ESPN Spitcup coverage starts this weekend...

[Digger]

From their media release:

The telecast from Indianapolis is presented by Golden Corral and begins with an expanded, 1 hour, 45 minute NASCAR Countdown pre-race show that will include multiple features and interviews highlighting the significance, history and pageantry of the race and venue. The green flag flies at 2:19 p.m.

ESPN will use 76 high definition cameras in the telecast, including the first usage in NASCAR of BatCam. The camera on a cable, which was used by ESPN in telecasts of the last two Indianapolis 500 races, will fly over the speedway’s frontstretch and pit road at more than 80 miles per hour to give viewers a dramatic look at the setting and action.

"BatCam"? Are we about to get stuck here with another Digger?

NASCAR Countdown will include a segment with actress/television host Kelly Ripa, who interviews her occasional Live with Regis and Kelly co-host Jeff Gordon. The interview in a New York City park focuses not only on Gordon's racing career, but also on how he was the first NASCAR driver to move into the entertainment spotlight. Ripa also will delve into how becoming a father has changed Gordon's outlook on his racing career.

That's just what we need... more barbies who don't have a clue about NASCAR racing meandering around the NASCAR paddock with a microphone and camera.

Well, I hope everybody enjoyed TNT's coverage because it's all downhill from here.

 

[83WynnsOlds]

NASCAR Countdown will include a segment with actress/television host Kelly Ripa, who interviews her occasional Live with Regis and Kelly co-host Jeff Gordon. The interview in a New York City park focuses not only on Gordon's racing career, but also on how he was the first NASCAR driver to move into the entertainment spotlight. Ripa also will delve into how becoming a father has changed Gordon's outlook on his racing career.

AWESOME. Looks like someone read my top 11 list!!!

 

[GREAT AMERICAN RACE FAN]

This is what we get when we let the "Mouse" cover NA_CAR. What in the wide wide world of sports is going on here? Indy is not that important, just a mediocre race at a Historic Open wheel track. Maybe a prestigious Pocono if you will.

 

[MRM]

I've seen the Batcam for the Indy 500. It provides some cool shots of pit road.

 

[GREAT AMERICAN RACE FAN]

I've seen the Batcam for the Indy 500. It provides some cool shots of pit road.

Let's hope it remains a cool camera, not a sperate entity that will have it's own cartoon and souvineer trailor.

Well maybe one cartoon, a rabid foaming at the mouth bat biting a ground hog, infecting the ground hog, and the groundhog biting Jeff Hammonds nose off. NA NA NA, NANA NA!!!

 

[Digger]

This is what we get when we let the "Mouse" cover NA_CAR. What in the wide wide world of sports is going on here? Indy is not that important, just a mediocre race at a Historic Open wheel track. Maybe a prestigious Pocono if you will.

Indianapolis is prestigious enough that they air it on cable.

I think Indianapolis is overrated but it's become one of the triple crown races, if you will. Which reminds me....

 

[foehammer111]

I think Indianapolis is overrated but it's become one of the triple crown races, if you will.

I never understood the so called "Triple Crown of Racing."

First of all, the real triple crown is a series of horse races. The same type of horse is raced on three very different tracks. Second, there's no clear definition of the racing triple crown. Some people say it's Indy, Daytona, and Monaco. Others say it's Indy, Monaco, and Le Mans. Still others say it's Le Mans, Monaco, and the F1 Championship.

But none of those really apply because if you compare it back to the horse racing Triple Crown, it would be like racing 3 different horses, on 3 different tracks, and it's nearly impossible for a jocky to move between the races.

I think it's more appropriate to say that each series has a "Triple Crown." In other words, three races that are different, and very difficult to win.

 

[Digger]

I think it's more appropriate to say that each series has a "Triple Crown." In other words, three races that are different, and very difficult to win.

ARCA has a "Triple Crown", I think they're running the triple crown this year at DuQuoin, Salem and the New Jersey road course since they already raced at Talladega.

 

[GREAT AMERICAN RACE FAN]

Indianapolis is prestigious enough that they air it on cable.

I think Indianapolis is overrated but it's become one of the triple crown races, if you will. Which reminds me....

Not a triple crown, or as I put it "Crown Jewel". Indy may have some history and huge payout, but not a piece of lint on the Crown of NASCAR.