NBC's NASCAR team begins to take shape

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klemmabyna

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from: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nbcs-nascar-team-begins-shape-110000499--nascar.html


NBC's NASCAR team begins to take shape
NBC is in the initial stages of assembling the team that will begin broadcasting NASCAR events in 2015, and the first major addition is someone well familiar with the world of stock car racing.

?Jeff Behnke, who worked in NASCAR production for over two decades during a long tenure at Turner Sports, on Monday was named to head the day-to-day operations of the group that will air races on NBC and NBC Sports Network. Behnke, who will carry the title of vice president of NASCAR production, will operate out of Charlotte, N.C., marking the first time the head of a network's NASCAR production team will be based in the sport's hub.
"Jeff Behnke's talent, creativity and experience make him the kind of leader that we want on our team," Sam Flood, executive producer of NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network, said in a release. "Jeff is going to add a great deal to our partnership with NASCAR, and I am thrilled to welcome him to the NBC Sports family."
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Behnke's expertise covers all aspects of production, including live remotes, studio broadcasts and on-air talent acquisitions. Behnke, who has amassed a record of leading production teams covering NASCAR as well as several other sports, will work closely with Flood during the lead-up to NBC Sports Group's highly anticipated return to NASCAR.
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"It's an honor and a privilege to join NBC Sports," said Behnke, an Emmy Award winner who will start in his new position in January. "I'm looking forward to this opportunity to be a part of NBC's history of excellence in sports television and unmatched leadership."
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Prior to joining NBC Sports Group, Behnke served as executive producer of Turner Sports for seven years, where he coordinated and provided strategic direction for all productions and personnel covering NASCAR, NBA, Major League Baseball and several of golf's major championships. Behnke's appointment to executive producer was the culmination of a 27-year run at Turner that included more than two decades of NASCAR production experience. Behnke began his production career at ABC, where he worked on a variety of events including the Indianapolis 500.
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This past July, NASCAR and NBC Sports Group reached a comprehensive agreement that grants NBC Universal exclusive rights to the final 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR Nationwide Series events, select NASCAR Regional and Touring Series events, and other live content beginning in 2015.
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With this partnership, NBC's 20 Sprint Cup race schedule includes a designation as the exclusive home to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The season finale will return to network television in 2015 for the first time since 2009. Of NBC Sports Group's 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, seven will be carried on NBC annually, with 13 airing on NBC Sports Network. Four of NBC Sports Group's 19 NASCAR Nationwide Series races will air on NBC, with 15 airing on NBC Sports Network.
 
I could care less about who is in the booth as long as there is some good racing. I pay very little attention to the booth after the race has started anyway.
 
I'd be happy if the entire TNT on-air crew went to NBC. TNT has the best pre-race coverage by a mile and their commentators call it as they see it.

Their behind the scenes crew need to stick to baseball and basketbore.
 
Jeffrey00 said:
Betwick with Dallenbach and Petty would be my team. They seem to be the most honest I think.
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Agreed. I wouldn't mind Adam Alexander though if NBC can't get Bestwick.

TNT sucks but the thing to keep in mind - they have tons of baseball and basketbore people behind the scenes and the ones there who do know racing come from Fox Sports which also does a terrible job covering NASCAR.
 
No love for Mike Joy?

I miss the days of Ken Squier, BP, Ned Jarrett, Buddy Baker, Bill Weber, etc.
 
Better yet - Jack Arute, Kyle Petty and Jimmy Spencer. That would be broadcast excellence.

I think Jeff Burton ends up being one of the PxP guys on NBC though.
 
I hope Bestwick will be doing play by play.

As for the other two spots, I'd be happy with any combination of DJ, Andy Petree, Wally Dallenbach, and Kyle Petty. They all seem pretty honest and fair, and they will tell it like it is when they need to.
 
BobbyFord said:
I like listening to the MRN guys. They just talk about what's happening on the track. They're not trying to teach me about loose and tight every race, or what aero-tight means.
I can do without the booth dorks.
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To be fair, TNT doesn't treat the viewers like idiots and explain loose and tight every race. But again, the people watching on TNT are race fans, not casual sports fans. It's not likely anyone watching NASCAR on TNT is a first time viewer. As much as TNT sucks, there's a lot of stuff they do right. Hopefully Jeff Behnke can bring the positives to NBC where he won't have to work with recycled talent from other networks and people who spend most of the year covering stick and ball sports.
 
I can do without McReynolds and Bestwick, but I know it's just wishful thinking.
On commercial breaks, the booth guys are instructed on what to talk about. It starts at the top and rolls downhill.
 
Anyone but Adam Alexander!

AB, DJ, WD are who I'm hoping for.

Maybe they are working on something cooler? An old school announcer like Bob Jenkins or something?
 
Well we,(posters of a nascar forum), Have to remember we are in the minority when it comes to the audience they talk to. I too get frustrated when they talk to me like I know nothing about racing. But They aren't talking to me. They are trying to describe it to the audience they want to keep.The people who know very little. I too prefer MRN because they call the race for people who can't see it. much more to say and no filler time.

With the above in mind, I like Andy Petree, Dale Jarrett, Allen Bestwick,and Wally Dallenbach.
Wouldn't mind Eli Gold( Alabama Football and MRN).

There is an art form to announcing without offending the intelligence or lack of, any audience.
 
Stewart Fan said:
Kyle Petty just makes me wanna jab a fork into my ears. Bestwick is good at his job but you can tell he's just begging for a wreck every race.
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I agree about Bestwick. I like him a lot and would be happy to have him call the races. He does come across almost like a carnival barker at times though, specially at the plate tracks where he seems to be always hyping the "big one" and hoping it will happen.

I am surprised that no one has mentioned Rick Allen, who has been doing the truck races on what used to be SPEED. I think he is great also, and I would be happy if they could get him away from FOX if they can't get Bestwick. My choices for color commentary are Wally D., Kyle Petty and Andy Petree and while he may come across as unexciting sometimes, I also like Ricky Craven. I liked him as a driver and I like him in the booth.

It's a shame that Benny Parsons isn't still around to help out in the booth as well. By the way, this is a good time to shoot off an e-mail to NBC SPORTS to the attn. of Jeff Behnke and letting him know of your preferences for announcers. Send an e-mail to the following address and ask them to forward it to Jeff Behnke, NBC Sports Group Vice President of NASCAR Production. People DO read these things and they CAN make a difference, particularly if they don't have announcers lined up yet:

Greg Hughes
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
NBC Sports Group
(203) 356-2780
Project Assignment:
[email protected]
 
Tumbleweed said:
I am surprised that no one has mentioned Rick Allen, who has been doing the truck races on what used to be SPEED. I think he is great also, and I would be happy if they could get him away from FOX if they can't get Bestwick.
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Yessir. Rick Allen is a solid play by play guy. Good call.
 
nascarwoman said:
Does anyone know what ever happened to Bill Weber after that hotel lobby incident??
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He became a magician at a hotel in Florida. For his first act, he made his job at TNT disappear.

He's actually been on NBC quite a bit ever since then - was still under contract with them. I heard him on NBCSN this year for some race - but he hasn't been used at all for IndyCar and F1 which tells me he won't be a part of NASCAR.
 
Earlier in this thread, I suggested that people send their suggestions for who they would like to see in the booth to NBC Sports executives and mentioned that people REALLY DO read these things. I provided an e-mail address in that post.

Here is an e-mail I received back from Greg Hughes, the NBC Sports Senior VP of Corporate Communications and at 10 pm this evening no less. I have also attached a copy of the e-mail which I had written to him earlier this evening if anyone is interested. Note that this letter represents MY OWN personal opinions only and may not reflect those of anyone else here.

If anyone cares to, feel free to copy any or all parts of my letter and insert your own choices.


>>Sam:
Thanks for the note and suggestions, think you'll be very pleased with our plans as we announce them.
I'll make sure Jeff Behnke gets your note. Stay tuned!
Greg<<

>>On Dec 2, 2013, at 9:38 PM, "XXXX" wrote:
Greg Hughes
Senior Vice President
Corporate Communications
NBC Sports Group

Dear Mr. Hughes:

Please forward this e-mail to Mr. Jeff Behnke, NBC Sports Group Vice-President of NASCAR Production –

Dear Mr. Behnke:

I am excited at the prospect of NBC’s return to NASCAR race coverage in 2015 and I know that many of my fellow faithful NASCAR fans share my enthusiasm. I don’t know whether or not you already have your booth announcers for the races lined up but the top choices for many of us (depending upon their availability) are:

Race Call – Allen Bestwick, Rick Allen or Bob Jenkins

Race Commentary:

- Kyle Petty

- Wally Dallenbach

- Andy Petree

- Ricky Craven

Overall, many of us think that the best of NASCAR’s current coverage is by the TNT network, with FOX and ESPN’s coverage held in lower regard. I hope this information is helpful to you and thank you for your time.

Regards,

XXXX<<
 
If we could get ESPN's production mixed with TNT's commentary style, that'd be excellent. And I imagine that's probably the scenario we're going to get. NBCSN's IndyCar and F1 coverage is very similar to TNT's NASCAR coverage and intentionally so - just with much better production.

Bob Jenkins isn't coming back and I imagine Rick Allen's staying at Fox. If NBC can't get Bestwick, I would hope they bring Bob Dillner from FS1 or Adam Alexander from TNT over.
 
I like Bestwick,DJ, Kyle Petty and Wally D......Just loose Hammond, Larry Mac and Rusty
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
Rusty's awesome on ESPN Countdown... another guy who doesn't give a **** what everyone else thinks and calls it exactly how he sees it. And he's never given a ****.
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Totally blanked on Wallace. He'd be a great analyst in the booth.


Thank you Tumbleweed for being proactive and providing us with the contact. I'll shoot an email this evening.
 
DUN24 said:
Totally blanked on Wallace. He'd be a great analyst in the booth.


Thank you Tumbleweed for being proactive and providing us with the contact. I'll shoot an email this evening.
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I didn't like him in the booth - love his analysis on Countdown though.

I'm just afraid that ESPN locked Allen Bestwick in a long term contract when they promoted him to the booth. I wonder if this is part of the reason they fired Marty Reid.
 
I thought Alan Bestwick was just a temporary replacement. Pretty sure calling stock car racing is where his heart is and with ESPN leaving I can't imagine him signing on. But who knows maybe he'll be calling MNF games with Chucky in a couple years.
 
DUN24 said:
I thought Alan Bestwick was just a temporary replacement. Pretty sure calling stock car racing is where his heart is and with ESPN leaving I can't imagine him signing on. But who knows maybe he'll be calling MNF games with Chucky in a couple years.
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I really don't know. I'm just saying, I don't think Bestwick to NBC is a virtual certainty - for a variety of reasons. I hope it happens but I'm not convinced that this is how it goes down.

Rick Allen ain't leaving Fox. He's probably in line to succeed Mike Joy. Mike Joy's pretty close to the age Ken Squier was when he stepped out of the PxP role at CBS. Mike's a good guy and is definitely one of my favorites but I doubt he wants to do this forever.

Bob Jenkins retired last year after working for NBC and VS before that for several years. He said a while back he enjoyed IndyCar more than NASCAR anyways. He even missed a race in his final year at NBC ... Baltimore, I believe.

Even if they can't get Bestwick, I'm sure NBC will make it work. Their F1 coverage is surprisingly good, even without the great Bob Varsha.

I imagine Adam Alexander's the guy if they don't get Bestwick and I'm at peace with that.
 
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