Jon Asher

[MaC]

Jon, can you see me blushing from your vantage point!!!!

Many thanks for the kind words. You are exactly right, my absence from the race announcing and TV show chores was of my choice...you hit it on the head when I couldn't put up with the travel anymore. I started in 1959 and the last season for race announcing was '03...pretty good run I guess. 27 seasons for the TV shows.

You also were very accurate in your comment about not coming back. I still do a number of emcee jobs, voice overs, car shows and things that require little or no travel.

My wife and I have done a good bit of personal travel...things we never got to do when I was working...and that we enjoy.

I appreciate the accolades that have come my way over the years. I had a great time and as I describe it....I got to provide for my family, set some aside for this time in my life...work alongside and become friends with people who are my heroes...get paid for doing things I had done for fun...if that isn't the perfect job...I don't know what is!

All our best to you and Carol. See you soon. Stay well.

MaC

 

[MHayes]

Is it just me or does anyone else hear Dave's voice when they're reading his posts, LOL!

 

[DrRocket]

Is it just me or does anyone else hear Dave's voice when they're reading his posts, LOL!

Yep! I hear it too, Michael!

Some years ago, a local talk radio station played a commercial for the NorthStar Nats that Dave did. Afterward, the local host was raving over the quality of Dave's pipes.

 

[none]

Jon,

I am going to get up early to see if the sun rises in the West tomorrow. If you and I agree on something the world must be spinning backwards.

Couple of things, I did the TV stuff starting with sportsman shows in the early 90's and stayed on camera either in tape mode or the many live shows when I was on the ESPN team covering the Pro's. Mac was also there and I will respect his opinion if he thinks I wasn't good at it. (I'll also give Jon a pass for not knowing that as he is new to the sport-LOL)

And Jon is right about Steve, he hated the live stuff. I believe it had somethnig to do with his being such a Pro, that he always wanted to be perfect, and "live live" as it is known in the biz, doesen't allow you to fix anything. As I'm sure Dave will agree we are all our own worst critics, so even smallest mistake nags at you. Even something that nobody else would notice, would bug Steve. He wanted to be perfect, and made it WAY more than he missed. Strictly my opinion. He always said that when he retired he was going to write a book about his life in TV. To this day I know of no other on air personality that did work in as many venues as he did. And excelled at all of them. The name of the book based on not great on site communications was to be "Hello Truck!" I would have bought the first copy.

Also before someone calls me out for my take on Whit, or any other TV related subject. I never offer opinions on the NHRA broadcasts for the simple reason that I almost never see them. When I do it's usually like last Sunday in Denver, it was on in the lounge at the hotel where I had dinner, so I could see it, but not hear it.

Alan

 

[MaC]

Thanks Alan...and I am firmly in your corner. You are one of the best in the business and your work consistently proves it.

I also agree with your take on Steve. He would work himself up to a point you wondered if he was gonna snap or what...but he pulled it off with ease. I do believe that it took its' toll on him from a physical point of view. He and I worked together from the mid 60's till his passing in 2000...a dear friend.

I am sure you will agree...the work is never as easy as it looks. But then, that's the way it's supposed to be for the viewer.

BTW....I caught a show, I think it was a Lucas Oil Series oval track race with you as the play by play anchor. I thought I had your phone number as I wanted to call and tell you...great job. Having done a number of oval events over the years, it's a different animal than the drag racing world. You were outstanding.

Keep up the great work...tell everybody hi for me and hopefully we'll see each other in Pomona in November.

Stay well. MaC

 

[mike]

Is it just me or does anyone else hear Dave's voice when they're reading his posts, LOL!

yup...and I LOVE IT too

 

[robslob]

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"

 

[nick name]

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"

I was hoping someone would notice and comment on this.

I can't think of too many situations where the absolute titans, the legends of any particular area are this available to the common person. I'm firmly convinced Mac and Asher will go down in history at the best ever in their respective trades.

And they're on here chatting with the rest of us. Remarkable!

Do you think that a 60s baseball fan had this access to Harry Caray?
A college football fan to Curt Gowdy?
A budding writer to Kurt Vonnegut or Stephen King?
A movie fan to Frank Capra or Francis Ford Coppola?

Absolutely incredible, and I thank both men for their kind consideration in joining us here.

 

[Toejam]

I remember at the '94 World finals Steve Evans was about to do a Live shot outside of Cruz Pedregon's pit cause he was on the FC final round, so naturally I jumped in to be part of the shot. Just before doing to shot he promptly asked a guy wearing a shirt that said " If it has Tits or Tires, your gonna have problems" to get behind out of view! Anyway I was standing like 2' behind him while he was taping, and he screwed up somebody's name and went GOD Dammit, let's do it again, LOL!

 

[PiPPi]

This is a good thread for many reasons.

Sidetracking here but I'm from Sweden and subscribed to both Car Craft and Hot Rod Magazine in my early teens and Jons and Daves name were part of that of course. I moved to the US and spent most of the 70's in the Washington DC area and before I got my drivers license at 16 I persuaded my dad to drive me to Budds Creek, Capital Raceway, Aquasco, 75-80 etc. This is ages ago when the pros were touring "smaller" tracks between championship rounds. I'm back in Sweden and my "work" with dragracing has been in organization and doing live commentary at national races and also for the European Championship drag racing series since a few years back.

As always, Jons and Daves names bring up so many good memories that are more than the sport itself. My hat's off to these gentlemen. As well as to the 'Mater: If, 40 years ago, someone would have suggested to me that I'd "be in a thread" with Jon Asher, Dave McClelland and of course Alan Reinhart. Well...

About Car Craft and it's "relaxed" style of reporting in conjunction with Jon, found this piece as part of an article on a stock '78 Pinto against the Glidden Pinto Pro Stocker which I think sums it up real well: "The driver we wanted to pit against Glidden had to be a man of consummate skill, total dedication, and photon-quick reflexes. We chose Competition Editor Jon Asher instead, figuring that he would at least turn the stock car over and provide some good photo material. But Asher rose to the occasion, surprising all in attendance by recording a top speed at 73.05 mph. He complained of blurred vision and headaches at such terminal velocities, but these adverse effects were eliminated by loosening his helmet strap."

"...and now back to your regularily scheduled programming..."

Regards
PiPPi
http://HarleyDrags.com

 

[Surfer Ed]

This is a good thread for many reasons.

I'm back in Sweden and my "work" with dragracing has been in organization and doing live commentary at national races and also for the European Championship drag racing series since a few years back.

http://HarleyDrags.com

I should point out to my fellow maters in the states that Pipi does an excellent job commentating from the control tower at the European FIA Drag Races and in 2 (that I know of) languages. Just being that articulate in 2 languages is a major accomplishment along with his very knowledgable commentary.

 

[Joker]

I still remember calling the NHRA Hotline to find out the results on Sun evenings. You guys remember that? It was like Dave Mac was god. He will forever be the voice of the NHRA to me.

 

[mick]

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.

yes, in total agreement. thank you

 

[sdwarf36]

Is it just me or does anyone else hear Dave's voice when they're reading his posts, LOL!

I hear that and "50 issues of National Dragster--a patch-a pen-a keychain..."

Speaking of voiceovers--Alan-have you done any commercials? I'm thinking it was a Lucas product?

 

[Rajunz]

Listening to Paul, away from ESPN Broadcasts, and reading elsewhere, the man 'loves' drag racing, and it is as much his 'roots' as Indy Cars.

You can't blame the man for what 'The Show' feeds Mike and Paul, tucked away in a small room, not able to view the racing except the same camera feed we are seeing, for his comments.

I'll take Paul over Marty(always made my teeth hurt) any day...

http://www.wforadio.com/components/com_podcast/media/20110705-paulpage.mp3

don't believe me, check this link

That was an awesome interview Karl, thanks for the link. Paul sure has some great ideas to improve the broadcasts.

I still remember calling the NHRA Hotline to find out the results on Sun evenings. You guys remember that? It was like Dave Mac was god. He will forever be the voice of the NHRA to me.

Definitely the "Voice of Drag Racing", good to see life's treating you well Dave Mac.

 

[none]

Sherman,

I have done a few. None for Lucas (yet) I have done some of the K&N spots,

Alan

 

[DrRocket]

Sherman,

I have done a few. None for Lucas (yet) I have done some of the K&N spots,

Alan

I was pretty certain that was you. Looks like (for once) I was right!

 

[Jon Asher]

Geez, I’d forgotten all about the NHRA Hotline. I remember witnessing Dave put that phone call together numerous times. Because of the circumstances he often had to do it right in the press room, shortly after the race ended (this was before the widespread use of cell phones, of course).

Everyone knew what was going on, so when Dave would (occasionally) have to ask for quiet, everyone shut up while he did his deal. It was, of course, akin to hearing him do the entire race over the PA, only in abbreviated, three-minute form. It was always fun to watch him do it and yeah, I think he flubbed it once or twice, so he’d re-dial the number and do it again.

Drag racing fans have been extremely fortunate to have the quality announcers that have peopled the national events.

Anyone who thinks Bob Frey just spits stuff out is so far off target as to be closer to the moon than this planet. I don’t know anyone in the business who researches as thoroughly as Bob does. When funny remarks spill out of his mouth, remember those killer one-liners are the result of hard work, not luck. He’s terrific, and, like Big Mac, Evans, Alan and a few others, he works extremely hard at it.

I often wonder how many people get it when Alan, for example, will suddenly blurt out something like “Attention in the pits! Attention in the pits.” He does it low key and half kiddingly, but in my mind it’s definitely an homage to Jon “Thunder Lungs” Lundberg, who was famous for that one.

Lundberg rose to fame calling the AHRA Grand American Series races, and in his day was every bit as polished and professional as are the guys we’ve been talking about here. When you attended one of those races (and this was before TV and the Internet, of course), Lundberg would bring you up to date on what had taken place at recent races, and then he’d go from there. The Series ran at some really out-of-the-way facilities, and Lundberg knew the fans had no clue what was going on, or who the “players” were. He told them, quickly and efficiently.

I thought Bob Unkefer was on his way to being a co-lead announcer for NHRA, but he apparently had a falling out with management over his having headed up the aborted Pro Stock Truck Owners Association. It would have been to hear him sharing mic time.

I have heard just about every kind of announcer there is, and I find it interesting that, by and large, the screamers of the old days have been replaced with true media professionals. The sport is better off because of them.

We may not think of things like this, but in reality, a professional, well-researched announcer is a key element in convincing a first-time spectator to come back out. If that fan learns while he’s watching, as he will from listening to the likes of Bob and Alan at an NHRA race, he’s going to come away with a positive experience, and we need more of that.

A good announcer can be as mesmerizing as a snake charmer.

Jon Asher
Senior Editor
CompetitionPlus.com

 

[d'kid]

Yeah, man. I don't get anything done those days.


Agreed. If thee was one thing I could ask for, it's that. I'll listen to the nhra.com audiocast while viewing the ESPN3 stream, but for my computer, it is about 2 seconds behind the video.

I'm about 5 to 10 seconds ahead with the audiocast vis Three... But I can deal with that.... just becomes a P.I.T.A. with the sportsman stuff....

But, no different from spending race day at the track, and don't have the parking lot garbage heading home...

d'kid

 

[nick name]

Treading a fine line to avoid turning this thread into a backslapping session, I just can't resist commenting on Asher's latest post just above this one.

I totally agree that Bob Frey is the one most dedicated professionals I've ever seen, anywhere. I don't think people realize that when Bob's turn at the mike is over most of the time he heads directly to his computer and database in order to prepare for his next shift.

He's also the guy who usually turns down dinner invitations, preferring to just grab a sandwich and get back to work in his hotel room.

When I was in college, four of us lived in an old house. There was a veterinary student (Did you know it's harder to get into Vet school than Medical school?), an ex-Navy fighter pilot (aircraft carrier duty) working on his doctorate in Atmospheric Science, and me and another guy who could have played parts in Animal House. They were the brains, we were the beer swilling doofuses.

The two smart guys (who have done very well for themselves) put an amazing amount of time into their books but neither of them studied as much as Bob does.

Like Jon says, Bob makes it look really easy. But I can't think of anyone else who works the hours he does in making sure his job is taken care of.