3, lots and lots of them!
Director is lost trying to keep up with the announcers as they talk about specific cars. Horrible.
Now we are all dumping on FOX coverage - which has declined.
And we have ESPN to "look foreword to" ?
The suits at NASCAR have alot of work ahead of them. Nothing has been solved.
Best Twitter comment from Gene:
"10 laps of continuous Kyle in car camera forced me to shove a fork into my face."
And there's your Logano mention.
Jojaye, 2014 cannot come too soon. I'm absolutely sure that the TV contracts won't be worth the money that was paid when it was renewed this last time. I'm not sure if Fox and ESPN's plan is to screw up the tv broadcast so bad they can get it more cheaply or not. If they are, they may not have any audience left.
I hate to pile on, but after DW just mentioned that Kyle uses no brake, I went to RaceView to see him using the full brake pedal at every turn.
...and as I type this, yet another commercial. I truly believe the commercial to programming ratio is almost even...
I know when ESPN comes, we'll be thinking of these as "the good ole' days", but it is unfortunate. I really wish we could stay with the race long enough to actually get into it.
ESPN did a nice job with the pictures yesterday, including the finish.
Now, about Marty Reid.....
When they do through the field why don't they mention the sponsor of that car like they do during a Truck race.
JD, I just read that on twitter -- seriously funny comment. Unfortunately this broadcast IS just that painful
so is it time for a competition caution?
I mean for debris? LOL
"If you look at the statistics for Bristol for the last fifty laps..."
Samuel Clemens' comment on statistics comes to mind whenever the booth monkeys start yammering on about statistics.
They do not want to give "free plugs" to sponsors that don't pay for TV ads.
Good call Gina.
Actually, ticket weren't bad for what USED to be the premiere race of the season. Two tickets for both the Busch and Cup races in terrace seats (armrests and fold down seats) were $350. That included all qualifying, etc. Not bad compared to an NBA or NFL game.
ah, there's the caution!
So far at every Sprint Cup race (except Daytona) there have been only 44 entires with one car going home.
The interest is just not there.
@Gina24:
There you go.
Kudzu -- It seemed like it was about that time!
Karen, I was there too...the Las Vegas race was not a sell-out. That was crap. There was lots of empty seats. But it was a good race.
What jimmy just did to Trevor is why his fan base is lower than others.
Agree Sally - but then there's the $275 per night motel room with a three night minimum plus fuel costs.
Junior too fast entering pit road. Oh boy!
See, I'm a real NASCAR fan, I can predict cautions!
wow, Jr was speeding! NASCAR called a penalty on the chosen one? Next there will be a plague of locusts.
Gina, what are the winning lottery numbers on next Saturday's Texas lottery? Thanks!
Johnson may have 5 sprint cup trophies but he is a punk inside.
BZF is banking on the future. The longer Jr. goes without a win, the bigger the news when he wins.
Consider it a long-term investment...
This is chaos. Cars are wrecking all over & we can't see them.
Wow. Imagine that they managed to miss the entire huge wreck. Amazing.
In car cam during wreck.
But that is ok, we have replay.
That was clearly the worst part of the entire telecast.
The director could not even take a wideshot to see the crash unfold
They even managed to miss it on replay!
NASCAR can't ride the Trevor Bayne train all year.
NASCAR can't ride the Trevor Bayne train all year.
NASCAR can't ride the Trevor Bayne train all year.
Are you kidding me? These are the best looks they can give us?
Seems jimmie is the chosen one by NASCAR. Not speeding???
So, aerial cams on replays, but non-stop bumper cams live.
Thanks, Fox.
So is DW going to call that the 5 hit the 29? not so far
I don't think it was on purpose, but the facts are there was contact
That is one of the worse calls by a director to go to an in car cam during a spin. Does he not know the rest of the cars will have to check up and that might be more interesting to see.
Zoom out.
FOX resigned ole DW for another three years.
Think they listen to us or care?
I agree on the comment about the Trevor Bayne train. He's a rookie and working hard at this, BUT they need to for heaven's sakes call the race before they ruin his career and make him a one win wonder
Its time to do the bristol stomp
California Dreamin' next week - uhhh yeah.
California Dreaming next weekend..we can all take naps for 90% of the race and miss nothing. If we even bother to watch.
Been watching since Duke is at half time. Can not believe the shots were the best they could have! And DW please open your eyes and describe it acurately!
Live show us Wide shots!!!
so if earnhardt had a penalty how come he's still so far up in the positions?
50 laps to go.
The ad for next weeks race: "3 wide, 4 wide, 5 wide!". Yeah, and we'll be stuck with the shots of 1 car, in car cams galore, and bumper cams. We won't even see 5 cars in one shot, much less side by side.
@GinaV24 TV putting too much pressure on the 21 driver, however, he did win the Daytona 500. They will run with that theme all year and then say he had the curse of winning the 500. Talk out of both sides of their big mouths.
And I agree with you about the 48 diva.
Down ratings this week - all the NC folks watching NCAA tourney.
Has the booth told us who has had the free pass after each yellow? I don't recall that.
this is just god-awful. missed the whole friggin' wreck...:(
Sally that was the best comment of the day
Looked to me like Mark Martin bumped him around.
horrible TV coverage
Gina-tail end of lead lap for speeding penalty. think he started 19th.
Camera missed that one to and was even given a warning by the booth.
But we got replays.
These guys all drink the NASCAR promotional Kool Aid.
Missed it again, and coundnt find the 38 car foe the live shot' This si sad.
Please people, give up on DW calling something correctly.I also believe others have talked about cautions causing more cautions long before ol DW entered the booth, but as usual he'll take the credit.
Gina Jr is up that far because there are only 18 cars on lead lap and with the spins he keeps moving up.
Seriously, that was absolutely horrible.
thanks, Brad for the info.
But they can do a pretty fish eye shot of the wreak coming out of commercial. Wish they would put that talent toward the live race.
We get a wideshot for smoke but not for a major accident.
Nice run by Labonte today. Good to see.
Debby, I'm sure you are right. I was so happy for the guy winning the 500 but just like when David Gilliland won in Nationwide and they bumped him up too fast - it doesn't always work.
Can this race please be over! I can't stand much more of this.
Gina-I'm gonna just think you missed my comment telling you the same thing, instead of thinking you just blew me off...;)
Despite any concerns about DW, he is the very least of FOX's problems with coverage today!
PammH, I did miss it the first time, Pamm, I saw Brad's because when I refreshed it went to the bottom --I saw yours when I read through.
I would NEVER blow you off! thanks for the info
You are all better at giving info than the booth monkeys.
Anybody but 48 win this and put us out of our misery!!!
frickin give us a wide angle shot
why show bumper cams live.
Kyle got loose and we didn't see it.
I'm going to cry if they don't stop with the bumper cam. I have no perspective of if Carl is actually going to pass.
25 laps to go.
@Debby:
Personally, I'd rather see the 48 win than Kryle or Horsey-Face...
Why dont show the last 20+ laps all bumper cam? It couldnt be any worse!
Computer problems today have limited my online companion tools for the race, and I'm realizing how spoiled RaceView, blogs, and Twitter have made me. The race is not the same without them. (Except "crank it up" which I always enjoy.)
So I think I've got it fixed now and I just wanted to chime in on the pathetic pre-race coverage. Bristol always makes me scream out loud in the house "SHOW US!!!" They go on and on about all the special activities they have at Bristol, especially the driver intros. And we see NOTHING! There have been patriotic tributes, retiring driver send-offs, SPONSOR activities, and we see NOTHING! Bristol does things like creating a picture of the flag in the stands (that JD used in this blog post) and we get a still shot after the race.
Hello NASCAR! Get a clue! You want ratings? SHOW US WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE TRACK!!! It's not called teleVISION for nothing. DUH!
I think I even heard Wendy mention something along the line of "we won't get to see it" when she was asking one of the drivers about his "secret" intro song. Surely it frustrates the SPEED crew. They have to turn coverage of that over to someone else, where it won't be covered. Thank goodness the songs are posted online.
I saw a poll once that asked if we'd be interested in a half time during races. My first thought was why? We'd never get to see it anyway. And I know that for a fact because they rarely show half time in other sports. Don't bother tuning in to see your school band play because you'll never see it. I just don't get why they don't get that TV is all about bringing an event to our living rooms. The EVENT, not the talking heads.
If all else fails, lower my expectations.
Debby, yes, I will even root for (gasp) kyle, rather than the 5X diva
Here's a quote I'll give ol' DW
"Good race coverage can't make a bad race good, but bad coverage can make a good race bad."
And Heaven forbid when FOX covers a bad race!
My quote but he and his bunch have proven it true week in and week out-so he can have it
"Kyle never uses any brake" may indeed be the dumbest in a long line of dumb statements the DW has ever made. Come on man!
Just show the overhead or wide shots please!! I don't care what they look like from the bumper or the in-car.
THEY MISSED ANOTHER WRECK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
15 Laps to go.
wow, look at that a wide shot -- shows us how loose the 48 is
54 to go. did they speed up the footage to catch up? Cars seemed to be moving a bit faster.
Travis spin. What a joke on that coverage. Here's some smoke and cars slowing down. He spins.................................................................................................................... Oh here's a replay because we zoomed in to far and a bumper cam of it to make up for it.
@Slander & Vicky - would love to see the 16 or 17 win. Can't stand the 99 horse.
Ginny i agree with you 100% Your comment has said what everyone else has said.
I'll make it short and sweet. SHOW US THE RACE STUPID.
Save it up for the TV Police post that will be up when the race is over.
Da Biff I'll go for. But Father-of-the-Year? Not so much.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
4 to go in car cam, and tight shots... We will not see the lead lap cars cross finish
Well, I cannot say I am disappointed with the outcomes of this weekend's races. :)
But though entertaining in person from reading the comments if I had been home I probably would not have watched. I would have had the radio on.
Prepared with 32 laps to go btw. Just waiting for me to push the magic button. Now that is either confidence -- or arrogance or hubris or some other similar uncomplementary personal trait.
Lord, Its hard to be humble
Jimbacca - 54 to go? thankfully not
it would been nuce to see the big battle for fifthe
Kyle Busch. Puke. Fitting end to one of the worst Bristol races i've ever seen in my life, no joke.
At least it wasn't 5x... Congrats to all the 18 fans
Hurray, we got to see the winner cross the line and then in car cam.
How did your driver finish. or is the winner always your driver.
And yet again, they don't show everyone finishing the race. *sigh*
And BOOO on KB winning. blech.
Wow. Lots of fans saying they might be done watching live. Geez, that is not good.
Thanks folks. See you next week.
I haven't posted all day. Been watching basketball (Go Heels!) and I tune in and I see, what, 3 cars pass the finish line??
Seriously? FOX, you s*ck.
"Big battle to the line..."
I guess I'll have to take their word for it.
Ancient - you had a good weekend, didn't you? Your boy won 2. Better than me, but at least this time 24 car was not in the wall.
Thanks for all your patience here JD
JD, thanks for the site. I'd have given up 2 years ago if not for the friends I have here to "watch" along with on TV.
For you guys who are leaving, the TV Police post is up.
Please let the readers know what you thought of the telecast today.
I think this is a very critical time in the sport for TV coverage.
I don't understand when FOX does have time for postrace, they flood it with commercials instead of interviews!
Post a Comment