So, considering ABC is televising the rest of the season, and I'm getting really tired of hearing people complain about the announcers on there, let me ask those people something. Do you honestly think ABC and/or ESPN would hire people who they felt know nothing about NASCAR? Come on here people, wake up. If you don't like how they cover the race, either mute the damn TV or turn the channel (actually, don't do that, you might miss something, like Shrubery having a sucky day, ha ha, I loved it last week, sorry, I'm ok now). If you don't want to turn the channel or mute the TV, do the rest of us a favor, ok? Cry us a river, build us a bridge, and get over it! Now that I have that out of my system, I thought for today I'd give you a little background on the people who are covering the chase. I included the links of where I found this information, just in the slightest case that someone thinks I'm making all this up (and trust me, I'm smart, but not that smart to make all that up), well, the proof is there for you to look at for yourself.
We're gonna start with Mr. "NBA turned NASCAR" himself -- Brad Daugherty. Anyone know who Marcos Ambrose races for in the cup series? Anyone? Need a clue? BRAD DAUGHERTY. Don't believe me? Click on the link below. Also check this little bit of info I found from Wikipedia.org
"Following his retirement from the NBA, Daugherty co-owned a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team (Liberty Racing) featuring such drivers as Kenny Irwin Jr. and Kevin Harvick. In 1997 Irwin won two Craftsman Truck Series races driving for Daugherty (Homestead-Miami Speedway in March and Texas Motor Speedway in June). Daugherty joined ESPN's return to NASCAR racing telecasts in 2007. He is currently an analyst on NASCAR Countdown, ESPN's new pre-race show, and on NASCAR Now, a nightly newscast on the sport. He is now part owner of JTG Daugherty Racing and Tony Kostelnak Racing."
I rest my case on how much Brad knows about racing.
Rusty Wallace
If you're a race fan and you don't know the name Rusty Wallace, I'm sorry to say, but you've been living under a rock.
His awards include:
1979 USAC Stock Car Rookie of the Year
1989 The Winston Champion
1998 Named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers| Best Cup Position | 1st - 1989 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Race | 1980 Atlanta 500 (Atlanta) | ||||||
| Last Race | 2005 Ford 400 (Homestead) | ||||||
| First Win | 1986 Valleydale 500 (Bristol) | ||||||
| Last Win | 2004 Advance Auto Parts 500 (Martinsville) | ||||||
| |||||||
| NASCAR Nationwide Series Statistics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best NNS Position | 32nd - 1987 (Busch) | ||||||
| First Race | 1985 Goody's 300 (Daytona) | ||||||
| Last Race | 2005 O'Reilly Challenge (Fort Worth) | ||||||
| |||||||
| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Statistics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best NCTS Position | 32nd - 1987 (Busch) | ||||||
| First Race | 1996 DeVilbiss Superfinish 200 (Nazareth) | ||||||
| Last Race | 1996 DeVilbiss Superfinish 200 (Nazareth) | ||||||
| |||||||
Rusty Wallace at Wikipedia.org
Rusty Wallace.com
Allen Bestwick
Allen is best known for his pre-television gig as an announcer for the Motor Racing Network (MRN) from 1986 to 2000. He does not hold an official position with MRN anymore, but will do some occasional fill-in duties for them when needed
I didn't know this until now, but he is best remembered for calling the 2001 Pepsi 400, the first race at Daytona since Dale Earnhardt's death. He made every Dale Sr and Dale Jr cry and/or cheer more when he said, "Here they come! Turn 4! Final lap of the Pepsi 400! Michael Waltrip in second, but it's going to be Dale Earnhardt Jr., using lessons learned from his father to go from 6th to 1st and score the victory in the Pepsi 400!" Bestwick also called the 2004 Daytona 500, also won by Junior, saying, "The legacy continues. Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins the 46th Daytona 500."
Allen Bestwick at Wikipedia.org
Now on to the announcers in the booth.. (anyone convinced yet that these guys do know what they're talking about?)
Dr. Jerry Punch
Dr. Punch worked as an emergency room physician before moving to ESPN in 1984 as a pit reporter for NASCAR races. In 1988, in two separate incidents, he helped with the rescue efforts after the serious wrecks of Rusty Wallace and Don Marmor. Punch is also credited with helping to save Ernie Irvan following a practice crash at Michigan International Speedway in August 1994. Punch also had aided injured pit crew members on pit road in several races in the 1990s.
Dr. Jerry Punch at Wikipedia.org
Dale Jarrett
Once again, if you're a race fan and have never heard of Dale Jarrett, you too have been living under a rock.
| Named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers (1998) 1999 Winston Cup Champion 2004 USG Person of the Year Award | |||||||
| NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Statistics | |||||||
| 668 races run over 24 years | |||||||
| Best Cup Position | 1st - 1999 (Winston Cup) | ||||||
| First Race | 1984 Sovran Bank 500 (Martinsville) | ||||||
| Last Race | 2008 Food City 500 (Bristol) | ||||||
| First Win | 1991 Champion Spark Plug 400 (Michigan) | ||||||
| Last Win | 2005 UAW Ford 500 (Talladega) | ||||||
| |||||||
At Bristol Motor Speedway pre-race driver's meeting, DJ spoke to the other drivers, saying to them:
"Enjoy this. We all have our time in this, and mine has been fantastic. To me, it has been an honor and a privilege to be able to race in this series and say I raced with and against and sometimes beat the best in the world. Thanks for allowing me to do that. Enjoy it. It's a great sport, and you guys make it what it is."
Andy Petree
Andy's name should ring out like a clear bell (or however that saying goes) to any Dale Earnhardt fan. Andy was hired by Richard Childress Racing, ending up as car chief for the #3 Goodwrench Chevy driven by Dale Earnhardt. In 1993, Andy and Dale teamed up for Dale's 6th championship. The next year, Andy helped Dale win his 7th and final championship.
Andy Petree at Wikipedia.org
Any other commentators you wanna know about? Let me know.
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