FanNation - The Republic of Sport

So it looks like ESPN maybe actually starting to figure some things out. I tuned into NASCAR Now today and what did I see? Alan Bestwick. They actually had someone that knew a thing or two about NASCAR hosting their daily NASCAR show. I don't have anything against the other guys they have had on the show hosting its just that none of them seem to know much about NASCAR, which makes for a pretty lame show. They don't know when to ask a follow up question or how to react to an answer. It seems that all they can do is read the questions the producers have given them. Can you imagine if ESPN put someone who knew nothing about Football on NFL live or someone who knew nothing about baseball on Baseball tonight?

Bestwick knows his stuff he has been around the sport for awhile. I like Dave Despain on Inside Nextel Cup but I was upset at first when they took Alan off that show. There was great chemistry with Alan, Mickey, and Kenny. So it's good to see him back on a NASCAR studio show. I hope ESPN sees the benefit of Alan and make him the primary guy and don't just put him into the rotation with the other guys (I can't even remember their names).

I am also hoping that ESPN leaves Rusty with the IRL crew and brings someone else in to the Nextel booth for the cup races. My ideal choice would be for them to bring in DJ but you never know he may make a race, then what would they do. I just really have a hard time listening to Rusty, I didn't like him on the track and I don't like him as an announcer.  I'm sure he's a great guy and all; it just makes it tough to listen to a race. Maybe a Mickey and DJ rotation that could work, what are the odds of them both making a race. If not them there has to be another retired driver to put in the booth to give the drivers point of view. Maybe Awesome Bill from Dawsonville.

I haven't bloged since Junior announced that he is leaving DEI and looking for a new team to drive for (been really busy, plus a lot of what I was thinking was already being said). So here it is. I am hoping that he goes with JGR. I know Gibbs won't allow Bud to be his sponsors and that is one of the reasons I want him there. As it is now I really can't buy any hats, t-shirts, or coats because I won't be a walking beer add. I really can't buy any of his gear for my kid either. If he goes with Gibbs he would have to get a non-alcoholic sponsor (Visa maybe) and I could get me some Junior gear. The other reason I think Gibbs would be a good spot for him to land is I think it would be pretty cool to have Smoke, Junior, and Denny Vs. Gordon, Jimmy, and Kyle. That would be fun to watch. RCR and Ginn would be ok too; it's just that if he goes to either one of those teams Bud probably goes with him. Especially Ginn who has said he could use the Bud sponsorship at his hotels as well. Ultimately I just hope that he signs with someone quick so we don't have to speculate all summer long and we can start looking to next year.

Sure would have liked to have seen a debris caution Sunday night with about 20 to go. Not really but it was painful to watch Junior and Tony have to pit for fuel. Junior was reeling Tony in before they both pited. On Trackpass Junior had gone from 4.6 sec back and in third to 1.6 back and in second. It would have been cool to see that race between those two at the end for the win. Next time maybe.  

Hats off to Tony Gibson, he did a heck of a job Sunday night. It seamed to me that he talks on the radio with Junior a lot more than Eury jr does. It may be just that Eury jr and Junior know what is what with out having to say anything. But it was nice to hear them talking tire temps and lap times.

Anyone else looking forward to Prelude to the Dream next week? Looks like it is going to be really cool. I'm not a big Gordon fan but am looking forward to seeing him on dirt. It should be a good night of racing if Juan Pablo doesn't take everyone out on the first lap that is.