Sunday, November 20, 2011

Live Blogging Sprint Cup Series From Homestead (ESPN - 2PM)


Here we go! The big finale is on the TV from Homestead. ESPN has 72 cameras, 16 in-cars and tons of announcers. The script is written, but the big question is will reality let it happen?

Nicole Briscoe has Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty in the Infield Pit Studio. Upstairs it's Allen Bestwick with Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. On pit road is Dr. Jerry Punch, Jamie Little, Dave Burns and Vince Welch.

This is ESPN's biggest NASCAR telecast in years. The nation is watching two veteran drivers, teams and manufacturers end the season in a head-to-head battle.

We have discussed all year long the issues with "hyper-tight" coverage. The challenge today for ESPN is to maintain the integrity of the race telecast while keeping viewers updated on the Chase.

There is little more to say. This is the ultimate pressure cooker for a sports TV telecast.

This post will serve to host your comments on the final NASCAR race of 2011. To add your TV-related opinions, just click on the comments button below. Thanks you so much for taking the time once again to join us.

563 comments:

1 – 200 of 563   Newer›   Newest»
Buschseries61 said...

I'm so excited but so afraid ESPN will screw this up if yesterday is an indicator.

Bill said...

Forgive me if this has already been discussed, but we all know how television loves to find pointless human interest stories to fill up the huge amounts of time during a pre-game or pre-race broadcast, so has anyone interviewed Bob Osborne about his alma mater?

Followers of the sport know the large connection to Virginia Tech in the garage area, and that Darian Grubb has a VT sticker on his notebook. That angle was pounded into submission after the shootings in Blacksburg in 2007, especially during the Martinsville and Richmond races.

Well, in case no one knows this, Bob Osborne graduated from Penn State.

Some NASCAR TV producer out there has got to be crude enough to get one of his/reporters to ask Bob his thoughts on the recent tragedy.

Am I right, or will I be pleasantly surprised?

Steve L. said...

I've already got 3 hours invested in this thing. RaceDay was, uh, well, Aaaa, well okay I guess. Said everything that was covered all week. Hope this entire day watching NASCAR is going to be worth it for the racing.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Well, this is going to be good.

DaveM4210 said...

Whoa! Cool! Nicole is out of the infield studio! (I switched off Sirius/XM wathing BSPN).

DaveM4210 said...

That did not last long.

Buschseries61 said...

They're reallyyyyyy pushing characters.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Pretty good start. Nicole has come a long way from the bleach blonde on SPEED!

Bill said...

What did I miss? Nicole out...what, next year?

ChrisKRacing said...

There are 41 other drivers in the race aren't there?

Daly Planet Editor said...

Say it with me....storytelling!

Daly Planet Editor said...

Bill, you watching? Nicole on pit road to start the telecast.

Bill said...

OK, JD: "B-O-R-I-N-G"

Mike (Detroit) said...

Well they did say "script" It's like an after school special.

Bill said...

Darn it! I missed the opener.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Oh yes....off the chart boring. That has been the problem. They need to turn AB loose and let him call this race like radio.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Nothing major. She just stood by the trophy and did her best Krista Voda impression.

Bill said...

Now we know where Brad's going after the season! He's joined the Army! Check out that basic training haircut!

Oh, and Tony in an ESPN studio? This ought to be good.

Mike (Detroit) said...

I hope they ask a dumb question and Tony roll's his eye's classic

DaveM4210 said...

Switching back to radio after this Smoke infield studio interview. Hate the scripted story telling!

Anonymous said...

Carl will miss the drivers intros because ESPN will keep him in the booth for 30 minutes!!!

DaveM4210 said...

The Godfather is talking about the drivers that will be trying to get into the top 35 points in this race to have guaranteed starts in the first 5 races of next season. Wonder how much BSPN will cover that.

Bill said...

Sorry you had to ask it, Nicole, but that was a stupid, scripted question. But Tony was magnanimous.

Daly Planet Editor said...

ESPN holding things up at the track.

sbaker17 said...

If R. Wallace & Brad have someone provide them with the questions they ask, then that person(s) needs to go away.

Anonymous said...

For all of you worried about ESPN only focusing on two drivers today rest assured they'll focus on three. Oh boy, another feature on Jimmie Johnson!

Daly Planet Editor said...

Going to be interesting for sure when the green flag flies. Junior, Jimmie and Jeff want a shot at the win and are very fast.

Anonymous said...

If Junior wins today ESPN might confused!

Buschseries61 said...

Musical storytelling?

Anonymous said...

Sorry might get confused!

w17scott said...

JD, AB would be the man to make this a radio call

Anonymous said...

Did ESPN forget about those drivers that will be out of a job today!

Daly Planet Editor said...

Anon, we are wondering if ESPN is going to talk about any of the reality behind the scenes today.

Lots of emotion right now. Told over 100 going to be fired from Roush, no number yet for RCR. Red Bull still totally closing as of today.

It's going to be race on Sunday, unemployed on Monday for many folks.

Buschseries61 said...

*DW sighting*

Nicholas said...

ESPN needs to stop profiling Jimmie Johnson. Sometimes, I don't mind telling a story. However, if they want their ratings to go up, they need to start telling a different stories. Viewers needs a different compelling story with new characters.

Anonymous said...

We go from a live shot of Carl to a Subway ad with Carl!

DaveM4210 said...

JD, I read in an article linked off of Jayski.com that RCR might not have any layoffs, considering that they are picking up the KHI NNS cars and adding a 3rd NNS car for Austin Dillon.

Buschseries61 said...

Mark Martin better be ready to sing with the Aaron's girl next season.

Daly Planet Editor said...

They said we would know next week. That does not really make matters better because if the RCR folks stay, then the KHI folks get the shaft.

Mike (Detroit) said...

Boy they already got ol Reutimann edited out of the stupid Arrons commercials,

sbaker17 said...

This prerace show would be much better with Ricky Craven replacing BOTH R. Wallace & Brad and keeping Marty

Anonymous said...

Tim Time!!!

KudzuCarl said...

Afternoon folks!

I like Marty Smith and I hope that this early feature is the last time we see Brewer today.

Daly Planet Editor said...

I think Brewer is good. He is soo much better on NASCAR Now than he is cooped up in that stupid garage.

Buschseries61 said...

Hope they let Tim out of the Tech Garage next season.

I think ESPN has gotten the most out of Tony vs. Carl, time to move on. They are starting to repeat themselves.

ChrisKRacing said...

Mike (Detroit) -

That happened the same weekend they announced the driver change.

sbaker17 said...

As they continue to read the script....yawn

Debby said...

@Busch I hope Aarons makes Mark Martin wear that same stupid yellow dress and line dance! LOL!!

Vicky D said...

I only have three words to share - script, script, script!

Anonymous said...

This ESPN loves Carl thing is making MRN happy!

Buschseries61 said...

LOL Debby, I think that's one part of the contract Aaron's will let slide.

Mike (Detroit) said...

It's like 4 hair dryer's going full blast, (lota hot air)

sbaker17 said...

And now ladies and gentlemen, it's time for "The Real Housewives of D.C." followed by a car race

Daly Planet Editor said...

Soo interesting. What does ESPN do if Carl or Tony goes out early?

DaveM4210 said...

I wish there was some way we could see MRN, PRN and Sirius/XM ratings along side the TV ratings. I really think this scripted story telling BS is driving people away from TV to radio.

Buschseries61 said...

Garage watch, JD. JJ @ Texas set the precedent a few years ago.

iworkhere said...

ummm Tia!

Mike (Detroit) said...

If Tony or Carl go out early = air leaving ESPN's balloon.

KudzuCarl said...

I almost choked when they introduced Pia for the National Anthem, but that was a good job. Straight singin' it without a lot of theatrics.

rich said...

Great job Tia

glenc1 said...

It's Pia. She was a great ballad singer; went home too early. Okay so I watch Idol, sue me. :)

KudzuCarl said...

Hey Glen - I watch it too, and it's less scripted than NASCAR on ESPN.

DaveM4210 said...

That HAS to on record as one of the best National Anthem performances all year for all race series. And yes, I too watch Idol. Pia was voted off way too early!

KudzuCarl said...

There you go Bestwick - remind us that other guys are racing today. Thank you.

Roland said...

I really hope they take the bottom ticker down for the race but I doubt they will.

iworkhere said...

I agree JD that Tim Brewer has settled in and doing a great job.
His raceday pieces are quick, maybe sometimes too simple but it's working.
Anymore info why Hammond got moved out of the Hollywood Hotel?
I kinda understand that his cut away stuff got boring.
So what happened?

Anonymous said...

Afternoon all!
Going to try to watch as long as I can, hopefully espn will show the race. Radio fired up & hopefully this will be good

Mike (Detroit) said...

Agreed, Allen deserves this big moment, glad he's there calling the race.

Buschseries61 said...

Wow, lots of boos in there.

KudzuCarl said...

Cheers for the vets, boos for the politician's wives. Makes me proud to be a NASCAR fan.

Anonymous said...

I thought I heard boos.

PammH said...

I'm gonna listen to Jr on Sirius radion. They have him listed as the 8...oh boy.

Dennis said...

Had TV on Mute for past hour and just played around on laptop. Didn't need to hear same old quotes from Tony and Mr. Ed over and over.

Now, lets get to the racing!

Is this race a sellout? (hoping for wider shots)

Anonymous said...

why boo a politician's wife? They're supporting a group for military families, sheesh.

saltsburgtrojanfan said...

JD


The final race of the season should have never left Atlanta

Roland said...

Bigger crowd then the last few times here at Homestead.

glenc1 said...

I'm thinking if I was a crew chief I might not like my guy talking to the press during the race. But maybe that's just me.

Anonymous said...

I'm really hoping either Carl or Tony go out early just so it ruins ESPN's day.

Sally said...

They have really beaten to death the tony vs. Carl things all week. I'm already sick of both of them!

NascarNut said...

ESPN on TV and MRN on surround sound! The perfect set up if only ESPN would actually show all the cars racing on the track.

Daly Planet Editor said...

If you did not get it earlier, Tony's in-car cam and team radio is online at the NASCAR Facebook site.

Interesting twist.

racingfool said...

Where is it published that Rousch is firing 100 people? And why?

Anonymous said...

That's why I just turned on the TV. It's nauseating the way Race Hub and others hyped this race all week. I'm sick of it. Let's race and move on to 2012. Enough already!!

DaveM4210 said...

It is really a sad state of affairs when the First Lady, VP's wife and a military family get booed. FLOTUS is there supporting the military folks that serve our Country, not for political reason. Like the President on not, she is a wonderful lady working for the common good of everyone, not the Democratic Party line.

Anonymous said...

@Nascarnut - it would be a dream come true!

Jimm57 said...

Here we go!

72 cameras?

DaveM4210 said...

Not sure if it is ESPN or Time Warner Cable...my TV is cutting in and out.

NascarNut said...

Roush is only running 3 vs 4 cars next year with UPS leaving the 6 car.

Anonymous said...

SD80MAC is certainly entitled to his opinion....

DaveM4210 said...

Racingfoot...that is because they are losing the 6 team to no sponsorship.

glenc11 said...

Stewart needs to remember that they're not all as good as he is. Would you wanna count on going 3 wide with David Ragan next to you?

Just saying...

Anonymous said...

WOW! Was AB calling the rase?

Bill said...

did Kurt just salute someone?

Daly Planet Editor said...

Another national TV Busch finger. Sweet.

Anonymous said...

Radio is way ahead of TV

Roland said...

Kurt Busch with the 1 finger salute. Awesome. ESPN didnt even notice.

Anonymous said...

Now its back to story telling!

Sally said...

Jr. must be happy with his car...when he runs next to the wall he tends to do well.

Jimm57 said...

SD80MAC, good TWC signal in Raleigh

DaveM4210 said...

Already BSPN is back to story telling and I am back ti Sirius/XM.

Anonymous said...

Saw that; roland, I had to run it back. Must have been for a fan giving a hard time.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Obama and Biden came at the request of NASCAR to cap off military family program.

She said nothing political, did nothing but meet the families and do the command.

Address in driver's meeting was brief, thanks to NASCAR for military family support and be safe.

She stayed on message and will be long gone shortly.

Let's move back to the race coverage as a topic. Thanks.

Sally said...

Those Busch boys really have class, don't they? For a broken tranny or drive shaft? Who is he mad at?

DaveM4210 said...

My TV problem is probably local. Just checked the radar, heavy rain moving into the area.

glenc1 said...

Kurt Busch, radio sweetheart.

ChrisKRacing said...

I think KB was saluting the driver of a truck that was in his way in the garage area.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Wonder who gets to do the Kurt interview!?

ChrisKRacing said...

I get slight audio dropouts periodically. I thought it was local.

Daly Planet Editor said...

CAN YOU BELIEVE CAUTION FOR RAIN!?

glenc1 said...

I sure hope Napa retires that song along with the commercials.

Anonymous said...

I heard David Reutiman was released from MWR because he couldn't lipsync.

Buschseries61 said...

The NASCAR bunch must be sick to their stomach

glenc1 said...

I looked at the radar earlier...was hoping they would stay away. There were just little cells...typical south Florida.

Anonymous said...

I knew it! Rain! Instead of just stating that rain was in the area and showing the radar, AB waffled around the issue.

Anonymous said...

What did Kurt say on the radio?

Buschseries61 said...

Uhhhh....awkward timing?

Daly Planet Editor said...

Well, Kurt Busch can wait I guess!

Anonymous said...

Why did they bring 72 cameras to the track? They only use 2 or 3. Heck they could have had Fed Ex deliver them

Buschseries61 said...

Is that BZF standing awkwardly in the background?

glenc1 said...

is that Brian Z in the background?

NeverNeutral said...

Brian France sighting! (behind biden)

Bill said...

Ol' Bri in the background. Can't miss the opportunity.

Roland said...

This interview should have been during the pre race. Its race time. This is bogus.

Anonymous said...

Who was the politician that didn't want the military to sponsor Nascar?

glenc said...

oh...that explains the crowds. Cynical of me....

Roland said...

Tony pitting again under yellow. ESPN missing it because of this recorded interview.

DaveM4210 said...

JD, can you remove that imposter at 3:37?

sbaker17 said...

Is this a P.R. show or a race?

SD80MAC said...

Maybe Brian can have gay sex with me. Ill cook mim up some smelly taders

Anonymous said...

Kurt Busch, #1 trending topic on Twitter. First time Nascar has been #1 all year and its for a #1

glenc1 said...

holy crap...now that's a story.

Anonymous said...

WTF.....this is tragic. Tony Stewart on pit road and can't pull away from that intervie????? Arg

Buschseries61 said...

BTW, a race is going on. Oh look, Steewart in trouble. What awful timing, ESPN hurts itself again!

Nicholas said...

It amazes me every time the television network always doesn't report about rain in the area. Isn't that part of story (line), too? When the caution came out, it's the first time I heard that rain was in the area.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Got a little story developing here now!

Anonymous said...

How could anyone hit any debris as many debris cautions we have had this year.

Anonymous said...

BZF standing in the background biting his nails, picking his nose - what a lost soul.

OSBORNK said...

They7 have 72 cameras with 14 on the two championship cars and we don't know what happened to tony's grille?

Bill said...

Tony drove over Kurt's middle finger!

Daly Planet Editor said...

Latest is transmission parts from Kurt's explosion may have punctured Tony's radiator.

Anonymous said...

If both 14 & 99 had iso cameras how has ESPN missed seeing what happened? oh wait probably shot too tight, imagine that

Anonymous said...

That's right, OSBORNK, it's all in how MUCH technology you have, not how you use it! Some producers and directors can tell the story of the race with minimal equipment, but these guys...

Roland said...

ESPN gets a massive F so far from me. This has been crappy.

glenc1 said...

Speed mentioned the rain on Raceday...I didn't watch all of Countdown though.

Daly Planet Editor said...

This is going to get bigger soon! Being told it's a real problem for Smoke.

Let's keep an eye on what ESPN does and how they focus.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Bestwick not playing the favorites game. He is the only part of this I like! Junior might be a story here shortly.

Sally said...

You really need to find the volume control on your TV, Dude.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Just saying, now would be the split-screen time for Smoke.

Sally said...

We got the split screen, JD...in car and iso camera split.

Anonymous said...

caution again and ESPN is in break...lol

Daly Planet Editor said...

Commercial = caution.

Anonymous said...

Race Buddy is break up and freezing on me, anyone else?

Jimm57 said...

Caution out, scanner is at LEAST 15 sec before TV. But we get this fine commercial!

Roland said...

Caution. Missed both cautions because of commercial. We should really have side by side for the entire race today since we didnt get it at Charlotte.

Nicholas said...

Seventy-two cameras and it's the second caution that ESPN missed. Thank goodness for RaceView and MRN radio.

Sally said...

And it took ESPN all that time to let us know what the caution was for. sigh.

DaveM4210 said...

@Skeet...I am getting the same thing on TV. Sirius/XM radio is OK now, it was also cutting out.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Lots of folks asking for a replay of what hit Tony's car.

Looks like ESPN does not have it, even with the 72 cameras.

GinaV24 said...

Wow, just for a minute it seemed that AB was going to call the race - until the ESPN single camera shots got involved again.

It's nice when they use the wide shot at least for the restart.

Sally said...

Could it have been when he moved the #00 out of his way?

Anonymous said...

RB only last a few minutes then freezes, and it sometimes turnes to a green screen.

Mike (Detroit) said...

Thats an epic fail on ESPN not having a replay on what Tony hit, all that hot air about all the camera's etc....EPIC FAIL !

Daly Planet Editor said...

Wow. Looks like they don't have it at all.

DaveM4210 said...

All of a sudden, Sirius/XM (MRN) is about a half lap ahead of TV. They are usually a few seconds behind what I see on TV. Time Warner Cable must be having some serious problems locally. Every few seconds the TV just locks up. Checked other channels, they are doing the same thing.

Sally said...

And they take the camera off Tony just as they show Bayne scraping the wall? Hel-lo?

KudzuCarl said...

ESPN's whole plan for today revolves around two cars. Yet, when something critical happens to one of them they miss it????? How is that possible? How incompetent can they be?

Do they ever miss a touchdown pass? Do they miss a game winning home run? No, and no. But they don't care enough to do NASCAR well.

Roland said...

That was such a stupid choice to cut camera views right when Tony came up on the 21. What on Gods green earth where they thinking?

Zetona said...

They're missing important incidents, and cutting to new shots at inopportune moments, but as far as framing of shots, amount of zoom used, and focus on the championship leaders, it's a lot better than I had feared.

DaveM4210 said...

@Mike (Detroit) Radio guys said Smoke got hit by something that came off the 22 car.

Anonymous said...

JD- No records of the iso cam's? That's poor!
cnc

Mike (Detroit) said...

I don't think it's Earth Roland

Sally said...

Aaaand, the infamouse points (if the race ended now) has made it's appearance...and will probably haunt us the rest of the race. Sigh.

GinaV24 said...

If Allen keeps calling the real action, I'll be happy with this race. I wonder if they will keep it up or fall apart toward the middle/end of the race.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Being told ESPN has searched and does not have it. Geesh.

Anonymous said...

My Race Buddy is 8 laps behind.

Mike (Detroit) said...

@ SD80MAC Laughing so hard! tears in eye's

Anonymous said...

every car on the track should park,and let stewart and race for the title.Espn is ignoring everybody else.Just sad-Very sad.

Buschseries61 said...

Bestwick is doing a great job so far. Hope ESPN doesn't fall apart any further.

ChrisKRacing said...

RaceBuddy showing us out the front of 99 where there's nobody, but only face view of Stewart.

Anonymous said...

Being told that ESPN lost it after 2000 and never found it again.

Daly Planet Editor said...

You guys having any RaceBuddy freak outs?

Mike (Detroit) said...

And todays biggest story, hold on, we're still tring to find it, please stand-by

Anonymous said...

If ESPN would televise this race properly they would have no need for mid-race recaps.

Anonymous said...

This coverage is embarrasing.

GinaV24 said...

blah blah blah Allen, yeah, yeah, Stewart and Edwards are just wonderful people. Call the daggone race.

Anonymous said...

Espn is going to look really foolish if Tony isn't Champion. They're certainly pulling for him. 72 cameras and nothing showing what hit Tony's grill???

GinaV24 said...

OK, a camera shot of the 14 and the 14's crew chief does not make me want to sit here and watch this race.

Cowboys and Redskins just tied the score at the end of the 4th qtr - going to OT

Buschseries61 said...

It's been over 55 laps, guess there will be no Kurt Busch interview

Anonymous said...

Espn is slobbering all over Edwards-thier colleague.

Bill said...

OK, what story has ESPN dropped the ball on? Darian Grubb's future is suddenly a story in the middle of the race?

Sally said...

Hey! Have we lost the bottom football crawler for good?

Daly Planet Editor said...

ESPN refused to confirm Edwards is working on the NNS telecasts next season, but he is not racing any NNS races so it looks like a lock.

West Coast Kenny said...

Producer needs to call a wide shot into a curve, let 99 pass through, then hold it so we can see the interval between 99 and 14.

Anonymous said...

It's about time for a pre-produced feature shown fullscreen, isn't it?

Bill said...

Did Grubb deliver his 2 week notice to Tony over the radio during the caution or something?

Anonymous said...

Here's a theory on Stewart's damage - a lug nut from a car stopped in front of his went through his grill during the stops. They wouldn't have caught that on camera.

Mike (Detroit) said...

Showing Smoke in 13th,

Daly Planet Editor said...

Sally, we were dissing them on Twitter about putting that in for the championship event when they remove it for other high profile live events.

A bit later, it was gone. Will see if it returns.

GinaV24 said...

Anon 4:09 - which is why they should just call the race and let things work out the way they will for the championship.

Jimm57 said...

"Sally said...
And they take the camera off Tony just as they show Bayne scraping the wall? Hel-lo?"

Just goes to show they don't watch the race. Busy playing with toys

«Oldest ‹Older   1 – 200 of 563   Newer› Newest»