Getting back to the original piece this thread was talking about, that Asher guy brought up some great points. If what he is saying is true, then the relatively piss poor coverage can be attributed to ESPN.
Although it could use some improvement, the show isn't all bad. How the show should be improved depends on who you ask, but they do cover the race. Maybe they don't always follow the most interesting stories, or ask the most interesting questions, or whatever, but they do cover the race... which is why I tune in.
But he also mentioned, probably correctly, that no matter how great the show is, popularity of the sport will not increase or decrease due to ESPN's effort, or lack thereof. Step inside a NASCAR fan and try to sell them the NHRA by showing them a 3.5 second top fuel run on TV... it won't work. Take that NASCAR fan and have them sit and watch a 3.5 second top fuel run from the stands.. that might work. The ESPN show is only catering to existing NHRA fans. If your really into the 3 or 4 pro categories - like the majority of those buying the tickets, I don't think you would not watched based on the quality of the show - (I say majority with confidence based on how empty the stands are after those 3 or 4 categories run).
I have noticed they cover Force relatively less nowadays, and show the super slo-mo more... and show the night time qualifying sessions more, so there is some improvement there. But as mentioned, there is room for improvement.
But some people expect the old TNN days with Steve Evans and Dave Mac - that's just not going to happen. They cannot be replaced. Even if they did come back, they would still have to follow whatever rules ESPN puts on them, so you might get Steve asking boring questions and setting up drivers on the top end to plug products. Double edged sword, ESPN2 is available nearly everywhere, but the show is sub par.
My own opinions FWIW
Not all drivers are good announcers. Seems obvious to me Shirley wouldn't be a good announcer, from what I've read, now what I know she has opinions on everything. An opinionated host doesn't make a good one. Mike Dunn does a great job. I thought Cruz did a good job too though.
Paul Page, annoying... but probably because I have it in my head he isn't truly passionate about the sport. I think he'd rather be announcing an Indy race over the drags. So every time he yells out when a great run happens, I think he's manufacturing that excitement because it's part of his job. This might not be true, but it's just my opinion, right or wrong.
Of who's out there today, I would like to see a broadcast team of the following:
TV Host: Bob Frey
TV Assistant: Mike Dunn
Top End interview: Alan Reinhart
Pit Reporter: Bill Stephens
If Alan reads this... as mentioned in another thread, I never hear you at the track. When your doing the interview at top end, the next pair is being fired. Anyone from the finish line to the start line cannot hear you. And that's a shame because I know of your top end interview skills from the IHRA races from back in the day. Similar comment to B Frey when he calls the Alcohol cars, I cannot hear him either.
