The race to the chase is now three races old…and the Price Chopper 400 at Kansas Speedway almost looked to be another “Jimmie Johnson steals the show” yawner. However the fans who packed the stands at the Kansas Speedway were treated to by far the most competitive race in the chase in 2009.
After a few rather subpar runs to start the Chase, it was Tony Stewart who finally broke into the win column. Stewart had a quiet afternoon, not really making any noise until the final segments of the race. He didn’t make any noise in the past six races, finishing no better than 9th. Fortunately, “Smoke” rose to the top of the leaderboard and never looked back. Watch Smoke take the lead on the video below.
While it was a fight at my parents’ house to watch either the race or the Cleveland Browns football game, I was still able to watch majority of the opening stages of the race. What really caught my eye was the outstanding use of surroundings by Dave Burns, one of the pit reporters. On lap 78, after a round of pit stops, Burns was in the pit of Juan Pablo Montoya reporting that Montoya’s tire was going flat. Much to the surprise of the announcers, Dave Burns placed his microphone right next to the leaking tire, emphasizing how loud and obvious it was. This was the first time that any of the announcers in the booth had heard this effect, and it won major brownie points with me as a viewer.
I would rate this broadcast a 9 out of 10. I think ESPN has a wonderful team running all of these races. The only thing that hurts this from being a perfect score is camera placement. For the second time, a camera was placed on the helmet of a crew member on the #7 Robby Gordon team. The angle where the camera was placed was not as consistent as it was before. Fans noticed a dizzying display of work on pit road when the camera was pointed too high above the target it was aiming toward. It was a minor issue, but it was definitely a dizzy angle.
Next weekend, we motor on to Auto Club Speedway in California. Being a Jeff Gordon fan, I highly anticipate a win from that team this weekend. Their intermediate program has been incredibly stout this season. He may have the best performance out of the chase contenders. Watch out for Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle too…they perform well here historically.
Sunday at 2:30 on ESPN…don’t miss it!
Monday, October 5, 2009
JOHNSON TAMES THE MONSTER
Dover…The MONSTER mile. I think it is one of the coolest looking tracks in all of NASCAR. They also call it “White Lightning” since it’s totally made of concrete on the racing surface. The Triple A 400--Race number two of the Chase for the Sprint Cup-- was surely full of surprises…except for the winner of the race.
In the spring, Jimmie Johnson dominated Dover, and simply carried his momentum into Delaware to pull off the season sweep. Most of us race fans knew that he would win based on his communication with his crew chief Chad Knaus. When a driver feels as if his car can perform even better than it is, yet he’s pulling away lap after lap, the competition is in MAJOR TROUBLE.
Speaking of major trouble, the ESPN crew did a brilliant job in camera work and reporting on an incident which was seemingly impossible to occur at Dover. 19 year old Joey Logano got bumped from behind by Tony Stewart and it sent him on a wild wild ride.
Jerry Punch, Andy Petree and Dale Jarrett don’t get overly excited when this happens live. They do, however bring the whole accident into perspective. Punch mentions that the banking of the track is 3 stories high. Also, reporter Shannon Spake asked a great question in Logano’s post wreck interview: “In your 19 years of racing, how did this compare to anything you’ve been through?” Big props to the reporters and the cameras once again for bringing the whole incident into perspective.
This broadcast deserves a 10. All strategies were painted well, and the whole crew had to find time to fill throughout the delayed portions of the race since track cleanup took so long. Any time those guys can fill an extra half hour or 45 minutes (in addition to the 4 or 5 hours they spend on the telecast), they deserve a high rating like this. It’s an art to cover this sport and these guys proved it.
Next week…Kansas. Again, Jimmie Johnson should have the car to beat. However, I’ve read that Greg Biffle has built a brand new car SPECIFICALLY for this race. New cars generally have major implications on a race. Biffle should hover around the top 5 all day. On to race three of the chase for the sprint cup!
In the spring, Jimmie Johnson dominated Dover, and simply carried his momentum into Delaware to pull off the season sweep. Most of us race fans knew that he would win based on his communication with his crew chief Chad Knaus. When a driver feels as if his car can perform even better than it is, yet he’s pulling away lap after lap, the competition is in MAJOR TROUBLE.
Speaking of major trouble, the ESPN crew did a brilliant job in camera work and reporting on an incident which was seemingly impossible to occur at Dover. 19 year old Joey Logano got bumped from behind by Tony Stewart and it sent him on a wild wild ride.
Jerry Punch, Andy Petree and Dale Jarrett don’t get overly excited when this happens live. They do, however bring the whole accident into perspective. Punch mentions that the banking of the track is 3 stories high. Also, reporter Shannon Spake asked a great question in Logano’s post wreck interview: “In your 19 years of racing, how did this compare to anything you’ve been through?” Big props to the reporters and the cameras once again for bringing the whole incident into perspective.
This broadcast deserves a 10. All strategies were painted well, and the whole crew had to find time to fill throughout the delayed portions of the race since track cleanup took so long. Any time those guys can fill an extra half hour or 45 minutes (in addition to the 4 or 5 hours they spend on the telecast), they deserve a high rating like this. It’s an art to cover this sport and these guys proved it.
Next week…Kansas. Again, Jimmie Johnson should have the car to beat. However, I’ve read that Greg Biffle has built a brand new car SPECIFICALLY for this race. New cars generally have major implications on a race. Biffle should hover around the top 5 all day. On to race three of the chase for the sprint cup!
Monday, September 14, 2009
CHASE THIS!
Richmond International Raceway…a short track. A track with more prestige than ever because it wraps up NASCAR’s version of a “regular season”. This race dictated who would be a part of the top 12 teams in the hunt for a Sprint Cup Championship. In a race requiring precision and guts from those who were outside the top 12, the only disappointment belonged to those who just didn’t have lady luck on their side.
As far as lady luck is concerned, she took the front seat with Denny Hamlin…who considers Richmond to be his home race track. Much like in football or basketball, home field advantage is always special. Many race car drivers don’t even have a race track to call “home.” Denny Hamlin’s victory at Richmond marked his territory not just at home, but also in the chase for the Sprint Cup in 2009.
The ESPN crew points out that it was the race off of pit road on a late set of pit stops that allowed Hamlin to assume the lead and run away with the show.
After many articles raved about Kyle Busch and the impact he would have on the chase, his Richmond performance proved that his team had overcome adversity. 5th place doesn’t look bad on the stat sheet…but despite the top 5, the M&Ms crew will have to race for 13th place in the points instead of contending for the title.
Throughout the 400 mile affair, ESPN’s director pushed his crew to concentrate on the drivers who were on the bubble (Brian Vickers, Clint Bowyer and Kyle Busch). Viewers were consistently updated with where each of these drivers was running on the track, especially at the end of the race. It seemed as if the leaders and the race for the win was completely overshadowed by a race between two drivers who were battling back between 5th and 7th place to make “the big dance.” It turns out that this in-race strategy’s presentation paid off and it had relevance to it, since Busch and Vickers were separated by only 8 points when the checkered flag flew.
As usual, after 26 races (Richmond being #26), the drivers in the top 12 are “seeded” based on wins. This means that even though Tony Stewart led the point standings for most of the season, he will be behind Mark Martin, who won 4 races, and thus acquired 40 bonus points. Stewart will be 2nd in points, 10 behind with his 3 race wins. The chase will also include Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Brian Vickers, Carl Edwards, Ryan Newman, Juan Montoya, and Greg Biffle.
This means next weekend’s race at New Hampshire will begin the countdown to the cup…12 drivers, 10 races, ONE MISSION. Look for chase contenders Jeff Gordon and Greg Biffle to be strong at this race track, especially with the added incentive of additional points for winning a race. I’m excited to see who is going to be the headline and who will start off the chase either a contender or pretender! LET’S GET CHASIN’!
As far as lady luck is concerned, she took the front seat with Denny Hamlin…who considers Richmond to be his home race track. Much like in football or basketball, home field advantage is always special. Many race car drivers don’t even have a race track to call “home.” Denny Hamlin’s victory at Richmond marked his territory not just at home, but also in the chase for the Sprint Cup in 2009.
The ESPN crew points out that it was the race off of pit road on a late set of pit stops that allowed Hamlin to assume the lead and run away with the show.
After many articles raved about Kyle Busch and the impact he would have on the chase, his Richmond performance proved that his team had overcome adversity. 5th place doesn’t look bad on the stat sheet…but despite the top 5, the M&Ms crew will have to race for 13th place in the points instead of contending for the title.
Throughout the 400 mile affair, ESPN’s director pushed his crew to concentrate on the drivers who were on the bubble (Brian Vickers, Clint Bowyer and Kyle Busch). Viewers were consistently updated with where each of these drivers was running on the track, especially at the end of the race. It seemed as if the leaders and the race for the win was completely overshadowed by a race between two drivers who were battling back between 5th and 7th place to make “the big dance.” It turns out that this in-race strategy’s presentation paid off and it had relevance to it, since Busch and Vickers were separated by only 8 points when the checkered flag flew.
As usual, after 26 races (Richmond being #26), the drivers in the top 12 are “seeded” based on wins. This means that even though Tony Stewart led the point standings for most of the season, he will be behind Mark Martin, who won 4 races, and thus acquired 40 bonus points. Stewart will be 2nd in points, 10 behind with his 3 race wins. The chase will also include Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Brian Vickers, Carl Edwards, Ryan Newman, Juan Montoya, and Greg Biffle.
This means next weekend’s race at New Hampshire will begin the countdown to the cup…12 drivers, 10 races, ONE MISSION. Look for chase contenders Jeff Gordon and Greg Biffle to be strong at this race track, especially with the added incentive of additional points for winning a race. I’m excited to see who is going to be the headline and who will start off the chase either a contender or pretender! LET’S GET CHASIN’!
Monday, September 7, 2009
AWESOME ATLANTA AMAZES AGAIN!
Great to be back in the driver’s seat for the Borts is Burning…Rubber blog! After a summer of high excitement and downright off-the-chart racing action, the chase for the championship field is almost set. The NASCAR superstars set their sights on one of NASCAR’s fastest racetracks—the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The first race at this track under the lights did not disappoint; tons of side by side racing, a pass for the win inside of ten laps to go, and even fast pitwork to repair an axle for one of the top ten finishers!
Kasey Kahne pulled off the win, ensuring that a lot of hard work on Labor Day weekend would not go unrewarded. Kahne passed the shell/Pennzoil Chevy of Kevin Harvick on a short run inside of ten laps to go and zoomed away to his second victory of the season. Again, a racer proves that the fastest car doesn’t always win…but if you have the fastest car in the end, you’re almost guaranteed to contend.
Since our last blog at Talladega in April, we have motored from network to network…FOX, to TNT for their summer series of six races, to my personal favorite network—ESPN. I’m a man with a sense of humor, but ESPN has the true balance of fun and fact in their broadcasts. ESPN’s crew of announcers, including Dr. Jerry Punch, Dale Jarrett, Andy Petree, Allen Bestwick, Rusty Wallace, Ray Evernham, Brad Daugherty and Tim Brewer have noticeable enjoyment doing what they do. They are informative but also fun. For example, Ray Evernham said that statistically a caution would fall with around 15 laps to go. Lo and behold, at the very instant he says this, a car spins into the infield, bringing out the caution with 15 laps to go! The whole crew could’ve spent the whole end of the race praising Evernham for his amazing “fortune teller skills”, but the crew had their laugh and got right back to business.
One of the grand strengths of ESPN is their ability to put any situation that occurs with a race car into a simple comparison with an everyday vehicle that we drive. In the Atlanta race, Brian Vickers’s car suffered a broken axle. The crew chiefs—Andy Petree and Tim Brewer—explained that repairing an axle and staying on the lead lap would’ve taken quite a long time. However the Red Bull crew somehow was able to change the car’s axle and stay on the lead lap! Plus, the crew went to their “Craftsman Tech Garage” to fully explain what was involved with changing an axle. The 83 team possibly made a chase-saving move to keep them in contention for making the chase with only one race remaining. Unfortunately for the 48 car, same problem, but no quick repair…
And while on the subject of one race remaining, it’s off to Richmond! Dale Jr. fans should definitely perch themselves in front of the TV for this one…he’s been on a roll lately, and while the finishes don’t reflect that, he’s run very well the last three or four weekends. Kyle Busch must do everything in his power to win the race to make the chase. Only 12 drivers will contend for the championship, and the ¾ mile Richmond International Raceway will provide all the action that could be asked for!
Kasey Kahne pulled off the win, ensuring that a lot of hard work on Labor Day weekend would not go unrewarded. Kahne passed the shell/Pennzoil Chevy of Kevin Harvick on a short run inside of ten laps to go and zoomed away to his second victory of the season. Again, a racer proves that the fastest car doesn’t always win…but if you have the fastest car in the end, you’re almost guaranteed to contend.
Since our last blog at Talladega in April, we have motored from network to network…FOX, to TNT for their summer series of six races, to my personal favorite network—ESPN. I’m a man with a sense of humor, but ESPN has the true balance of fun and fact in their broadcasts. ESPN’s crew of announcers, including Dr. Jerry Punch, Dale Jarrett, Andy Petree, Allen Bestwick, Rusty Wallace, Ray Evernham, Brad Daugherty and Tim Brewer have noticeable enjoyment doing what they do. They are informative but also fun. For example, Ray Evernham said that statistically a caution would fall with around 15 laps to go. Lo and behold, at the very instant he says this, a car spins into the infield, bringing out the caution with 15 laps to go! The whole crew could’ve spent the whole end of the race praising Evernham for his amazing “fortune teller skills”, but the crew had their laugh and got right back to business.
One of the grand strengths of ESPN is their ability to put any situation that occurs with a race car into a simple comparison with an everyday vehicle that we drive. In the Atlanta race, Brian Vickers’s car suffered a broken axle. The crew chiefs—Andy Petree and Tim Brewer—explained that repairing an axle and staying on the lead lap would’ve taken quite a long time. However the Red Bull crew somehow was able to change the car’s axle and stay on the lead lap! Plus, the crew went to their “Craftsman Tech Garage” to fully explain what was involved with changing an axle. The 83 team possibly made a chase-saving move to keep them in contention for making the chase with only one race remaining. Unfortunately for the 48 car, same problem, but no quick repair…
And while on the subject of one race remaining, it’s off to Richmond! Dale Jr. fans should definitely perch themselves in front of the TV for this one…he’s been on a roll lately, and while the finishes don’t reflect that, he’s run very well the last three or four weekends. Kyle Busch must do everything in his power to win the race to make the chase. Only 12 drivers will contend for the championship, and the ¾ mile Richmond International Raceway will provide all the action that could be asked for!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
TALLADEGA TRIUMPH AND TURMOIL
Every time the NASCAR drivers head to Talladega, they expect the same thing: white knuckle racing, three and four wide every lap, the big wreck, and a fantastic finish. The Aaron’s 499 had all of this and even provided a freakish flashback to 1987, when Carl Edwards wrecked in the tri-oval and his car hit the catch fencing above the wall. I don’t want to say that Edwards’s wreck on the final lap was predictable, but with the rules NASCAR implements at Talladega and Daytona, it was bound to happen to someone.
If you were persuaded to put money on Brad Keselowski winning his first Sprint Cup race at Talladega, you may have had a blank look on your face. Keselowski won in a James Finch owned car (essentially a single-car operation with very little funding). The FOX announcers clearly stated that anyone can win here…practice sessions before the race at most other tracks give you an idea of who the contenders are. When Carl Edwards and Keselowski ended up being the drivers duking it out at the end, I think the whole NASCAR nation was shocked that they ended up in the right spot at the right time.
NASCAR’s TV coverage at Talladega is always difficult to organize. The crew cannot give a sequential update on drivers based on running order since it tends to change every 400 yards. During the prerace show, the announcers banked on the big one happening at some point during the race, but I don’t think any of the announcers envisioned it happening on lap 7. On the parade and pace laps, FOX gives race tendencies, including when the first caution flag waves, the longest number of consecutive green flag laps, and even a pit window. They consistently do this well, and most of the time they are correct—with the exception of this week’s big wreck (see below).
On a scale of 1-10, the race coverage gets an 8 once again. FOX’s announcers failed to mention that the “out of bounds” rule that was implemented has its hazards. The focus on the final lap was on Carl Edwards along with Brad Keselowski. When Keselowski made his move, he could not dive below the yellow line, which was what Regan Smith did last year since he was blocked down there. The same exact accident would’ve happened last year had Smith done the same thing that Keselowski did to Carl Edwards. (see both video clips below)
Getting ready for Richmond on Saturday night, the drivers should feel a bit of relief since we’re heading back to one of the most competitive short tracks in NASCAR. Watch for Denny Hamlin to dominate—he almost lead every lap here last year! Look for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Kyle Busch to possibly rekindle a rivalry which saw each driver wreck the other in both races last year. Best of all, it’s under the lights! Happy short trackin’!!
If you were persuaded to put money on Brad Keselowski winning his first Sprint Cup race at Talladega, you may have had a blank look on your face. Keselowski won in a James Finch owned car (essentially a single-car operation with very little funding). The FOX announcers clearly stated that anyone can win here…practice sessions before the race at most other tracks give you an idea of who the contenders are. When Carl Edwards and Keselowski ended up being the drivers duking it out at the end, I think the whole NASCAR nation was shocked that they ended up in the right spot at the right time.
NASCAR’s TV coverage at Talladega is always difficult to organize. The crew cannot give a sequential update on drivers based on running order since it tends to change every 400 yards. During the prerace show, the announcers banked on the big one happening at some point during the race, but I don’t think any of the announcers envisioned it happening on lap 7. On the parade and pace laps, FOX gives race tendencies, including when the first caution flag waves, the longest number of consecutive green flag laps, and even a pit window. They consistently do this well, and most of the time they are correct—with the exception of this week’s big wreck (see below).
On a scale of 1-10, the race coverage gets an 8 once again. FOX’s announcers failed to mention that the “out of bounds” rule that was implemented has its hazards. The focus on the final lap was on Carl Edwards along with Brad Keselowski. When Keselowski made his move, he could not dive below the yellow line, which was what Regan Smith did last year since he was blocked down there. The same exact accident would’ve happened last year had Smith done the same thing that Keselowski did to Carl Edwards. (see both video clips below)
Getting ready for Richmond on Saturday night, the drivers should feel a bit of relief since we’re heading back to one of the most competitive short tracks in NASCAR. Watch for Denny Hamlin to dominate—he almost lead every lap here last year! Look for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Kyle Busch to possibly rekindle a rivalry which saw each driver wreck the other in both races last year. Best of all, it’s under the lights! Happy short trackin’!!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Logano Strums The Ol' Banjo in Nashville!
Hope you all had an amazing Easter weekend! It felt a little strange without a Sprint Cup race this weekend, but the NASCAR Nationwide series satisfied those pre-Easter chocolate cravings on Saturday afternoon! These guys always seem to put on a great show, primarily because drivers from the Sprint Cup Series frequently enter these races for some “extra practice.” But the Nashville Superspeedway is one track unique only to the Nationwide and Camping World truck series—which means LOTS of first-time winners! The race was competitive, with more lead changes than anticipated and even some weird, uncommon occurrences.
How about Joey Logano? I was guilty of not remembering that he is a full time Sprint Cup Series driver! So we are still waiting for a driver who races solely in the Nationwide Series to win a race in 2009. It almost looked as if Kyle Busch was going to win yet another race, but Logano kept the pressure on in the final 10 laps of the race. ESPN covered the race this weekend, and their “in-race reporter” was Justin Allgaier, a rookie who had so many good runs that he was the focus of this race to possibly get win #1. However it was Logano who drove to his own tune and took home the guitar!
This race coverage was a great change of pace. ESPN really took NASCAR to a new level in the 90s, and I was sad to see them go. But after 3 seasons with the Nationwide Series, I think they’ve taken their recognition to a new level. Marty Reid (who was in for Dr. Jerry Punch this week), Andy Petree and Rusty Wallace have a totally different flavor than the Fox crew. While they aren’t as entertaining, they are EXTREMELY knowledgeable. They also have a tech garage where former crew chief Tim Brewer explains parts of the race car or car problems in less than 30 seconds AND in terms everyone can understand! They pointed out all the major details, including Joe Gibbs’ 3rd 1-2 finish in the Nationwide series. The announcers also got into it when the big wreck happened near the end, when Joe Nemechek flipped over! (Check out the video coverage below!)
Overall, this broadcast gets an 8 out of 10. It was professional, well put together, and focused. I honestly did not feel like I was watching a Nationwide race with the stereotype that the coverage wouldn’t be as strong. It was still great coverage!
The Sprint Cup series returns to action this weekend at Phoenix. The first night race of the season is going to be fun! Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson will be contenders…Kyle Busch may be able to get back on track. Also, watch for Jeff Burton—he won here a lot when he raced with Jack Roush in the early 2000s…can he do it again? We’ll find out together Saturday night!
How about Joey Logano? I was guilty of not remembering that he is a full time Sprint Cup Series driver! So we are still waiting for a driver who races solely in the Nationwide Series to win a race in 2009. It almost looked as if Kyle Busch was going to win yet another race, but Logano kept the pressure on in the final 10 laps of the race. ESPN covered the race this weekend, and their “in-race reporter” was Justin Allgaier, a rookie who had so many good runs that he was the focus of this race to possibly get win #1. However it was Logano who drove to his own tune and took home the guitar!
This race coverage was a great change of pace. ESPN really took NASCAR to a new level in the 90s, and I was sad to see them go. But after 3 seasons with the Nationwide Series, I think they’ve taken their recognition to a new level. Marty Reid (who was in for Dr. Jerry Punch this week), Andy Petree and Rusty Wallace have a totally different flavor than the Fox crew. While they aren’t as entertaining, they are EXTREMELY knowledgeable. They also have a tech garage where former crew chief Tim Brewer explains parts of the race car or car problems in less than 30 seconds AND in terms everyone can understand! They pointed out all the major details, including Joe Gibbs’ 3rd 1-2 finish in the Nationwide series. The announcers also got into it when the big wreck happened near the end, when Joe Nemechek flipped over! (Check out the video coverage below!)
Overall, this broadcast gets an 8 out of 10. It was professional, well put together, and focused. I honestly did not feel like I was watching a Nationwide race with the stereotype that the coverage wouldn’t be as strong. It was still great coverage!
The Sprint Cup series returns to action this weekend at Phoenix. The first night race of the season is going to be fun! Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson will be contenders…Kyle Busch may be able to get back on track. Also, watch for Jeff Burton—he won here a lot when he raced with Jack Roush in the early 2000s…can he do it again? We’ll find out together Saturday night!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
FINALLY…GORDON GETS 82nd WIN IN IRONIC FASHION
Yee haw! The Texas Motor Speedway was the perfect break from all the beatin’ and bangin’ from short track racing at Bristol and Martinsville last week. Speaking of breaking, while Texas broke the short track streak in the schedule, this weekend’s winner broke a streak of his own. Jeff Gordon pulled off an ironic victory on Sunday: not only did he stop his winless streak of 47 races without visiting victory lane, but he also won for the first time at Texas. The Great American Speedway may not have showed the most competitive race in recent memory, but the intensity on pit road ended up being the turning point…and the most exciting part…of the race.
Indeed, fast pit stops by the Dupont/National Guard crew paid off in the end. Gordon’s crew was not the quickest in the race, but on the final pit stop, the crew bumped him up from 3rd to 1st. At one point in the race, FOX revealed audio from Jeff Gordon’s radio indicating that “it would be nice to be able to get out of the pits first.” And boy, did he need to. Darrell Waltrip reiterated early in the race that Gordon’s car “fell off dramatically” around 10 laps into a run. Gordon maintained his gap on the final run to the checkers, driving the wheels off his car.
The TV coverage was fantastic this week! The cameramen were on point all race long, spotting the action and getting that compelling shot. I was also intrigued by the end of the race shot from the flagstand as Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson crossed the finish line 1-2. This race also had flawless reporting from the guys and girls who run up and down pit road. They didn’t permanently fixate themselves on a few drivers…they went to every front runner’s pit at some point in the race and gave them some excellent air time.
This week, I give the FOX crew a 9.5 out of 10. It also drew attention from more people in a month than any other race FOX has broadcast this season so far. With the release of this week’s Nielsen ratings, Fox earned a 4.2 share, which was Sunday’s highest-rated sports event. I also think the prerace show settled down a little bit…a perfect balance of humor while FINALLY finishing a “Gas ‘N Go” segment ON TIME!! (Check it out on our video coverage)
NASCAR of FOX: Gas 'N Go - Texas
NASCAR’s off next weekend, and I think the 2nd break of the season could not have come at a better time! After two intense contests at Bristol and Martinsville, along with blinding speed at Texas, Easter break is a time to get revitalized for Phoenix! The valley of the sun should see its share of contenders—never count out Jimmie Johnson or Kyle Busch. Jeff Gordon won there 2 years ago, and Kevin Harvick has to rebound after a bad BAD run at Texas. It’ll be a night race full of side by side racing, and it happens April 19th on FOX!
Indeed, fast pit stops by the Dupont/National Guard crew paid off in the end. Gordon’s crew was not the quickest in the race, but on the final pit stop, the crew bumped him up from 3rd to 1st. At one point in the race, FOX revealed audio from Jeff Gordon’s radio indicating that “it would be nice to be able to get out of the pits first.” And boy, did he need to. Darrell Waltrip reiterated early in the race that Gordon’s car “fell off dramatically” around 10 laps into a run. Gordon maintained his gap on the final run to the checkers, driving the wheels off his car.
The TV coverage was fantastic this week! The cameramen were on point all race long, spotting the action and getting that compelling shot. I was also intrigued by the end of the race shot from the flagstand as Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson crossed the finish line 1-2. This race also had flawless reporting from the guys and girls who run up and down pit road. They didn’t permanently fixate themselves on a few drivers…they went to every front runner’s pit at some point in the race and gave them some excellent air time.
This week, I give the FOX crew a 9.5 out of 10. It also drew attention from more people in a month than any other race FOX has broadcast this season so far. With the release of this week’s Nielsen ratings, Fox earned a 4.2 share, which was Sunday’s highest-rated sports event. I also think the prerace show settled down a little bit…a perfect balance of humor while FINALLY finishing a “Gas ‘N Go” segment ON TIME!! (Check it out on our video coverage)
NASCAR of FOX: Gas 'N Go - Texas
NASCAR’s off next weekend, and I think the 2nd break of the season could not have come at a better time! After two intense contests at Bristol and Martinsville, along with blinding speed at Texas, Easter break is a time to get revitalized for Phoenix! The valley of the sun should see its share of contenders—never count out Jimmie Johnson or Kyle Busch. Jeff Gordon won there 2 years ago, and Kevin Harvick has to rebound after a bad BAD run at Texas. It’ll be a night race full of side by side racing, and it happens April 19th on FOX!
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