OK, so overall, what do you guys think is the best NASCAR Live network?

Which network is better

  • FOX Sports (HD), Speed

    Votes: 9 47.4%

  • ESPN (HD), ESPN on ABC

    Votes: 2 10.5%

  • TNT (HD)

    Votes: 8 42.1%
  • Total voters
    19
D

Digger

Guest
I say TNT. Weber's got a lot of talent as does KP. Not to mention, now I'm wishing WRC TV NBC 4 WASHINGTON aired in high definition. :growl:

Second favorite: ESPN. While Jerry Punch sucks, and they'll never do that great with him, the ESPN NASCAR COUNTDOWN is more serious and far better than FOX and the ESPN theme music is decent.

Finally, you have FOX. Poor HD, plus my experiences this year with FOX5DC-HD have been miserable. LarryMac's become the only person I can even tolerate at FOX. Darrell's an idiot and Mike Joy hasn't lived up to what he was capable of doing in the 1990s. I thought their coverage of the Daytona 500 was lacking in a big way (the ripped off music from Pirates/Caribbean, the annoyingly huge ticker graphics and the constant guessing game of how Mark would win the Daytona 500, and we know how that turned out :bounce: )
 
MRN is the best! If you have a DVR, you can get the MRN broadcast off the internet and then use the DVR to get the timing right on the screen so that they match up.

It doesn't always work, because sometimes the radio broadcast is ahead of the tv broadcast and there's just nothing you can do. But if I can get it timed right, I'd so rather listen to the radio broadcast.

They actually talk about what's happening on the track! Winston Kelly is the man.
 
That's the reason I got Sirius. I can pause TV for about 5 seconds and it synchs up with the Nascar broadcast. I start during the prayer and can get it pretty much 100% by the end of the SSB.
If it looks like the TV is covering something I want to hear I just un-mute. But that is rare. Also, it is amazing what you miss on TV while they are gone to commercial. MRN has fewer commercials.
 
I like TNT, KP needs to hang up the helmet and join the TNT and fox crews full time. they can get rid of mike joy for all i care and make it 3 formers in the booth. Kyle might even make a better ride and drive guy.
 
I will not vote for any network that has DW as their analyst or reporter.


Therefore, TNT gets my vote.
 
What is really strange about this poll is that I remember all the folks who was wanting ESPN to get back in. Well they're back and so far no one likes their broadcast. Very telling...
 
barelypure said:
What is really strange about this poll is that I remember all the folks who was wanting ESPN to get back in. Well they're back and so far no one likes their broadcast. Very telling...
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I think that's because so many people expected many of the old ESPN gang to be back. Plus, I think since they are only doing Busch right now, it's not getting a lot of attention. Besides, I think many people feel like Rusty Wallace is a big disappointment. He talks too much and doesn't offer much past a P.C. answer when questioning drivers, crew chiefs. I like ESPN's team of Marty Reid, Dale Jarrett, and Andy Petree a lot better than the regular lineup. Since Reid does IRL, I'd rather see them move Punch to pre-race host and Bestwick to play-by-play.

People will complain about all of them despite what any of them do. It's also a matter of opinion. I don't dislike DW as many people on here do. I think Fox's coverage really improved this year, but they are still too slow to show a wreck if one of the announcers calls it out with the camera being somewhere else. TNT is also improved, especially with Petty. But Weber is annoying and the studio guy looks like a fish out of water. Larry Mac has been huge.
 
that "studio guy", if we're thinkng of the same person, was a truck team owner 2 or 3 years ago.
 
Larry Mac has been huge.
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I noticed too that he wasn't as big as he was last year. I guess he's taking better care of himself.

Ok, the smartass comment is out of the way, still you'd think that ESPN would have looked at what the others were doing and would be somewhere in the neighborhood. I keep looking for that one innovation that will change the broadcast.
For example the XFL may have failed miserably but thru them we got the camera over the track or field that can better follow the action. But, maybe with ESPN being so busy trying to stick it to the consumers by coming up with new channels to foist onto the cable companies they haven't had time to review their product.
Why does ESPNCL seldom show classic games these days? They are bogged down with Poker. Fricking ABC/Disney...
And, that may be the real answer. ABC/Disney wasn't involved in ESPN's heyday.
 
ESPN is about ESPN. Ever notice when they don't have the rights to a sport, they act like it doesn't exist? That's why I hardly watch SportsCenter. The only thing I've seen ESPN add since getting on board this year was adding in-car HD cameras and forcing Fox and TNT to do the same.
 
My my, how ideas have changed. I would almost bet that if RJR were to come back into the sport, there would be complaints on what they would be doing.

When ESPN took this sport to a higher level, nobody else was doing the sport with the exception of one race by CBS and the old delayed broadcast by ABC and their Wide World of Sports. Back then, the main thing was the race and as such, they didn't have all of those side shows that are rife today. But we race fans were so eager to get any type of race coverage, we didn't give a hoot what we saw, just that it was about the racing. Times change and so does the technology of TV. Fans expect more and more from the networks and along with that goes more and more complaints. Also, back in those days, there was really only one network giving us our coverage and so we didn't have much of anything to compare it to. Now we get it from so many different sources that it's a real competition to win the most positive comments.
 
buckaroo said:
My my, how ideas have changed. I would almost bet that if RJR were to come back into the sport, there would be complaints on what they would be doing.

When ESPN took this sport to a higher level, nobody else was doing the sport with the exception of one race by CBS and the old delayed broadcast by ABC and their Wide World of Sports. Back then, the main thing was the race and as such, they didn't have all of those side shows that are rife today. But we race fans were so eager to get any type of race coverage, we didn't give a hoot what we saw, just that it was about the racing. Times change and so does the technology of TV. Fans expect more and more from the networks and along with that goes more and more complaints. Also, back in those days, there was really only one network giving us our coverage and so we didn't have much of anything to compare it to. Now we get it from so many different sources that it's a real competition to win the most positive comments.
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But Buckaroo ESPN don't have Jeff Hammond.
 
tkj24 said:
But Buckaroo ESPN don't have Jeff Hammond.
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Ok what is so special about Jeff hammond, am i missing something here? I'd have to say i still have a special place in my racing heart for ESPN. They helped make the sport what it is today, without the exposure ESPN gave Nascar, they wouldn't be everywhere like they are. I'd like to see Kyle Petty and DJ join the booth at ESPN along with Dave Despain. That would be a great line up for the booth IMO.
 
Mopardh9 said:
Ok what is so special about Jeff hammond, am i missing something here? I'd have to say i still have a special place in my racing heart for ESPN. They helped make the sport what it is today, without the exposure ESPN gave Nascar, they wouldn't be everywhere like they are. I'd like to see Kyle Petty and DJ join the booth at ESPN along with Dave Despain. That would be a great line up for the booth IMO.
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Scroll back to page 1.
 
buckaroo said:
My my, how ideas have changed. I would almost bet that if RJR were to come back into the sport, there would be complaints on what they would be doing.

When ESPN took this sport to a higher level, nobody else was doing the sport with the exception of one race by CBS and the old delayed broadcast by ABC and their Wide World of Sports. Back then, the main thing was the race and as such, they didn't have all of those side shows that are rife today. But we race fans were so eager to get any type of race coverage, we didn't give a hoot what we saw, just that it was about the racing. Times change and so does the technology of TV. Fans expect more and more from the networks and along with that goes more and more complaints. Also, back in those days, there was really only one network giving us our coverage and so we didn't have much of anything to compare it to. Now we get it from so many different sources that it's a real competition to win the most positive comments.
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Good points buck. I can remember when none of the races were on live TV except for the last 50 miles or so of the Daytona 500.
 
Mopardh9 said:
Ok what is so special about Jeff hammond, am i missing something here? I'd have to say i still have a special place in my racing heart for ESPN. They helped make the sport what it is today, without the exposure ESPN gave Nascar, they wouldn't be everywhere like they are. I'd like to see Kyle Petty and DJ join the booth at ESPN along with Dave Despain. That would be a great line up for the booth IMO.
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tkj24 likes to look at his butt. :D (binoculars)
That's why she defends Fox. LOL
 
I think ESPN could have solid ratings success with Allen in the booth.

I hope him being in the booth at Milwaukee IS experimental, and that ESPN is listening to fans and trying new things before they take over the Sprint Cup.
 
They keep juggling their lineup every week. When Punch gets a week off, he's normally replaced by Reid. But Reid has an IRL race this week. Maybe this is part of their master plan or part of an experiment. Nothing against Dr. Punch, he's a great guy and lives here in Knoxville. I just don't think he brings a lot as a play-by-play because of his voice, both tone and enthusiasm.
 
MRM said:
They keep juggling their lineup every week. When Punch gets a week off, he's normally replaced by Reid. But Reid has an IRL race this week. Maybe this is part of their master plan or part of an experiment. Nothing against Dr. Punch, he's a great guy and lives here in Knoxville. I just don't think he brings a lot as a play-by-play because of his voice, both tone and enthusiasm.
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Bingo. I liked him on pit road - but I said he wouldn't do that good last September.
 
On another note, KP is ten times better than DW.

He and Wally have personality, and don't try too hard to have a personality.
 
I can't stand "Blondie" Weber. He knows NOTHING. He can't even get his stats right, let alone do any good reporting. How many times does he have to bring up some death related to NASCAR? I'm all for grieving, but Martinsville was two years ago. Sure Mr France has passed, but Brians been running the show for a while. I say bring back Bestwick and lets go from there.
 
carsntunes said:
I can't stand "Blondie" Weber. He knows NOTHING. He can't even get his stats right, let alone do any good reporting. How many times does he have to bring up some death related to NASCAR? I'm all for grieving, but Martinsville was two years ago. Sure Mr France has passed, but Brians been running the show for a while. I say bring back Bestwick and lets go from there.
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Once again, when it comes to the statistics, those are found by the production crew, in this case Turner (owners of NASCAR.COM). Weber's incorrect stats came from TNT, not from himself.

Clearly, you know nothing about television.

Also, there are stories the producers make you report on. NBC was obsessed with the Hendrick Plane Crash because that entire story unfolded on NBC and MSNBC. NBC did the same thing with the JonBenet Ramsey Case and the death of Anna Nicole. I know this because I watch NBC News religiously. So, maybe your postcard of complain went to the wrong address.

As far as the commentary, I've seen Mike Joy screw up a lot to. When the big crash happens and the commentator can only see a few cars on the backstretch and relies on the TV Spotters and again the producers. The procer tells Weber the 8 car is wrecked, than that's all he knows about that wreck.
 
You obviously looked past the point I was trying to make which is this: As a fan of the sport, I know basic stats. Weber doesn't. If he wasn't so busy relying on the teleprompter to give him his historical information and had some prior knowledge he would not look like such a fool. Maybe he should buy a book or two insted of all of that hairspray and maybe he'll know more about what he is reporting. I'm sure that every reporter fulbs, I'm not all knowing either. It just seems he is on the short end of the stick most of the time. I understand that the network ususally adds the drama it feels it needs to but he has to have some sort of creative control.
 
carsntunes said:
You obviously looked past the point I was trying to make which is this: As a fan of the sport, I know basic stats. Weber doesn't. If he wasn't so busy relying on the teleprompter to give him his historical information and had some prior knowledge he would not look like such a fool. Maybe he should buy a book or two insted of all of that hairspray and maybe he'll know more about what he is reporting. I'm sure that every reporter fulbs, I'm not all knowing either. It just seems he is on the short end of the stick most of the time. I understand that the network ususally adds the drama it feels it needs to but he has to have some sort of creative control.
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You're using one incident where Weber/Wally/KP and everybody else didn't know that some guy won back-to-back races 40 years ago to say Weber's an idiot because some newspaper writer urinated his trousers in glee when he found something on Google to say "Hey race fans, I'm smarter than Weber" and then talked down the rest of the racing community because nobody would've ever known about that useless statistic.

BTW, even FOX (back in 2001, when talking about Harvick at Bristol) didn't know. So everybody at FOX is stupid now?

I know more than the basic stats, and can say to myself if some television guy gets it wrong that that's incorrect and not go kirking out about it.

It happens all the time. Bestwick does it. Mike Joy does it. Weber does it. Jerry Punch does it. Bob Jenkins did it. Eli Gold did it. Even Ken Squier did it.

You can't expect a guy to come on the air for 6 hours straight for several weeks a year and get every single thing they say correct every single time.
 
A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault. ~John Henry Newman
 
To escape criticism - do nothing, say nothing, be nothing. ~Elbert Hubbard
 
They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds. ~Wilt Chamberlain


Y'all know I'm just doing this to give you time to absorb my new avatar.
And, yes dammit, she's fully clothed for the puritans amongst us...
 
barelypure said:
They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds. ~Wilt Chamberlain


Y'all know I'm just doing this to give you time to absorb my new avatar.
And, yes dammit, she's fully clothed for the puritans amongst us...
Click to expand...

Not impressed with the avatar, but the quotes are kind of cool.:growl:
 
The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. - Aristotle
 
FOX.... I can't stand Wally, I miss Allen Bestwick in the booth... I do like the ESPN races with DJ in the booth
 
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