This is one of those weekends where the ESPN family of networks has been busy with other programming. It has been SPEED handling all the on-track Nationwide Series activities this weekend.
That changes for the race as ABC begins coverage with NASCAR Countdown at 2PM. It will be Allen Bestwick hosting from the Infield Pit Studio with Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty alongside. The pre-race show is only thirty minutes long.
It will be Marty Reid calling the race itself with Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree in the booth. Reid has been bringing out the best in his two analysts and Bristol is a track that lends itself to a lot of excitement.
On pit road will be Dr. Jerry Punch, Vince Welch, Jamie Little and Dave Burns. Punch has been an incredible bonus for this team as he continues to raise the bar for pit reporting. Gone are the "how does that make you feel" questions. That has made a big difference.
Bristol poses unique challenges for both the producer and director. Fast laps on a small track make it impossible to cut live to in-car cameras. Wideshots that keep an eye on one big clump of cars are usually the order of the day. Telling the stories unfolding throughout the field requires a lot of coordination in the TV truck.
While there are usually frequent cautions, green flag pitstops can put cars laps down quickly and jumble the entire field. Race resets and through the field updates are going to play a major role.
Reid continues to set the tone in dealing with start and park cars. He calls them out as they leave the track and speaks honestly about why they left. Giving the TV viewers information about what is actually happening at the track is a great philosophy to follow.
The telecast is schedule to run until 5P ET. A check of the weather reveals a high of 70 degrees with no chance of rain at race time.
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