Live Blogging Nationwide Series From Bristol (ESPN - 7PM ET)

As the Nationwide Series race approaches, the weather in Bristol, TN is "iffy." Not originally on the list of issues, it looks like rain might play a role in tonight's event.

Nicole Briscoe has Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty in the Infield Pit Studio tonight. Expect these three and a lot of guests to pass the time if the raindrops fall. Briscoe has done a solid job of directing traffic, but she can't control some of the gems that come from her two analysts.

Marty Reid returns to work the race tonight with Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. Allen Bestwick is designated for the Sprint Cup Series events. Reid was demoted this season and the spotlight is squarely on his ability to deliver under pressure.

Jarrett and Petree have been solid, but the one reason did not return to the Cup races was the lack of chemistry between these three. It should be fun to watch this dynamic play-out on the air tonight.

Bristol is a mess for TV. There is just no good way to get a quality product on the air with the amount of commercial inventory ESPN carries. There is no RaceBuddy for the Nationwide races, so TV is the only source for video.

With laps around 15 seconds, each 30 second commercial element covers two laps. It's a tough task to integrate commercials on this track with a race that features long green flag runs. Only lots of caution flag periods change the game.

The same ESPN battle that has been discussed on this blog for the last four seasons will again be a topic. Seeing the race involves wideshots, aerial angles and the search for the best racing on the track regardless of position. It does not involve in-car cameras on restarts, key passes or live during accidents. It does not involve following the leaders.

ESPN has changed a lot of things behind the scenes. Let's see if it makes a difference tonight.

This post will serve to host your comments on the ESPN coverage of the Nationwide Series race from the Bristol Motor Speedway. To add your TV-related opinion, just click on the comments button below. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

"SPEED Center" About To Play A Bigger Role

One of the most interesting changes to SPEED since Patti Wheeler took over the programming and production departments at the network has been a show called SPEED Center.

Many viewers may remember The SPEED Report, a one-hour show aired on Sunday night at 7PM. It was the network's only true motorsports program for news, highlights and interviews.

Wheeler's idea is to expand the TV portion of that concept and tie it to the instant information available through new technology. Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter contain a steady stream of information about virtually every series racing worldwide.

"In continuing to differentiate SPEED Center as the definitive source for news and analysis from across the motorsports world, we wanted to create a ‘command center’ that not only incorporates all forms of racing but also integrates the latest technology to deliver up-to-the-second information from any racing venue in the world," said Wheeler. "The show is as fast-paced as the racing it covers, and we think the new look reflects the sense of urgency in motorsports and live television."

The bottom line is, she is right. TV is changing and much of it is quickly falling apart as it lags behind in technology. How many local TV news shows use YouTube clips, tweets and Facebook page information? The answer is a lot.

The missing link for SPEED for years has been updated motorsports news and information presented in a timely fashion. The new SPEED Center is designed not only to host the one-hour show on Sundays, but to be active throughout the racing weekends. That is a huge undertaking.

The good news is that the show host Adam Alexander has toned it down. He is much more effective working at a deliberate pace and passing along information without fake excitement or his personal volume control set on high.

The new SPEED Center set rolls out on Friday at 7PM as Alexander hosts a NASCAR-themed edition of the show. Here are some specifics on the technology he will have available.

This from SPEED:

The motor sports news program unveils a contemporary and completely interactive set anchored by an 85-inch on-air touchscreen linked to a real-time timing-and-scoring database. The new set also boasts a graphics overhaul and more than 31 video display devices controllable from multiple points.

The set was designed by Lead Designer Jim Fenhagen and Senior Designer Larry Hartman of the Jack Morton Company. They have designed some of the most recognizable sets on television, including those of Good Morning America, Piers Morgan Tonight, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show and World News Tonight.

SPEED has come a very long way from renting studio space from a religious network and then having to rent office space across the street. These days, the network is settled into a High Definition studio in the Greater Charlotte area put together specifically for the TV operations.

It should be interesting to see Alexander work the new set and all the gizmo's this weekend. It just might be that SPEED has added a key piece of the puzzle as the network grows more toward motorsports programming and news than "lifestyle" shows and infomercials.

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Live Blogging Truck Series From Bristol (SPEED - 7:30PM)

It's going to be a fun night for the Camping World Truck Series at the Bristol Motor Speedway. The track was slick during qualifying and now a full Whelen Mod race has laid down a different rubber compound. This is going to be a show.

Krista Voda starts off the coverage with The Set-Up pre-race show. Hermie Sadler and Ray Dunlap are the reporters. Once the race is underway it will be Rick Allen, Phil Parsons and Micheal Waltrip calling the action.

Waltrip was working the qualifying earlier in the day and had returned to his overbearing personality. It was tough to listen to him talk overtop of his two booth mates. Let's hope someone whispered in his ear to tone it down for the race.

The director is critical for this race. With short laps and fast action, if the director makes the decision to use tightshots and in-truck cameras, then most of the incidents will be shown on replay and the overall telecast will suffer.

The fact of the matter is that Bristol offers two of the most dynamic highshots in sports TV. One if from on top of the tower and shows the entire track with the cars just whirling around at speed. The second is the aerial shot that is tremendous on restarts and for showing groups of trucks racing in a pack. Let's hope we see those tonight.

A good showing at this track is just what the series needs. It is still reeling from lack of sponsorship and the fact that several top drivers are at home this weekend and without a ride. Some solid racing in primetime on national TV could be just what the doctor ordered to set the series up for the long run to Homestead.

This post will serve to host your comments on the SPEED coverage of the Camping World Truck Series from the Bristol Motor Speedway. To add your TV-related comment, just click on the comments button below. Thanks for stopping by.