tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post3640100681638228346..comments2024-03-05T06:32:37.180-05:00Comments on The Daly Planet: Ray Evernham Needs To Clear The AirDaly Planet Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834588435004023666noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-80223204536593145082009-05-10T20:48:00.000-04:002009-05-10T20:48:00.000-04:00I recently returned from Ray's Race Car Museum in ...I recently returned from Ray's Race Car Museum in Mooresville, NC.<br />Meeting Ray and the people around him was a wonderful experience. He is a great guy as far as I am concerned. The people who want to pry into his private life are nothing but busy bodies, Ray is a Race Car "Guy", who probably knows more about Race Cars and NASCAR than anyone around, and who has a love for the sport that cannot be surpassed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-76270990256167799242009-01-13T21:37:00.000-05:002009-01-13T21:37:00.000-05:00I continue to believe the problem is EESPN's more ...I continue to believe the problem is EESPN's more than Ray E's - and credibility and lack of bias is not EESPN's longsuit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-30831077066176733082009-01-13T13:38:00.000-05:002009-01-13T13:38:00.000-05:00The logic empolyed here is quite interesting. If s...The logic empolyed here is quite interesting. If someone like Mayfield, for example, says something positive about Ray, it is suspect and a conflict because there's a work history there. <BR/><BR/>Now, on the other hand, if he throws Ray under the bus, boy does Mayfield's cred jumps off the chart. This is really true logic!!<BR/><BR/>Complaining about Ray is like baying at the moon. He's a smart sharp guy, and has a lot of respect and fans in the racing community. And he said what he said. That's it.<BR/><BR/>Fans know his history just like they know DW, DJ, Kyle, Rusty, etc. If they say something fans think is colored by their relationships, fans know it and take it into consideration. THEY ARE NOT STLETH ROBOTS!<BR/><BR/>I want to here Ray talk racing, that's it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-68263825587063177812009-01-13T09:35:00.000-05:002009-01-13T09:35:00.000-05:00"What do you all think of the fact that Crocker wa..."What do you all think of the fact that Crocker was one of Raygan Swan's bridesmaids, and she's picked to write the Evernham interview? Hmmm..."<BR/>------------------<BR/>Good point showing how things are much too intertwined - this fact didn't even register with me (though I had read about it and seen the wedding pictures) when I read Swan's interview with Evernham. <BR/><BR/>And...Swan's ex-fiance from a couple of years back (before she married recently) drove for Evernham. (AJ Foyt IV). <BR/><BR/>I don't always agree with J.D., but I agree with him 100 percent on this column. Quite frankly, I'm rather surprised that so many people are in the "what does it matter?" mode. The questions about GEM should be asked of Evernham on ESPN, and if he can't answer because of non-disclosure, he should say that on air. Why is it OK for him to say that's the reason he can't answer on the radio, but ESPN can't ask him to say in on their programs?<BR/><BR/>Unless this new agreement changes things, Evernham still owns 20 percent of the team. He said very recently that he's willing to have Gillett buy him out but until then he owns 20 percent. That is not an insignificant percentage.<BR/><BR/>People say he hasn't been involved for a long time. That's just not true (and Evernham, if you read his interviews, is rather notable for saying lots of different things to different reporters. I don't think he's the most truthful interview-giver). When Kahne won three races earlier last year, Gillett was more than happy to give the "consultant" Evernham the credit for helping the team, and Evernham was happy to take it. (Go search the interviews).<BR/><BR/>When things fell apart for GEM, after that, that's when he got more emphatic about the "I'm just a consultant without any influence" mode.<BR/><BR/>I think we're so used to all the family/business conflicts of interest, we just forget about it (like I forgot about Swan's connections with Evernham).<BR/><BR/>I have to think this is yet another reason for ESPN not to give NASCAR any respect. Yes, the analysts in other sports are buddy-buddy with each other, but they are frequently criticized (by TV critics in columns and by people in their sport) if they appear to have a conflict of interest involving a current player. Or in the NBA, analysts are often "auditioning" for the next coaching job by getting TV exposure, but as soon as they get a job with the NBA, they're out of the booth. Immediately.<BR/><BR/>NASCAR is just too different, and I don't think the coziness of the NASCAR world plays well with the ESPN world. I don't think it ever will.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-37870368910129226452009-01-13T09:33:00.000-05:002009-01-13T09:33:00.000-05:00What does Swan's bridesmaid have to with Ray Evern...What does Swan's bridesmaid have to with Ray Evernham's role on Espn? For the record maybe the reason Ray decided to talk to Swan was trust in her not twisting his words to suit the needs of the media hounds to make it sound like there is more he is not telling us. Good grief leave the man alone!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-86353378375839562212009-01-13T08:23:00.000-05:002009-01-13T08:23:00.000-05:00Dave Moody,You have an opportunity this very week ...Dave Moody,<BR/>You have an opportunity this very week to ask Elliott Sadler some questions many NASCAR fans would like (and even have a right to know). <BR/><BR/>I have never understood why NASCAR driver (and owners) get a free pass when it comes to the media. Have you ever seen an NFL head coach's or players Q/A after a game or something controversial? (as is the Sadler/GEM fiasco) <BR/><BR/>But just a hunch, when you have Sadler on your Sirius Radio show this week, you will continue to lob softballs as you do with most your 'regular' guests.<BR/><BR/>Sadly, you are not alone, that goes for most of the NASCAR media.okla21fanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13510135260252333633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-60011720089657233322009-01-13T08:15:00.000-05:002009-01-13T08:15:00.000-05:00Ray knows racing and has in his short time given m...Ray knows racing and has in his short time given me more interesting info than all of the FOX guys combined. He owes you or me nothing, it's none of our bisiness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-65797665351860406572009-01-12T22:34:00.000-05:002009-01-12T22:34:00.000-05:00What do you all think of the fact that Crocker was...What do you all think of the fact that Crocker was one of Raygan Swan's bridesmaids, and she's picked to write the Evernham interview? Hmmm...the whole Nascar world is so intertwined, it's just about impossible to find someone with the technical knowledge, ability to speak clearly, and presence Evernham has to be on TV.<BR/><BR/>I say let Evernham get more airtime. He can explain impossible situations clearly. If he insists he has no power or authority at GEM, or whatever its name is today, I believe him.Tracy Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14361101058670921686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-3345967062497084502009-01-12T18:34:00.000-05:002009-01-12T18:34:00.000-05:00Ray built a business, made money with it, and sold...Ray built a business, made money with it, and sold it. It is not too hard to figure out that he is there in name only and probably has to be for the Dodge contract. Rusty is not at his shop, Brad won't be helping Waltrip, and Ray won't help Sadler next time the axe swings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-84556104273926737702009-01-12T17:40:00.000-05:002009-01-12T17:40:00.000-05:00I say get those drivers seats filled up and let's ...I say get those drivers seats filled up and let's go racing! I don't really care what happened behind the scenes with Ray because it's none of my business or anyone else's. I've been a race fan since the 80's and there's been alot that goes on. A whole lot more than we ever hear about. But who cares? I just want to see some good racing this season.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-19959626426599865202009-01-12T15:36:00.000-05:002009-01-12T15:36:00.000-05:00Isn't NASCAR itself a conflict of interest?? Franc...Isn't NASCAR itself a conflict of interest?? <BR/><BR/>France Family controls NASCAR, they also have own a majority of the tracks that NASCAR runs on. If they don't own the track and Bruton Smith doesn't then it won't get a race. <BR/><BR/>How about the 'other' commentators and not just the ones on ESPN?<BR/><BR/>DW, Rusty, Larry Mac, Dale Jarrett...they all have interests out on the track in one form or another.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-6908256439415652572009-01-12T15:29:00.000-05:002009-01-12T15:29:00.000-05:00JD, I have a somewhat different take on this. It s...JD, I have a somewhat different take on this. It seems to me that the real problem is the lack of standards at EESPN, which controls whether or not Ray E is on the air or not and, presumably, whether or not he is asked to answer questions about what he knows about the goings on at GEM. I guess it would be nice for Ray to tell what he knows, but I'm not sure he is under an obligation to do so if EESPN does not ask him to or give him the venue to do so. In light of Ray's history and high profile in NASCAR, I believe most fans should be aware of the potential conflict. In fact I believe the potential conflicts are much more out in the open in EESPN's coverage of NASCAR than in most other areas of its sports coverage. EESPN has the former GM of (as I recall) the Tenn. Titans commenting on NFL, but I have seen him mentioned elsewhere as a potential candidate for GM positions with teams having GM vacancies, but I have not heard him asked about such. Also, EESPN has former Mavericks' coach Avery Johnson commenting about NBA and I doubt he has been asked about his interest in possible NBA coaching openings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-7520071484944142392009-01-12T13:16:00.000-05:002009-01-12T13:16:00.000-05:00NASCAR is a "Mickey Mouse" company!Team ...NASCAR is a "Mickey Mouse" company!<BR/><BR/>Team Ownership/sponsored commentators is a JOKE!!!<BR/><BR/>I'm SICK of the bias and NASCAR!<BR/><BR/>Until the France Family throws out Brainless Brian and all his GIMMICKS and start doing business in a PROFESSIONAL way, instead of the "mom & pop" way they do business now, NASCAR will continue to go DOWNHILL, like it has the last 5 years!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-50302633329746866282009-01-12T13:15:00.000-05:002009-01-12T13:15:00.000-05:00Evernham has been placed in a position where his k...Evernham has been placed in a position where his knowledge can be used to inform the fans what is taking place on and off(pit) the track. He has not talked about nor made excuses for any of the drivers at GEM for extended periods like some of the others on the show. Darrell did not "Clear the Air" about fuel used in the #55 for any of us and I'm sure he was made aware of the information.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-19561315883480325432009-01-12T13:03:00.000-05:002009-01-12T13:03:00.000-05:00>If ESPN brings Evernham in and >allows him ...>If ESPN brings Evernham in and <BR/>>allows him to avoid talking about <BR/>>the GEM, Sadler and Petty issues on <BR/>>TV it will not make for a very <BR/>>credible season.<BR/><BR/>I couldn't disagree more. Ray had already said on the air, weeks before these issues sprang up, that he was done with the team, the operations, the decision making, all that. We have all seen Bestwick ask him about GEM issues in the last few weeks of the season and Ray flat out say he isn't involved any more.<BR/><BR/>So I'm not really sure what he can add to this. <BR/><BR/>To say having Everham on any NASCAR related show won't be credible is incredible to me. This man had forgotten more about NASCAR than most of us will ever know. He knows more about winning in NASCAR than just about anyone in the sport today, and that is a fact that can be proven. <BR/><BR/>Any NASCAR show that has on Everham as a guest GAINS credibility - they don't lose it. The man is a winner. The man is a champion. The man is a hall-of-famer. The man has done what others still aspire to do. I don't know why he gets so little respect on this website (actually, I think I do know - and shame on you for judging him), but I find the most recent article on Everham by this website to be off-target, to put it mildly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-5828496603049292642009-01-12T12:49:00.000-05:002009-01-12T12:49:00.000-05:00If Ray is a 20% minority owner, what he says or do...If Ray is a 20% minority owner, what he says or does on TV won't have too much effect on Mr. Gillett. If Ray pi**es him off by being critical there isn't much he can do, so it won't prevent Ray from being honest with his opinion. If Ray doesn't like something that Gillett is doing, again, not much he can do but sell his stake. I don't see where a minority ownership should preclude him from ESPN if you agree to give Rusty and Brad a pass. ESPN has not shyed away form making Rusty react when one of his drivers does something stupid, so as long as they actually ask Ray to comment and he does, it is fine in my opinion. NASCAR is what we love BECAUSE of its 'family' interconnectedness and we should take Ray with the same grain of salt as we do DW when he talks about Mikey. We know the history and the potential color it gives to the speakers judgement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-30506034648503864382009-01-12T12:45:00.000-05:002009-01-12T12:45:00.000-05:00John, if you're going to hold Evernham responsible...John, if you're going to hold Evernham responsible for spilling the inside story of what's happening at GEM, isn't it time for Dale Jarrett to finally tell the world what REALLY happened during Michael Waltip Racing's Daytona "fuel additive controversy" a few years back?<BR/><BR/>Fair's fair.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-80645837321995917592009-01-12T11:26:00.000-05:002009-01-12T11:26:00.000-05:00Graceann said: "I think Ray has had enough explain...Graceann said: "I think Ray has had enough explaining, why can't the media, fans just let him be? "<BR/><BR/>Ray is not just some guy strolling down the street being questioned. He is an ESPN media personality. He chose to put himself in this situation where he has a clear conflict of interest. Other commentators should be able to ask him about any Nascar issue and if Ray needs to say, "my lawyers won't let me talk about that", its fine. Just say it and get that out in the open, don't hide from it or pretend the issue (Robby Gordon) doesn't exist. Then ESPN can decide if they want a guy on the air that has those issues.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-70584985405259733072009-01-12T10:23:00.000-05:002009-01-12T10:23:00.000-05:00This topic perplexes me a bit. Bottom line,Evernha...This topic perplexes me a bit. Bottom line,Evernham should be treated no differently than Rusty,Brad,etc. I've always enjoyed his professional assessment of the sport and his technical understanding of the COT. I could care less about his private life, or Rusty's or DJ'a or anyone else's. I think it's to his credit that he doesn't dwell on his team's issues lest he be criticized for being self serving. All I care about is the quality of these shows. I want to hear from people who know what they're talking about and not airhead "talking heads" that don't know the difference between a COT and a Nationwide car!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-19316132249300907732009-01-12T10:00:00.000-05:002009-01-12T10:00:00.000-05:00As far as what Ray has said, he is at ESPN to anal...As far as what Ray has said, he is at ESPN to analyze Cup races. That's it. Once he has said he has nothing to do with decisions at his old team, there is no need to further "clear the air."<BR/><BR/>One of the pluses for him having a podium, is that he is so committed to grass-roots racing and will help keep the local scence alive. <BR/><BR/>I look forward to his first race.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-26908553695266952022009-01-12T09:59:00.000-05:002009-01-12T09:59:00.000-05:00Grace,Because he is going to spend the next 40 wee...Grace,<BR/><BR/>Because he is going to spend the next 40 weeks telling you about all the teams and drivers and issues going-on in the sport on TV shows like SportsCenter, ESPNEWS and NASCAR Now.<BR/><BR/>JDDaly Planet Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13834588435004023666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-41193514895756838422009-01-12T09:57:00.000-05:002009-01-12T09:57:00.000-05:00There is now a story link at the bottom of the ori...There is now a story link at the bottom of the original column to the NASCAR.com story by Raygan Swan about Evernham.<BR/><BR/>He addresses many of the specific issues that TDP raised in our column. Very good timing.<BR/><BR/>JDDaly Planet Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13834588435004023666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-73741548018971591522009-01-12T09:43:00.000-05:002009-01-12T09:43:00.000-05:00Why should Evernham be put on the spot? If you wan...Why should Evernham be put on the spot? If you want the inside scoop why don't you interview Gillett & Petty? The fans have complained as it is that Rusty "brags" about his team on air, so why should Ray have to spill the beans? I think Ray has had enough explaining, why can't the media, fans just let him be? So much pressure was put on him to produce another "Jeff Gordon" in a short time frame after leaving Hendrick & dealing with the ever increasing $$$ enforced by NASCAR had him looking for a partner to survive, not to mention the media digging into his personal life after a driver decides to throw a tantrum. That's enough to make anyone turn their back on something.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-22906329522060720732009-01-12T09:42:00.000-05:002009-01-12T09:42:00.000-05:00Aren't you guys all saying basically what we need ...Aren't you guys all saying basically what we need Ray to say before the season?<BR/><BR/>If he was not going to be on ESPN as an analyst, this would not be an issue at all.<BR/><BR/>JDDaly Planet Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13834588435004023666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080132098367510832.post-40884568902110294172009-01-12T09:16:00.000-05:002009-01-12T09:16:00.000-05:00JD said"He is still a multi-car owner in the Cup S...JD said<BR/><BR/>"He is still a multi-car owner in the Cup Series with active ownership in a four car team that is at the top of the news."<BR/><BR/>JD, you overstate the ownership angle. RE is a shareholder in a company that operates race teams.That doesn't guarantee him the access to inside knowledge, no less input,that you think. I have written in past threads that ESPN was being generous with RE, not to embarrass him publicly about how little he knew what was going on.<BR/><BR/>GG is in a tight spot since the bank(Royal Bank of Scotland)that lent him £350 million to buy the soccer team was nationalized by the UK government and the loan is up for re-financing on the 25th, and the number of lending institutions interested in helping him out are few and far between. <BR/><BR/>Keeping RE up to speed is not high on the priority list.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com