With Bestwick In Place, ESPN Needs to Fix "NASCAR Now"

One day after Allen Bestwick stepped into the host role for ESPN's NASCAR Countdown, things returned to "normal" at the network. Studio host Erik Kuselias presented the one hour NEXTEL Cup pre-race edition of NASCAR Now. Along for the ride this Saturday morning in the studio were Stacy Compton and Tim Cowlishaw. It was a bumpy ride.

Kuselias faced an audience that was still pumped-up over Bestwick's return to their living rooms. ESPN had shown that their original NASCAR TV "talent experiment" was coming to an end. Things needed to return to a level of credibility and trust that would allow the ESPN NEXTEL Cup telecasts to succeed, because the clock is ticking.

Unfortunately, Kuselias continues to be unable to demonstrate the kind of "politeness" that NASCAR fans have come to expect from professional TV hosts. His treatment of the drivers who did not make the race was crude, and his comments about them saying "honey, I'm home" or watching from their transporters were amateurish and embarrassing. When he deviates from the script, his antagonistic sports radio side shines through clearly.

The NASCAR Now credibility problem was exposed in this show when a tired ESPN veteran Mike Massaro came on to answer the "four on the floor" group of questions from Kuselias. These are scripted in advance, and Kuselias just reads them. Today, Massaro forgot one driver name when answering a question, and asked Kuselias to fill-in the blank for him. The easy answer was Jimmie Johnson. Kuselias did not have a clue, and could not handle this actual request for NASCAR information. He knows nothing about this sport. A flustered Kuselias could offer absolutely no help. He was put on the spot, and revealed to be a fraud.

On March 7th, The Daly Planet ran a column entitled "Those Who Know." At issue was the difference between those who clearly know NASCAR, like Alan Bestwick, Randy Pemberton, or Mike Massaro, and those on the other side. This year, the other side features those who "ESPN says" know NASCAR. This group has featured Erik Kuselias, Doug Banks, Brent Musburger, Chris Fowler, and Tim Cowlishaw. Its a fascinating culture clash occurring inside ESPN.

This problem happens when Kuselias asks if Indy 500 winner Juan Montoya knows "how to win on an oval?" It happens when Kuselias asks Brad Daugherty "which driver is in need of a strong finish in Las Vegas?" It happens when Kuselias questions Mark Martin's personal decision to mentor his son instead of competing at Bristol. It happens when host Doug Banks says its shocking that Kyle Busch's HANS Device "broke." It happens when someone named David Amber shows up on NASCAR Now asking laughable questions of NASCAR drivers. I guess he is an ESPN reporter. People just seem to come and go like the wind, and that is part of the problem.

Marty Smith did not have a presence in this program until the end. Smith summed-up in his own way many of the previous stories that were painfully presented by Kuselias. Smith shifted into high gear, and was off to the races. He put-out more information in his one segment than the entire rest of the program. Its very clear to NASCAR Now viewers that Marty Smith and a new host are keys to this program.

While the other reporters bring solid credentials to the table, Smith is the front-line person who can get and hold the attention of the fan with his information. He is clearly plugged-in to the scene, and whether you like him or not, he tells it like it is. In the re-vamping of this series, Smith needs to assume a stronger role.

With Bestwick hosting the pre-race show, names like Randy Pemberton, Mike Massaro, and ESPN's own Ryan Burr have been mentioned as possible new hosts for NASCAR Now. Put any of those three alongside Stacy Compton, throw in Angelique Chengelis, David Newton, and Terry Blount with the news, and its a strong line-up. When hard-working reporter Shannon Spake is added to the mix, a new host would really have a NASCAR Now line-up that would serve the network well throughout the season.

Let's hope that ESPN strikes while the iron is hot and follows-up on the tremendously positive reviews that Bestwick received on NASCAR Countdown. There has never been a better time for a change that can produce positive results immediately for NASCAR Now and ESPN.

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ESPN Steps-Up And Allen Bestwick Steps-In

The first moment that the familiar tones of Allen Bestwick greeted TV viewers of the Busch Series pre-race show at Richmond, you just had a feeling. The first time the ESPN camera revealed Bestwick in a suit and tie looking as professional and polished as usual, you just had a feeling. When Bestwick looked to his left, there sat the one and only Jimmie Johnson smiling like a kid in a candy store. Once again, you just had a feeling. The feeling was that ESPN had finally recognized a problem, and made a move to fix it. And no one can fix a problem like that better than Allen Bestwick...period. The humble man that NASCAR fans love.

Without changing the style that has made him a household name, Bestwick calmly set the informal and free-flowing tone for the "new" Busch Series pre-race show. He worked hard to include Brad Daugherty, and called him the "voice of the fans." That is the first time anyone has tried to explain to viewers what the heck Daugherty was doing on this show. Its about time Daugherty was given a role, and allowed to be included in the conversation.

Right off the top of the show, Kyle Busch appeared to address his recent rash of accidents. Within minutes of opening the show, Bestwick had two drivers discussing recent events, Daugherty asking good questions, and a HANS device on the set for viewers to see. Then, as he transitioned to commercial, Bestwick set-off the pit reporter "whip-around" with three smiling reporters "teasing" the remainder of the show. This is exactly the type of clear-cut NASCAR news and information that fans have been thirsting for since Daytona. It seems those pit reporters were a little happier than usual with Mr. Bestwick at the helm.

Part of the promise ESPN made to NASCAR was to assist the Busch Series in developing a "personality." No one is better at that this season that Aussie Marcos Ambrose. Rapidly becoming a fan favorite, Ambrose is a great interview and really puts a "face" on a series dominated by NEXTEL Cup "buschwackers." Getting Marcos on-camera to talk about his Talladega experience, and his first crack at Richmond, was a nice touch. As Ambrose finished his interview, Mike Wallace and Juan Montoya were clowning around behind him, and rookie pit reporter Jamie Little jumped right in and interviewed both of them. For just a brief moment...the old ESPN was back. It was actually fun again at the track.

Then, unfortunately, things took a wrong turn. At Talladega, the "booth announcers" appeared in the Busch Series pre-race show, but never even mentioned the Busch race. The Daly Planet made a point of reminding ESPN/ABC Sports of that fact. At Richmond, when Bestwick "tossed it up" to Marty Reid, they did it again. Marty spoke with Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree, but not about the Busch race. DJ had just missed qualifying for the NEXTEL Cup event, and their entire on-camera segment focused on that fact. Never was the Busch Series race mentioned. How does this happen? DJ could have appeared on NASCAR Now, SportsCenter, or even ESPN News to deal with the qualifying issue. This time is for the Busch Series, and ESPN made a big mistake by interrupting the great flow of Bestwick's first show by catering to their NEXTEL Cup star.

Luckily, pit reporter Mike Massaro returned to the Busch beat with Kevin Harvick, who is always the story at Richmond. While Massaro interviewed Harvick, team owner Chip Ganassi was harassing Harvick off-camera and adding to the informal and good-spirited feeling of this segment. Returning to the beautiful ESPN set, Bestwick led an open discussion about Harvick, Busch Series ownership, and Harvick's RCR connections. ESPN was finally talking racing, and it was about time.

At long last, ESPN spent the time to prepare a feature report on a driver who is actually racing in the Busch race being telecast. It seems like a simple thing, but it has not been easy. A nice feature on Kyle Busch and his crew chief for both the Busch and Cup Series worked quite well. Then, they actually raced. What a concept.

After three long months of confusion and ego, there has to be some credit given to the ESPN executives bold enough to make a high-profile change like adding Bestwick. In one show, he has relaxed the anger of the fans and restored ESPN's credibility in this sport. If ESPN can focus the "booth announcers" segment on the Busch Series, and eliminate the ridiculous "what to watch for" questions, they have a winner. As the series moves to Darlington, let's hope that even more hard news and driver interviews are added into the show. Fans need to meet the Busch Series drivers and hear Busch Series information for the entire thirty minutes.

On behalf of The Daly Planet, and NASCAR fans everywhere, thank you to ESPN for bringing Allen Bestwick to the helm of NASCAR Countdown. This move will bring more benefits than ESPN can imagine as the series continues for the next seven months.

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Kyle Petty Quietly Making His Mark On "Tradin' Paint"

The recent transformation of SPEED Channel's Tradin' Paint show has resulted in a very interesting and refreshing voice appearing on TV. In the past, we have seen Kyle Petty in his role as driver, father, husband, and owner. As a group of fans, we have been with him through both triumph and tragedy of the highest order. Now, SPEED has offered him a platform to expand his presence in the sport, and he is making the most of it.

Michael Waltrip was the original "driver" on Tradin' Paint, which features John Roberts as host. The third panelist is a rotating journalist, who can be from the print, radio, or TV side of the business. In this episode, Brant James from the St. Petersburg (Florida) Times was on the panel. The program itself is a thirty minute fast-paced conversation about NASCAR topics of the week. This show originated from Talladega, and dealt mostly with topics that arose from the Phoenix racing weekend.

Petty began this show with a spirited defense of Tony Stewart, his comments, and his passion for racing. Kyle can speak from a great perspective, and brought to bear his personal insights about how and why drivers are so different, yet share such a singular passion. About Stewart, Petty said "we want characters in this sport, but when we get one...we try to crush him." Petty also said he was present in the Media Center when Stewart spoke after meeting with NASCAR, and pointed out the fact that Tony's perspective was changed not by force, but by facts. Nicely said.

When addressing Denny Hamlin's questionable pit road speeding violation, Petty related it to professional golf. "Its just like a golfer" said Petty, "you don't think about the sixty foot putt you made, you think about that shank in the water that cost you two strokes. Its the same with Denny, all he could think about is that he sped on pit road." Petty reminded everyone...Denny finished third despite the problems.

Then, Petty confronted the "flag controversy" about Jeff Gordon head-on. "Jeff Gordon is the classiest NASCAR driver and represents the sport better than anybody does today." Petty was emphatic and continued with "he (Gordon) is the face that we want NASCAR to be." Petty wrapped it up with his strongest statement on the program yet when he said "Jeff Gordon is our leader right now." Friends, that is a man taking a stand.

Dale Earnhardt Junior's contract negotiations were next, and Petty was on a roll. "His father started DEI, but that doesn't mean that Junior has to driver for DEI. His father drove for Childress. Budweiser, Junior, and NASCAR will be a package for a long time to come. So, don't start trading in your 8 stuff yet" said Kyle. He nicely framed this situation from a perspective of someone who knows the players, the game, and has been involved in it himself.

Finally, his most interesting comments of the night were reserved for the folks from Kentucky Speedway. In referring to Lisa France Kennedy and the International Speedway Corporation, Petty drew a historical comparison. "ISC invested in race tracks forty years ago when no one gave a rat's rear-end about this sport." He continued with "just because there are a bunch of people running around the country building race tracks and saying they need a date (race)...I don't care." Petty hammered home the fact that those who were there when times were tough deserve to be there when things are booming. An interesting analogy from the former "bad boy" turned businessman.

SPEED took a gamble when they brought Petty onto this show. Kyle can be difficult, and has been involved in some tough times with his race team. However, it is clear that Petty has achieved a new level of maturity and speaks from a well-rounded and calm perspective that really fits him. Even as Jeff Burton and Jeff Gordon stand-out as NASCAR media darlings, Petty is using this opportunity and his upcoming "break" to call races on TNT as a solid foundation for an eventual TV career.

With Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett and Darrell Waltrip speaking as former high-profile drivers and series champions, it certainly is interesting to hear opinions from someone who has slugged it out in the NASCAR trenches for decades, and continues to do so. Tradin" Paint deserves better exposure on SPEED, but its pretty easy to find if viewers take a minute to check the listings. I did this past week, and found a show that I now look forward to seeing the next time. Kudos to SPEED for making these changes, and keeping this show on the air.

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