On a serious note,
Having had the opportunity to "grow up" in the biz around Mac & Steve, I have to agree that they set the bar at a pretty high level. Definate kudos to Mac for helping me get my foot in the door @ Heartland Park, to this day I remember the conversation we had the day I called.
I had the priveledge of learning from both of the greats, and like Alan spent alot of time listening & learning, both on the top end and in the booth. As a rookie I was on the mic when Conway Whitten barrel rolled his comp car @ Topeka. I knew it was a bad accident and froze not knowing what to do next, Mac & Frey were both in the tower and I asked for their help, listening to Mac handle the calamity and do it in his calm, controlled manner taught me a lesson that has never been forgotten.
Steve would keep you on yours toes on the top end, and I too would have bought "Hello Truck" without a second thought. His ability to cover the swamp buggies in Florida, the Sprints at Knoxville and the top end of a drag strip always amazed me.
Does an announcer make or break a show? Sure does, and I don't care if it's a Saturday night bracket bash on the 1/8th mile, or an NHRA national event.
Any announcer has to realize the audience he/she is playing to, and then do his or her best to accomodate THAT audience, and they do vary, sometimes considerably.
Like Alan, I seldom get the opportunity to watch the ESPN show because I'm at the track with Brogdon's PS team. I do watch occasionally when someone at my house doesn't clear the DVR before I get to watch and I agree with Asher, that the show could be/should be better. But then again, I grew up with TNN, Diamond P, the Castrol 900 number, etc, and remember when there was EXCITEMENT living within the show. What I see now lacks the drive and passion that used to prevail.
But hey, that's just my .02
Unk
Now, back to the "good times"..... One of the best was the weekend of Seattle when Alan became engaged.......... ROFLMAO, thanks for the help Scott Sebastion, wherever you may be......