Why does the ESPN coverage of NASCAR so terrible. If there is a crash or yellow they don't care???

Question

It seems that ESPN can not get a clue about how to cover a NASCAR event. The saddest part of this is the fan gets screwed. ABC does exceptional coverage of INDY but for some reason ESPN cant use a similar formula for NASCAR.

Your watching the race, very into the race, they go to commercial, a wreck happens and what does ESPN do?? They continue with the commercials. TNT and FOX immediately cut back to the action whenever a yellow comes out, even if it for stupid debris on the track.

The ESPN commentators dont realate to people, they dont even move their mouths when they speak. I dont know how much BOTOX they have in the truck but i am sure they are all using it.

Note to ESPN: Stop promoting all of your announcers crappy projects, we dont want to hear them talk about how great they are or were. When a yellow comes out, go back to the action. Show the action as it happens, take some lessons from the guys at FOX and TNT.

Note to NASCAR: DUMP ESPN AND LEAVE IT TO THE EXPERTS!!

Answer 1

Yeah, BUT...does anybody remember how much complaining everyone did about FOX and TNT, and they couldn't wait for ESPN? HMMM...Now look what we're stuck with. Only goes to prove you don't know what you got til its gone! How many years is the contract with ESPN? Way too many! Now we're stuck!

Go Jr.>>>>

Answer 2

Each of the different broadcast teams have their good points and their bad ones, but IMO, NBC was absolutely the worst. I swear, I almost threw the TV out the window when they kept doing "Through The Field" after every other commercial break! They also spent a small fortune on driver interviews that they would play over the race, and which rarely had them discussing a racing topic. I don't care if Carl Edwards wears boxers or briefs.

I've also about had it with Darrel Waltrip. He's much more likable as a commentator than he was as a driver, but he's become too annoying IMO. Other than him, I'm okay with the Fox broadcasts. TNT does a decent job, too, as does Speed with the Truck races. I've never been a fan of Rusty Wallace mostly because nothing was ever his fault. Nothing. Ever. Drove me crazy. I knew if he started covering Busch races, suddenly nothing would ever be his sons fault, but he's doing better there. You can hear in his voice how hard it is for him to comment on things his boy does wrong (at least 1 wreck every week), but at the first chance, he shifts the blame to someone else. Classic example was when Steve took out Carl Edwards a month or two ago, and Rusty was leaning on Steve until Edwards, being a man about it, said both drivers were partly at fault. From that point on, Steve was off the hook, according to Rusty.

Okay, enough about Rusty. Sorry.

ESPN needs work, but give them time. Each time the broadcaster changes, right away I miss some things, and enjoy other new ones. They'll get better.

As far as ABC and the split screen, the only thing I can think of is Nascar must not approve, because it's not an issue with ABC or ESPN. We'll have to wait a few more weeks to see; starting at Richmond in September, ABC will broadcast the rest of the Cup races for this year.

Answer 3

ESPN coverage really does suck, I have cable and mine also cut out for 5+ minutes! Plus the added small screen with the constant coverage the crap! Nascar should just stay with FOX, whether the you care for the commentators or not, Fox does have the best "all around" coverage of the race! Why don't they at least switch screens, and make the race stay on the full screen, and the small screen become the commercials!

Answer 4

It's still better than NBC, at least they don't need to use the "Draft Tracker" at a road course. Hopefully next year Dale Jerrett will retire and take over the Busch races so we don't have to deal with Rusty taking about his kid racing. They also need to par down the number of people as track side reporters to three.

And get rid of the Aerosmith video, please. It was cute in February but I'm getting sick of it. The Shut Up and Drive video from last week wasn't much better.

ESPN can do better and it's only been two Cup races. I've got my fingers cross that it gets better before the chase moves to ABC and lowest common denominator card gets played.

Answer 5

I agree. You would think that after a couple of weeks they would have a clue. NOT YET THEY DON'T

Hey Nascar you are in trouble if you think that the fans of the racing world are going to put up with the lousy coverage that you are getting.

Maybe the France family no longer runs Nascar and maybe Nascar has been bought by the Networks and we as fans just don't know it yet.

Answer 6

I am SOOOO GLAD someone else said this. It's horrible, all the typical ESPN, glitz, and BS. I really liked TNT, and I still think fox does a good job. I would love to see some racing during the comercial and promo fest.

Answer 7

nobody will ever be able to cover Nascar correctly...simply because the racing doesnt stop when a they go to a commercial break. That is why they sell tickets to the event.

Answer 8

You got that right, nailed it to a T.
This question with it's own answer Rules!!!!!

Seriously, they need to get back to getting in touch with the fans by showing the race, and not themselves and their money and makeup and botox!!

Answer 9

I agree, i saw the crash in canada, all hell was breaking loose and the announcers sounded like they were doing some sort of press conference for C-Span. C-Span!!!!

Answer 10

Too bad Speedvision doesnt have the money, because nobody does it like Speed!