ESPN Changes Its NASCAR Booth
TMC
Just received this press release from ESPN and the network announces
that it's making a change by kicking out Dr. Jerry Punch from the play-
by-play position, sending him back to his original role as a pit
reporter. Marty Reid replaces him. Here's the release:
Marty Reid Will Call ESPN’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Races in 2010
Punch Returning to Pit Reporter Role
Marty Reid, whose 28-year career with ESPN has touched all forms
of motorsports the network has covered, will expand his role and join
analysts Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree in the booth as lap-by-lap
announcer for ESPN’s full season of NASCAR coverage in 2010. Reid will
call the action for all 17 of ESPN’s NASCAR Sprint Cup races as well
as many of the network’s NASCAR Nationwide Series telecasts. He was
lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s IndyCar Series coverage and selected
NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2009.
Returning to a role he helped define for ESPN for more than 20
years, Dr. Jerry Punch will join ESPN’s team of pit reporters for
2010, working both Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races. Punch was
lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s Sprint Cup coverage the past three
years.
“This group gives us the most versatile and comprehensive team in
motorsports, and strengthens us in the booth,” said Norby Williamson,
ESPN executive vice president, studio and event production.
“We play to the strengths of our announcers, and Marty’s strength
is calling the tactical aspects of the race while deferring to the
analysts.
“And from the early days of our NASCAR coverage, Jerry helped
evolve the significant role that reporting from the pits plays,”
Williamson said. “He will bolster our already-strong stable of pit
reporters.”
All other members of the NASCAR on ESPN race coverage team will
return in 2010, including analysts Rusty Wallace, Brad Daugherty, Tim
Brewer and Ray Evernham, NASCAR Countdown host Allen Bestwick and pit
reporters Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro, Shannon Spake and
Vince Welch. Specific assignments and schedules will be announced
later.
In addition to his expanded role with NASCAR, Reid will continue
as the lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s five-race IndyCar Series
schedule, including the Indianapolis 500.
ESPN’s 2010 NASCAR season begins with live, flag-to-flag coverage
of the NASCAR Nationwide Series opener at Daytona International
Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 13. The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race on
ESPN’s schedule is at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 25.
As far as Fox is concerned, it appears there will be no changes to its
crew.
Nancy2
> crew.
To bad about Rusty - Evernham should take that spot.
If it's true about Punch, though, it could hardly be better news. I
don't think I recall a single person here commenting on how great
Punch is. Maybe someone's listening after all.
And, anyone else dislike the Fox sports Nascar website redo? I think
it's awful - like a kindergartner armed with a black crayon designed
it. Very boring.
N.
Rick
>
> And, anyone else dislike the Fox sports Nascar website redo? I think
> it's awful - like a kindergartner armed with a black crayon designed
> it. Very boring.
>
Which one,
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/nascar/index.html
or