All the ingredients are in place today for some fun racing and a solid telecast from the ESPN team. ABC will be the destination for the live coverage. The pre-race show will start at 2PM and the race will green flag at 2:48PM.
Allen Bestwick is again in the TV booth because Marty Reid is handling the Indy 500 racing coverage. Bestwick will be joined by Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. In the Infield Pit Studio will be Nicole Briscoe, Ricky Craven and Rusty Wallace. Brad Daugherty is off this weekend.
ESPN has a split team of pit reporters. On the NASCAR race it will be Shannon Spake, Mike Massaro and Dave Burns. Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch and Vince Welch are working the Indy 500. Yes, Tim Brewer is on-hand with the Tech Garage.
The weather is blazing hot and that should make for a slippery track and some interesting racing. As usual, the storyline is the Cup cross-over guys vs. the Nationwide Series regulars. These days, those regulars usually consist of Reed Sorenson, Justin Allgaier and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Instead of Danica, it will again be Kimi Raikkonen who adds the spice to the telecast. In his first NASCAR race in the truck series, he avoided trouble and finished 15th. This week, his rent-a-ride is ready to go and with one race at CMS under his belt, he should be fun to watch.
The ESPN telecasts usually start strong and then fade down the stretch. Telling the stories of the race clash with the agenda ESPN sets in the pre-race show. The result is confusion. Following the leaders just does not work for NASCAR fans in these interactive days. Running through the field on a regular basis is the key.
Pictures from CMS are outstanding, with several angles that are known all too well. Watching cars come at you down the backstretch, seeing the tri-oval from the low angle speed shot and the lovely aerial views of the massive facility make for great TV.
This post will serve to host your comments on the ABC coverage of the Nationwide Series race from the Charlotte Motor Speedway. 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 stopping by.
Happy Race Day Planeteers <3
ReplyDeleteWill be interesting to see how they handle Kimi. If it'll be all Kimi all the time or not :)
Hope Ricky overcomes the curse & has a good race.
Love to know the track temp!
ReplyDeleteMy money says that Kimi's sponsor (Perky Jerky) gets a LOT of air time. I think he'll do well with all the laps he got in with the Truck last weekend. His equipment should be top-notch. It should be fun to watch unless something goofy happens. I'm looking forward to AB in the booth.
ReplyDeletenice to chat with Trevor :)
ReplyDeleteGymmie: Thanks
ReplyDeleteJD: Its hot
General question -- what other media is available to us today? And tomorrow?
hi AR :)
ReplyDeleteI really wish I could be Ricky Craven's agent for one day. I'd have him in the booth pronto. I really like the guy. Looks like he ought to be the manager of a Piggly Wiggly, but he could drive and he is so good on air. How good he is really shows when he is on air with cRusty. cRusty just fades away.
ReplyDeleteHope this is not a crashfest. Series could use a good show.
ReplyDeleteGuess I was out of the loop. Pleasantly surprised to see Ricky filling in for Brad.
ReplyDeleteYep, my fault! The ESPN guys corrected me.
ReplyDeleteRicky in and Brad off. Jerry, Jamie and Vince at Indy.
Horrible rendition of the anthem. Hopefully the race is better.
ReplyDeleteOn such an important weekend they could have done better with the anthem.
ReplyDeleteWhere do they get these people to sing, and, do they listen as they rehearse??? TERRIBLE rendition!
ReplyDeleteBe Darius Rucker tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for Darius tomorrow <3
ReplyDeleteThose two were a local duo. Sounded like it.
ReplyDeleteFrom a local bar/coffee house!! HAHA!
ReplyDeleteI thought they were okay..didn't hurt my ears or anything.
ReplyDeleteGreat command by RutRut :). Their 30 minute show was fun yesterday! It extended into an hour. They were at Whisky River but Kyle wouldn't ride the bull
ReplyDeleteOk. The command has been given. But Rut doing it? Pleeze. Boy grew up in Griffin, GA and on Top Gear did not seem to be aware that graveyard in Griffin existed where everyone including me (and I was in Barnesville 20 miles away went parking) knew about.
ReplyDeleteAnyawy, back to topic. Parade Laps have begun. So everyone Repeat After me: "Kyle Busch will win!"
*listens*
Um, Is there anybody out there? ;-)
Harmony on the anthem is very tricky.
ReplyDeleteKyle Busch will WIN!!! Unless Matt K. wins!
ReplyDeleteHope ESPN decides to show us the racing and not just the Cup guys and Stenhouse.
ReplyDeletedon't count on it ...between FOX and ESPN, they've missed quite a few races this year ...the saving grace for viewers will be AB's race call ...he seem to have a way of drawing best out of DJ and Andy
ReplyDeleteI predict that in a few days, we'll all be sick and tired of the word "Stenhouse". It has nothing to do with Ricky, it's that the Talking Heads latch onto the flavor of the week and beat the snot out of it.
ReplyDeleteLike to see AB crank it up a bit.
ReplyDeletejust checking in, missed you all. hope for a good race. not crazy about the comp yellow at lap 25. I think it helps the guys like the 18 to much. good to be back JD..
ReplyDelete12 laps, halfway to Cometition Caution, before commercial. Not bad but SxS would be better
ReplyDeleteLooking at the stands, it doesn't seem to me that the Cup guys are exactly filling the seats here.
ReplyDeleteGolly...todays attendance won't pay the light bill for the 600 tomorrow night...
ReplyDeleteLike DJ on this so far. Andy playing a solid #2.
ReplyDeleteLarry Mac said 200K for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if it is me, but is the ticker running faster? if so, I like that. last race i watched was in person at Dover. hope you rec'd the pics i sent you JD.
ReplyDeleteWho is producing/directing today, JD? So far I am liking this. All the shots I want, save one, including a really nice blimp shot showing the grounds whiixh means I must disagree with Sally and Rainy2228. Lot of folks there; they just are not in the stands for the undercard. I probably wouldn't be inside either. Better to be at the Magic Bus and party. You are still there and you are paying money to be there.
ReplyDeleteAnyone find a stream of the race on Justin tv?
ReplyDeleteFolks are listening to the scanners at NASCAR.com today.
ReplyDeleteAlso, smaller than normal crowd because of holiday weekend.
Fun to listen to Kimi R. in this race on the scanner.
Same ESPN team, but the bigwigs are in Indy.
ReplyDelete26 drivers covered at least once by ESPN before lap 50 - much better scope of the field than Iowa.
ReplyDeleteThree most covered drivers so far are Edwards, Stenhouse and Busch.
It still takes over 4 laps to go from seeing the position to returning to that same position on the ticker.
ReplyDeleteGood point Charlie.
ReplyDeleteBusch, NASCAR has been shutting down those feeds right and left.
Just watched last Sunday's Nationwide race on dvr this morning - wasn't particularly impressed with AB as pxp - same is true today - he has spent too much time on the sidelines and is really, really good on updates but is so out of practice on pxp
ReplyDeleteExcellent through the field.
ReplyDeleteoh no, a kodak moment. Is abc going through the field for the top twenty?... Ok.....good thing.... How many years have we been begging for that...... yea, I am now retired. lol
ReplyDeleteAB is pushing this in the right direction. That is how he got his way on other ESPN things.
ReplyDeleteI promise my last ever posting about WORST WICK THE WORST. What is it with this guy ???????
ReplyDeleteFor years and years .. he just
cant talk in a normal voice. He has
to Raise it and lower it ..up and
down..
You know like in BrOaDcAsT
School. i give up...but tell the
announcers to shut the hell up for
a change and TALK IN A NORMAL VOICE.
Ever hear Ken Squier? Eli Gold?
ReplyDeleteJD, I know I'm preaching to the choir, but NASCAR needs it's own online stream if they want to take down the 'illegal' streams. This is the perfect weekend to watch the race on the patio on my laptop with this nice weather. But NASCAR stupidity prevents that.
ReplyDeleteTurner wants cash for it!
ReplyDeleteThe only way to get the Nationwide only drivers as the main focus is to kick out the cup guys.
ReplyDeleteI still flinch when I hear Crusty and Brewers voice. Stephen Wallace's career seems to be going nowhere. Delana's keeping a low profile after getting penalized for cheating in the Truck series.
ReplyDeleteWhen they show a replay the ticker disappears and when it comes back they start it back at the beginning.
ReplyDeleteEither after a replay resume where you left off with the ticker or keep the ticker rolling when a replay is played.
A quick flip over to Fox and I see Curt Menefee covering soccer of all things.
ReplyDeleteKSTP now breaking in for a torando warnings - second week in a row. Our CBS and NBC stations have not broken into their golf coverage yet, but our FOX station did break - gosh, I hope the soccer game is over, THOSE fans are even worse than NASCAR fans about complaining ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhen does the Turner contract end?
ReplyDeleteSecondary question, will the powers that be recognize the potential Buschseries61 referrs to ... or will the powers that be just keep raising the renewal price of my hard card?
(that last part is dumb because of course they will continue to raise the renewal price... :o)
Well I am outta here....gonna get to the dirt track for the Outlaws show, rained out from last night....Ya'll have a goodun!!!!
ReplyDeletebusch.. myp2p.eu... i travel a lot out of the country..its pretty dependable for all sports including nfl
ReplyDeleteRainy, have fun! The World of Outlaws race from CMS is live on dirtvision.com for less than ten bucks tonight.
ReplyDeleteAudio feed is free.
AR, the final year is 2014.
ReplyDeleteMr Editor -
ReplyDeletenot only have I heard of Ken Squier and Eli Gold, I go back to Dick Jones(?), Hal Hamrick, Pat Patterson and help me out here JD - Bill (?) on Wide World of Sports ...AB and Bob Jenkins are at the top, though
Walter
We could really use Ken Squier and Bob Jenkins!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anon!
ReplyDeleteLOL @ Rusty butchering Kimi's name
Wouldn't it be wild if Kimi was the Red Bull driver in Cup next season?
ReplyDeleteI think you mean the late Bill Flemming. Classy guy.
ReplyDeleteI'd much rather see Kimi, Danica, or any driver in a car that intends to finish the race than any of those start & park teams.
ReplyDeleteJust past halfway, 29 drivers have been covered at least once.
ReplyDeleteBusch (43), Harvick (33), and Edwards (33) are the three most covered drivers.
Steven Wallace mention!
ReplyDeleteIf Kimi keeps this up, he won't be a paying driver for very long.
ReplyDeleteHow bad would Red Bull like to have a former F-1 driver with a colorful personality in NASCAR's top series?
ReplyDeleteReally don't want or need to see one or two cars, tops, for most of the last half.
ReplyDeleteI don't care if they're talking about them. I want to see the racing.
...Most of which isn't at the front, with the guys who have the cars/teams to stay there, and pace each other for 3/4 of the thing.
Meh.
The Steven Wallace show.
ReplyDeleteHis sponsor got some nice air time.
ESPN has a long history of fading down the stretch as I said in my post.
ReplyDeleteThey tend to follow the leader for the final third of the race despite the racing going on back in the pack.
How can they still be learning after five years? Ya know?
Working in the yard so not paying attention. But taping the race.
ReplyDeleteJD, how did you EVER get a picture of Kimi looking SO HAPPY. I've never seen him smile like that after a win. Usually so stoic. We love that photo in this house. Kudos to whomever took that photo :-)
reading on twitter his floor is hoT. Hope he doesn't get burned up in the race....feet & legs hot!
Kimi, too fast exiting. Pass through penalty.
ReplyDeleteI have just taken the 5th phone call from friends (scattered all about the country and one in Canada) in the LGBT Communty asking me (because I am so openly and notoriously a NASCAR fan) silly, Tim Brewer level, questions. Why? Why am I getting these calls? Kimi. Seems Kimi is a fav. Now, THAT is a demographic I did not see coming.
ReplyDeleteSplitter found under a car and no caution for when that splitter first came off. Where did the splitter come from.
ReplyDeleteJD - maybe we oughta get 'em some Red Bull and Perky Jerky, get their energy back up.
ReplyDeleteAh, well. Didn't expect much racing when I saw the entire Cup crew show up for it...points day.
Why Why Another reason I lost interest in NASCAR. They invite drivers from other racing series to race full time.
ReplyDeleteWith 50 laps to go, 32 drivers have been mentioned at least once. The most surprising invisible driver is Kenny Wallace.
ReplyDeleteI think it will be a bonus if he can hang around and maybe run some Cup races this season.
ReplyDeletePlenty of room in the field and he has the skills.
You mean like IRL champ Tony Stewart and USAC champ Jeff Gordon? Come on man...long history of that stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'm not against that as much as start and park. It takes the Racing out of racing
ReplyDeleteReady for that late caution flag!
ReplyDeletezzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....
ReplyDeleteHeh, from the scanner traffic Kimi keeps eating the wall. Might be a champ elsewhere, but it seems he's hit a ceiling, with or without KB's help. Or a wall.
ReplyDeleteSucks that everyone gets lapped - I think it takes a lot of the potential out for good racing. No point when you're stuck that far behind.
Hardly any mention of Kasey until just now. Not on the storyboard I guess.
ReplyDeleteAncientRacer - Kahne is the 8th most mentioned driver in the field - lol. Says a lot about the coverage the last 100 laps.
ReplyDeletePretty solid telecast as far as ESPN's track record is concerned.
ReplyDelete15 Laps to go.
ReplyDeleteNot a bad broadcast. Wonder how much influence ABC has over how it's structured?
ReplyDeleteKinda messed up how many cars are out - think 31 still running. Considering the lack of hauler fuel, available pit crews, etc, etc...says a lot about finances behind the scenes; whether in blown up cars or just broke owners.
The first half of the race was great, after the pit stops it has been follow the leader.
ReplyDeleteSince lap 178 the main focus has been on the top two cars.
ReplyDeleteYep, all they really have to do is keep this broadcast team and show more racing in the final third of the telecast.
ReplyDeletesaving fuel or not ...there's a passel of other cars on the track ...let's see how post-race is handled
ReplyDeleteJust want to say thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteIndy 500 special blog tomorrow and then Coke 600.
Have a great Saturday night!
JD
Heck, JD - I'd tolerate the camera stuff, the graphics, etc...if at least like the radio guys or the scanner we knew a bit more from the commentary.
ReplyDeleteYou'd think covering a 31 car field would be easier. *shrug*
I keep tellin' ya. It is the Ford engines. KyBu could win if he had one. Dang! I love those engines!
ReplyDeleteOK Time to go be a good boy. Be with family and friends...
BTW: DO not miss AMC tonight at 8pm. First aithorized broadcast of "Apocalypse Now Redux"
See y'all tomorrow!
Thanks, JD!
Total driver mentions:
ReplyDelete16 Kenseth - 85
60 Edwards - 83
18 Busch - 63
33 Harvick - 49
6 Stenhouse - 38
22 Keselowski - 18
30 Kahne - 18
87 Raikkonen - 17
20 Logano - 16
38 Leffler - 14
2 Sadler - 12
12 Hornish - 12
31 Allgaier - 11
66 Wallace - 10
88 Almirola - 9
99 Whitt - 8
32 Sorenson - 6
62 Annett - 5
81 Koch - 5
11 Scott - 5
41 Earnhardt - 3
23 Richardson - 2
28 Cope - 2
51 Clements - 2
01 Wallace - 1
19 Bliss - 1
14 McClure - 1
7 Wise - 1
04 Bires - 1
44 Green - 1
49 Green - 1
74 Harmon - 1
75 Long - 1
13 Cobb - 1
39 Efland - 0
09 Wallace - 0
15 Hill - 0
89 Shepherd - 0
97 Nemechek - 0
70 Setzer - 0
52 Lepage - 0
72 Jackson - 0
79 Andrews - 0
Everything just great with this broadcast because there was not a Waltrip in sight. Can't comment on the anthem because we have heard so many bad renditions and stupid boogitys that we do not turn on the audio until half way through the first lap.
ReplyDeleteThe telecast was better than normal because AB directs traffic on air. He knows how to push the production truck in the right direction as well as ask the right questions to DJ and AP to focus them on what's being covered and what needs to be covered.
ReplyDeleteA veteran announcer can and does make the difference. Marty R doesn't have the knowledge of the sport to make that happen and the truck isn't strong enough to push MR into a great broadcast.
Just my humble opinion.
Just got home from the track (I live 4 hours away). My "in-person" thoughts:
ReplyDelete-It was hot! Our seats at the start of the dogleg didn't go in the shade until around the midpoint of the race.
-National Anthem? Awful. The only good (bad?) thing was that the flyover was timed perfectly.
-KEN SQUIER on the in-house PA! My favorite thing about him is how he always mentions the hometowns of the drivers. He also makes sure to mention everyone--I heard him give a call to both Derrike Cope and Morgan Shepherd :) Still a master with the language.
-The race itself was interesting. Edwards, Kenseth and Busch were clearly the class of the field from the drop of the flag. I wouldn't have picked the 16 to win it, but there ya go.
-Pretty good crowd, a lot of people (including my wife) went to the concourse rather than battle the sun.
Looking forward to discussing the 600!
I was under the weather today so only saw a little of this race but glad our fav won. AB is the man!
ReplyDeleteReid? Why ? Is he the best
ReplyDeletechoice. Saying things like ..
" Who will be brave as they go
into the corner ...
He makes me feel like taking a
cold shower. clickgone we dont
ever need marty reed good nite
Can somebody tell the hideous
ReplyDeletehorrid announcers to please God
shut the
hell up once...one time.
Marty Reed stinks up any show
that he is in.