Reckless Rules: ESPN to Debut 'Backseat Driving' Race Broadcast

Typically, back-seat drivers are annoying and intrusive.

But when it's five NASCAR champions -- three crew chiefs and a pair of drivers -- doing the talking, well, that's a little different. At least that's what ESPN is betting on when it debuts an innovative race broadcast for Saturday's Nationwide Series race at Michigan International Speedway.

Instead of using a traditional play-by-play announcer, ESPN will have Ray Evernham, Andy Petree, Rusty Wallace (right) and Dale Jarrett calling the race in high speed stream-of-consciousness. Tim Brewer will weigh in from his usual perch in the "tech garage."

"It's going to be a different process for sure," said Wallace, the 1989 Cup Series champ. "I feel comfortable with it, I'm excited about it and when it's all said and done, it's either going to work or won't work and we'll see what happens."

Give ESPN credit, at least the network is trying something that doesn't resort to giving massive airtime to an animated rodent so it can hawk toys and t-shirts to children.

If this round table style works it will be entertaining and informative. The key will be balancing the "back in the day" stories with insight from the live race. These five analysts are good at both and seem to have a natural chemistry with one another.

And ESPN has said this is a one-time try, not something the network is trying to introduce on a regular basis.

"I guess my biggest concern is that we don't step over the top of each other and we don't keep interrupting each other, stuff like that," Wallace said.

"I think once we get about 10 minutes into the broadcast we'll find our home and understand where we're at.''

Evernham said it's his understanding that ESPN doesn't want a specific direction from the group. The only marching orders are to march to your own drum.

"As far as I know, when we drop the green flag we're all headed towards the first corner together, so you know this group, someone is going to lead," Evernham said.

"They want us, they want our personalities, they want us to be just like we're sitting around a table at somebody's house watching the race on television and talking about it.''

And added Evernham, "We're going to second guess the teams, we're going to second guess one another ... I mean, we're going to have fun with it, and you go out on a limb sometimes when you're second guessing some strategy and find out you get taught something by one of these new crew chiefs.

"So I'm looking forward to it."

And for my money, as long as no one utters the phrase "Boogity, Boogity, Boogity" it'll be worth checking out.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-12-2009 @ 5:41PM

queenotvl said...

IF RUSTY WALLACE SAYS 'DAT'S FER SHURE' ONE MORE TIME, I'M GOING TO HIT THE MUTE...HE MAY HAVE BEEN A GOOD RACER BUT HE IS THE WORST ESPN COMMENTATOR EVER.
SINCE MICHAEL WALTRIP IS SEMI-RETIRING IN 2010, GET HIM...AT LEAST HE'S HONEST, HUMBLE AND KNOWS WHAT'S HAPPENING IN/OUT OF THE GARAGE AREA....AND HE'S FUNNY....NEVER HEARD HIM SAY 'DAT'S FER SHURE'----EVER...........

8-12-2009 @ 5:57PM

slr3975 said...

Easy on Rusty. He does a fine job on ESPN. He knows more technically about the car than any of those other chuckle heads. And he was a driver and knows what these drivers are thinking.

8-13-2009 @ 1:08AM

bluerange308 said...

The worst by far is petree. He has such a big man-crush on baby bush it makes me and everyone I watch this stuff with sick. Kick him out!

8-12-2009 @ 5:44PM

yogibear619fl said...

This will never work. Why ? For one, Rusty wallace and his 200mph mouth will never let anyone get a word or opposing opinion in. Dale Jarrett is good at his job, but he gets slightly monotonous at times. Andy Petree is a great technical commentator, and Ray evernham has the added bonus of being both a driver and builder, so he can speak well on many subjects. Tim Brewer will get lost trying to "Dumb Down" his technical explanations..and many viewers will just tune him out. I guess we will just wait and see....

8-12-2009 @ 5:59PM

Easy on Rusty. He's a fine commentator. He's better than the rest of those chuckle heads BUBBA's! He knows the car and what the drivers are thinking.

8-12-2009 @ 6:04PM

nzcr14 said...

OOHH NOO..... that's like hiring JERRY SPRINKLER TO report nazcar racing.
Can they hire KYLE PRETTY, DALE JARSETT or even M.WALGREEN???.
CRUSTEY WALLACE SHALL GET BACK ON HIS CAR TO REPLACE HIS WORTHLESS SON DRIVER!!!.
works for me...

8-12-2009 @ 7:16PM

illsell4u said...

We will see what happens. Notice they are doing this on a Nationwide race first. I am sure if it turns out to be good they will expand it to Sprint Cup. Anything has to be an improvement. While we all have our favorite networks for Nascar it has always made me just shake my head at ESPN. How can a network that is supposed to be all about sports know so little about nascar?
mbl

8-13-2009 @ 4:45PM

Ben said...

There is nobody worse than the Waltrips. I don't understand why anyone would use someone who will never win another NASCAR sanctioned race (Michael)I cannot bear to watch this week in NASACR any longer. Digger is probably one of the worst ideas any network has ever come up with and as far as the Boogity Boogity Boogity I will puke puke puke the next time I have to endure such torture. Kudos to ESPN for at least trying. My ideal race commentators would be, Mike Joy, Dr. Jerry and Bill Weber. And what's up with Tim Brewers eye brows?

8-14-2009 @ 12:20PM

BIG BUD said...

Here's a though, put Rusty in the back seat of his son"s car maybe he could teach him how to drive, and explain to him just because his last name is Wallace doesnt mean everyone is going to move to let him drive to the front he needs to learn how to get there...key word here MRN RADIO......

8-15-2009 @ 4:45PM

xlr8tionjunkie said...

It would be a much better broadcast if Rusty wasn't involved. I can't stand that Motor Mouth.I couldn't stand him as a racer and I can't stand him now. Go Back to Arnold, Rusty!