It's a night to remember at Bristol, TN. ABC is the network for the Sprint Cup Series race, but there are some issues out there.
Some markets have local coverage of NFL preseason games on ABC tonight. In those markets, viewers who want NASCAR need to tune to ESPN2. That channel will be used for alternate distribution. In Houston, TX, viewers need to look for the ABC digital station that is carried by local cable systems.
The second story is Hurricane Irene. Should an ABC local station decide to continue with storm coverage, viewers will be told where to turn for NASCAR viewing. Our best guess is also ESPN, but some markets may distribute the signal locally on another channel. It's going to be interesting.
The race itself it all about Kyle Busch. He is the story and emerging as the driver to beat down the stretch. Defeated after an incident in the truck series race, he came back with a vengeance and won Friday night in the Nationwide Series.
Nicole Briscoe hosts the show from the Infield Pit Studio. She has Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty alongside. These three are located outside of the track due to limited space in the infield. Rusty and Brad are nothing if not enthusiastic.
Allen Bestwick will call the race. This is a big change for ESPN/ABC. Lackluster lead announcers have plagued this coverage since 2007. Bestwick should be right in his wheelhouse with Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree alongside.
Pit road communication is impossible under green flag racing at Bristol. This race is the ultimate challenge for pit road reporters. Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch, Vince Welch and Dave Burns are the Sprint Cup Series team in the pits.
Tim Brewer is in the Tech Garage. With green flag laps taking less than 15 seconds, it should be interesting to see how the producer works Brewer into the telecast. The producer faces the same challenge for dealing with TV commercial breaks under green.
Bristol features side-by-side racing with cars close all over the track. Focusing on just one small group of cars robs the viewer of the experience of this race. ESPN's choice is to work to relay the reality of the racing or just to "make TV" tonight.
This post will serve to host your TV-related comments about the telecast. To add your opinion, just click on the comments button below. Thank you for taking the time to stop by.
439 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 439 of 439Debris caution coming with 20 to go. Got to close it up for the finish.
Rambo, that was perfect!
Well I was on the phone did I miss anything. Not much as I can see. Bumper cams are working good.
At least the commercial load is a lot better now.
15 Laps to go.
Anybody thinking GWC?
ESPN missing another entertaining race ...PRN on HotPass has been my salvation tonight ...#2's spotter calling better race than AB ...DJ, why do you talk so much and say nothing? ...DW influence carrying over
Radio has all kinds of battles in the back. Who freaking cares what position it's for until the final handful of laps?
Gotta be a GWC .... right?
GWC? ...No ...haven't we been punished enuff tonite?
dammit, all those laps led and Gordon isn't going to win this.
think nascar will look at making some changes to pit road speed calculations?
Truex is doing a heck of a job on two tires.
Keselowski won this race by speeding on pit road. Another race that could have been 50 laps.
Fair enuff, Mike. I just got into this two years ago - applied my apparently profound genius to it...and this sucks.
ESPN/ABC/The Power Of Jesus - are using the same cameras/settings that they did back in 1990 at the latest with worst shots.
I hope the beer helps. They should've sold whatever they're using at auction.
JD? Not seeing too many arguments here - am I right, wrong, or can you educate people?
This looks like a low-budget ARCA race using newbie camera-people. Not nearly as good.
Race is over. I don't care.
Good for Brad, and Michigan, not that he cares.
Good to hear The Captain chime in on HotPass
Wow Brad Keselowski
4 for 4 ESPN BLOWS THE BRISTOL WEEKEND
The most boring Bristol race I've ever witnessed. Congrats Brad
This race coverage on big time ABC and this is what they figure will make and keep Nascar fans.
Bad jobs guys.
Keselowski cheated into a win. Very undeserved. 2012: That pit road things needs to be fixed.
Gina: Enjoy trying to survive this.
Thanks to those of you who stayed. It was a long night.
Not too sure what to say about this one. Post race column will be up in a bit.
This is not my NASCAR and NFL is right around the corner. Ya know?
Bad Brad? Really after all that? Maybe its now official, Bristol aint what it used to be.
Pit road speed loophole in the rules. Chad and jimmy have been doing this for years.
really disappointed with that finish considering that Brad K got away with a fast one - literally!
Thanks, Adam, you take care, too.
JJ and Chad figured out the scoring loops a long time ago. everyone else is just now catching up. Chad said he used to pick pit stall by where the loops are.
If people base their decision on what they just witnessed on TV, Bristol will never have another sellout. The race looks boring with the TV coverage and people won't risk the cost of attending the race in person.
I WANT MY OLD BRISTOL BACK!!!!!
Abyssmal coverage and the Briar Eatin Donkey winning.....one crappy night....
He didn't mention Rusty winning here and being a champion. Made me happy.
Somebody please give Brad a towel!
Briar Eating Donkey! Perfect.
Be as condescending as you want about the 'old' Bristol, but this is why I no longer have season tickets. Just another race track.
Sally - my only Bristol night race was the first one after the reconfiguration and new car. I'd never go back. Too far and too expensive to sit through it live.
We have never been there but have watched every televised race at Bristol and really didn't know if the old was better than the new. But Bristol is a Bump and run track, at least it was.m Two lane racing is great but I'm voting for the old configuration.
Don't like wrecking but it was a more exciting race.
But then again maybe it was the old ESPN. Don't know.
I live about 50 miles from the track and there were several folks from my town that would never miss a race at the track. The "new" Bristol and the increase in ticket prices turned them off. I don't know anyone who goes to the Bristol track any more. I do know several who now go to the good half mile dirt track at Rural Retreat, Va. It's cheap and exciting with no mystery cautions.
KudzuCarl said...
Briar Eating Donkey! Perfect.
August 27, 2011 10:43 PM
AKA: Francis the Talking Mule
Love dirt track racing. Live in Chico California, home of the WoO Gold Cup Race.
Oh, wait, it's too expensive to go there any more and a regular night is more than $50 for two.
The race wrap-up post is ready for comments. Thanks again for your patience.
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