Here we go with the first of six Sprint Cup Series races on TNT, but the story of Sunday is not the TV network, it is the weather.
Thunderstorms are expected in the area all afternoon and the teams are ready for a very long afternoon. TNT is perhaps the network that may have the toughest time filling a rain delay. They have no other NASCAR programming and if lightning shuts the TV compound down, it may be movie time for NASCAR fans.
It will be Lindsay Czarniak hosting the telecasts from the infield stage with Larry McReynolds. Joining that duo for the pre-race show will be Kyle Petty. McReynolds has the same cutaway car back for this season.
It will be Adam Alexander, Petty and Wally Dallenbach Jr. in the TV booth. This trio worked a session of practice on Saturday and sounded quite good. This is the first time calling play-by-play for Alexander and TNT really took a leap of faith on his selection.
TNT will return the online RaceBuddy application. Jim Noble, veteran PRN reporter, will be the dedicated online pit reporter working only for RaceBuddy users. There will be multiple cameras and online Twitter and social media feeds as well as live chat.
Kyle Petty has lead the way in social media interaction with fans and Adam Alexander told me this week he expects Petty to handle the live tweets in the TV booth. It should be interesting to see how year number two of this direct fan interaction works.
TNT has a history of showing NASCAR in a very different way than FOX. While FOX concentrates on one or two cars and the announcers talk about the video, TNT uses wideshots and follows the racing on the track all the time. Last season, this "old school" approach worked very well for the network.
TNT is integrated with the NASCAR.com website. Each race morning, a member of the TV team will host a live chat with fans. For post-race, the TNT gang will use NASCAR.com for live video coverage and reports.
This post will serve to host your comments and questions about the TNT coverage. To add your comment, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thank you for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
565 comments:
1 – 200 of 565 Newer› Newest»Today is first time in 2010 that I have watched RaceDay on SPEED.
The show is alot about nothing.
Kenny Wallace is unwatchable.
Ken, that is why we stopped live blogging it. No one can watch Kenny.
The problem Kenny has is he feels he needs to talk down to the race fan. Yet, expect that fan he's talking down to to continue watching. He's always so cynical and sarcastic towards the race fans, when he brings up double-file restarts, "have at it", etc. (things the fans have asked for).
Mike, that has been tough to take this season.
They've posted a Tornado Watch for Monroe Count, the ounty Pocono Raceway is in, until 8p.m. tonight.
Breaking my season long pre-race show boycott for TNT. Hope they don't disappoint.
This is unknown waters for TNT. Got a new infield host and a new play by play guy.
Lindsay will start her pre-race hosting career with an interview with Joe Gibbs.
Probably be a very good interview, but it leaves something to be desired in the creativity department among those of us who watch NBC 4 in D.C.
@JD- Think Adam will break the curse of pit reporters doing play-by-play?
Well, Vince Welch certainly did not break it last night. He had a rough outing.
bevo, they are highlighting one of the legends again, Mario! Should be good.
Be worth watching if Kyle or Wally has to assume the role that Dale Jarrett had to play when Dr. Punch was in the ESPN/ABC booth.
It's good to see Mr. NASCAR™ back.
No... not Mr. Excitement (Jimmy Spencer).
Wally Dallenbach... ;o)
Hey JD,
Care to remind us how Wally got in that NBC booth to begin with. Was it an open audition or something. AB and BP were obvious choices.
Wally worked in the NBC booth with BP. Allen does play by play.
Kenny Wallace the television personality on RaceDay is a Buffoon.
Why would the producers of that show not replace him with a professional?
RaceDay used to be a goofball show. They used to dress up in judges robes with white wigs and hold mock trials for drivers.
The show changed over the years. Jimmy Spencer could not fit in and he got moved on. Kenny is having a tough time this year.
Wendy and Hermie are shining and they are really the heart of the program right now.
And it was a fun goofball show. I never seemed it. But the last couple of yrs, it took on a dif tone & became unappealing.
Kyle Petty offers decent information, but I just wish he'd control all of his stuttering at the start of almost every statement he makes.
Larry Mac is simply on too much TV.... way too much. He also needs to allow the play-by-play guy do the PBP. Too many times I'm saying " shut up Larry! "
Adam Alexander is going to do just fine in the booth. Only question is.... How much excitement can he bring into his race call ? It has to be genuine, not phony. But at Pocono, I'll give him a free pass, not much exciting about Pocono. Next week at Michigan, he better be on his horse.
I'm interested today to see what kind of graphics package TNT brings to the broadcast. Will they unveil anything new ?
How will TNT do with Rain Delay ??
BTW - rain getting very close to Pocono.
I dont expect green flag til almost 3pm.
Kenny Wallace is a joke on raceday.
Ken, it's funny how Kyle sounds more like his dad all the time.
Forecast says 90% of rain and RaceDay is saying there's a 10% chance of rain. LOL
umm missed it, I mean...oops.
Guess I missed that memo - TNT has March Madness next year?
You can Google the CBS/Turner deal on that topic.
ok, gave up on RD b/c of kenny wallace so now i'll try countdown to green but my patience is already thin.
great intro already, both music and lindsey c!
When I see Lindsay opening up this broadcast on TNT, I can't help but picture Krista in the Hollywood Hotel for Fox.
already love the intro!!!
Big change of pace from the Hollywood Hotel.
wow what a difference. For once a pre-race show is not lame.
Imagine that! A pre-race show that starts off talking about the race. Radical concept.
No complaints here.....10 minutes in, not one thing about themselves, no jokes....they're talking about the stories regarding the race! Thumbs up!
RaceBuddy looks good. Jim Noble is doing an update from pit road.
it is very different from the hollywood hotel indeed
and krista voda is, in my opinion, much better than lindsay czarniak is so i think she should be the new host, and if not her jeanne zelasko
haha jk, really the new host should be krista voda or steve byrnes
phil parsons, solid debut
he'll do a solid job
someone's dog was just barking in the background on RB! lol
One problem with the TNT package is that it is only six races.
Most of the big pros are tied-up by contracts and cannot cross-over.
Matt Yocum worked a pretty good deal.
Are you folks having issues where the audio keeps cutting into static every few seconds, or is there an issue with their uplink to DirecTV?
i would like to see tnt do more races, they have always done a solid job even though i dont love dallenbach
hey jd, when do the tv contracts expire? maybe tnt will pay for more races? no more fox? who knows
No problems on cable. How about you dish users?
A very good pre-race show that is not over-hyped like an ESPN pre-race show.
Love the Mario segment. This is the kind of thing a pre-race show should do to introduce new race fans to the history of this sport as well as give a nod to us oldtimers.
I am good with dish
A little of what sounds like generators or something on DirecTV but nothing else. Not enough to be distracting for me.
watching via DirecTV no probs
I would not be shocked to see TNT attempt to form some fort of alliance with CBS, particularly if the new Turner-CBS joint package for March madness works out well.
HD feed through Comcast is good.
I have Direct TV and when they went to the booth the audio signal dropped and sounded hollow.
Nice to have a pre-race show with no Pizzi.
(DirecTV here too)
Audio troubles during the pit reporters segment. Sounded like someone was keying a mic on that frequency.
Problem lasted 2 or 3 minutes, cleared up now.
What's with the rotating set? It's driving me crazy. What a silly thing to have at a race track. Does it add anything to the broadcast but make those on the thing dizzy?
yes, Direct TV is cleared up now.
Darcie, it's hilarious. They build this wild set and the spinning is not really good for widescreen TV viewers.
On 2007, it rained at Pocono and Marty Snider and the pit reporters got the control and took turns spinning Bill Weber in circles.
Weber was not happy. ROFL!
Man, this weather deal is sketchy!
they seem to not know when their mikes are hot...but it's kinda funny....
Looks like they'll have no problem getting the race started.....how far they get is another story.
Glen, think they were talking about the weather.
Nice RaceBuddy so far, hope the rain holds off daggone it.
ya' know, i am so glad to be able to say that i am very much enjoying this pre-race programming right now. the andretti interview was excellent, loved that little B&W photo of the king in that doorway.
didn't evn mind the segment w/larry mac & the tech car.
Ponytail Express! Awesome!
Here's a Weather Statement issued by the National Weather Service a couple of minutes ago.
AT 1238 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 16 MILES SOUTHWEST OF WILKES-BARRE...MOVING EAST
AT 45 MPH. THE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR BLAKESLEE...EAST SIDE AROUND
100 PM...SKYTOP...GOULDSBORO STATE PARK AROUND 115 PM AND HAINESVILLE
AROUND 145 PM.
THIS STORM WILL ALSO PASS CLOSE TO THE POCONO RACEWAY AFTER 100 PM.
WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH AND SMALL HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
First time in I don't know how long I've enjoyed a pre-race.
Loved Mario's interview. The Ponytail Express was a hoot.
The weather is looking "iffy" at best.
The word "halfway" comes to mind.
TNT - Loving it!
Hate to ask, but is Ernie Johnson or someone standing by in the Atlanta studios?
This has been a really good pre race show. Relevant information given succinctly, and with humor when appropriate. Race Buddy looks great...a perfect day so far.
I noticed them struggling with paperweights trying to keep everything pinned down on the desk. That's one of the disadvantages of having an outdoor set, but it's worth it for the viewers.
Nope! That is why I think it might be movie time after the rain hits.
radar looks like there will be an interruption at 2 or so and then they should be able to finish. Takes a while to dry though, Kyle may need his notes for that delay...
well, THAT was an awkward edit of the end of the lindsay c/coach gibbs segment! need to tighten up on those details.
but the interview itself was strong.
Wally on the wing was great.
Tks.JD Ron Il.
Ernie's off doing baseball on TBS today (Yankees at Toronto)
I don't know my history. Did not know or FORGOT Mario won Daytona 500. Great interview. On my old tv kept hearing subtle noise in background...would hit mute & sound went away..thought there were people talking in our yard from next door. But it was slight audio background on TNT.
on RB hearing driver intros but not seeing them? Anybody else?
Hope Cam work is good...or tv is off.
First time attempting to watch ENTIRE RACE LIVE!!!
p.s. My house mate is going to hook up the 24 in flatscreen next to 52 in tv (for race buddy) Same way we watched Indy 500 so we had their radio bunch!!
Wunderground has a 90% chance of rain until 11:00 PM tonight with a tornado watch until 8.
just for the record: it takes at least 2 1/2 hours to dry this track if it rains substantially. even light rain will take almost an hour to dry.
it can also rain on the backstretch and not on the frontstretch at pocono and vice versa.
There's been a few minor glitches taking place here and there.
Glad to be back live this week, had family duties last weekend.
Really enjoying RaceBuddy so far and I thought that the pre-race was very good.
Fingers crossed on the weather
Chat is usually a little slower for these races because folks are watching RaceBuddy and multi-tasking.
Great pre-race so far, just stop the spinning stage
Who is looking at live radar? What is the weather deal?
The crowd looks pretty good for an iffy weather day.
just looked at radar, big storm closing in, looks like it is 30 min away. Clear behind it
i also got a the noise problem and i have directv, mustve been the weather
From the National Weather Service:
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY NJ HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... NORTHERN CARBON COUNTY IN NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA... MONROE COUNTY IN NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA... THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF MOUNT POCONO... SUSSEX COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NEW JERSEY... THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF NEWTON...
* UNTIL 200 PM EDT
* AT 1250 PM EDT... NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL... AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SCRANTON TO 10 MILES SOUTH OF WILKES-BARRE TO 30 MILES WEST OF LEHIGHTON... AND MOVING EAST AT 75 MPH.
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR... GOULDSBORO STATE PARK AND WHITE HAVEN AROUND 105 PM EDT... TOBYHANNA... BLAKESLEE AND WEATHERLY AROUND 110 PM EDT... CHRISTMANS... SKYTOP... LAKE HARMONY AND CANADENSIS AROUND 115 PM EDT... PENN FOREST RESERVOIR AROUND 120 PM EDT...
THESE STORMS WILL ALSO AFFECT THE POCONO RACEWAY.
how do you change incar driver on RB? tia..
JD, there's a very strong line of storms just to the northwest of Pocono.
Weather service has upgraded its alert for Long Pond, Pa.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY NJ HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... NORTHERN CARBON COUNTY IN NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA... MONROE COUNTY IN NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA... THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF MOUNT POCONO... SUSSEX COUNTY IN NORTHWEST NEW JERSEY... THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF NEWTON...
* UNTIL 200 PM EDT
* AT 1250 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SCRANTON TO 10 MILES SOUTH OF WILKES-BARRE TO 30 MILES WEST OF LEHIGHTON...AND MOVING EAST AT 75 MPH.
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR... GOULDSBORO STATE PARK AND WHITE HAVEN AROUND 105 PM EDT... TOBYHANNA...BLAKESLEE AND WEATHERLY AROUND 110 PM EDT... CHRISTMANS...SKYTOP...LAKE HARMONY AND CANADENSIS AROUND 115 PM EDT... PENN FOREST RESERVOIR AROUND 120 PM EDT...
THESE STORMS WILL ALSO AFFECT THE POCONO RACEWAY.
JD, rumors are that you are replacing chris myers
confirm or deny
Sorry MikeC, didn't see you got it too.
No way they should be starting this race right now, or have anyone in the (metal) grandstands.
These guys will be driving late into the afternoon if these storms happen. Does anyone know, does Pocono have lights?
Lindsey said Michigan next week - isnt next week Loudon and Michigan fathers day in two weeks?
Darcie, no lights -- it is way too big.
i think tnt just hit all the right marks with the countdown to green show: informative, intelligent, witty, interesting. certainly, a most welcome change and i'll now make plans to watch each week as a result.
great production earns this viewer's loyalty!
no lights in Pocono
tnt is by far the best theme tnt has used
it works, unlike the last 2 mediocre bands ruining good songs the last couple of years
would like to see them return to fuel though, that theme was great
They'll probably do pre-race ceremonies, get those out of the way, and then hold off on starting the race until the Warning is cancelled or expires.
Well, the in-cars are still up so that is great.
Race strategy will be interesting. If they have a weather shortened race, they will have to race from the very start.
OMG, those clouds look nasty. I bet they'll not even start this race, but clear everything out beforehand.
WOW, finally someone who knows how to sing our anthem. Great Job
i agree but it makes too much sense that it will never happen
if mlb can do it, nascar should
Now that's how to sing the national anthem!!! Old school.
GREAT respectful anthem!
i am SO optimistic going into this broadcast! what a change!
Very respectful anthem. I love his voice!
Oh shiz. We wont be racing until 4pm, says the radar.
Man, I am so looking forward to this. A pre-race show that's actually relevant no screaming and acting like a bunch of ephedrine-laced clowns, a National Anthem not sung by the latest pop-flavored tart from American Idull,and, most importantly, no DeeDubbayoo.
Wow, if that weather goes past without raining, it will be a miracle.
I'm joining in on my first TDP Race blog today I have TNT on the TV and Race Buddy Fired up online LETS RACE
Man, the clouds are closing in fast. I don't know if we will get started.
Surprised they had them fire up the cars. They'll be back out of them in 5 minutes.
Hey everyone, 18 radio speculating, 42 radio saying they will be close to making the green but they probably won't take it.
Interested to see Adam Alexander's PBP debut...let's see how this goes!
Anybody ever figure out what the exact story was as to what Bill Weber did to get canned last year?
Clouds look much worse on RaceBuddy
42 Spotter: "Is it bad when you can feel the lightning before it pops?"
Wrabb: welcome aboard! but be forewarned: when the broadcast is strong, the comments are decreased b/c we're all actually watching the race!
I wonder if they'll evacuate the spotters if lightning gets too close!
Still boggles my mind that TV pays no attention to weather radar.
Delay the start, give race fans in the stands a chance to take cover.
Now DirecTV audio is acting up now.
I forgot how cool Race Buddy really is.
Don't need to talk to the drivers in the car - adds nothing
Kyle Busch reporting rain behind turn 3. Spotter says when it hits it will go fast
bevo: i intensely dislike in-car driver interviews for that reason & because i really want the driver and crew chief to be talking to each other.
tnt could be bold and drop it . . .
Maybe the PRISM cars just won't return from the rain delay and Phil Parsons can avoid that question.
There was audio problems with Charter cable to.
Hi, everyone - Ugly sky over there in Pocono. I skipped the raceday show - Kenny and DW - no way I'm ruining my Sunday.
TNT's countdown was pretty good -- actually intelligent conversation.
Phil's chasing those pesky wabbits!
Love the Full Screen on RaceBuddy - even on a netbook it looks great
haven't they in the past bumped up the start time to beat the weather?
Montoya/Bowyer intro had audio probs on COX too, it must have been a network problem.
Waved off start, Kyle Busch says it will be wet next time through
Kenny Wallace should remember that its the race fans who are the reason the drivers get to do what they do instead of thinking that he is why we watch.
Personally I think he just has NO brain cells left.
Sounds like its raining on some parts of the track -- the problem with that big a track is it can be raining in one place and clear in another.
Anyone trying the Million Dollar Race Challenge?
There has not been a hint of a problem with Dish all day where I am.
Please don't start under green/yellow . . .
I hope everyone signed-up for the million dollar challenge. No brackets in this one.
I like that the RB camera is showing the clouds around the track...not trying to fool us about the weather.
The sound effects featured with the graphic package is very irritating in Dolby digital 5.1.
@Darcie - Nope. Don't need any more spam than I already get :)
Spotters are assuring they WILL race today this storm will pass.
Pretty solid start so far for this TNT bunch, got RB up but audio quiet.
Adam should do very well today.
Severe Thunderstorm warning in the area, Kyle Busch wants a new visor if they stop the cars on pit road.
Waved off again
kyle is likely right: it will blow thru quickly but it will take time to dry it out -- a LOT of time.
hope they have rain-delay "stuff" ready to run.
Oh wow, great shot of the sky, half black and half white
raining at Pocono!
I agree regarding the annoying sound effects/graphic deal. Sounds way out of context. I'm on Dish Network in the North GA mountains, btw.
Looks like the "gust front" is there right now. Lots of wind but no rain yet.
It's looking Rough for Sure
I like that the fan challenge gives you 50 laps in the event of someone having an early exit
cars heading for pit road
Pit road already soaked
I have a low end computer and with the added features of racebuddy my video is now jerky. I can't really watch it now.
Bummer.
Pack it up for a while.
The radar shows the rain between the track and Berwick to the west.
The really heavy, serious storms are to the north of the track, moving east.
Hope none of the lights fall onto the track in all this wind!
they just told the spotters to get OFF the roof.
What was the point of that. TNT may need a new feature. Chad Myers in the CNN Weather Center.
Im trying to figure out what those guys are doing on the flagstand.
18 turned off radio to conserve battery
LOL....it's funny listening to MRN....they keep referring this rain as "sprinkles".
RaceBuddy has NASCAR Race Control live video up.
I think it's time to get ready for Rain Delay Programing
Petty doesn't care about Kryle's non-Cup stats -- what a refreshing change from the non-stop "OMYGODKYLE'SSOAWESOMETHEYSHOULDJUST CROWNHIMCHAMPIONRIGHTNOWHE'SSOWONDERFULHE'SBETTERTHANANYONEEVER!!!!!!!!
Off to watch Golf. See ya all later.
I have time for 9 holes of golf before this race starts.
see ya at 3:45 for green flag
Anyone know if they lost the whole track to rain?
I enjoyed the TNT prerace. The weekly interviews with past legends of the sport are great - FOX does not even come close.
I'm lovin RaceBuddy, the various camera shots of the storm are crazy!
Doesn't look like the track is really that gone JD, at least not the whole track.
I hate rain delays here...this probably just messed up my odds to see the finish so I might be praying for a total wash now
According to RB, it's pouring & they lost the track.
Whole track is GONE
Well, this means we have over two hours of rain delay. Welcome to live TV, Adam.
They have TWO pit studios? Wow
I'm about done with TNT's audio/video synch issues. It's like watching a Chinese dubbed movie. No matter what sports they broadcast, they have the same issues.
18 team com: "Wesley just swam over here to the truck"
look at racebuddy mosaic and you can see how heavy its raining..they have definitely lost the track
Trying to figure out where Lindsay and Larry Mac really are.
Where was that secret indoor set located? And was that a green screen behind them?
Also No Lights so how late can you start the race to end it before dark?
The Severe Thunder Warning has now been extended until 2:30p.m.
MRN is going to go off the air until 3p.m.....so it doesn't look like they'll be going green until at least then.
That is most definitely a green screen. The chroma key is showing the edges.
You have light in Pocono until around 7:30/8 pm EST, so with a 4:15 runtime you have until 3:45-ish to try and get going otherwise your trying to get to halfway
Seeing shadows behind Larry, so it does not look like a key.
No audio synch problems for me on DirecTV SD
That looks very strange, not a key because of the shadows, but in the wide shot Larry looks superimposed, must be a strange angle.
dont blame TNT for any audio synch problem - blame cable company
this is the nice part of 1pm starts, there's sufficient time to recover from rain delays at tracks without lights
I've been to Pocono - no Mickey D's anywhere within 20 miles.
Just got through reading all the comments. Enjoyed the pre show. I could do without Larry - toooo much of him on fox and too politically nascar correct.
Last season TNT was careful to use Larry Mac more in a strategy role. I really thought we would see Lindsay with Kyle.
RaceBuddy video is unfortunately not working where I am. The connection has not streamed for more than four seconds at a time, and this is after it buffers for 15-20 seconds. The chat is OK. The leaderboard is not yet applicable since the race is not started.
I switched browsers and it still has not fixed the problem.
I'm thinking I'll use the rain delay to fix myself something to eat and come back in a couple hours. See y'all later!
RaceBuddy works on Flash technology. If your computer is an iPad or you do not have Adobe Flash downloaded, you will not get the video streams.
The computer should have prompted you to download it when you came to the NASCAR.com page.
Going to mow the lawn. See you guys in a couple of hours
Looks like this race will be rained out. The weather looks horrible.
Race Buddy...I was prompted to download an app called "octogrid" or something like that, in addition to having Adobe Flash. Once I downloaded that app I was watching Race Buddy and the picture quality was great!
Looks like it's clearing up to me.
nice to see the blue skies again, but I'll probably have to go out before they get it started again, so I'll have to hook up the radio and listen while I drive.
WRabb - they will run out of light around 7:30 - 8 p.m.
the weather is defiently clearing up
the audio problems? not so much
Water and TV does not mix.
LOL -- JD - I hadn't thought about the rain affecting the TV feed.
Just saw the end of the Marcos Ambrose interview. Was that Phil interviewing his coworker?
The images of Pocono behind Larry Mac are definitely keyed in, but the rest of the set looks real. Is it inside one of their trucks? Maybe even the same truck as the outdoor set?
Marcos doesn't work for Phil, Marcos works for BD and Waltrip
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