This is a time of the year that Nationwide Series fans know all too well. This is the first weekend of the college football season.
There is a live college game now in-progress before the scheduled start of NASCAR Countdown at 6:30PM. Please go to our comments section for updates as the start time of the NASCAR TV coverage approaches.
Race coverage is scheduled for 7PM. This is ESPN's second attempt at the "Backseat Drivers" concept. Four of the network analysts, Dale Jarrett, Rusty Wallace, Ray Evernham and Andy Petree will be in the broadcast booth making conversation among themselves.
There will be no Marty Reid or Jerry Punch joining the group as the play-by-play announcer. Instead, Allen Bestwick will remain in the Infield Pit Studio after he hosts the pre-race show and help the analysts with information and updates after the commercial breaks.
The idea is that these ESPN analysts will be able to relate stories about their own driving careers and experiences at Atlanta to the viewers during the race. The reality is that ESPN did not carry any of the practice or qualifying sessions for this race and that makes it a perfect target for experimentation.
This is the time of the season when all of the ESPN energy goes into the Sprint Cup Series coverage and the infamous "Race for the Chase." In the blink of an eye, the only NASCAR series that ESPN carries from start-to-finish becomes second rate.
Join us as we watch the live race and see how this experiment unfolds. We will also be discussing the transition between the live college football games and the ESPN2 NASCAR coverage.
To join the party, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, so please keep that in mind when posting. All opinions are welcome, we just ask for no profanity, hateful speech or off-topic comments.
As always, you can email me directly with any suggestions, complaints or questions as editor.dp@hotmail.com anytime. Thanks for dropping by on this holiday weekend.
416 comments:
1 – 200 of 416 Newer› Newest»W. Michigan @ Michigan started their 4th quarter at 6:13pm
The Georgia @ Okla. State game is still in the 3rd quarter with 58 seconds left.
Here is a good one. Just clicked over to ESPN Classic on my cable system and it is now ESPNEWS.
Might join the darkside unless I find it buried somewhere else...
This might not be good.
Georgia @ Okla. State started their 4th quarter at 6:19pm.
ESPN Classic still on DirecTV with Ali-Foreman ...CFB Overdrive continues on ESPNews
@JD - How odd. Is your normal ESPNEWS showing ESPNU, perhaps?
Less than ten minutes, still waiting on program change information.
Andrew, like a lot of the Comcast systems, it looks like they dumped ESPN Classic and added News in HD.
Bummer for me. Hate being in the dark and this one might be for a long ride.
You guys can keep me posted.
Weather no problem for now, but solid rain shield moving east from Alabama ...race should get in ...precip looks to be 3+ hours out
dangit, the rain needs to come TOMORROW! lol.
Well if we get bumped, I wont see anything. Might hop on and listen to PRN tho
I don't see the pre-race starting on time in this case.
What else is new, we get the screw job by ESPN.
What is that crawling on Hammonds' upper lip?
How come we all don't see the same shows on BSPNCL & BSPNEWS?
Boxing is on CL right now. And some 5 hour football show is on NEWS.
Huh. Weird.
Just realized I must be getting it via the Comcast sports package. Picked that up so I can see NFL Network without paying $40 extra for the expanded digital cable. That'd explain why I'm getting both Classic and ESPNU.
Really sorry to hear that, JD.
OK, you guys tell me if NASCAR pops up on ESPN Classic in thirty seconds ok?
Man, imma miss WindTunnel with Force! Gonna have to wake up early Monday to catch it!
Love that team.
Hammond bringing back his 'stache?
Nice. Didnt see it ragan, but if its what i think it is, FUNNY!
Countdown just stated on ESPNClassic here in Northern Calif.
it's up on classic
program alert on ESPN2 says countdown is on Classic.
This is some bs...
I don't get Classic in my room, so I can't tell if it's on or not.
Countdown is now playing on ESPN Classic.
W Mich vs MI, X-XX respectively, 9+ minutes left.
Had a feeling it would be.
One of the very few advantages of being a Canadian viewer, regardless of what channel Countdown starts on, we see it on TSN.
Thanks, knew this was going to happen. Now the issue is the race.
Tell me what Bestwick is talking about.
Pre race on CL.
found a stream of countdown
On Classic
Interviews with Kasey @ Trevor Bayne.
Just found it on a Canadian channel we get (who knows why). Rusty doing lots of shouting as usual and Brad off this week
Countdown just started on TSN here in Canada. Oddly enough, they bumped US Open Tennis to TSN2. That doesn't make up for the truncated N'Wide post-race last week, though.
--KarenB
Rusty's on a leash thank god and Brad is off. RE is in should be different
Bayne was glad that they were able to get a good practice session in despite the Cup events.
Interview with Greg Biffle - Fun to run in the NW series. Jamie Little just asked about his paint scheme for tomorrow (American Red Cross).
So really not missing much, are we? The same old same old. :)
Now AB is talking about it - American Red Cross/NASCAR Foundation blood drive on 9/11.
JD, you have mail
@KarenB - Did you check the re-run on TSN2 later on Sunday evening? I didn't, but I wondered if they included the winner's interview in that timeslot.
good set up info from Rusty and Ray
Evernham - "This is where as a crew chief, you want to see your car be the fastest."
Um. Duh?
The broken right foot ! from Rusty. Ray talking about momentum on the corner. Now rehash of Bristol race
I can't give blood, I'm too small. I had to give some for my surgery a few years back... woozy. Didn't help that I hadn't eaten either.
ESPN Classic no is no longer on my Direct TV either- says an upgrade is required. Since when? Can't be more than a week or 2.
I've had Classic on my Directv since I got it many years ago. Now today out of the blue I have a message on that channel saying "Upgrade Package Needed". Thanks ESPN.
Well, my provider offers it on the digital box... which is out in the front room of my house.
I get left out in my bedroom though.
My Classic channel must have gone away on Sept 1 for sure.
This is a nice surprise...not!
Yikes, did ESPN switch U and Classic on DirecTV too?
Dear ESPN. You have a little channel in your family of networks called ABC Family which is currently showing a movie rerun and reaches many more people than either of these two channels. Consider using it in the future.
Anon 6:37, it may be your provider, not Espn.
@JD - Do you have the sports package? Try Channel 726.
NASCAR on ABC Family... scary thought. All the little teens watching would go nuts if that happened. ;D
And Andrew, ABC is a whole different entitiy,pay scale, union,ect. Not that easy.
OK, someone go to Jayski and find out the exact time of the green flag please!
JD,
Jayski just says 7:00 PM, Driver intros 6:30
@ Martin
Yep, I checked the re-air. They cut it off at *exactly* the same point. TSN had to race off to show one of their specials from small-town Canada.
It wouldn't have made me so cranky if my driver hadn't just won his first road course race.
Speaking of cranky, for the first time ever I was able to order the Prelude to the Dream. And what happens? My freakin' driver (and past winner) breaks his foot! *sigh*
Sorry about mentioning the broken foot again. Does that mean anyone playing the drinking game needs to take another swig?
--KarenB
Theres no green flag time posted. NASCAR may hold start? Oy what a mess.
Green flag, 7:16
Talking with BK about the new deal with Penske - Did it/has it affected your mindset in the 88? BK says no.
Can you chase down KyBu?
BK - Possibly, given the last few weeks. I made some mistakes at the start but we've come back over the last few weeks.
Championship standings review. Interview with Kez and when is Rouch going to put a clause in Carl's contract about no non-nascar or recreational sporting activities?
Per NASCAR.com 7:16 is scheduled green flag.
Where did you get that from chief?
Thanks, helps a lot.
Rusty says that BK should concentrate on the Cup ride next year, given the differences between that car and the NW car.
Rusty and Ray are about to head upstairs for the coverage.
6 minutes left in the Georgia game.
2:21 in Michigan game.
Should be fun to watch them join NASCAR after both football games.
Feeling good for the green flag now.
Just showed Brent and Denny from yesterday
This network shuffle is another reason I listen on the radio (well, online stream for me, really).
W. Michigan @ Michigan game is over.
Georgia game has 3:37 Left
Dale Jr. pole in NW and 31st in cup? Car, driver, car?????
Man, the grandstands look pretty empty behind KyBu there. Looks like Turn 2?
KyBu and now AB mentioning the weather issue.
totally different cars. TOTALLY different.
Also, Jr will drop like a rock in the race, mark my words. Car will be too tight.
GOGH in more Qual trim on the #5 than race trim
JD
Should go green on ESPN 2 on time. Although this is not unexpected it is still frustrating. If this year goes like last it will be a 11 week game of hide and seek. I don't like to play hide and seek anymore.
Sweet, ESPN2 went straight over to Countdown from the Michigan race! Still on Classic as well.
all true David and KB dosen't seem to have an difficulty, but damn, I wish it were the car
Noticed it too.
Countdown on BSPN2.
I love how they switched just in time to show the Junior interview. Think someone in the truck was sitting on that one?
Just now a Sports Update on Espn2. Just updated college football. No mention of the Nascar race pre-show not being on.
ri, the cup race is so long that even though historically qualifying good is important its not a must. if their race trim is good and they can go early he will finish top 10. Today though, will be interesting to see what happens. If he gets a good start he might lead early but if he gets passed early he will fade quickly. Harvick said he was loose, think he'll take off.
glad we're on the right network now. thank goodness the stream i had was paying attention =p
Charlie, keep me honest on that Georgia game.
Carl's taken no pain meds at all. This would be a perfect chance to ask if it's b/c of the drug policy!
Georgia game has 2 minutes to go.
The ticker is on during commls?
Stands are pretty empty.
Georgia game will be over in 50 seconds.
Georgia game over -
oh my god that PA announcer!
Ouch, that hurt just to listen to. Get that guy a Coke.
That guy needs a Halls.
SHeDAISY! Awesome!
most random question of the day: how come no episcopalians or roman catholics ever do the invocation? are there no nascar fans among that clergy base? just wonderin'.
Hm, i was wondering why ESPN was telling me this channel isnt available locally...
whats the deal the the PA guy? need a ricola?
What a fantastic anthem. Love SHeDAISY.
Once again, I volunteer to be the National Anthem picker for 2010.
gee, no one is asking Carl how his face is this week.
i'd vote for ya, JD :P
I think they would be fun to travel with!
Andrew said...
What a fantastic anthem. Love SHeDAISY.
Except for the over-the-top ending.
Just leave it alone. and sing it straight.
Are the Georgia folks over on ESPN2 yet?
Oh my! the national anthem in 3 part harmony. Francis Scot Key be still in your grave.
Frank in Sebring
I agree with Patrick. Good harmony, just quit turning it into a Nashville audition.
they are now, least thats what AB said. everyone should be over on 2 now
4 people were not meant to fit in that booth.
ok prn loaded on the laptop and running. will be in and out as we haven't done dinner yet but i know the planeteers will get me up to speed once i'm back.
i'm compromising and watching the tv but the sound is off: i apparently simply cannot a weekend without actually seeing cars on a track. but i'll be switching channels during every, single commercial -- without fail.
(i'm really just waiting for the trucks!)
How do they all fit in that booth?
(Yes, I know I said I wasn't watching this. I am weak.)
Uh..fenders? Tim, you're a few weeks late for Bristol
they fit in HD andrew, so ive noticed with my HD source
Why are they showing how to beat a fender with a baseball bat already? Tim Brewer & the Tech Garage is useless.
andrew: not weak, just a race fan. i know the feeling all too well.
@red--Fr Phil DeRea (Mario Andretti's friend + friend of the Mattioli's) has indeed given the invocation at Pocono before Sprint Cup races. Pocono is also one of a few places in NASCAR-land where we Bro's of St. Pete can get to Mass.
Back to the topic...maybe the folks in the truck need prayed for--we've tried cussin' and it hasn't seemed to help.
@David - Yeah, I have HD too. They look like sardines, though.
@wickedj - Not to mention that comment about Rusty going after someone with the baseball bat was wrong... I'm thinking the Wallaces would be on the receiving end of that bat, not on the giving end.
The jet dryers are out. THAT can't be good.
low def here at the house, they DONT fit at all. lol
Last fight Rusty was in was with Big E at Bristol lol
@MV - Thanks, now I have to go clean Coke off my monitor. :p
Carl foot - drink
What a revelation Spake. The guy with the broken foot won't be doing a backflip if he wins? really?
Practice was interrupted earlier today for rain.
starting position challenged, ok i laughed... +1 for that
So will Steven look like Mark Martin tonight or JWT's distant cousin?
So did DJ say in the preproduction meeting, no more 'real' backseat driving I've got the wheel or will he let the train wreck?
Q&A BEFORE the race is lame. Let Jr focus....sheesh.
will save other gripes for camera work. I put my anthem gripe on twitter. :)
I live in Atlanta- there seems to be some type of force field at the Alabama state line that causes the rain to die down. There was a bunch of rain in Alabama yesterday just like today- it never really made it here.
I think we'll be fine.
Vince Welch: So, how do you feel about creaming the wall so hard it knocked ur teeth out?
Driver:Mrrphmmmmfffpiffffff.....just great Vince!
@drT: thanks. it was just a random thought that hit because i'd just been over at church, setting up for tomorrow's service.
uh oh! is my driver and the pole sitter the dreaded "in-race reporter"? definitely not a good history for those guys . . .
late Rev Hal Marchman of Motor Racing Outreach used to close the invocation with 'Shalom and Amen' ...haven't heard that closing lately ...we can hope for timely cautions so AB can provide a useful wrap of on-track action
Just got in the car at the dog park - what in the H E double hockey sticks was that excuse for an anthem? And somebody needs to get the PA guy a lozenge.
It seems like every week a Cup driver is the in-race reporter they always ask how is it different from the Sprint Cup car. I think the drivers are tired of answering the same thing & fans are tired of hearing what they already know.
One more time, ESPN. It's still not too late to let AB run this telecast. Please. I beg you.
walter, that was my all time fav!
He was a very nice guy.
With the (lack of) attendance at this race, I can't blame Bruton Smith for wanting to move one of these races to Kentucky.
whos that pitting?
start and parks already heading to pit road to fall back...
yea ...he expressed thanks for the green grass, blue sky and clear water, then after asking for a safe race, would appropriately say, 'Lord, hold off on the rain so we can complete the race' ...heard that at Michigan a few years back, too
@JD--bummer that you lost Classic :(
I was thinking the same about that PA guy. He sounds like he should be a rasslin' announcer :p
SheDAISY did a great job!
I'm getting dinner together so I only had to "hear" Brent's segment luckily didn't have to watch.
I was also wondering if they were going to bring up the drug policy question! I wonder what PJs MattMatt is wearing :p
So far AB has done all the play-by-play from the infield studio & Dale & Andy are the analysts in the booth. Ray & Rusty are just there.
Earlier today John Daly posted the following comment on Twitter:
"Junior on SPEED TV sounded like a housewife on Prozac. What a sad time for him and his fans"
I take Prozac and I am deeply offended by your comment. What do you know about Prozac and reasons for taking it?
For your information, I am a Camping World East Series driver and take Prozac with the knowledge and consent of NASCAR. I'm am subject to NASCAR drug testing and my level must equal those prescribed by my doctor.
By the way, what do you do for a living besides sit in front of a TV and yell at the announcers?
prn announcer just said "kyle busch is NOT going to lose the championship to a guy driving with a broken foot . . ."
does that qualify as an "edwards foot comment" and warrant a drink?
or is it just a weirdly stupid comment?
Dont show any excitement for the start of the race, please...
Let's see if DJ can get things organized.
to be fair i think most of the empty seats were closed off for this race beforehand so they weren't available to seat anyone
Carl foot - drink
Someone get a stopwatch, lets see how long they spend talking about his foot
so... basicaly.....NO play by play...charming..shannon?
Oops, forgot to post the FoxTrax leaderboard:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/national/foxTrax
--KarenB
DJ is trying
Very nice, DJ! "First start and park..."
sure sounds like earnhardt, harvick and kahne are putting on a show at the front of the track. at least it's not the "carl edwards foot update" show on prn.
DJ on the start and park! And then 2 people take at the same time... haha
Yea, DJ!
talk not take
Editor -
Interested to see attendance Sunday because this morning Atlanta GM Eddie Smith(?) was interviewed on Raceday on Fox and pushed hard 'come on out to see a great race' ...guess that's a true promoter to sell every ticket for every show ...oops, didn't hear DJ say start and park, but a mention of McDowell going to garage with no explanation
My theory as to why Rusty was a step behind last weekend, was cuz he was on the radio with steven and brendon most of the time and not paying attention. Wonder if that happens with others who have garage interests
7 laps, 1 on board so far?
it looks like they are trying to unzoom a little, better than the michigan race so far...
McDowell is a start and park, thats who DJ was referring to as start and park
Despite the commercial after only seven laps, we're off to a good start. DJ mentioned McDowell's S&P, good camera angles, and no awkward pauses. Here's hoping it lasts!
Off subject. Does JR know any other line on the track other than the high line. Pretty bad.
Atlanta is big enough to look 75% empty and still have 40,000 people there- not so bad for NW
McDowell's 203-point lead over 11th place in points is probably the reason he's not running the full race tonight.
#90 and #91 are out too...
Since Atlanta is an SMI track the race is being carried by PRN, but so far the SMI-PRN guys have made no comment about the PA announcers voice problem.
MSRP cars (#90 & #91) parkin' on lap 5 & 4 respectively. #78 looks out, too.
@David - Yeah, a lot of the seats were closed off but Kentucky regularly sells out Nationwide events. Can you imagine what they'd be able to charge for a Cup race?
Whew!--I'll let you Planeteers settle this one. 137+ comments and the race not 10 minutes old?
As for me, I'm saving my liver for tomorrow when I watch the NSCS coverage from a watering hole near my office. If past history and what I'm seeing tonight is any indication, the "TwitterBerry" will be as fermented as the "Great American Lager" that will need to be consumed to deal with this mess.
Seriously, it's a real shame that you fans have to put up with this stuff.
NUTS! I spoke too soon. Stupid bumper cam.
Good straightforward explination of S&P's by AB
Full S&P update by AB... Add 47, 49, and 78.
Now, the 05 is pulling in too.
McDowell is parking because he could not get a ride with another team, so he is driving the S&P #96. He was racing in the #26, but Brian Keselowski had to go back in the car so he could stay in the top 20 in driver points & collect the bonus money at the end of the season.
Good broadcast so far.
Atlanta still sells 100,000 seats for a cup race-- far more than Kentucky has or would have
Andrew, Kentucky only has 40,000 seats. Lets not praise Kentucky for being limited to a small section of grandstands at the start/finish line. That is my #1 reason they CANNOT get a cup date in my book. They only seat 40-60,000.
If Atlanta has 40,000 in the stands, its a wash either track.
I really liked that Bestwick recap out of commercial, plus a more detailed explanation and list of S&P, before throwing back to the booth. Bumbled a little bit, but gave us everything we wanted to know.
McDowell coming back out to pick up some spots I think...
prn reporting vickers has some loose air hoses that will need to be tightened on the first pit stop.
reports of several "very, very loose" cars.
we can land on the moon, we have wifi for the world wide web, but we cant have consistant communications between car and pitS?
man the field is so spread out.
Single car shots & in-car camera begins.
man Ray needs to slow up a bit.
@David - 40,000? Really? Wow, I totally had my mental numbers wrong; though Kentucky was 70,000 for some reason.
time for wideshots. THIS is when its important.
IF I'm not mistaken, Phil Parsons is one of the 2 owners of MSRP, which is really beginning to irritate me (being a Morgan S. fan) since Morgan missed the field again today, for at least the 3rd or maybe 4th time in a row.
As a former attendee of the Atl race weekend for 7 years, I would like to just add the fact that a lot of fans go to races based on time. My brother and I go to Daytona in Feb, Dega in Apr, and Now Dega again in Oct. We would have loved to go back to Atl but this weekend does not work with our schedules. In talking to alot of the campers around us they have the same problem. The price of the tickets is probably as cheap as any on the schedule but a lot of the people couldn't change weekends. Sometimes attendance has more to do with than just money.
@Buschseries61 - Keselowski got back in the #26 at Montreal, but he was the start and park and left the good car to McDowell in the #96, which he took to an 11th-place finish. Keselowski was in no danger of falling out of the top-30 at Montreal.
All four guys are amped up right now, I think it will settle down.
DJ is doing a good job so far.
I guess there is not one clump of cars to be seen or is this qualifying??
David,
were you trying to say earlier, that McDowell was NOT a S&P, even though DJ said so?
Should they correct themselves if he calls someone an S&P and they ACTUALLY return to the race.
I'm guessing the #96 made some changes that they couldn't do on pit road to make McDowell actually "race"?
Per Wikipedia, Kentucky has 66,000 seats.
Still far less than what Atlanta does sell.
No-one in the booth wants to do the go-to-commercial bumper. LOL!
Weird lead ins to commercials.
Richard,
insiderracingnews.com has the story of Morgan Shepherd.
Looks like he is done for good. Out of money after the problems in Montreal.
Good article, but sad.
I understand the whole S&P thing - I really do - but to see all these cars parked while Morgan Shepherd is laying off people just stinks.
@Richard - MSRP is Marcia (Parsons), Stacey (Humphrey), Randy (Humphrey) and Phil (Parsons). The only full race they ran was at Watkins Glen a month ago, with a car obtained from Cardinal Motorsports (#77).
Andrew, my bad. Kentucky is 70,000. Nashville is 40-ish. Actually 30 now that I looked.
Still, I feel as if KY has work to do for a Cup date...the Garage needs to be addressed unless NW and Cup will have separate standalone dates, etc.
If Atlanta sells 100k in seats though, its still a better draw than Kentucky.
Problem is Bruton overbuilt ALL his tracks. Charlotte never sells out anymore since he added that stupid grandstand in 3-4 and now Atlanta is suffering due to poor scheduling/too many stands. Atlanta is like Rockingham, great racing, but doggone it just cant fill the place up consistently.
caution: gaughn hit the wall.
Patrick McDowell has been twittering that they will S&P tonight, I'm guessing they just want to pick up a few spots.
@Kevin - Yeah, that's what I thought. And it's all concentrated on the start/finish line. They could probably add a lot more seats if they were able to get a Cup date.
We have a caution while they were running a ESPN promo. Couldn't they at least stop those to fill us in before the rest of the commercials? And I don't think that was a local break, since the 'bottom line' was still running.
another expensive weekend for Rusty
Bestwick with the out of commercial recap and scene set.
Smart...
Patrick, McDowell is a start and park, DJ called him as such but some guys who are start and park tend to come back out and "win" the start and park race. Since Micheal is racing for top 20 in points, he came back out to get the 3 or 4 more spots then parked again.
sorry but these "backseat drivers" needs a play by play man. is too dry for me.
@Patrick - I expect McDowell to park it once he's passed Atwood for position.
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