My NASCAR Broadcasting Ideas

[picapp align=”left” wrap=”true” link=”term=larry+mcreynolds&iid=1268627″ src=”8/4/b/9/LifeLockcom_400_bad5.jpg?adImageId=7927310&imageId=1268627″ width=”234″ height=”160″ /]I know everyone here is a Fantasy Racer , but no matter what we’re all affected by NASCAR TV coverage (if your not a fantasy racer you can continue to read anyways).  In NASCAR we’re subjected to Fox, TNT and ABC/ESPN. I’ve heard differing opinions about all three of them. They all have their pluses and minuses but none of them are perfect.

I’m not going to talk about NASCAR TV viewership numbers because they go up, and other times they go down. This summer I filled out a Nielsen TV viewership booklet and I can tell you first hand they really didn’t get much useful information out of me. I did like the $5.00 guilt dollars they inserted into the booklet to bribe me into filling it out.

I’m pretty impartial when it comes to which broadcast team I like more. No matter who broadcasts the race I stand firm on my personal pledge that I intend to never watch the pre-race show unless I accidentally click on the TV early.

Here’s my ideas for the different networks-

Fox started broadcasting NASCAR in 2001. They Market their product across the different demographics perhaps better than anyone. In 2008 Fox rolled out the Digger Cam and showed a furry cartoon character each time that the “Digger” camera was displayed.

In 2009 Fox brought Digger to life and started showing a mini cartoon before each race. Many fans hated this concept and the creditability of Fox dropped for some. My idea is nobody likes things small do they? What if Fox were to make him bigger!!! Many fans took the Digger cartoon as an insult to their intelligence. I think Fox needs to try to re-market Digger and recreate him into something an older generation could appreciate. What is that thing you may ask, well I think Godzilla may be the answer to their problems.

Godzilla is loved all around the world. Maybe not in Tokoyo but you get the idea. Godzilla has saved the world from Aliens invasions, Alien monsters and even Robots. What a hero. I’ll admit that I don’t usually watch pre-race shows but the one’s I have watched I noticed that Digger is always running from the law. Is that the message we need to indoctrinate ours kids with? I certainly think not.

In order to remarket Digger for a broader audience Fox should recreate Digger as “Bigger Digger”. Then they would be able to turn him into a hero instead of a renegade.

I love TNT broadcasting. They put the viewer right in the thick of the action. For them I really think they need to do more ride along races with Kyle Petty. The few in car races they did with Kyle Petty in 2007 were the best.

The highlight race for TNT with Kyle inside the car that year was Sonoma. That race was full of drama. In fact TNT’s slogan is “We Know Drama”. In that race Kyle found drama very early in the race. Just in case if you don’t remember what happened, here’s the video.

(If your offended by the F Word DO NOT WATCH THIS VIDEO)

ABC/ ESPN really should have no excuse for having lack luster races. They have the rights to air everything from Indy until the season finale at Homestead. The main thing I really think they need to focus on is calling the races like how the fans see it.

I don’t know if I’m the only one who’s noticed this but when I watch the Nationwide races I see a lot of exciting things. Perhaps the most exciting driver to see on the track is Steven Wallace. The moves he makes on the  track are second to none (well maybe Brad Keselowski). In my opinion Steven Wallace is the “Human Highlight Reel”.

ESPN really needs to call races as they are. They tend to sugar coat things. What they really need to do is speak their minds. When you watch this clip I’m sure you see things a lot different then what is being described to you on TV.