July 22nd, 2011 
T.C. *For whatever reason the comment section accidentally got closed on this post. It’s back open now and ready for your comments. We apologize for the error!
We don’t do a lot of posts about the TV coverage around here, because we don’t see much of it live and there are some great sites out there that do a better job (like TDP). But there was a news item this week from ESPN that I thought warranted a little TNI TV talk.
Starting with next weekend’s Brickyard 400, Allen Bestwick will take over as the regular play-by-play voice of ESPN’s Cup Series broadcasts. He replaces Marty Reid who will continue to do the Nationwide and IndyCar races. Bestwick will be joined in the booth by NASCAR veterans Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree, creating what I think will be the strongest broadcast booth in NASCAR.
It seems like in the past, NASCAR always had a surplus of really good play-by-play announcers for TV coverage. Names like Chris Economaki, Ken Squier, Eli Gold, Bob Jenkins and Mike Joy come to mind. It didn’t matter what channel you were watching, there was always somebody really knowledgeable leading the broadcast. Fast forward to more recent times, and things have been different. Outside of the FOX crew, we’ve seen quite a few different PxP guys for NASCAR coverage. Both ESPN and TNT have struggled to nail down that most important spot.
All three networks that carry Cup Series races have taken their lumps from fans in recent years, and to some extent they always will because races are tough to cover with so much happening at once. But for ESPN the move to Bestwick should improve broadcasts dramatically. Bestwick is a veteran and a pro when it comes to covering NASCAR events, having been around the sport since 1986. He’s done everything from play-by-play, to studio shows, and reporting from pit road. And putting him with smart, well spoken guys like Jarrett and Petree will really elevate ESPN’s coverage.
From the little bit of reaction I’ve seen around the internet following the move, it appears as though most are excited by it. And it’s good to see ESPN listening to those watching its broadcasts. I think they will definitely be glad they did.
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Having met AB in person back in the TWIN days on SpeedTV, he gets it. He’s smooth, has a keen eye for what viewers want to see and hear about (from radio), and thenlets the racing tell the story and the experts provide the knowledge/colour commentary…which what a good play-by-play guy SHOULD do. AB reports the story (including elephants in the room, when they happen)and doesn’t become the story, nor should any of the announce staff.
I think it IS appropriate for TNI-guys to comment on the broadcasts periodically, as your livelihood depends on how the events are broadcast to the general public. One wrong story or inappropriate comment could affect your driver’s/owner’s/crew chief’s job and future in the sport IMHO. Keep up the great work boys and enjoy the week off!
This has more to do with one man’s ego than a simple weekend accident.
With that being said, it is amazing how much better a place ESPN Motorsports is without Neil Goldberg. Ain’t that right, ESPN Motorsports production staff? lol
It amazes me, personally, with the decisions Neil has made in his rather “alleged” illustrious career, why Neil even had credibility. Heck, even you guys pointed out about “the strongest broadcast booth in NASCAR”. Says a lot about the people that gave Neil their ear and their own “competence”.
I agree. Great lineup. Now, if they would include Kyle Petty it would be Excellent.
Ditto on Bestwick. He is a good one, as are most of the others you mention, especially Joy and Jenkins. As long as Rusty Wallace stays out of the booth, I’ll usually listen.
FWIW…I know he was there in the early years of the 500 broadcast and promoting NASCAR beyond, but I never really cared for Ken Squier’s style. Just a little too Barnum Bailey for me. His side kick in Sir David Hobbs carried those early broadcasts IMHO. And still does in F1…
@Neon: I agree with you on the Ken Squire comment, and the Sir David Hobbs remark. It is a pleasure to watch F1 because of him.
This is the best thing that could happen to the cup races on ESPN. I love AB’s style and as long as the cameras listen to him we will be seeing great races
Bestwick is one of the good ones, as is everyone else in your list. I can’t think of any that you’ve left out, although Jim McKay deserves mention for getting us through the early days.
Much depends on who Alan is paired with. Jarrett is good but Kyle would be better. I think that former crew chiefs are unnecessary in the booth, leave them for special segments on pit road. I don’t think we need a third person in the booth, chattering away. Feature the race, not the booth.
Why can’t Allen Bestwick just be the sole commentator for the every Nascar Sprint Cup Series Race; he has the verbal skills to get any Nascar fan glued to the TV. His commentation makes each
race more exciting, visually and audibly.
Oh yeah, by the way, get rid of Rusty Wallace. His comments suck. Thank you, have a nice day.
At long last my prayers have been answered. AB in the booth!
I just hope ESPN does not dictate his PXP coverage. He’s smart, has a history with our sport, and is just a decent guy. Go Alan.
I’m glad to see Marty Reid be replaced. I was painful to listen to all his blunders.
His side comments that felt like he was grasping for attention, seemed to make too many mistakes.
I miss the Nascar show that use to be on speed with Bestwick, Schrader, Waltrip. Allen truly has the feel what the drivers are doing.
Marty is good for a 1/4 mile, but any longer was painful for my family and I. Thank you ESPN, Allen will bring back someone who knows what is going on for more then 1/4 mile.
@Mike Inside Nextel Cup may have been the best NASCAR show on TV at its peak with Bestwick, Schrader, and Benson. They more than made up for Mikey’s nonsense. The changes they made pretty much tanked the show. Brian Vickers was no replacement for Schrader, that’s for sure.
You mentioned the name Eli Gold…why does he no longer do the races? He is great, has the distinct voice…lucky Crimson Tide fans still get to hear him.
if i do have to listen to a waltrip, it is good race coverage.
While were on the subject, can somebody please get rid of Wally Dallenbach (SP)? Im tired of listening to him talk about what its like to be leading a race with 2 laps to go. HES NEVER WON!!!!
I remember when he would talk about winning, or leading or heck, just being a good racer while in the booth with Benny Parsons… those were the funniest moments in all broadcasting… Bennys reactions to Wallys comments were classic. Benny never talked poorly of anybody, but it seemed real hard for him to not say “shut up Wally” hahaha
I agree that the old TWIN show with Bestwick, Waltrip, Benson, and Schrader was top-rate, but I guess Schrader tested too old and irrelevant for the almighty demographic. The new show on Showtime (Inside NASCAR?) is pretty good, but I wish they’d stop changing the set all the time: standing up, at a lectern, at the couch… And the new segment with Susan whatever? Dump it FAST!!! It’s painful to watch.
As far as race broadcasts go, I still put Ned Jarrett at the top of the list, but the team of DJ and Petree is terrific: neither seems to crave being a “star,” which is the downside of both DW and Larry Mac. It’s why Wally Dallenbach is so good – he doesn’t need to promote himself.
As for Kyle Petty: he’s still a bit rough, but has a huge amount of potential. In a year or so he could be the #1 color guy out there, but not quite yet.
the fact that espn hasn’t canned rusty wallace says more about their total lack of journalistic ethics than anything else. it’s 100% WRONG of them to have a guy who owns a car in the race to be commenting on the race. it drives me mad. not to mention he’s not that good in the booth anyway.