This weekend marks the final NASCAR race ESPN will broadcast for the foreseeable future. The network that grew the popularity of NASCAR and auto racing will end its seven year run with NASCAR this Sunday.
When NASCAR and ESPN announced a seven year deal in 2006, it seemed success was imminent. However, the network had not covered or even discussed NASCAR since the cancellation of RPM2Night in 2003. ESPN failed to produce a quality broadcast in its first year back as well as subsequent years. NASCAR fans grew to dread when the ESPN part of the season arrived.
It wasn't just the race broadcasts that were bad. SportsCenter continued to ignore NASCAR news. There were so few mentions of NASCAR on ESPN's flagship program some wondered if the network had the rights to broadcast highlights. ESPN launched NASCAR Now, a NASCAR news show similar to Baseball Tonight or NFL Live. NASCAR fans enjoyed the program. NASCAR Now would air every weekday at 5 PM on ESPN2. Right after SportsNation.
NASCAR Now provided the most in-depth look at NASCAR. ESPN did not slack on hiring talent. As is the norm with ESPN, they hired former drivers and crew chiefs as analysts. However, their hires of Dale Jarrett, Andy Petree, Ricky Craven, and Ray Evernham were met with praise. Couple some of the most knowledgeable former drivers with the best NASCAR journalist Marty Smith and you had the most credible news program on ESPN.
By 2011, ESPN's production in NASCAR had stepped up. They were now on par with Fox. The commentating team of Allen Bestwick, Dale Jarrett, and Andy Petree was a pleasure to listen to. Bestwick was professional only when he needed to be. Never botching a call, Bestwick could make paint drying an event to see. Dale Jarrett was just like his father. A smart, strategic driver with a knack for television. Jarrett could almost broadcast the thoughts of each driver. Petree had the best pedigree of them all. Having worked with Dale Earnhardt and being a former small team owner with a win under his belt, Petree knew the ins and outs of the sport. If there was a problem with a car, pit crew, or team, Petree could tell you.
Now, ESPN will say goodbye to NASCAR for only the second time in fourteen years. However, they have announced to be retaining Marty Smith and Ricky Craven. Smith, the most professional journalist around. Craven, the former driver turned investigative journalist. Both are tasked with explaining NASCAR to general sports fans. Only time will tell if ESPN sees NASCAR as a worthy topic of conversation. With the inclusion of Smith and Craven, it's a pretty good guess NASCAR will be about as relevant as the NFL.
When NASCAR and ESPN announced a seven year deal in 2006, it seemed success was imminent. However, the network had not covered or even discussed NASCAR since the cancellation of RPM2Night in 2003. ESPN failed to produce a quality broadcast in its first year back as well as subsequent years. NASCAR fans grew to dread when the ESPN part of the season arrived.
It wasn't just the race broadcasts that were bad. SportsCenter continued to ignore NASCAR news. There were so few mentions of NASCAR on ESPN's flagship program some wondered if the network had the rights to broadcast highlights. ESPN launched NASCAR Now, a NASCAR news show similar to Baseball Tonight or NFL Live. NASCAR fans enjoyed the program. NASCAR Now would air every weekday at 5 PM on ESPN2. Right after SportsNation.
NASCAR Now provided the most in-depth look at NASCAR. ESPN did not slack on hiring talent. As is the norm with ESPN, they hired former drivers and crew chiefs as analysts. However, their hires of Dale Jarrett, Andy Petree, Ricky Craven, and Ray Evernham were met with praise. Couple some of the most knowledgeable former drivers with the best NASCAR journalist Marty Smith and you had the most credible news program on ESPN.
By 2011, ESPN's production in NASCAR had stepped up. They were now on par with Fox. The commentating team of Allen Bestwick, Dale Jarrett, and Andy Petree was a pleasure to listen to. Bestwick was professional only when he needed to be. Never botching a call, Bestwick could make paint drying an event to see. Dale Jarrett was just like his father. A smart, strategic driver with a knack for television. Jarrett could almost broadcast the thoughts of each driver. Petree had the best pedigree of them all. Having worked with Dale Earnhardt and being a former small team owner with a win under his belt, Petree knew the ins and outs of the sport. If there was a problem with a car, pit crew, or team, Petree could tell you.
Now, ESPN will say goodbye to NASCAR for only the second time in fourteen years. However, they have announced to be retaining Marty Smith and Ricky Craven. Smith, the most professional journalist around. Craven, the former driver turned investigative journalist. Both are tasked with explaining NASCAR to general sports fans. Only time will tell if ESPN sees NASCAR as a worthy topic of conversation. With the inclusion of Smith and Craven, it's a pretty good guess NASCAR will be about as relevant as the NFL.
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