Saturday, October 1, 2011

Live Blogging Nationwide Series From Dover (ESPN2 - 3PM ET)


Once again this week, the normal college football scenario is in place. Once the noon ET game is over, NASCAR will start on ESPN2 from Dover.

Nicole Briscoe will have Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty in the Infield Pit Studio for the pre-race show. Daugherty has reduced himself to a cheerleader this season while Rusty continues to be conflicted between his own personal feelings on topics within the sport and his desire to function as a TV analyst.

It's Marty Reid with Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree in the TV booth to call the race at 3:30PM ET. Reid is not having a very good time since being removed from the Sprint Cup Series package in favor of Allen Bestwick. NASCAR is not his sport and it's very clear ESPN made the right move.

Nationwide Series qualifying was carried on SPEED earlier in the day and SPEED analyst Elliott Sadler is on the pole. The field is diverse and this might be the best race of the weekend. Lots of different agendas at work on the track.

Dr. Jerry Punch, Jamie Little, Vince Welch and Dave Burns are on pit road. This group might be busy as Dover has a nasty reputation of big wrecks in the Nationwide Series races. There is no room to spin into the infield and no mercy on the highbanks.

ESPN continues to offer what they designed several years ago and that is "hyper-tight" coverage. Accidents and passing on this track happen so quickly TV networks traditionally kept the camera angles wide and simply worked to cut the cameras ahead of the pack. It should be interesting to see if ESPN uses the coverage today as a test for Sunday's Cup production.

This race is available to Time Warner, Bright House and Verizon FiOs users through the Watch ESPN app and there are free team scanners for fans at the NASCAR.com website.

This post will serve to host your comments on the NASCAR on ESPN coverage of the Nationwide Series from Dover. To add your TV-related opinion, just click on the comments button below. Thanks for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.

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119 comments:

  1. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Here we go folks. Track is fast at Dover and the field is full of some interesting types.

    Just waiting on football...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Buschseries61October 1, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    Hiding from The Monster in the garage:

    #04 Kelly Bires
    #41 Johnny Chapman
    #42 Tim Andrews
    #44 Jeff Green
    #46 Chase Miller
    #47 Charles Lewandoski
    #49 Mark Green
    #50 TJ Bell
    #71 Matt Carter
    #75 Carl Long
    #82 Scott Wimmer

    ReplyDelete
  3. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    Wow! 11?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Steve L.October 1, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Good grief...FOOTBALL !!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    Steve....fifth straight year of putting the NNS pre-race show in a timeslot that does not exist.

    ReplyDelete
  6. RolandOctober 1, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    I dont mind missing half the pre race because of football. Less Rusty and Brad is a good thing. Plus I love college football and this is fun watching close game.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    15 min delay for pre-race show.

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  8. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    JD, don't we at least deserve a creative troll?

    ReplyDelete
  9. jimm57October 1, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    Nice Anthem!

    Hi Planeteerz!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    OK, here we go, this is going to be intense from the start. Hope ESPN is ready for the action.

    This is the new Bristol!

    ReplyDelete
  11. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    Wow. mostly 'regulars' for in car cameras today. Hmmm.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Let's see how quickly the start and park guys flee to the garage.

    Also, how quickly the leaders catch the tail of the field.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousOctober 1, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  14. CharlieOctober 1, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    In car cam lap 2.
    Tight two car shots lap 3.

    ReplyDelete
  15. jimm57October 1, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    Caution for debris and they actually showed it!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    Looks like it took about 6 laps for the S&P crowd to abandon the race, JD.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Buschseries61October 1, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    Nice broadcast so far. We saw some nice racing behind the leaders, we saw the debris, Marty updated the fleet of parks (10 in 6 laps, but some will come back out to leap-frog the others for points).

    ReplyDelete
  18. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    Yea, eleven cars. Man, that just gets my attention.

    ReplyDelete
  19. GinaV24October 1, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    caution is out for the first time today - well considering they are only at lap 7, that's probably a GOOD thing.

    Marty is so Captain Obvious! Don't know how much of this I'll watch - depends on how quickly the Cup drivers take over the event.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Roadgeek AdamOctober 1, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    Hrm, impressed so far on Marty's performance, pardoning the command gaffe earlier. No screaming, able to conversate well with Dale and Andy (showed some of his IMS knowledge earlier.)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    Marty has been around a long time. Just got thrown into a team already in trouble. He is also a very nice guy in person. Loves off-road and drag racing.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Buschseries61October 1, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    Yeah JD, 11 cars is rough.

    ReplyDelete
  23. GinaV24October 1, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    well folks, I'm going to go back to doing housework, no need to watch the entire race - too many cup drivers.

    ReplyDelete
  24. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    Too bad Nascar doesn't encourage some of their 'officdial sponsors' to put their names on cars instead of the Nascar brand.

    ReplyDelete
  25. WeinerOctober 1, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  26. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    I guess our poor troll can't even find anyone who wants to go to a movied with him on a Saturday afternoon. Poor kiddie!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Man, I got socks older than his lines.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    I did think this one would be a lot more intense.

    Maybe after the next round of stops when the guys make changes it will get better.

    ReplyDelete
  29. w17scottOctober 1, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    ReplyDelete
  30. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    As I've said before, JD. we just keep digging throught that pile of manure, looking for the pony we think MUST be there!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Buschseries61October 1, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    Josh Wise pulled off the track lap 22. Park #12.

    Joe Nemechek now pulling off...30 cars still running.

    ReplyDelete
  32. jimm57October 1, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    another caution for debris? SHow me.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    Yep, wonder if they will tweak the rules again for this series next year?

    I would watch the non-fulltime Cup guys race, but this is like two races in one.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Buschseries61October 1, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    Nemechek is not a park, his right rear rotor was on fire. The bearings are burnt.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    Got to be frustrating for some of those guys who would race if they could afford it. Just how many of them are like that is the myster.

    ReplyDelete
  36. bozoOctober 1, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    i'm going for farthest away on the blog...watching in switzerland using slingbox, have to love technology

    ReplyDelete
  37. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    y........

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  38. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    It's cross-promotion time.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    That would win. No Makiki from Hawaii today.

    ReplyDelete
  40. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    I keep thinking about the 'good old days' when the Busch series had their own stars, guys who were happy to just run the series, not worried about Cup. Those were the days! Lots of short tracks...

    ReplyDelete
  41. jimm57October 1, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    I hear ya Sally. I remember Randy LaJoy and Buckshot Jones going after each other here at Dover, maybe 10 yrs ago? That was a hoot!

    ReplyDelete
  42. AnonymousOctober 1, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    JD

    Makiki from Hawaii is here.....just don't have any comments, yet.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Steve L.October 1, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    I hate this S&P thing going on. It's too bad and happening more and more in CUP also. Soon, it will be a 10-15 car race in all three series.

    It all comes down to tire costs. They're out of control. Fuel not an issue.

    ReplyDelete
  44. ChrisKOctober 1, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    Now we have another unnecessary voice from the pit studio.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Buschseries61October 1, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    If the #15 & #41 had funding, they would race and the #71 & #75 would not exist

    If the #40 & #46 had funding, they would race and the #42 & #47 would not exist

    Tri-Star has the #44 park while the #19 races unsponsored, all 3 would race with funding.

    The #04 and #82 are backups and would not show up if the fields were stronger

    The #50 raced in the Truck series until moving up to Nationwide this year and running out of funds.

    ReplyDelete
  46. CharlieOctober 1, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    Since the pre-race started late do the commercials they would have ran in the pre-race get moved into the race itself.

    ReplyDelete
  47. saltsburgtrojanfanOctober 1, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    This series is dying a slow death with no signs of getting better. NASCAR took the small tracks like South Boston, Nashville Speedway, etc. out of the series and put the cup tracks on the schedule. The Cup drivers are also dominating now rather than cup drivers driving in the series on a sporadic basis.

    NASCAR needs to make this series what it truly was meant to be.

    ReplyDelete
  48. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    OK, it's time Nationwide sprang for a new commercial to run during the races. Much as I like JR, I'm sick of seeing this same ad 49 times during one race.

    ReplyDelete
  49. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    The trouble with that is BZF has no clue what the series used to be, or was intended to bo.

    ReplyDelete
  50. CharlieOctober 1, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    Why do an interview during a green flag race

    ReplyDelete
  51. RWar24October 1, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    Okay, so lets focus on everything but the race. Soooooooo tired of ESPN.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    Hey Makiki! Not much to say about this one. I thought this one would be intense from the start, but it's two totally different groups of cars.

    The haves and the have nots...

    ReplyDelete
  53. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    Maybe to keep us from noticing that, with 73 laps run, only 23 cars left on the lead lap?

    ReplyDelete
  54. jimm57October 1, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    'nother caution for debris. Show me, please?

    ReplyDelete
  55. BillOctober 1, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    With Travis Pastrana coming back, and NASCAR's desire that he will draw in more viewers, do you think NASCAR will put a jump on the track for Nationwide races? Or maybe a flaming loop-the-loop?

    Can't wait to see the Crew Chiefs adjust for that!

    ReplyDelete
  56. jimm57October 1, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Do they think we dont want to see the garbage debris? We just want to verify its not a bogus caution.

    ReplyDelete
  57. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    I'm feeling a nap attack coming on.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    Bill,

    Think about this one. Danica and Travis on the track with Carl Edwards in either the infield or the TV booth.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Buschseries61October 1, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    lol Bill, it would make the races a little more entertaining!

    ReplyDelete
  60. CharlieOctober 1, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    For the first time the scanner is right with what is on Tv or it is a bit ahead.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    Working good for me too, Charlie.

    ReplyDelete
  62. CharlieOctober 1, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    Of all the sports Espn does the Nascar races are the only ones that have 3 to 4 bars running continually across the screen during a broadcast.

    ReplyDelete
  63. BillOctober 1, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    JD-

    Carl in the booth? Hey man, I'm tryin' to eat here! Sheesh!

    ReplyDelete
  64. ChrisKOctober 1, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    I like the way DJ doesn't pretend he's still driving. He says things like "the drivers tell me..." Very different from the other ex-driver commentators.

    ReplyDelete
  65. jimm57October 1, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    Seems that TV is 30 sec behind scanner by my guess with restarts and pit count downs.

    could be worse

    ReplyDelete
  66. ChrisKOctober 1, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    Carl is just running hard enough to maintain his lead. He's able to speed up whenever he needs to.

    ReplyDelete
  67. CharlieOctober 1, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    Why do they have to go to the infield for chat during a green flag? Not sure what purpose it serves.

    ReplyDelete
  68. ChrisKOctober 1, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    Rusty says Brian Scott is "looking really well." He must have been sick. :)

    ReplyDelete
  69. RWar24October 1, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    Rusty.. Perhaps you didn't hear. The throttle is not sticking. It's not going down all the way. There's a difference. Please listen before commenting.

    ReplyDelete
  70. RWar24October 1, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    Too much commentary from the pit studio. This race isn't that long. I don't want to watch half of it with chatter from the Crusty and Crew.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    Sometimes Rusty just amazes me.

    ReplyDelete
  72. ChrisKOctober 1, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    All of the networks insist on cramming the pit studios down our throats. Then, since they're paying all those guys a bunch of money, they have to let them talk a certain amount of time.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    Just told TV crew is making rain changes and getting equipment covered in Dover.

    ReplyDelete
  74. CharlieOctober 1, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    Commercial then go to the infield for a chat, commercial then go to up to speed, then I bet a commercial.
    Not much talk from the 3 in the booth and this is a short race.

    ReplyDelete
  75. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    JD, now the poor troll is talking to himself online! He really is a sad case.

    ReplyDelete
  76. RWar24October 1, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    They need to ditch the pit studio for the NNS races.. How many times to we have to tell them that less is more. Use it for prerace or a rain delay.. Other than that, leave it alone. You don't need it. Really, it's not adding anything to the telecast.

    ReplyDelete
  77. BillOctober 1, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    Perhaps ESPN is mis-using their talent. Poor Brewer, who has more NASCAR knowledge in one toe than Big Brad has in his entire body, and far less annoying than Raving Rusty, is stuck giving us scripted responses from the Tech Garage.

    Put Brewer in the Studio with Nicole, reassign Brad to be ESPN's version of Rutledge Wood, and put Rusty in something like the "Craftsman Driver's Dashboard" where he gives explanations of stuck throttles, and the favorite flavors in driver's water bottles.

    ReplyDelete
  78. jimm57October 1, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    I agree RWar24. For years we had just the booth guys at the top. Then they add an infield studio with the TV "Stars"(?) and pretend they're more important than the drivers? Gimme a break! NOT NEEDED! Does not add anything worth while.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Nicole is doing what she is told, but trying to insert Rusty and Brad into green flag racing is a disaster.

    Remember, Rusty was removed from the booth after two seasons.

    ReplyDelete
  80. CharlieOctober 1, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    If you subtract the infield chat and the Up to speed stuff as a viewer we haven't seen much of this race.

    ReplyDelete
  81. jimm57October 1, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    I seem to remember wrecks at Dover. Hence the "self cleaning track" cliche. What happened? If this goes to yet another fuel duel, Im gunna quit.

    Caution out, somebody hit a sand barrel

    ReplyDelete
  82. ChrisKOctober 1, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    I guess Brian Scott is looking well anymore. What a dumb move.

    ReplyDelete
  83. ChrisKOctober 1, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    Ooops! Isn't looking well.

    ReplyDelete
  84. ZetonaOctober 1, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    Kudos for the Kenseth flashback.

    ReplyDelete
  85. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    Clean up....aisle 1.

    ReplyDelete
  86. BillOctober 1, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    Right. Jarrett replaced Rusty in the booth, and Rusty goes to the studio. Then he signs a contract extension with ESPN?

    At least Rusty will have the cash flow needed to repair Steven's cars!

    ReplyDelete
  87. jimm57October 1, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    So they can sweep up the sand, but do they have to replace the barrel?

    Think I've seen the Kenseth water barrel crash 3 times today alone.

    ReplyDelete
  88. BillOctober 1, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    Why are the crews out there sweeping up the sand? I thought Dover was a "Self Cleaning" racetrack?

    ReplyDelete
  89. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    From Kenseth on Twitter:

    Hey, I thought there was water in those things!!! I guess they will never stop showing that clip...

    ReplyDelete
  90. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    Poor Matt. That's what happens when you have a spectacular crash...and his definitely was!

    ReplyDelete
  91. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    Bummer for Mike!

    ReplyDelete
  92. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    If something is going to happen, now is the time.

    ReplyDelete
  93. JoeSOctober 1, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    NASCAR will not like being called out like that!!!

    ReplyDelete
  94. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    I'm not holding my breath. Yawning a lot, but not holding my breath.

    ReplyDelete
  95. jimm57October 1, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    following Chad? REALLY?

    ReplyDelete
  96. JoeSOctober 1, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Harvick Tweet:
    KevinHarvick Kevin Harvick
    Pretty amazing NASCAR can't police their own rules....guy pits while pits are closed and no penalty???#smdh

    ReplyDelete
  97. CharlieOctober 1, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    15 Laps to go.

    ReplyDelete
  98. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Nope. At least we have not heard the fuel mileage words...yet.

    ReplyDelete
  99. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    32 car...couple of guys said same thing.

    ReplyDelete
  100. Buschseries61October 1, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    That shot of Chad was so awkward lol.

    ReplyDelete
  101. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    So, scoop is 32 ran out of gas...had to pit when pits were closed...but NASCAR apparently forgot to move him to the tail of the longest line.

    DOH!

    ReplyDelete
  102. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Busch....that really shows once again that the whole focus of this team is the Cup races.

    If ESPN handed the NNS off to SPEED once they started covering Cup we would have the best of both worlds.

    ReplyDelete
  103. Buschseries61October 1, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    These guys need to have some fun with this.

    ReplyDelete
  104. CharlieOctober 1, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    The booth sure isn't calling much of the race. Lot of chit chat filler talk.

    ReplyDelete
  105. BillOctober 1, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    Yeah, Kchad is saying "Darn it! I can't sneak around anymore without those TV cameras following me around!"

    ReplyDelete
  106. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    The laps just keep clicking off... thanks for the insight, MArty

    ReplyDelete
  107. Buschseries61October 1, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    I agree JD, I'm just amazed the way they handled that. It was a tabloid style report. The cameraguy had to run faster than Chad to see his face, only for Chad to feel awkward and look everywhere but the cameraguy stalking him. Do they have to cover NASCAR like that?

    ReplyDelete
  108. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    Don't forget trucks tonight from Kentucky on SPEED at 7:30PM. They are sharing a race weekend with Danica...and the other IndyCar guys.

    ReplyDelete
  109. SallyOctober 1, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    I gotta takea break. Maybe a nap.

    ReplyDelete
  110. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Boy, I am sooo over Carl. What is this whole go in the stands thing about?

    ReplyDelete
  111. CharlieOctober 1, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    Wonder how many start and parks had their cars in the wind tunnel like carl edwards did.

    ReplyDelete
  112. w17scottOctober 1, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    ReplyDelete
  113. jerryOctober 1, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Well if that Edwards guy keeps dominating the Nationwide somebody will give him a chance in cup.

    ReplyDelete
  114. RolandOctober 1, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Im so glad I napped through that thing

    ReplyDelete
  115. Buschseries61October 1, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    JD, its like PR. He has to keep up the perception of the humble racer. This way when he pulls another stunt on the track people will forgive him bc he is a 'good guy'.

    ReplyDelete
  116. Daly Planet EditorOctober 1, 2011 at 5:36 PM

    Well, have a good dinner break folks and we will see you tonight for the Camping World Trucks.

    Pre-race 7:30PM, 8PM race coverage.

    ReplyDelete
  117. AnonymousOctober 1, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    Every winner seems to need a signature gimmick. Carl in the stands,Brad driving around with the American flag. They're all gimmicks

    ReplyDelete
  118. AnonymousOctober 1, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    Maybe it's me but Dadler always seems to find a way to lose....

    ReplyDelete
  119. Less of Mikey would be goodOctober 1, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    The Suits at Fox prove once again .. they don't know what they
    are doing.
    Example telling us that mikey is
    just great .. and giving us more of
    him along the way.
    What we need is LESS OF MIKEY !
    I read their press release. Do not
    EAT before you read it.

    ReplyDelete