Dale Earnhardt on ESPN Classic

[Desmond]

Here are a few notes from the parts of the ESPN Classic marathon tribute/movie promo I have seen so far:


Darrell Waltrip's first broadcast job was not on Fox, but on ESPN during the 1999 IROC races--alongside Benny Parsons, no less.  And no, there was no "boogity boogity boogity," Bob Jenkins gave a more traditional opening when the green flag dropped.

Ray Evernham was a broadcaster for ABC in the year between when he was the crew chief for Jeff Gordon and a car owner for Dodge.  In fact, the weekend of Earnhardt's eventual 2000 win at Atlanta, Evernham introduced Bill Elliott as the first confirmed Dodge driver for its return in 2001.

ESPN races often featured updated standings not only of drivers, but also of manufacturers and rookies.  The driver standings were even broken down by make.  (I'm sure that Cheryl, our "Pontiac lady," loved to see that!)

ESPN's helicopter camera was sponsored by Pennzoil.

Although ESPN broadcast most IROC races on tape delay, the 1999 Talladega race was shown live.

The SportsCentury bio was updated to include the installation of SAFER barriers at NASCAR tracks and Dale Jr.'s victory in the 2004 Daytona 500.  The end of each airing also included (surprise) a 15-second promo for the movie.

Above all, I have greater appreciation for ESPN's NASCAR coverage, and I hate the current coverage even more--especially Fox's!

[sally]

Yes, it is nice to watch race coverage that spends more time covering the RACE than worrying about bells and whistles.  I don't miss knowing how many RPS's someone is turning, or how fast a car is running.  Don't mean sh**, to quote Junior, if they racing isn't close.  I read in Scene last week that they are now talking about having interactive "viewing" of the races, so you can 'race' with the cars on the track.  Yup.  Nascar is turning into a live video game....but an ENTERTAINING one, right?
Sally :?

[Cheryl]

 I read in Scene last week that they are now talking about having interactive "viewing" of the races, so you can 'race' with the cars on the track.  Yup.  Nascar is turning into a live video game....but an ENTERTAINING one, right?

Only if you are under 25... :evil:

Last night, we went to my boss' Christmas party.  Her husband knew we were NASCAR fans and tried to make conversation about it.  He obviously only knew about the "new" mainstream stuff he'd probably seen advertised on Fox and NBC.  As we were leaving, he said "well NASCAR will always be NASCAR..." and I said "no, it's not really NASCAR anymore and that's the problem..."  Of course, he had not idea what I meant.

Cheryl

[sally]

Apparently I am not the only one who was thrilled to watch 'classic' races on ESPN, when the RACE was the most important thing.

http://www.gastongazette.com/Portal/ASP/sports/nascar/nascarDisplay.asp?ID=1315

Sally :wink:

[Cheryl]

Apparently I am not the only one who was thrilled to watch 'classic' races on ESPN, when the RACE was the most important thing.

This part pretty much sums up my feelings about the sport:

"Today the crowds, coverage and ratings are far higher, not to mention the money. I just speak for myself, though, and my basic view of the situation is that bigger isn’t necessarily better. "

This is why I always say "NASCAR has outgrown ME..."  

I do think Dutton needs a fact checker on his article.  He's confusing Kyle Petty's Peak antifreeze car with Kulwicki's Zerex sponsorship.   :wink:

Cheryl