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Jon Asher

So what are you hinting at Dan?

That Bob's the brains, and I'm the "Beer swilling doofus?? I mean if you've got something to say, just say it!

Alan
 
Alan,

I think he just did! :-)

and thanks Asher, I appreciate the mention. I thought Bob, Alan and I made a pretty good team for several years. Frey tought me A LOT about doing homework going into race day. Always tried to have notes for all the Lucas Oil guys that made Sundays show..... they got there, they deserved to have their moment in the spotlight just as much as any of the pro's, if not more so.
Maybe someday they'll let me do it again......

Unk
 
Hey Unk, that's what I thought, but I'm currently swilling, so I thought I might have missed it.

Remember the Topeka training session?-LOL

Good times.......

Alan
 
Unk, are you going to the LHS reunion in September? Hope so, Louise and I will be there...trying to figure out who all the old people are!!! MaC
 
Once again, through all the B.S., this thread is THE reason why the 'Mater is such a great thing for the true drag racing fan. Thank You to the Broadcasting Professionals that post on this message board. "I am not worthy"

Yes, that's why I made this thread, they is so much useful topics out there that the sometime petty b.s. we fight about
 
It's a true honor to have Alan, Jon, Bob and Unk all in my thread. You guys make and have made drag racing announcing the talent that it is. I met Bob once, he's like a drag racing encyclopedia, literally not having to even think about a possible answer to a question. I never had the honor to meet Jon, Alan, Dave, or Unk. You guys better than anyone know what espn needs.

If you guys all got together and wrote a book on the inside of drag racing, it would sell like hotcakes. I'll never be able to start another thread again and top the results I got here.
 
Unk, are you going to the LHS reunion in September? Hope so, Louise and I will be there...trying to figure out who all the old people are!!! MaC

Mac,
Probable I'll be announcing a LODRS event that weekend..... go figure... see what you started.... :-)
If not, I will be there, seems like it's shaping up to be a pretty good shindig.

Unk
 
Hey Unk, that's what I thought, but I'm currently swilling, so I thought I might have missed it.

Remember the Topeka training session?-LOL

Good times.......

Alan

Lets see,,,,,, Topeka training session, Lewis's head exploding, Golden Colorado, Nobile's kid losing the flip in Phoenix, Lewis's head exploding, Fletcher losing the flip @ the Black Bear to Biondo, Lewis's head exploding, Crown Royal, the waitress in Sonoma...... oh wait a minute.......:eek:
Yep, lotsa good times....

Have fun at the boat drags this weekend,

LOL

Unk
 
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Alan Reinhart couldn’t be more accurate when he called NHRA Drag Racing the second most popular motorsport. Too bad the nation’s newspapers and TV stations are still under the mistaken belief that IndyCar racing is “bigger” than drag racing. It’s not even close. They are rapidly sinking into oblivion (with the lone exception of the Indy 500), but the mainstream media isn’t paying attention despite the efforts being made by the NHRA Media Department.

Can you imagine where INdy car racing would be without Danica in the Mix?
 
Unk, after reading your post on "the good times"...it just brings back some vivid memories of years gone by...one of the wildest was the Moroso Wet T-shirt contest held at the Nats at Indy for several years. Yep, you got it right, yours truly was the emcee!!! Now that was a little different, to say the least.

Asher should be able to continue, if he so desires!!!

Stay in touch if you get booked for that reunion weekend in Sept. We are getting there a day or so early and staying around in the area for a day or so after.

MaC
 
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......
 
Unk, after reading your post on "the good times"...it just brings back some vivid memories of years gone by...one of the wildest was the Moroso Wet T-shirt contest held at the Nats at Indy for several years. Yep, you got it right, yours truly was the emcee!!! Now that was a little different, to say the least.

Asher should be able to continue, if he so desires!!!

Stay in touch if you get booked for that reunion weekend in Sept. We are getting there a day or so early and staying around in the area for a day or so after.

MaC

MaC, if I'm in town, we will definately get together, think we ought to call Harvey & Suzie too?
 
So what are you hinting at Dan?

That Bob's the brains, and I'm the "Beer swilling doofus?? I mean if you've got something to say, just say it!

Alan

Ain't hintin' nuthin, Alan. We've known each other long enough that I'm sure you know I don't have much problem letting people know what's on my mind.

I remember trying to do Pro Stock color/tech with you, which was a real trip since you knew a lot more than I did. I think you were working at Nickens' shop at the time and were really plugged in to what was happening.

I was the one who was supposed to be adding value to the broadcast with tech info but I"m sitting there listening to you and thinking, "Really? That's some good stuff!"

So no, I'd never say you're not on the smart side.
 
Unk is right when is said "remember when there was EXCITEMENT living within the show. What I see now lacks the drive and passion that used to prevail." I can remember watching TNN and NHRA Today and you could just feel it from being at home, It was amazing how Steve could make you feel the energy of the track from your living room.
 
correct me if i'm wrong, but sometimes there will be a very close race
or an upset, m. dunn will speak immediately as he realizes what
is happening 3 seconds into a 4 second run.
mike 'gets it' like the others have in years prior, and they 'get it' rite now,
this split second; they get the name, the team, the sponsor, the owner, the mph, the e.t.,
the wife, the husband, the home town, the dog, the sons & daughters.

they just get it all rite now because they are intrinsically tied to the sport.
IMO this is what is needed again in the booth as 'anchor' position.
the 'excitement' living within a show is emotion; the more you have the better
the show.

every race broadcast is a story - how are you going to tell it.
gotta' hookem' in the first chapter, keepem' reading thru the middle,
then hit them with a great ending.
 
Dan,

You should know me well enough to know I was kidding. Plus I was probably drunk when I typed that-LOL

Unk,
Yup, Seattle was all time. But you have to admit, the reason you owed me a payback was pretty goood too. Talk to Nickens' lately? ROFLMAO

Alan
 
Dan,

You should know me well enough to know I was kidding. Plus I was probably drunk when I typed that-LOL

Unk,
Yup, Seattle was all time. But you have to admit, the reason you owed me a payback was pretty goood too. Talk to Nickens' lately? ROFLMAO

Alan

Yep, talked to Dave @ Joliet...... I make sure I keep in touch :D

Unk
 
When Mac mentioned the Moroso Wet T-shirt Contest at the Nationals allow me to point out that this was NOT an approved NHRA activity. In fact, every year Wally or someone else in management would express dismay and concern to Dick Moroso, who studiously ignored them.

The contest took place at a campground located directly across the street from the main track entrance.

That wonderful happening produced my favorite, all-time drag racing-related headline, which I saved, from the Indianapolis Star. The paper is now brown, faded and undoubtedly fragile, but you can still read it:

Unruly Drag Fans Subdued by Teargas

Must have been all Mac’s fault!

Jon Asher
 
I left after the clothes got fewer and the party was just beginning. You could see the handwriting on the wall with that one. The first year it was held in the infield of the oval track....that's why it was in the farmers field directly across 136 from the track in later years. Non sanctioned is a polite way of phrasing it! Different day, different time...but one you will remember! MaC
 
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