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Thursday, July 3, 2008
TV Partners Strangely Quiet Where Grant Is Concerned - UNTIL NOW
UPDATE: ESPN has revealed that they have Mauricia Grant as an exclusive on-camera interview as a part of the Outside The Lines series. They played excerpts from Grant today on ESPNEWS and also during the live Nationwide practice session at 5:30PM. This issue relates directly to the Nationwide Series. More info will follow shortly
Just when things seemed to be quieting down about the Mauricia Grant lawsuit, an article by veteran NASCAR journalist Matt McLaughlin has come along.
Most fans have read the original story, the follow-up interviews and even the response from NASCAR.
At The Daly Planet, we tried to suggest that the sanctioning body stop allowing Brian France to speak directly to this topic until he was better informed. No such luck, as this column details.
The number one thing that NASCAR wants to do at Daytona is walk-out the door on Saturday night with Ms. Grant and her lawsuit never having been a topic. Judging from the NASCAR media's response to the issue, that is entirely possible.
This is a new area for the NASCAR Internet, radio and TV bunch to deal with. These veterans have handled racing stories of tremendous success and horrible tragedy with professionalism and maturity over the years. As a group, they originate hundreds of stories a week and many hours of both radio and TV content. The Grant lawsuit is very different from their regular "news beat."
Here is the link to the McLaughlin story. The key element for us is the following paragraph:
"In his handling of the allegations, France has once again shown himself to be the Great Bumblini. The racing press may be willing to sweep this one under the carpet but the mainstream attack media, folks like 60 Minutes and 20/20 will not. Doubtless they smell blood in the water and potential Emmys for investigative reporting on the "Good Old Boy" culture of NASCAR. It ain't going to be pretty."
McLaughlin's point is that right now the issue of the lawsuit is in the laps of the traveling NASCAR media. While others may write to the topic, they do not have access to the key individuals involved in the lawsuit and knowledge of the overall culture that has been called into question. Eventually, this will change.
Lurking behind the familiar faces of David Poole and Marty Smith and Wendy Venturini is an entirely different group of reporters. They do not care about Joey Logano, how the COT turns or the overall health of the sport.
What they care about is primetime TV ratings for their own individual shows. They will do and say almost anything to win the TV ratings race. Many of them make millions of dollars a year and enjoy the publicity that their high-profile media positions have brought them.
What used to be called the mainstream media is now a fractured group of Internet-dominated TV personalities who are challenged to fill 24 hours a day both online and on the cable TV news networks. Despite the reality of the world, the media monster must be fed and Mauricia Grant is looking like a lot more than just a snack.
As McLaughlin intimates, the damage that can be done to this sport by programs like 60 Minutes, Dateline and even Nancy Grace on CNN is simply huge. Looking at this story from outside the sport and reading the allegations in the lawsuit make it a great target for a wide variety of TV programs from news magazines to tabloid series.
In the business world, we see professionals called-in to handle public relations crisis management. We see media professionals enlisted to manage the messages that are communicated worldwide on TV and the Internet. This is a specific set of skills that is learned with time and experience.
While it has been Internet stories that have played a major role in this issue to date, things are about to jump over to the television side of the media and that change is going to be dramatic.
Perhaps, before something very ugly happens on TV and a media feeding frenzy begins, NASCAR might consider bringing in some professionals to manage this issue for the overall health of the sport in this very tough season. In the veteran perspectives of several public relations professionals, the clock is ticking.
The Daly Planet welcomes comments from readers. Simply click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the easy instructions. The rules for posting are located on the right side of the main page. Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by and leave your opinion.
45 comments:
- Anonymous said...
John there is really nothing new to report about the case. So why should people continue to hear about it if nothing is new?
- July 2, 2008 at 8:21 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Because once a tabloid show or a network news magazine decides to air all the allegations on national tv, it is going to be a mess.
They do not care that there is nothing new. They do not need Grant to be in the report. They do not need her lawyer, or even anyone from NASCAR.
Unless NASCAR gets proactive about sending out a message that resonates with the general public, it will not matter if nothing more is released on the entire issue.
Take a moment to read the lawsuit, which is public information. Do you not think there are several network news magazine shows right now knocking on Grant's door for the exclusive first TV interview?
Lots of businesses run up against issues like this. True or not, being publicly proactive and letting professionals handle the media is the key.
One more video of Brian France with tossled hair and no tie slouched at a chair while addressing a muli-million dollar lawsuit full of horrible allegations is not going to help the cause.
- July 2, 2008 at 8:38 PM
- Anonymous said...
- This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
- July 2, 2008 at 9:10 PM
- Anonymous said...
- This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
- July 2, 2008 at 9:11 PM
- Anonymous said...
I'm actually surprised not one of the tabloids or tabloid shows have picked up on this story yet.
This is the "slow season" no NFL yet, NBA over, MLB not near to post season - so I thought that the story would be the lawsuit, but so far nothing.
In fact none of the news networks have touched it - except to report it when it was filed.
As a fan I expected the full tilt bashfest. Especially with the way Brian France presented himself on TV. I'm kind of shocked at how bad he looked, and how unprepared he was.
Infact the silence has been deafening.
JD since you have worked in the media I was wondering, could the media be a bit snake bit after the Duke story?
- July 2, 2008 at 9:45 PM
- dwight said...
The first comment asks why there should be stories when there is nothing new to report. ESPN and SPEED have never really reported on this story at all. If they invested a small percentage of the time that they spend on "silly season" issues in this story, surely Marty Smith or David Newton or someone could address some of the questions raised by the allegations made in this lawsuit. Tim Cowlishaw works for a real newspaper, maybe he knows how to do an investigative story. Just having Brad Daugherty stand there once and unconvincingly state that he knows this couldn't have happened isn't very good journalism or very convincing.
NASCAR's record on race isn't quite sterling. The only time a black driver won a race, they ran a couple of extra laps so a white guy could go to victory lane instead. The only question is whether they intended to straighten it out the next week or if their hand was forced. The only thing we know about their internal investigation of this matter is that at least two people got suspended.
There is a lot of investigation which should be done, and people to talk to. For starters I'd like to see someone talk to Bill Lester and see if he will talk about his experience in NASCAR. Someone could go through the results of the races he competed in and see how often he got wrecked in the early going, and compare that with how often other drivers crashed out that early. Interviews where Ms. Grant used to work would help a person form an opinion about her credibility.
I've been around long enough to know there are people capable of doing the things which she says happened to her. An employer which is trying to change its profile would make sure that this kind of behavior was stamped out, or at least dealt with when it happened. If the "NASCAR partners" were real news organizations, they'd get on top of this before they get embarrassed too.
- July 2, 2008 at 10:11 PM
- Tracy said...
I'm really disappointed that someone like Nate Ryan, who ruffled many feathers with his report a while back about falling TV ratings, hasn't done something with this story. I've always thought he was fearless.
I'm guessing that the regular reporters have decided that Nascar fans don't want to hear about the lawsuit. Silly Season and the COT are the main topics because that's what the viewers want. It'll be the"outside" media, as JD says, that'll make this story into a first class horror show.
- July 2, 2008 at 10:48 PM
- red said...
tracy said: I'm guessing that the regular reporters have decided that Nascar fans don't want to hear about the lawsuit.
i'm not certain who's made that decision but i agree a decision has been made. as a fan, i'm interested in this story but in my opinion, nascar just doesn't want this to be a topic for discussion or reporting. so its not.
i agree that it will take media outside the sport to bring this story to completion -- although i had hoped that would happen with the drug testing policy story and, as jd notes in another column, we're still waiting on that one.
- July 2, 2008 at 11:14 PM
- Anonymous said...
The "NASCAR media" isn't sitting on anything. When you have a lawsuit, you've got people on both sides trying to give you their persepectives. As a reporter, you try to give both sides a fair airing knowing that what somebody tells you and what they can actually use if you go to court. If NASCAR puts on a big PR effort, nobody's going to write about that just like a responsible journalist isn't going to print unsubstantiated stuff from the other side because it might want to apply pressure to encourage a settlement. The "NASCAR media," at least the good part of it, is trying to play it down the middle. Fans should want that. -- DAVID POOLE
- July 3, 2008 at 7:01 AM
- Anonymous said...
Mr. Poole--
Good reporters don't wait to be spoon-fed information.
They go find it themselves. And it doesn't have to be "unsubstantiated."
I realize that journalists cover NASCAR are used to being "given" their stories, but sometimes, you need to work a little harder and dig up the background yourself.
And I dispute that the "NASCAR media" are "playing it down the middle." That's simply not true.
They're running from the story as fast as they can, afraid of offending the NASCAR management or casting their favorite sport (let's face it, sportswriters are fans, first--that's why they became sportswriters!) in a bad light.
If this lawsuit were based in any other industry, your newspaper would be all over it.
- July 3, 2008 at 7:57 AM
- Anonymous said...
Anonymous said...
The "NASCAR media" isn't sitting on anything. When you have a lawsuit, you've got people on both sides trying to give you their persepectives. As a reporter, you try to give both sides a fair airing knowing that what somebody tells you and what they can actually use if you go to court. If NASCAR puts on a big PR effort, nobody's going to write about that just like a responsible journalist isn't going to print unsubstantiated stuff from the other side because it might want to apply pressure to encourage a settlement. The "NASCAR media," at least the good part of it, is trying to play it down the middle. Fans should want that. -- DAVID POOLE
July 3, 2008 7:01 AM
Dear Media & David Poole,
Silence is not playing it down the middle. Please feel free to investigate both sides, the claims made & the person making them.
Have any media people heard this kind of vile junk going on? How about the NASCAR "sensivity" & non discrimination classes? Do these classes exist? ongoing or a 1 time shot? Is Ms. Grant an upstanding member in her community, or is her past questionable? What is her work history? Troubled or sterling?
In between? Has NASCAR been informed of this kind of behavior before? By her? Others? Has anyone talked to other minority officials who have left? Other past employees who have been fired?
Was Brian telling the truth about not knowing the lawsuit was forth coming? Did she and / or her lawyer try to get their attention and fail?
As I recall it happens in every high profile case there is some reporter with enough stones to look into the backgrounds of both parties & report. Giving readers or viewers a feel for both parties involved. Right now the stereotype of NASCAR is re inforced & according to Brian she sounds like a delusional gold digger who he is divorcing.
Silence only serves to let this slip into the abyss - never to see the light of day. Making NASCAR very happy.
Responsible journalism requires effort, and stones. I have seen neither yet.
Could it be you?
- July 3, 2008 at 8:04 AM
- Rockin Rich said...
Wow! Was the Anon @ 7:01 AM really David Poole, or someone else usurping his identity?
I am really torn with this anonymous ID thing. I agree that it encourages "frank" dialog. But, does it discourage participation by well known people who identify themselves, then get their reputations hacked, (in both the actual, and the computer sense)?
I realize this comment isn't tightly on subject, but it does relate, (loosely), to the subject of media coverage.
- July 3, 2008 at 8:16 AM
- Anonymous said...
I agree about Smith and Wendy but strongly disagree about David Poole. If there are facts to be covered, he will do it. David is a news person first and his paper will help him go where the facts lead him. David is not a speculator, not a cheerleader, not a shill, like DW, MW and the likes. He will call it as he sees it, based on facts.
The case has not been schedlued for any perliminary items, such as depositions so there is really no news. Why push it until the time comes.
Trust me, this will not be swept under the rug.
It needs to be pointed out that Ms. Grant, who appears to have a heck of a case, did not report this to any superior. Anyone who has been in the work place since 1992 knows this is the first step. IT will be difficult for some person to accuse nascar, and I'm not a fan of the Frances, especially "Sonny Drysdale" Brian, of not reacting when she never reported the alligations.
This will be the key part of the case and both sets of attorneys know this.
Also, which Federal District hears the case. There are a lot of variables.
- July 3, 2008 at 8:19 AM
- Shayne said...
I can see a show like HBO's "Real Sports" doing a segment on the allegations and pending lawsuit.
The media could easily manipulate this story in whatever direction they see fit.
It might be tough to get NASCAR officials to comment on the case.
NASCAR fans would give the media plenty to work with.
Imagine the cameras in the infield on a Saturday night.
It usually is quiet before a big storm.
- July 3, 2008 at 8:21 AM
- Anonymous said...
It needs to be pointed out that Ms. Grant, who appears to have a heck of a case, did not report this to any superior.
The complaint says she did, and was rebuffed.
- July 3, 2008 at 8:32 AM
- red said...
anon 8:19 A said: Trust me, this will not be swept under the rug. . .
It needs to be pointed out that Ms. Grant, who appears to have a heck of a case, did not report this to any superior.
and this is an example of why, as a fan, i have serious doubts about how this story has been reported. anon 8:19 states that ms. grant did not bring her complaints to a superior. her legal statement clearly indicates that she did, in fact, complain and within two weeks, was being reprimanded via phone by nascar hr person for poor job performance. at the very least, there is a conflict in the statements of the parties involved.
as i posted earlier, i find it very interesting that france has not, in fact, categorically denied the accusations. instead, he is taking the route that "we didn't know about them" and "she didn't report them" and placing the responsibility for the behavior continuing on the plantiff.
as for "trust me, this will not be swept under the rug": i cannot share in that confidence. based on the response by nascar to date. i continue to believe that nascar will do anything possible to keep this story under the rug. i find myself in agreement with anon 7:57 and jo. i complained -- and continue to complain -- about nascar's response to the drug testing issue and this case is a continuation of the "we don't have a problem and if we do, we'll examine the situation and decide what to do" stance. that combined with the "it's only a few people who are doing this" response makes me wonder just how far into the sand heads have been plunged.
the drug testing story and the grant story are parts of the same story, just different chapters. it's far easy to say that aaron fike and shane hmeil and tyler walker (and who knows how many others) are just a "few bad apples" and that ms. grant is just a disgruntled ex-employee. as a former manager, i believe the truth is far more complicated and as a fan, it's disappointing that, despite mr. poole's statement, these stories are not be reported and given due diligence. i would appreciate this story being reported down the middle, mr. poole. i just don't believe it has been so far.
- July 3, 2008 at 8:56 AM
- Dan said...
I understand the media's hesitance to be used as a mouthpiece for either side in this case, but you've got a lawsuit suggesting that there is a culture in the garage area that makes it uncomfortable for women and minorities to work in. I think it is very reasonable to ask general questions like:
What is the culture like in the garage?
What are the experiences of women and minorities in Nascar?
Is it the same for all - officials, mechanics, drivers, owners?
Are things changing? Getting better or worse?
Are things in Nascar any different from society as a whole?
Is this just an isolated case or is this the tip of the iceberg?
Outside of reporting "just the facts", the Nascar media hasn't made any attempt to address these question. Whether or not Mr. Poole likes it, there is a perception among the fans that the media works under the same "you need Nascar more than Nascar needs you" implied threat that the drivers work under. That perception has largely been seeded by members of the media. The fact that the Nascar media hasn't done much more than read the press releases regarding this case doesn't do much to dispel the fans' perceptions. To JD's point, if and when the programs that thrive on sensationalism get a hold of this story, these are the question that they will be asking.
- July 3, 2008 at 12:06 PM
- Anonymous said...
I am not really sure what else can be said about this topic. I mean NASCAR is damned if you do, damned if you don't. If they say or do something it can be perceived as them trying to deflect the issue at hand, or they could do something that would appear to make nice on the issue and that could be perceived as guilt. My view is this, only talk when there is something to talk about. Ms Grant and her lawyer have done a lot of talking. This could hurt them. As public of a matter as this is, it should be more private. It is between Ms.Grant and those named in the lawsuit. Let a court decide and then we can talk all we want about it. I am disappointed that this could happen but it doesnt deter my view of the sport. Not everyone in NASCAR shares the views of some rather ignorant people. It just seems like people want to lump all associated with the sport into one particular group. The last time I checked, I had my own views and ideals. No one can speak for me, but me.
- July 3, 2008 at 12:15 PM
- Anonymous said...
Rockin Rich, David Poole has posted on TDP a few times before. Not often, but a few times. I have a feeling it's him.
Jayski has a couple of articles today about some comments Bob Dilner made on the radio which could be taken as insensitive to women and a minority group. Mild comments which were meant to be humorous, perhaps, but a prominent broadcast personality should not be making those kind of comments in public - enough that a couple of NASCAR bloggers picked up on it. So is it a wonder that the NASCAR media isn't bothering with this story if their personal attitudes are like Dilner's?
I applaud Jo and Dan for their comments. The fact that they've come up with these questions (and no NASCAR reporter has) speaks to how unimaginative some of the NASCAR media is (Mr. Poole is better than most, but I disagree with his assertions here, very strongly.) As Jo said, playing it down the middle does not equal silence, which is what we've gotten.
Here's a clue, Mr. Poole: Ms. Grant said in a print interview that she did not encounter issues like this with her co-workers at Irwindale; all of these issues occured while working for NASCAR. Surely that's an important point which could lead to a story, because many would assume a local track atmosphere might be even more hostile to women and minorities, yet Grant says she didn't have that experience.
So what is it about NASCAR culture specifically that sparked these allegations? Neither you, Mr. Poole, or any of your peers has even tried to answer that.
And I doubt you will. As others said, the followup on drug testing in NASCAR - or safety crew competence after the Montoya car fire a few weeks ago - by the media has been nonexistent. It's like you wait for Jim Hunter to call you guys before doing anything. Or are too busy ranking the drivers every week (like we care) or blogging to do actual reporting.
Too bad for us.
- July 3, 2008 at 12:34 PM
- Anonymous said...
I keep reading in posts that Marcia Grant did not report the discriminatory acts to her supervisors. Take the time to read the court document: http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/8229358
First, it is kind of hard to trust your Supervisor when he/she participates in and/or is witness the acts and does nothing. According to the court document, Ms. Grant complained to NASCAR Busch Series Director Joe Balash on three occasions, and was dismissed approximately two weeks after the third complaint.
NASCAR took the old-school approach to handling discrimination complaints that I have witnessed first-hand. Fire the individual that complains, and promote and/or relocate the individual who committed the act.
Trust me, NASCAR is sweating bullets on this and it will be interesting if they resolve it in a professional and straight-forward manner. Probably not.
- July 3, 2008 at 12:43 PM
- Richard in N.C. said...
To my knowledge at this point there is no "court document" - there is only Ms. Grant's so-far, unsubstantiated claims. My understanding is that Brian France said NASCAR was unaware of Ms. Grant's complaints until her lawsuit was filed and that, as a result, NASCAR was commencing a full internal investigation. It seems to me that at this point there is no basis to give any more credence to one side than to the other. NASCAR will have to defend itself in court and surely does not want to prejudice its case by making hasty comments it cannot back up.
As to David Poole, who is one of my favorite NASCAR writers (and often makes me so mad I could spit), I have complete confidence that he has virtually no fear of criticizing NASCAR.
- July 3, 2008 at 2:24 PM
- Karen said...
Anonymous at 12:34 said.
Rockin Rich, David Poole has posted on TDP a few times before. Not often, but a few times. I have a feeling it's him.
The posts I've seen have him signed in as David Poole, not some anonymous poster. Maybe he'll read this and set the record straight.
- July 3, 2008 at 2:33 PM
- red said...
richard in nc: the lawsuit is (like all lawsuits) a court filing and is, in fact, a court document. when i refer to the court document, it is the filing to which i refer. and "unsubstantiated claims"? well, that's the nature of the beast: the plaintiff files the lawsuit in as a legal document and then the case goes to mediation, settlement or trial.
as for mr france's statements that he was unaware of her complaints: as a general mgr in a retail setting, i accepted that it was part of my responsibility to make certain i did not permit an environment to exist where harassment of any kind could occur. my company held me responsible for that and ultimately the way i protected myself from such problems was to have a zero tolerance for it in my store. that's why i was paid more than the rest of my staff: to have total oversight of my entire store and to be certain my company's standard of zero tolerance was communicated, understood, reviewed yearly and enforced. that is the job of the leader of the store, the company and the sport. surely i should not be held to a more stringent standard than brian france?
anon 12:34: EXCELLENT point about ms. grant and her experiences at irwindale and how that is contrasted by her experiences in nascar at the n'wide level. thank you for reminding us of that. and i second that folks should make the time to plow thru the filing in total before repeating factual errors about the case. that's just being an intelligent fan.
and i also agree with the various posters here who have suggested a whole series of questions that could, at the very least, add depth and background to this story. these are questions that a reporter should be digging into but, sadly, it doesn't appear as if anyone is doing that.
as for dilner: i only read the comments on question, did not hear them in context. as pointed out in the column about the jack daniels post-race fiasco, context and tone sometimes convey a far different meaning than the words. that being said: at the very least, dilner should be more media saavy than to have even uttered those words. he sacrifices some level of personal "speaking off the cuff" as a trade-off for his position in the sport's media ranks. yes, i understand the first amendment and i even carry a pocket copy of the constitution with me at all times so i don't need that particular lecture! my point is that he is a voice of the sport, like it or not, and as such, he has additional responsibilities to be careful about the words he chooses when speaking in public, words that are already reverberating around the internet. at the very least, he jeopardizies his standing as an unbiased reporter.
of course, some will say there was no problem with what he said. i disagree and believe that sort of "good old boys" attitude that makes saying those sorts of things in public and expecting them to be permitted a pass is what brought our sport to this hot mess with the grant lawsuit!
i'm willing to review my position once i hear for myself the actual segment of that program so if there's a link out there, i'd appreciate it!
- July 3, 2008 at 2:42 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Great comments. If anyone needs to review the existing big stories on this topic, the links are provided in the main column.
- July 3, 2008 at 3:29 PM
- Anonymous said...
Bottom line: It's all he said, she said right now unless someone comes forward with independent verification. The media is under to obligation to report back and forth accusations without independent, 3rd party sourcing. If you don't think the media if presented with such would not report it, you're fooling yourselves.
- July 3, 2008 at 4:09 PM
- Anonymous said...
Ms. Grant was just interviewed on ESPN NEWS Hotlist. About 3 mins. where she described her side of the story. The name calling including the n word & the towel drop incident in the hotel lobby.
ESPN said David Dukes was fired earlier this year for actions deterimental to NASCAR not related to this lawsuit. The other 2 officials remain on paid leave, NASCAR declined to be interviewed for the story.
- July 3, 2008 at 4:15 PM
- Anonymous said...
Sometimes David Poole signs in as Anonymous even on his own blog comments but says up front that it's him. Something about not always being able to sign in as himself to the system when he's traveling...so it could be him.
- July 3, 2008 at 4:19 PM
- Kenn Fong said...
If you have any contacts inside the NASCAR press office, they would know if "CBS 60 Minutes," "Oprah," "HBO's Real Sports," or some other media outlet not otherwise associated with NASCAR were investigating, as they would have to apply for credentials. Since Daytona is so high-profile, I would think they would be at this race, or at Charlotte a month ago. I would think if they were at Charlotte the word would have come out. These are the dog days for hard news (except for the presidential race) so it would be a good time to go after a Pulitzer.
Alameda, California
- July 3, 2008 at 4:23 PM
- Tracy said...
"If you don't think the media if presented with such would not report it, you're fooling yourselves."
It appears to me that the prior posters are wondering why there hasn't been some serious digging into this story. The attitude of "if it lands in my lap, well, okay, I guess I'll report it," sounds like laisssez faire until there's a fire burning up your pants leg.
Those of us who've experienced some form of workplace discrimination know there's usually another, sometimes uglier, sometimes not, story there. What is the real story in the Mauricia Grant case? Why doesn't the Nascar media want to dig it up?
And yes, court documents include the original pleadings.
- July 3, 2008 at 4:26 PM
- SophiaZ123 said...
OMG! I loved the "Sonny Drysdale" reference to Brian France, LOL.
So very sad but true.
I also believe silence can sometimes speak more volumes then words.
I missed whatever Dilner said.
- July 3, 2008 at 4:37 PM
- Anonymous said...
If you have any contacts inside the NASCAR press office, they would know if "CBS 60 Minutes," "Oprah," "HBO's Real Sports," or some other media outlet not otherwise associated with NASCAR were investigating, as they would have to apply for credentials.
Not necessarily. Jade Gurss, Dale Jr's excellent publicist while he was with Bud, recently again told the story about a crew from an MTV series doing a story on Dale Jr (years ago) who was denied a NASCAR credential at Talledega. From Jade's blog:
-- The True Life back story: A video crew had followed Dale Jr. for several weeks, but when NASCAR/I.S.C. refused to grant media credentials or an infield parking pass for the fall race at Talladega, it raised a red flag. Negotiations ensued, and the MTV crew were offered credentials only if they did not shoot footage in the infield. As any good journalist would do, the producer said "no thanks." They purchased a standard RV parking pass, bought infield passes just as any other fan and went to see what NASCAR was scared they'd find. Suddenly and sadly, a show focusing on Dale Jr. had a new, unexpected storyline: racism in NASCAR.
If NASCAR has that kind of reactionary thinking when dealing with the media on this lawsuit, IMO they're going to be in trouble because those folks will do exactly what the True Life people did - go around them and find out exactly what NASCAR doesn't want them to see.
- July 3, 2008 at 4:59 PM
- Anonymous said...
The Bob Dilner audio is available at the radio show's site. The radio show is called Carey and Coffey and they also interviewed several other people from NASCAR at Loudon.
Interesting that the tones of the Wendy Venturini interview and Bob Dilner interview in the audio archives for this program are completely different. Wendy is very casual and cheery yet professional as always, but the Dilner interview starts with the "male bonding" comments (about Country Music Television/CMT, of all things) that caused some stir. Dilner doesn't sound bad, just immature. Basically shows you who the professional is (Wendy V) on SPEED.
- July 3, 2008 at 5:29 PM
- SophiaZ123 said...
Not familiar with the site and will try and find the Dilner link.
WOW~~They are showing Grant inteviewed on ESPN2 practice!!
It's nice to see her face and voice in context.
NASCAR's written response Punch just read is a joke imo. They have a "zero" tolerance for this behavior??
- July 3, 2008 at 5:48 PM
- Diane said...
There was just a story on ESPN and they read the Nascar response about not trying the case in the media, but in court.
They sound like a little kid with their hands over their ears going, "la, la, la, I don't want to hear you".
- July 3, 2008 at 5:49 PM
- Anonymous said...
Look at it from NASCAR's point of view. The media is basically just stirring the pot trying to make a good story. NASCAR has the right to keep quiet until the actual court case begins. If ms. Grant wants to go on TV and get interviewed about the case, so be it.
- July 3, 2008 at 5:51 PM
- Richard in N.C. said...
red, you are correct. I should have been clearer. It seems to me, in a non-technical conversation, that the reference to "court document" carries the inference that it is something from the court- rather than just a document filed with the court. Despite having been reduced to a legal document, Ms. Grant's claims are still unsubstantiated - as are Brian France's claims that Ms. Grant never filed or made a complaint.
I understood Brian France's position to be that NASCAR did have a policy against harassment and a procedure for reporting complaints, which Ms. Grant did not use - and that NASCAR was launching an internal investigation to determine the facts, which investigation apparently has not been completed yet.
I do find it curious that I have not seen any mention in the press of NASCAR's drive for diversity in connection with Ms. Grant's suit. Brian France may not come across as the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he would have to be really dumb to begin a highly publicized drive for diversity in the sport and at the same time knowingly tolerate a racially hostile work environment. It would seem to only make sense to make sure to have policies, procedures, and training in effect to guard against their being a hostile work environment when launching a drive for diversity - now whether such worked as intended or not is another matter.
- July 3, 2008 at 7:10 PM
- Rockin Rich said...
Re: Richard in NC @ 7:10 PM -
You said "...Brian France may not come across as the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he would have to be really dumb to begin a highly publicized drive for diversity in the sport and at the same time knowingly tolerate a racially hostile work environment....".
Just keep in mind the new operative acronym NNiC! I guess we would pronounce that n-nic, ("nuhnic")? Yes, he could be really stupid about this, and several other things as well. Take a look at some of the past writing by some very respected journalists. Okay, maybe not respected by NASCAR, and the "Beach Bozos", but certainly respected by many long time readers, viewers, and fans.
I believe that there is a major struggle going on at W.International Speed Blvd. between the people that NASCAR pays to get them out of trouble, and the above mentioned Beach Bozos. And apparently the Bozos are prevailing.
- July 3, 2008 at 8:08 PM
- Anonymous said...
Nobody cares about this, you are making a mountain out of a molehill.
- July 3, 2008 at 9:20 PM
- red said...
anon 9:20: please refrain from speaking for me as i certainly DO care and this is a serious and ongoing issue in the american workplace, not just nascar. i would prefer you speak for yourself and not the elusive "nobody."
richard in n.c. said...
Ms. Grant's claims are still unsubstantiated - as are Brian France's claims that Ms. Grant never filed or made a complaint.
great point and one worth keeping in mind as this progresses!
as this blog is focused on the media aspect of any story, i'm going to try and keep focused on that and not on the particulars of the lawsuit. so i have a few questions that the media could start asking on my behalf.
1. what, exactly, is nascar's policy on harassment? what documentation exists that would explicitly outline nascar's policy and procedures? mr france talks about "the policy" so may i assume that there is, in fact, a written P&P that can be produced? or is it more along the lines of the drug abuse policy of reacting only when there is probable cause?
2. what training does nascar provide to all employees about harassment? how often is it updated?
3. what communication has nascar provided to all its employees that expresses a zero tolerance for harassment behaviors and outlines specific consequences?
if nascar cannot easily produce such documentation, then i have to question how serious the committment is to addressing harassment in the organization. the company i worked for as a general manager could have immediately produced all of the above across any one of the stores as well as in the warehouses and at the corporate office level.
my position is that reporters have NOT done enough to try and establish background and context in this and in the drug abuse discussion. they have, as a group, failed to do much more than give the barest outline of the lawsuit and essentially read the provided press releases. i understand that nascar is not likely to have a whole lot to say right now but that should NOT stop the reporters from doing the job. set these allegations in context; research and explain harassment law as it currently exists in the workplace; explain what the terms mean -- and don't mean. try to put this into historical perspective, drawing examples from other sports as needed.
i'm not asking for reporters to crucify either party in this lawsuit. i am asking them to do a thorough job of putting this lawsuit into some sort of perspective and that can most certainly be done without having to pick and choose particulars from the lawsuit. this the sort of reporting that could be done without being seen as taking sides or putting either party on the spot. it is educational reporting and sadly, i see no sign of it.
- July 3, 2008 at 9:24 PM
- Anonymous said...
I've never heard of Athlon Sports ... But, Matt McLaughlin's use of profanity in his column lost him any & all credibility that he might've had ...
Why hasn't anyone asked where the main players are that usually show up when lawsuits like this float to the surface?? People like Gloria Allred, Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton ... They're awfully quiet on this lawsuit ...
The interviews that Ms Grant & her lawyer are giving are tainting the possible jury pool ...
Her lawyer already had a run-in with one high profile tv personality at Fox News ... sister network to SPEED ...
- July 3, 2008 at 11:00 PM
- Dot said...
NASCAR needs to diffuse this situation pronto.
They need to take a page out of Tim Allen's book and come clean before the media gets them. He had a cocaine conviction years before Home Improvement aired. He fessed up before the tabloids ran the story and obviously came out pretty good.
All NASCAR has to do is confess, promise to conduct garage area sensitivity training, update the employee hand book and move on.
I think it's better to wipe cr*p on yourself than for others to do it to you.
- July 3, 2008 at 11:47 PM
- Anonymous said...
Nobody cares about this, you are making a mountain out of a molehill.
No, YOU don't care about this.
It is clear from the posts on this thread (and others) that many people do care about it.
- July 4, 2008 at 8:05 AM
- Anonymous said...
Anonymous said...
Nobody cares about this, you are making a mountain out of a molehill.
July 3, 2008 9:20 PM
Please Do NOT attempt to speak for others, others DO care. I care & so do many others who love the sport.
- July 4, 2008 at 11:53 AM
- Tracy said...
Nascar Now at midnight on the Fourth of July - what a time to choose to run some of ESPN's interview with Ms. Grant. Bury the story in a time slot when everyone will be coming home from festivities and putting the kids to bed. Oh yeah, good tactic to bury the story and still say you reported it.
Shame on NN.
- July 5, 2008 at 2:28 PM
- Richard in N.C. said...
Surprisingly, Mike Muhlhern wrote a quite positive response to Brian France's meeting with the press in Daytona.
It appears to me that the handling of the so-called Brett Favre "story" demonstrates that there is no longer any institutional emphasis on journalistic credibility at ESPN. I watched a 25 to 40 minutes episode of NFL Live the other night that included Al Harris and covered virtually nothing but the Favre "story" - without once mentioning Favre's e-mail or text message to his hometown paper saying the "story" was "all rumors." In my view, ESPN is more interested in keeping the Favre story alive, than reporting it accurately. I have yet to hear anyone on ESPN mention trying to contact Favre.
Thus, I am not sure one can expect much credible, well-done reporting of the Grant-NASCAR suit - except for a very small handful of ESPN reporters, such as Ryan McGee, Marty Smith, and Angelique Chengalis.
- July 6, 2008 at 6:22 PM


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Tuesday, July 5, 2011
TV Police: Sprint Cup Series From Daytona On TNT
After Danica Patrick made a splash on Friday night, it's only fitting to assign the Sprint Cup Series investigation to Marybeth Lacey and Christine Cagney. These two female detectives did not mess around when it came to crimes committed in Manhattan's 14th precint in 1982.
The persistent nature of these two ladies is going to be key. Daytona was again the scene of a non-stop tandem extravaganza of racing. It was different than what fans have come to know and never featured a big pack racing together until the end. Even then, it was all tag-team action until the checkered flag.
Lindsay Czarniak hosted another crisp TNT pre-race show. Kyle Petty interviewed Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough and Adam Alexander interviewed Trevor Bayne. Larry McReynolds and Petty exchanged opinions about the merits of the tandem racing we all knew was coming.
Alexander certainly was vocal as the race got underway, but things settled down as several teams faded to the back and everyone found their dance partners. It was tough to watch nothing happening for many laps but TNT kept the energy level up and focused on the teams running at the front.
Pit road reporters were Matt Yocum, Chris Neville, Marty Snider and Ralph Sheheen. They had a tough task as many of the two car teams that came into pit were teams assigned to two different pit road reporters. It made for some interesting descriptions of what was going on.
These top teams has planned for this race and left TNT often with nothing to discuss. Petty was great at talking about all kinds of topics as the tandems rolled by lap-after-lap. Dallenbach just seemed to be amused by it all.
In the end, the clumsy two car trains began colliding and once again we saw a caution flag provide the excitement at the finish. The big wreck on the first green-white-checker attempt was foolish looking. TNT had every replay and all of them made the teams look like amateurs.
Such is the world of restrictor plate racing in the final laps. We have seen it with big packs and now we see it with the tandem racing. Ultimately, the results are the same. In the end, the race to the line was another crash-fest as we saw on Saturday. If this is what NASCAR wants, then they have it.
Post-race consisted of multiple interviews that included the winner and those crashed-out in the final lap. TNT had about twenty minutes and the network stayed on and interviewed the relevent drivers. It was the second week of good post-race choices by TNT. The telecast ended at 10:50PM.
This post will serve to host your TV comments about the TNT coverage of the Sprint Cup Series race from Daytona. To add your opinion, just click on the comments button below. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and share your opinion.
36 comments:
- Jonathan said...
CELEBRATE UPS IS IN VICTORY LANE AT DAYTONA!!!!! David got his secound chance and he does it so happy for him he deserves this!!! It wasnt a fluke finish the best 2 car team won and the was David and Kenseth and its nice to Kenseth be such a great teamate that was a good race I had a lot more fun today than I did yesterday I had race buddy on alot so I was into it the whole race I wish Nascar didnt have to wait till 2014 to get this for all races its a shame cause its brings me so much closer to the tv cause I can have both on Love it
UPSER Celebrate :)
- July 2, 2011 at 10:56 PM
- OSBORNK said...
The "race" was a terrible example of NASCAR's manipulation and micromanagent of what was once great sport that has been turned into Professional Wrestling on wheels. TNT provided great camera work but the booth was unable to provide meaningful explanations as to what was going on. I never did understand what went on during the GWCs. I also felt that the drivers had been warned to play nice when they were interviewed after the race. It all seemed so fake and programmed.
- July 2, 2011 at 10:59 PM
- Spring Rubber said...
As in years past, the Wide Open Coverage sets the standard for how NASCAR should be televised. We barely miss any of the visuals during the in-telecast commercials, and TNT does it right be making sure that we get good camera shots during the commercials. This is a major improvement over Fox's side-by-side breaks where they would continue their follow-the-leader game.
The camera shots were naturally superb during the rest of the telecast, as well. On the booth side of things, however, Adam Alexander still doesn't fit the play-by-play role. IMO, the exciting finish was somewhat tarnished by the awkward way he called the wrecks and Ragan's first win.
Just as we've been calling for Bestwick to take over on ESPN, I think Ralph Sheheen would be the better choice for the TNT booth. Like Bestwick, Sheheen knows how to manage the play-by-play role and add excitement when needed (exciting finishes) while toning it down in situations where the analysts should be speaking.
Overall, though, TNT is the best of the bunch right now, but there is still room for improvement. TNT still hasn't done as good of a job as they did at Pocono yet, which is strange. I'd love to see more consistently solid reporting and follow-ups throughout the entire race.
- July 2, 2011 at 11:05 PM
- Buschseries61 said...
Thank you to TNT & partners for another "Wide Open" Daytona race. Little commercial interuption was appreciated.
TNT did the best they could with barely any storylines. The camerawork was solid all night long. Like you said, the booth found important things to discuss. Alexander wasn't overwhelmed and avoided a Sonoma repeat. Petty was pretty good. He had a few rambling moments and a slam on the #51 sponsor that wasn't necessary. The interaction between the three is still off though.
TNT left a few stories untold, such as Jimmie Johnson pitting with under 5 to go. Yocum offered little in his report and Petty guessed Johnson had a tire problem. Turns out he just wanted to be with teammate Jeff Gordon. There can not be another repeat of the 47/66 wreck at Sonoma that had no follow-up and forced Michael McDowell to explain his story to thousands of angry fans on twitter.
The post-race provided plenty of interviews, but they consisted of one basic question and a quick response. Snider rushing Kyle Busch's interview was a little awkward. I don't know what the rush was for, since there were 10 minutes left in the broadcast window.
- July 2, 2011 at 11:07 PM
- Roland said...
That was a great broadcast. It had some issues, like the fact that they never showed anyone but the leader, but the 60+ laps of non stop commercial free green flag racing was phenomenal. Cant thank TNT enough for that. It was a shame they couldnt broadcast all the green flag laps but they did the best they could. That to me was the best broadcast of the year. AA was solid, Wally and Kyle were on their game. The pit reporters were the ones that didnt step up to the plate tonight. Never thought Id say that but they had problems handing off to the next reporter during pit stops and the Victory Lane interview went way long. Matt's interview took 20 seconds and Kyle Busch just ran over Matt Yocum during theirs. Anyway I really shouldnt complain I got to see all but 5 laps of green flag racing tonight and Im really pleased with that. Best broadcast of the year. Kudos TNT
- July 2, 2011 at 11:09 PM
- Roland said...
Oh yeah, and I love having the ticker on the bottom with the graphics inside of it. Didnt think I would enjoy having 1/4 of my screen gone but I really did like having all that Junk at the bottom.
- July 2, 2011 at 11:14 PM
- Matt said...
It's amazing how NOT going to commercial every 5 laps improves a broadcast, even with a subpar play-by-play announcer.
- July 2, 2011 at 11:23 PM
- Vicky D said...
I liked the TNT coverage, although I had a lot of other things going on. Glad DR won!
- July 2, 2011 at 11:25 PM
- J.W.R. said...
I thought the TNT broadcast was excellent. They handle their races eloquently and as others have said the "Wide Open Coverage" is definitely the way to broadcast a NA$CAR race. I particularly enjoyed the part of the pre-race where they told who were already known tandems. TNT did what they could with an awkward style of racing.
The tandems are simply no better for eliminating big crashes than the big packs were. I believe it will be interesting to see how ESPN handles this style of racing at Talladega. Fox did not handle it well and they had 2 shots at it; they chose to take the rah-rah NA$CAR company line with their broadcast. TNT presented it as it was. Now ESPN gets their shot.
- July 2, 2011 at 11:35 PM
- Vicky D said...
Well, at least my fav finished in the top 5! I actually liked the wide open coverage. I thought the telecast was actually very good I think KP & WD has to help AA.
- July 2, 2011 at 11:56 PM
- Zetona said...
I could only watch the race via RB over a pretty slow Internet connection, and I was miffed when the video player decided the connection was momentarily good enough to up the video quality, which jumped the feed forward about ten seconds and inevitably led to a big buffering pause five seconds later, at which point I'd just reload the page.
I had other obligations near the finish, so I tried to pause RB on lap 158 and resumed maybe an hour later, so as to watch the finish without spoilers.When I hit play, the feed went back to the beginning of the broadcast. I clicked on the helpful highlights on the bottom, at which point the player decided to bump up the video quality, skipping past the highlight and then pausing. I looked up the results elsewhere on the site. Luckily, my situation is not one I think I'll be in anytime soon.
Given how I watched the broadcast, there's little else I can comment, except that the entire NASCAR media abso-friggin-lutely LOVES the story that David Ragan lost the Daytona 500 on that restart, like it was a done deal that he would have won it otherwise.
- July 3, 2011 at 12:16 AM
- Sophia said...
Thank you TNT for the WIDE OPEN COVERAGE!
This will be the last time I watch an entire NASCAR race live this yr. Could not take the FOX & ESPN *&%^$&# camera work. Waste of my time, esp at the end!!
The booth disappointed me at times but the great wide camera work kept me from griping on that.
Still, I ditto Osbornk's comments. Also the multiple GWC always annoys & I never found out what happened at the end. Soon after the race was over I got a phone call from a friend & yakked to him for 2 hours, so never did find out who all wrecked in the big one.
Will find out later on highlights on SPEED Sunday night.
TNT I wish we had you all SEASON LONG!
- July 3, 2011 at 1:27 AM
- Anonymous said...
First off, congrats to David Ragan on his first win. Kid was going to win before long, but ran a good race.
Second, this 2-car tango is getting boring to watch. I was almost falling asleep around lap 50. I never fall asleep during a Daytona race, however, that was actually boring. I actually cheered when we had the 15 car wreck! For a minute, it was Daytona of old!
I was actually getting more confused with what was going on during the race as well because Wally and Kyle kept trying to explain what was going on. Kyle Petty is not that good of a commentator. People are harping on Adam Alexander and Marty Reid being bad, but KP isn't that good either. TNT really needs to figure out a new commentating team for their races in 2012 because this one doesn't work.
A previous poster nailed it with their comment that TNT really left a lot of storylines untold. I didn't watch their post race on the internet, but more reactions to the melee on the last lap? No interviews after the big wreck? No comment from Nemechek, Mears, Cassill, or anyone else who had a heck of a finish, and then ruined because of the wrecks during the GWC finish? No word from Carl Edwards, who apparently was getting sick from his own car, which was mentioned on the 3rd caution where we barely got a replay of Blaney wrecking? And no word from Junior, who took to ESPN to bash the 2-car tango drafting? And what ever happened to Geoff Bodine? One moment he was up to 15th or a top-10 and then during one of those promos he was down to 35th and off the track.
However, the Wide Open coverage is awesome. You barely miss anything on the track, unless you get 103 laps of green flag racing and your local network begs for a quick :30 timeout to air something for them. The one thing that annoys me is that every 5 minutes, you have a promo promoting something different, or two straight commercials promoting the same company. NASCAR should really look into something like this for their big races and not just the Coke Zero 400.
- July 3, 2011 at 2:12 AM
- CaseMoney said...
Indeed Zetona. I do believe that Sterling Marlin cost himself a win in the 2002 Daytona 500 when he get penialized. David Ragan in 2011 on the other hand.. he just gave up his lottery ticket for a chance to win at the end.
- July 3, 2011 at 2:30 AM
- KoHoSo said...
Most of my problems with this race had to do with the on-track product. However, on the media front...
1. Wide Open coverage is highly appreciated.
2. More people would be on the warpath against Adam Alexandar if they didn't already know what is coming soon with Marty "Coffin in the Nail" Reed.
3. Follow-up on many stories and issues during the race was abysmal.
4. The pit reporter talking furiously about the 43 but failing to notice that the car wasn't leaving the pits.
5. Cheers to Kyle Petty for calling out a sponsor that cost its driver valuable practice time.
6. Jeers to Kyle Petty for repeating his view on that issue multiple times before letting anybody talk about anything else.
Indirectly on the media...
7. Epic fail on Darrell Waltrip for making a Twitter "tweet" during the middle of the race inferring that NASCAR should throw a phantom yellow. In addition to many other reasons, not a good move on a superspeedway coming from the man that for years now has been pounding into our heads that cautions breed cautions.
8. Jeers to me for breaking my promise to myself to not watch anymore of this love-bug style so-called racing.
- July 3, 2011 at 3:05 AM
- Adam Wood said...
Great broadcast. Too bad we couldn't get all green flag laps in with the few cautions we had tonight. This race is certainly going in the "How to Broadcast a NASCAR Race" playbook.
One camera angle I found interesting was in turn 4. Due to a combination of the camera angle and the steep Daytona Banking, a Coke Zero 400 logo painted on the grass looked like a display standing up. Good advertising job there.
I liked the in car they had with Tony Stewart. This was a good angle-it showed what the drivers saw. I would rather have this angle every week then the ones we see of the driver during a crash.
I did think that TNT missed one by not explaining the green-white-checker procedure at the end. Yes, regular fans know this one but on July 4 weekend we probably lost some fans at the end of the race because they thought with a caution with 3 to go the race was over. I would have liked to have heard something to the effect of "and now a green-white-checker finish" or "and now NASCAR's version of overtime."
I hope the viewers of whatever show came on after the race were watching the race otherwise they missed the first 10 minutes. Would rather have had the post-race coverage go up to the 11:00 ET window.
One final problem with the broadcast-I only found out where Earnhardt Jr. finished during the post-race run down. No interview until I turned over to SportsCenter. Maybe he was getting checked out, but as popular as he was I would have liked to have seen an interview.
- July 3, 2011 at 3:27 AM
- Anonymous said...
TNT just showed how awesome a nascar racing broadcast could be. The camera work was superb! They did not jump around every half second, they were zoomed out enough to show lots of cars, even the cams were used well, they would follow the cars around the track much like I would if I was there. Thank you so much to everyone involved with the camera work! The "wide open coverage" was also so well done. To have the entire tv screen continue to show the race like normal, and to have a box overlaid at the bottom for the commercial, was just great. fox should not even show their faces with that embarassing thing they called side by side. Personnally, I love the style of TNT's booth and I believe Kyle in no way was dishing the #51's sponsor. He would never, ever do that. nascar, if they really cared about the media viewing fans, should take that broadcast and tell fox and espn either show it like this or we do not want you - I know, fat chance on that one. To the whole TNT staff, I want to personally say you did a great job, thank you to all the companies that agreed that their commercials could be shown in the "wide open coverage" format, thank you Coke for your backing, and a BIG THANK YOU to TNT's management for having the mindset and guts to reach for perfection. You just showed how absolutely pitiful espn's, fox's, and nascar's managements are when it comes to broadcasting a nascar race. MC
- July 3, 2011 at 7:49 AM
- Anonymous said...
I thought that this was the worst of the TNT broadcasts. The production truck seemed obsessed with the top 10. Good luck following anyone else. I wasn't the least bit impressed with Wally and Kyle. By the way, what's up with Mark Martin who's been involved in three skirmishes this year? I thought the reporting was half-azzed. Did anyone talk to the #2 team to find out how Trevor Bayne got turned? How about talking to the Biffle team about Edwards getting turned? How about Vickers team when he drifted up and turned Kahne? These folks operate like a bunch of amateurs. Even if emotions are high and people won't cooperate, there's always the radio traffic. Did anyone bother to follow up or didn't they want to interrupt Petty as he flapped his jaws for five laps about whichever idle thought crossed his mind? Great news for David Reagan. With the UPS sponsorship up for renewal and Bayne/Stenhouse nipping at David's heels, the #6 needed all the help it could get. Thanks JD, for all you did. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Holiday!
- July 3, 2011 at 8:20 AM
- rich said...
I enjoyed the broadcast. The combination of RaceBuddy and Wide Open Coverage made for a great race. Only wish that AB was doing pxp. Liked the new running order display. Not sure how the chopped up screen looked for folks with small TVs but it looked great on my HDTV.
This style of showing ads was way better than any other. I even watched most of the ads!
- July 3, 2011 at 8:29 AM
- Anonymous said...
Both Landon Cassill and Andy Lally both had good runs Saturday night. Actually, Cassill has had two good races in a row. You'd think the TV and other media folks would give them some publicity. Apparently they don't believe so.
- July 3, 2011 at 9:12 AM
- Anonymous said...
I agree with everything anon 2:12 am said. I wish I could make half as much sense at 2:00 in the morning!
- July 3, 2011 at 10:51 AM
- OrangeTom said...
Really disappointed with coverage. Can't just blame Adam either. All three were definitely not at the top of their game. Kept losing track of stories. For example, Carl Edwards. Was he o.k.? Did he expire from carbon monoxide poisoning?
Also found commercials distracting even when sharing screen with race. If anything, there seemed to be more than usual.
Hate to be so negative. TNT is usually my favorite of the NASCAR broadcast partners
- July 3, 2011 at 11:18 AM
- Anonymous said...
I would like to hear two things from TNT.
1. Please tell us that you only plan 15 minutes or so of post race coverage no matter the length of the scheduled TV window. Considering the commercials I see when signing on to race buddy, I guess you need viewers for those online advertisers.
2. I would really like to know if part of the agreement with the advertisers for wide open coverage is for some sort of consideration, either price, or commercial time for the other TNT races. If wide open coverage really worked, why would that be necessary, and only limit it to a single race?
- July 3, 2011 at 11:40 AM
- GinaV24 said...
well, I was out to dinner with NO TV access for most of the race, so I missed the first 3 quarters of the race and only saw the end when as usual, it became the crapshoot that RP races always are.
Congrats to David Ragan. I was happy to see him win.
thanks again to TNT and the sponsors who make the wide open coverage available.
I truly hate the multiple GWC rule. It's stupid and doesn't so much produce exciting finishes as screwed up finishes - although I was very happy that my favorite driver finished in the top 10 after that spectacular save! And to booth, he and KyBu worked together to get back to the front on that final GWC. Pretty amazing.
For me, TNT is still the best of the 3 broadcasts - IMO AA just doesn't cut it for a PXP guy - put Ralph back in the booth, just like Bestwick should be in for ESPN.
- July 3, 2011 at 12:05 PM
- Kim said...
I can't remember when I enjoyed a race as much as I enjoyed the Coke Zero 400!
Absolutely LOVED the way the commercials were shown, and more to the point, I watched them all. I only left the television when there was no racing on the set.
I listen to the race broadcast in tandem with the in-car audio of the 4 car, so I am not as focused on the specifics of the broadcast team although I really enjoy Kyle Petty. He shoots straight and doesn't toe the NASCAR line. I was a bit confused about the 48 pitting, though. Then again, so was Junior!
The camera work was beautiful, but then Kasey was in the lead a lot and that meant he was on camera a lot ;)
Basically, I had fun watching the race yesterday. That was a close to perfect a production as I've seen in my 4.5 years of NASCAR fandom and Fox and ESPN should be taking notes!
Great job, TNT!!!
- July 3, 2011 at 12:11 PM
- West Coast Diane said...
First...I hate this "racing". Can't believe Carl Edwards said he liked it and NASCAR needs to do a better job of explaining it. Sorry Carl, I understand it perfectly and still hate it. If it wasn't for the ability to listen to 48/88 scanner on HotPass not sure I would have watched the whole race...and that would have been a first. The scanner conversations between drivers are the only part of this racing that is good!
Will we drive 7000 miles round trip and spend a bunch of bucks for the 500 next year? Not sure.
Since I could see the TNT broadcast with HotPass I did like the commercial placement during Wide Open phase. HotPass continued the audio during Wide Open, which was cool. Although I did fast forward through obnoxioux ads :-).
Here is a question that has been bugging me for sometime. Why do the three broadcast entities try to "compete" with each other when in fact they are never competing? They do not ever have races on at the same time or even during the same segment of the season. So, why can't there be some synergy between them and take the best from each other. Point in case would be the running race while airing commercials. Why does Fox have to do "side by side" and TNT "Wide Open"? Have all three use the Wide Open of TNT because it is truly the best, including Versus IndyCar side by side. It just seems silly to try and differentiate something that all three (or 4 with Versus) should be using the best method.
Just as social media and options like RaceBuddy and live streaming are having a huge impact on how we follow our sport and others, the TV industry needs to get with it or they will disappear into oblivion.
- July 3, 2011 at 12:12 PM
- MRM4 said...
Regarding the Wide Open coverage, my wife asked why they don't do that for every race. I said it depends on who you ask.
I thought the broadcast was very good. Some good explanations about the pushing car being to the right of the lead car, how the cooling fans are not metal and could melt from the heat, and the new gauges team use and how they can be programmed to alert a driver at a certain point when the car is getting too hot. We've not heard any of these explained on Fox and they've already had two plate races this year.
- July 3, 2011 at 3:17 PM
- Dolph Busch said...
The night provided a cavalcade of Wally Dallenbach spouting facts that were objectively, completely wrong, in an authoritative, this-isnt-a-guess voice. "Joey Logano turned Mark Martin." Oh wait, no he didn't. "Kyle Busch can't hook up with Joey Logano," oh wait, that is on purpose. And still... STILL, Wally was the best commentator to listen to in the booth, and that's saying something. It's a testament to Kyle Petty's inability to make a complete sentence, and more importantly, a testament to Adam Alexander's uncanny lack of ability to put anything in perspective or to fill in the blanks.
Why do we have a play by play guy if he's not going to fill in the blanks? I can see what's on the view finder just as good as you Adam.
How laughable was it that all three of these guys stuck with the Hendrick is gonna win narrative virtually ignoring the viability of the front runners all race until it was patently obvious and kudos to Wally for finally realizing it, that Hendrick sucked and was never going to be a contender. (When Hendrick finally did get up there, Gordon and Martin caused the two biggest wrecks, which was largely missed by the crew despite them focussing on Hendrick as they road around out of the picture all night. Also love how Petty calls them "Hendrix," like jimmy hendrix.
My biggest problem with Alexander, in addition to just providing no context about the race Pit road strategies never contextualized.
Time and time again, we'd come out of a yellow and it would take a half a lap before Alexander even noticed someone else had come out ahead of whoever was leading prior to the yellow. Even then when it somehow occurred to Adam that the leaders were different, he NEVER contextualized this for us. Oh, look who's out front now, after all, it's Kevin Harvick, and I guess I'll just leave it to you to guess why!
- July 3, 2011 at 7:38 PM
- Anonymous said...
Overall,I had no problem with the telecast.MUCH better than FAUX,and no D.W. Ticker is much better to read.No real complaints here.
- July 3, 2011 at 9:37 PM
- Mule said...
Enjoyed the h*** out of the wide open coverage. Problem was, the race stunk. TNT needs to find a better PXP guy other than AA. He's screaming the whole time just Like Kenny Wallace on victory lane.
If you bought a ticket for that race, you was robbed. Carbon copy of the NNS race.
If this is the kind of show Nascar wants, they might as well close up shop. I don't care if there was 250 lead changes.
Nascar needs to face up to it. The COT is a POS and a complete failure. They also need to look at giving TNT more races. Their coverage is far superior to FAUX & BSPN. Kyle Petty might not be a Hall of Famer and didn't win a bunch of races, but I prefer him over DW. Yeah, he got off track every now and then, but the race was simply awful. Congrats to David Regan being patient enough to make it to the end.!
- July 4, 2011 at 7:40 AM
- Anonymous said...
This may step on some toes, but Mike Joy, AA,Rick Allen,Bestwick and others all have the same obstacle facing their play by play announcing---they never have competed in a race car. To use a phrase that JD used, some have "good pipes". But a strong voice only gets you so far. Not only do they have no racing experience but they probably couldn't tell the difference between a camshaft and a crankshaft as Ryan MaGhee repeatedly demonstrated a few years ago. With these handicaps, it's exceedingly difficult to assess what's noteworthy during the race. I could go on, but it's best I not. PS - I suspect that if a driver other than Junior criticized plate racing as Junior did, he'd be looking at a huge double-secret fine ala Newman(2X) and Hamlin.
- July 4, 2011 at 1:16 PM
- Anonymous said...
Does anyone think there will be a NASCAR backlash, or some trouble for Ralph Sheheen with regards to his reporting of the "Hendrick team orders", to get Mark Martin the win, regardless of the consequences? Considering that something like this is something NASCAR always wants to stop from being broadcast, I'd be surprised if he didn't get a call from Helton telling Ralph to either retract these comments as false, or telling him to keep his mouth shut.
- July 4, 2011 at 6:59 PM
- Anonymous said...
To anon at 1:16
Actually that's only partially true. Mike Joy has competed in the Rolex 24 Hour race at Daytona in 1993. As well as various other touring car and SCCA events. He's also tested Cup, Truck and Modified vehicles as well as being a classic car junkie and been a pit reporter for years with CBS so I'm sure his technical expertise is fine. Just as I'm sure the rest of them are fairly tech savvy as well. Also with that being said it's rare that a Play by Play announcer has competed in the sport they are covering, they aren't there to offer analysis. They are there to direct traffic, call the action as it happens, and get the most knowledge possible out of their analysts. They are the "What" while the analysts are the "why" and "how". Which Rick, Mike and Allen all do very well.
- July 4, 2011 at 8:01 PM
- Anonymous said...
To anon 8:01 pm-- You missed my point. I HAVE listened to them. They've repeatedly shown me that they are lacking technically. I've raced cars and built them including the engines myself. Of all the names I've listed, Mike Joy is probably at the top of the list for making technically inaccurate comments. I'm just really tired of listening to people getting paid a lot of money to say some goofy things. A perfect example are the things Wally Dallenbach said Saturday night about Mark Martin and then the Logano/Kyle Busch drafting situation. It happens all the time.
- July 4, 2011 at 11:29 PM
- James said...
What a great way to watch a race! I really enjoyed the Wide Open Coverage, Thanks TNT! I just went out and bought some Coors to thank them. I do not understand why there was a third of the screen that was not being used for racing, instead of some goofy art work spinning around? I loved the way the camera showed things from a wide view! I thought the overhead shot on the restarts could have been used more. All in All, I enjoyed the way the race was shown. However, I do not understand why AA is calling the PxP? His talents are better used as a pit reporter. The lead analysis should lead and the color commentators should fill in the technology and story lines. I only wish all the booth folks would remember to finish their thoughts when they start telling us a five minute story and then the on track action causing them to stop or another booth person interrupts them and you never hear the punch line or the point the commentator is trying to to make!
I wish we had one lead and two "color commentators" that stay in the booth for cup races instead of the musical chair approach being used now! There is no continuity from week to week and I want the racing to give me the difference, be it the track or the changes in the sport. The booth team should be fun to listen to without becoming the "show", Their job is to enhance the coverage not become the coverage! I think that Ricky Craven is the most articulate and knowledgeable person NOT being used to his potential! His insight and perspective of unbiased coverage, plus his relationship with the competitors and his creditability are my model for a guy who should be the "FACE OF NASCAR", good for the sport good for the fans and the guy promotes NASCAR without the baggage of trying to sell you on himself!
My greatest desire would be to see NASCAR step up and require this type of coverage for ALL its races. If there is one complaint I have about the current management is their apparent lack of caring about the loyal viewer who watches NASCAR with a passion and a desire to be treated as a person who possesses an education above the Fifth Grade! Larry is a classic example of having a person in a prominent position with a complete lack of ability to speak above the level of an uneducated person. He destroys the English language and you have to wonder would you like your children to talk like him? Then what the heck is he doing, the guy does not even try to get better, it the same old same ol'!
That being said, I have to finish by saying it is a pleasure to watch racing without the camera making me dizzy and the booth being way behind the pictures being sent to my set. I like the visuals to stay up with the on track action and I hate it when the racing interrupts some stupid story from thirty years ago that has nothing to do with todays NASCAR. I only hope they figure it out before it is too late! If ESPN thinks they can come in and totally disrespect the sport, the fans are going to turn off the broadcasts and fire up the radio!
- July 5, 2011 at 9:54 AM
- Fed UP said...
Must say that I look forward to this race each year with its wide open concept. I like not having to flip channels on commercials.
I like the announcers for the most part..but I must say taht they are quick to assign blame to the other driver for "causing" accidents. How about getting some information from the pit reporters and, oh I don't know, being objective? We get it that Dallyenback and Petty don't necessarily like Kez, I didn't realize that they had a window into his motives. However, they are quick to point out that Mark Martin was the victim of the crash, while negelecting to report that Mr. Martin has a tendancy to cause crashes deliberately in the final laps. A bit less bias would be nice. FYI: I thought that DW was back in the booth when Petty and Dallenbach did that. I do expect better from them.
Loved the part where Shaheen reported the HMS team orders! Funny! Too bad that HMS didn't tell Letarte or JR that they aren't part of the winning HMS teams! Funny than heck when J.J. and Chad made the call to hang out JR. Nice teammates that JR has there. If JR is seriously thinking about resigning with HMS, he should remember how bad he sucked back in 2009 and 2010. There is only one team at HMS and that is the 48. The 88 is the cash cow that keeps the 48 going. That was worth a huge follow up that TNT did not provide. However, overall I have to give them a b for this broadcast. Good, but still could use some improvements.
- July 5, 2011 at 9:55 AM


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