I found a good article entitled:
“Dialing It In: Where Does ESPN Go From Here? Why Fans Are So Mad…
by Jay Pennell
Link: http://www.frontstretch.com/jpennell/31695/
This poll is included with the above article:
What does ESPN need to do the most to make things better?
1. Less commercials
2. Different talent in the broadcast booth
3. Focus on all 43 cars
4. More wide shots to see more action
5. All of the above
6. None of the above
The author went back twelve years and compared two NASCAR broadcasts on ESPN from the 1998 season (when NASCAR hit it's high water mark in television ratings) to two similar broadcasts from 2010. What he found might interest you.
By the way… Did you hear about ESPN’s top NASCAR producer (Neil Goldberg with 30 years of televised racing experience) who just got busted in Farmington Connecticut for public indecency, simple trespass, disorderly conduct and breach of peace? In other words… PEEPING TOM!
ESPN hasn’t made a public statement other than to announce Mr. Goldberg will not be with their broadcast team in Fontana this weekend…
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Ya know, last weekend wasn't a good one for Kyle Busch…
First, during the final restart of the Kansas Nationwide race, Busch, running second with teammate Joe Logano first, got sacked by Bad Brad Keselowski who, once the racing went green, shoved Logano past Busch catapulting the 20 car to victory. Busch got snookered on his normally dominating restarts by none other than the guy he mixed it up with at Bristol (yes... the guy that called Busch an ass in front of the Bristol crowd)… Both Logano and Keselowski stated later they had helped each other before and that it was Logano’s turn for the assist.
Do you truly think Brad would have helped Joe if the second place driver was anyone other than Kyle Busch?
To top that off, Kyle got into David Reutimann’s bumper in the Kansas Sprint Cup Chase Race the following day and (IMHO) unintentionally spun the 00 car. Back on the track later in the race Reutimann, without a snowball’s chance in the race by this time, went headhunting. At the urging of his crew chief Rodney Childers, Reutimann paid Kyle back resulting in the 18 sustaining damage to the rear of its drive train causing Busch to ultimately place 21st on the day.
This "payback" severely damaged Kyle’s chances in the Chase.
With all that in mind, tell me what you think:
Do you agree that Kyle:
1. Had it coming on both counts
2. Deserved the Nationwide outcome but not the Cup retaliation
3. Deserved the Cup Outcome but not the Nationwide assist
4. Kyle needs to tone it all down and become an also ran like so many others… You know, so the fans will like him more
5. It was all “That’s Racin”. Let it go
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Finally, the Chase moves way out West to Southern California this weekend…
Who’s the most likely to win in Fontana?
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Kevin Harvick
4. Carl Edwards
5. Jeff Gordon
So you don't think any of these chasers will win? Okay give your gut feeling on who will…
Come on, you can do it!
ESPN needs to do ALL of the above!
ReplyDeleteI seriously doubt BK would have tried so hard to help Little Joe if Kyle had not been in 2nd.
1. Kyle probably had it coming on both counts. Although I saw nothing dirty about BK helping Joey win. I already gave my feelings on the 18 vs 00 on RSO this week.
6, None of the above. Kyle is in max points mode now!
Too many questions! lol
ReplyDeleteI'll just go to the last poll.
Of the 5 drivers listed, Kevin Harvick is probably the least comfortable with this track. I know, it seems odd, since it's kind of his home track. But he just hasn't been that great at Fontana.
The Roush cars were hard to beat here, until Jimmie Johnson found the golden horse shoe. Still, Carl Edwards is a good pick. But I like Biff better.
Denny and Jeff are good for maybe top 5's. That leaves Jimmie. It's his race to loose, or win.
If you haven't checked out the article I highlighted I think it's worth the read. The comparisons after 12 years...
ReplyDeleteI've gotta agree with you on BK Gene, and no I didn't say what Brad did was dirty, but it certainly fits into the category of payback.
So Kyle's gonna be THE MAN!
Come on CR... What else you got cookin'? LOL
ReplyDeleteI like the process of elimination. Somehow you ended up with the guy that has owned Fontana for quite some time.
Thanks!
Finally read the article on ESPN from 12 years ago. David Garrett left a comment which may be the best ever.....
ReplyDeleteNASCAR coverage: Where to start.
It’s not just ESPN. FOX and SPEED coverage is run by failed carnies from the West Virginia state fair.
Start with:
No Scripts in the broadcast booth and only two reporters in the booth.
No Waltrips
No Wallaces
No Hollywood hotels
No pop ups on screen
A final view of Diggers hole being filled with concrete
Brian France resigning and moving back to California after turning the NASCAR keys over to Tony George.
Barney Hall & Bob Jenkins named only broadcasters for all Cup races.
Only Two night race per year. Bristol & All Star.(argue with me next Saturday night in Charlotte)
Lighten up on the rule book and let engineers do their thing.
Did I mention no Waltips?
Who is this guy Gene? Your alter ego? Sure sounds like someone I know... LOL
ReplyDeleteFailed carnies? LMAO!
I like night races. Maybe because I'm on the west coast? But the rest sounds like sound advice!
ReplyDeleteIt's not me Dwindy. I would definitely take credit for that rant if it was.
ReplyDeleteCR, that's the only one that I disagreed with, too. My favorite was filling Digger's hole with concrete. lol
I think CR tends toward the dark side! LOL
ReplyDeleteDwindy... You've really got me questioning my Trifecta pick this week. I was all set to pick Biffle, then I started thinking of the glove you threw at my feet!
ReplyDeleteTthey don't need to focus on all 43 cars....just show us the best battle on the track, even if it is for 30th, it's better than nothing.
ReplyDeleteAlso, and this may get me offside with people, they need more road courses. For whatever reason, this current car seems to make them interesting (anyone who argues that the Montoya v Ambrose duel for the first half of the Watkins race doesn't rank in the top 5 battles this year obviously didn't watch the race). Considering the commentators crap on about "the best drivers in the world", they should actually work for it more than twice a year since, with the possible exception of the plate races, the only time a driver can overcome the weaknesses of the car with raw talent (Robby's 2nd place finish at Sonoma for example) is on the road courses.
....of course, that's more an issue with the schedule rather than the networks, lol
ReplyDeleteHey CR...
ReplyDeleteDon't let me influence you man... Guess who's in last place? You got it!
All I'm sayin' is if Jimmie wins at Fontana it's your fault and guess what? You're gonna get the hex! LOL
You, Gene and Miss Mah Mah Manha need to have tunnel vision on the tezster...
Do you best!
I couldn't agree more on the road race deal tez!
ReplyDeleteSeems to me those two road races were damned fun to watch... The only thing I'd ask is they cut out the ringers (Said for one)... Let the regular NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers have at it!
Thanks tez, and watch your bumper, three punt artists are hot after ya!