Rain is on the way toward The Glen. NASCAR has move the start up five minutes to 2:09PM because that is about all they can do.
Nicole Briscoe cranks things up with the NASCAR Countdown show at 1PM. She has Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty alongside. There are lots of stories unfolding, some involving the race and some involving The Chase.
Shannon Spake joins the pit reporters this week as Jamie Little is off doing the IndyCar race for ABC. Dr. Jerry Punch, Dave Burns and Vince Welch round-out the pit road group. Tim Brewer is in the Tech Garage.
Allen Bestwick, Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree are the trio in the TV booth today. Bestwick has been exactly what ESPN needed to get this coverage back on track. A road course requires a very different kind of TV coverage and this is the only such track for ESPN during the network's 17 races.
SPEED has been handling the support coverage, including the practice and qualifying. Once again, ESPN is only at the track for the NNS race. It makes for a little bit of an awkward transition, since the drivers and teams have been dealing with SPEED all weekend.
The challenge for the director is to try and back-cut to the best races on the track while also keeping a good handle on the ever-changing location of the leaders at full speed under green. This means he needs some good assistance both in the truck and from the camera spotters around the track.
This post will serve to host your comments about the Nationwide Series coverage on ESPN from Watkins Glen. To add your TV-related opinion, just click on the comments button below.
148 comments:
Looking good at the Glen!
May I say how great Leigh Diffy (?) is for qualifying?
No Marty and Ricky today? Not that I am complaining...AB rules!!!!!!!!!!
Leigh Diffey on Speed this weekend has been so cool.
Nice piece on Delana Harvick too.
The Winding Road to the Garage Participants:
44 Jeff Green
49 Mark Green
82 JJ Yeley
89 Morgan Shepherd
Possible Additions:
40 Josh Wise - All 3 S&P support teammates missed the show
75 Chris Cook - Teammate #41 Drissi missed the show. He had his sponsor could hop over to the #75. If not, Cook parks.
Happy Race Day Planeteers <3
Yes Leigh has been awesome <3 him. Reading Twitter he has some new fans today :)
Diffy did a good job, however when we have a person who steps in and does well, we become aware of how poor a job the other can do. Diffy is a star, the other two, need to find alternative work.
Be interesting to see if SPEED goes with Diffey down the stretch after this weekend for NASCAR support stuff.
Do I have this right. Race view is free today but the scanner (audio) is not available?
I was plesantly surprised with Diffey. He did just fine. Kyle Petty always irritates me the way he drones on and on regardless of how simple the point is he wishes to make. Let's keep our fingers crossed with weather.
Two words: Rain tires!
Will someone PLEASE tell the singer that the National Anthem isn't about them?
Please.
an awful anthem although they had audio problems
That anthem was brutal...
Back to normal with the anthems after a good first couple of months...
no rain in southern tier at all at this point. Closest rain is Williamsport PA - oh well guess LL world series gets the rain.
My blood boils so bad during the destruction of the Star Spangled Banner that occurs at both Cup and NWS races, I mute it until the race starts.
once again and as usual Network TV will not show singing of Canadien National anthem. Fellows is Canadien and race is on TSN. Was dome every year during NBC tenure.
should have - was never done during NBC/TNT
Marty Reid and Jamie Little doing IndyCar this weekend.
Shannon Spake in with Bestwick.
I guess all we can ask is that the National Anthem isn't screwed up...
The Canadian anthem is sung due to the location of the Glen and the many Canadian fans who attend, not who is driving or not driving in the race.
Thanks,
JD
I don't understand. Juan Montoya is Columbian, and they don't sing his national anthem, nor do they sing the Italian anthem when Max Papis is in the field. What's wrong with that comment? I meant no disrespect at all!
I agree that they should sing the Canadian anthem, (I lived in Rochester NY for years) but wouldn't those other drivers have the same right to complain?
Advertising Indy race tomorrow on ABC while the Cup race will be on at the same time on Espn. Interesting.
I agree, JD. Sorry if I ruffled feathers. Meant no disrespect.
They also sing both anthems at the Michigan races.
Hey, live and learn! What life is all about.
Bill, if you did not know there were some Montoya crew guys busted this week for drug issues.
Little touchy subject right now.
Did not make it to ten laps! Well, it's a road course.
Nationwide races are sooooo much better without the Cup guys...
Yikes. Yeah, I'd heard about the drug busts, but didn't remember whose team they were on. Pardon me while I remove this foot from my mouth.
No prob!
I'd love to see these three (Busch, Busch, and Edwards) take each other out...
Hey JD off topic but I thought you would be doing a story about JD McDuffie because it has 20 years since his tragic death at the Glen.
Sorry, I'm bombarding you about JD but i keep thinking about him every time Watkins Glen's NASCAR weekend comes.
You're bombing me pretty well and I am not sure what you are looking for.
Maybe drop SPEED a line on twitter or RaceDay?
Not to worry, Danica is back to save the series for the next race!
Yuk, not you too...
You should see all the stuff I get from all the PR guys repping her and her products.
She is a big marketing machine.
Daly Planet Editor said...
Not to worry, Danica is back to save the series for the next race!
August 13, 2011 2:28 PM
Danican't!
ooohhh, I can hardly wait :)
I don't know if it's the coverage, or if there is really no racing going on behind the top 3. Either way this is really bad.
I wondered if they were ever going to mention more than Kyle, Kurt, and Carl.
Well, at least Kryle is screwed...
If only Danica had the talent to match her marketing.
You would think they would show at least Steve Wallace and not just the cup guys. he he.
Cuzzin' Karl is runnin' hot...two down...
Sorry JD
No prob! I was doing the race live at the time. Resulted in lots of changes. Bad corner for a very long time.
Lois, he wants in the TV booth!
He doesn't belong there, either...
Maybe ol' Carl will buy a NNS team before next season!
Jimmie Johnson...ha ha ha...three down...
Anyway, back to the race
Anything interesting about the race going on.
I hear somebody wants to be in the booth that does not deserve to.
Not really sparkling coverage. The guys in the TV booth can only see the front strech and the TV monitor.
FYI...I'm pullin' for Elliot Sadler...
Bill, if you check the posts on the blog you will see that Carl Edwards will be an analyst in 2012 for the NNS races on ESPN.
It's a pretty hot topic!
Jr's pit crew working JJ car. No wonder he lost spots.
LS
Brad sitting in Carl's chair!
Looks like all the new drivers are Tele savy, Brad is out Carling Carl
JD, that's why I suggested that Carl buy a NNS team! So he can have awkward moments in the booth just like Rusty!
wow, interesting.....
came back from the commercial break for green flag pit stops and for over 3 minutes ( I timed it ) they did not show any on-track racing. No split screen. No update on who inherited the lead during the pit stops.
Perfect opportunity to give some air time for those running "on-track".
Green flag pit stops is a huge challenge for the truck. Either they take on the challenge and use split screens OR they take the easy way out and ONLY show pit stops.
LAZY production truck in my opinion.
What a great overhead shot of the loop!
Don't have to deal with Carl on tv, just will not watch.
LS
So are there just the cup guys racing today and the Nationwide drivers are just fillers.
I don't even know why I'm watching this...
I would have loved to see a replay of that car almost hitting the 14 when he was stopped. That was really close. Espn to busy focusing on Cup drivers and talking to one in the studio. Not a good broadcast so far.
Good to see that ESPN is saving the real effort for tomorrow.
Phoning this one in. Follow the leaders. No field updates. No stories. Just follow the Cup guys.
Got one in the infield studio too.
Oh, I know...waiting for...Da Bears!
That NFL wave is just weeks ahead of hitting the NASCAR beach.
I don't think it's going to be pretty when it does.
Why would anybody want to sponsor a regular nationwide car because the cup guys get all the coverage? Not allowing points for cup has changed nothing.
LS
NASCAR is hoping that this is a season of NNS transition.
Carl is already out for next season, we will see what happens with the other guys.
Not getting the big prize at the end is supposed to encourage sponsors to go for NNS regulars.
At least that is the theory.
WOW...showing some Nationwide regulars...
there's our Stevie Wallace siting for the day!
Harvick rarely runs, too...
JD, we're already getting pre- empted by Little League! We don't have to wait for the NFL.
Something I do like.....
Since ESPN started a few weeks ago on the Cup side, they have utilized more pit road interviews with the crew chiefs. Kind of a throwback to the 80's & 90's coverage. Recent years have seen the networks get away from the "LIVE" updates with the men on the box.
I commend the crew chiefs for cooperating and the pit reporters making that effort as part of the broadcast.
Cup drivers, cup drivers and there just getting seat time for tomorrows race but they are the ones featured today on the screen.
Danica and Pastrami will b the story next year.
If this is what ESPN has to offer on companion weekends, the rest of the season after Montreal is going to be painful. SPEED already did practice & qualifying - might as well let them do the race since ESPN doesn't seem to care.
Busch, we have been suggesting that SPEED take over the NNS races once ESPN moves to Cup.
Andy and DJ have not prepped for this field and AB's focus is on the Cup side.
"Proposed NEW Rule", (from me) hope they hear me.
If a driver elects to run in BOTH races at the same track on the same weekend, that driver must choose one of those races to start at the back of the pack. That driver can keep his pit stall from qualifying, but must start one race from the rear.
OR....
Any driver who participates in the NNS race at the same track, MUST start the Cup race from the rear.
( this would open up more seat time in the NNS for development drivers )
(yawn)
mmmmm...RAGU...
So far, IMHO, the active drivers that have been brought into ESPN’s infield booth to comment on the race action have been more articulate and have offered better insight into what is happening in the event than their hired on air “talent”. Particularly R. Wallace
That is what happened to Rusty and Brad when Carl came in last time.
Both of them looked like chumps!
Have they talked about how the pit crew has to change the opposite side of the car first and how that makes the pit stop different.
Some of these pit stops are painful to watch. Theres some crews that look more lost than Steve Wallace. Vince Welch isnt any better.
How can a car be tight (or loose) on a road course?
If a car turns right or left it can be tight or loose.
Perhaps ESPN could get an active Cup driver to sit in each week for the NNS broadcast instead of the current cast.
But, on a road course? Seems you'd want it "tight or loose"...it's not an oval...
Due to the economy these new drivers have become very media savy and make the retired people look lame, and they are!
Lois Lane said...
How can a car be tight (or loose) on a road course?
August 13, 2011 3:29 PM
Not all corners are created equal :)
Vince is still tough for me to handle. Nice guy, but just does not add any excitement on pit stops.
Kenny Wallace has engine problems.
ESPN had a nice view of the Stenhouse spin. Credit to NASCAR for turning off their caution flag reflex.
Alan, DJ, and Andy are pretty good together. I like them...
JD, I don't think Vince needs excitement on pit road. He needs credibility.
JD, I thought Vince was part of ESPN's Indycar coverage.
Why isn't he with Marty Reid and Jamie Little conering tommorrow's race?
that's the 3rd time today twitter has locked up my computer! it doesn't want any windows open but them...sorry to vent here. Brad K sounds good in the booth. I liked whoever said he was outCarling Carl!
15 Laps to go.
Since this is a road course I will post when there is 5 Laps to go.
Neon Deonne as a fairy...I love it...
Kenny Wallace is done. Engine gone.
CRYle Busch needs a caution...he'll probably get one...
ESPN only has four races other than the Indy500.
Vince stays on NASCAR for this one.
I have no idea why Bowles/Ranger/Fitzpatrick are out of this race.
AB slipped in a mention before a break, but never said why.
Will Nascar throw a fake caution.
now for the big finish
Darn! No debris cautions on road courses?
5 Laps to go.
Whew, this was a stinker after all the build up.
Rather see Stenhouse and Sorensen battle with Steve Wallace and the NNS regulars.
If you wanted to watch cup guys getting seat time for tomorrow you picked the right race to watch.
Although the coverage is kinda lackluster today, kudos to Bestwick, Jarrett, and Petrie.
They're definitely the best booth in Cup and Nationwide.
Sorry, but this has been boring. Wish the helicopter shots would have backed out to show more than the leaders. Seems that they've missed quite a few little incidents; not that there've been many. But still...
OK, time for everyone to slow down and allow JJ to catch up! Gotta see another JJ/KB dustup!
There's more action on the weather radar heading for my house than the Nationwide race...
...as I was just saying. Shot of Brad K. while cars were wrecking on the track.
Loos on a left hand turn and tight in a right hander.
Yeloo!
Get ready for drivers racing over their heads.
Imagine that...a green - white - checkered finish...time to let CRYle catch up...unbelievable...
Say it with me. Cautions breed cautions.
JD...quoting DW now?
Cant wait to see the points standings, that is if ESPN bothers to show them. They havent updated us on Sadler, Stenhouse, or Sorenson all day.
Sally, Tom Jensen from SPEED just told me that was his line! Hehe...
Then he should sue DW for overusing it!!
Radar looks interesting !!!
Did the announceers not notice the #30 & 38 wrecking at the finish? That's why we show the cars finish! Good shot ESPN!
Man, that was not what I had in mind...but it is what it is.
Why can't they show the finish line. Won't they ever learn? The 18 & 20 finish was probably interesting but we didn't get to see it.
Logano beat Kyle for 3rd? Would have liked to see that one.
Real stinker...gotta close the windows...gunna storm. Bye
ESPN was obsessed with the Cup drivers today. They blew away from the rest of the field and finished 1-6. Pretty awful race and ESPN's worst broadcast with Bestwick.
Flying Heads does not equal seeing the finish on television. It is not that hard to comprehend that some viewers like me would love a camera shot that revealed how the finish of the race played out. It is not impossible or even difficult to discover a camera angle that would accomplish this task and would improve life considerably. However, I sincerely believe that once the checkers fly, everyone at ESPN is running to the plane and cannot be bothered with all that.
For all you folks leaving, thanks for stopping by and join us for the Cup race tomorrow.
It has to be better than this....right?
Better interview or at least mention Buescher wrecking his teammate Leffler at the last corner at the finish.
Vince just comes off clueless in that Stenhouse interview.
Rough outing for Vince.
Well, at this rate, gonna be the Cup Lite aftershow too. Nevermind all them people below the top 10 ringers who are actually regular teams and stuff. Meh.
Hey! They finally mentioned it 20 minutes after the finish! Now back to the Cup drivers...
Looks like ESPN is going for the full 5PM off time.
I personally thought that ESPN did a solid job with the broadcast for the race, a couple mistakes, but they are much better with AB.
Hopefully Leigh Diffey is in the booth more often, I can't stand Steve Byrnes or John Roberts.
JR swung and missed, Rick Allen needs a race to be exciting.
Leigh did a super job, was really prepped and stayed focused.
AB has made this night and day for ESPN, but the production is still shabby for NNS events.
ESPN just worships the Cup guys.
AB needs to man up and put the focus on the nationwide guys. He seems to be worshiped here. I'm not letting him off the hook.
Mr Editor -
Enough said ...how did those non-Cup drivers make this race ...oh, yeah - they didn't make the broadcast, just showed up to be interviewed post-race ...wide shots, copter shots could have told a different story, but never fully utilized ...Vince is a sports reader, even on his day job he seems to mail in in when I've caught him on-air in Indy ...hope for better from production team tomorrow ...the Glen has potential for good show ...this weekend Leigh Diffey proved to SPEED his versatility and worth ...look forward to him calling Rolex later
Walter
Leigh Diffey, now we're talking. Leigh and Dan Weldon... now that would be a booth.
JD, the last thing I would ask for is to have Speed take on the NNS series broadcasts.That would mean more DW and we sure do not need that.
Didn't like the lovefest of JJ and the Busch brothers at a NW race. Needed more spotlights on them but liked the post-race interviews including JoeN.
Is ESPN B production team at WG?
Perhaps the reason Saturday was such a struggle.
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