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The O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters (05/16/12)

Brett's guests are Jim Utter of the Charlotte Observer, and Adam Alexander of Speed.

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The O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters

The O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters is a unique forum that brings together the nation's top motorsports media for an hour-long roundtable discussion on the racing issues of the day.

The show is now in its 12th year on The Performance Racing Network.

Brett McMillan, veteran motorsports broadcaster, PRN pit reporter is the host of The O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters.

If it happened during last week's race, or is a hot topic for this week's race...you'll hear it discussed in and intelligent and thought provoking manner on the on The O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters.

Along with McMillan, scheduled panelist include; Monte Dutton, The Gaston Gazette; Jim Utter, Charlotte Observer; Ralph Sheheen, Marty Snider and Jim Noble of TNT; Rick Allen, John Roberts and Wendy Venturini of SPEED; Bob Pockrass, Jeff Owens and Kenny Bruce of NASCAR Scene Daily; Bruce Martin of SI.cm, David Newton and Ryan McGee of ESPN.com; Tom Jensen of SPEED.com, Nate Ryan of USA Today, Lee Spencer of FOX Sports.com, Joe Menzer of NASCAR.com, Jeff Gluck of SB Nation and Dustin Long of Landmark Newspapers.

The O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters airs on 200 PRN stations across the nation and can also be heard on NASCAR.com.

 

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

You Not Happy? Tough

Is it possible to satisfy everyone?  I don't think so.  All year long, we've heard a lot of complaining about the lack of cautions.  Folks are saying that since there aren't many cautions, there isn't much drama.

After Talladega, we have Tony Stewart, dripping with sarcasm, basically taking a shot at the folks who have been complaining about the lack of cautions...saying they didn't have enough wrecks.

But, do we need lots of cautions to produce great racing and drama?  No.  Ironically, at Talladega of all places, I witnessed one of the most amazing, dramatic runs without a caution.  In 1985, Bill Elliott made up nearly two laps...under green!  At Talladega!

Who needs cautions?

The fact is, sometimes we do.  But, we don't need them all the time.  Too many cautions can make for very boring races...I can't think of anyone I know who wants to see the pace car lead nearly half the laps.

There is a nice balance.  So, we need to accept that, and appreciate each race for whatever the drama and excitement it brings rather than trying to compare it to whatever another race may have.

Continue...

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Turn On the Lights

 

This trip to Talladega will be the only time all month that the Sprint Cup drivers will be running in daylight.  In fact, it’s one of only two weeks out of 7 that they won’t be under the lights.

I enjoy the variety.  I wouldn’t want every race run at night, but I really enjoy the ones that are.

As we celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the first night race at a superspeedway, it’s interesting to see exactly what that new technology has produced. 

I’ll never forget how cool it was the first time we saw the cars under the lights…they sparkled…and still do.  And, with the infield in darkness, the track just really jumps out.

For the most part, the night races generate a better fan experience.  It’s certainly more comfortable sitting under the lights than in the blazing sun.  They also allow fans more time to wander the grounds and get a better onsite experience for their money.  The one downside is that it makes for some really late nights driving home.

I’ll take the tradeoff.  And, I believe, it offers the sport a better chance to grow the fan base.  Do all the night shows by the Cup series hurt the local tracks?  In some cases, probably, but if it attracts more eyes and more interest in the sports in general, I think everyone wins.

 

Continue...

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