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Why NASCAR on FOX Used To Be GREAT



NASCAR on FOX has been one of the most hated entities in sports television in recent years, but at one time it was far from it. NASCAR on FOX used to be on the cutting edge of NASCAR broadcasting and made the first half or so of every NASCAR season both fun and exciting to watch on a weekly basis. So today we are going to look back in time 10-20 years ago to see just what they did so right to endear themselves to the vast majority of NASCAR fans. This is why NASCAR on FOX used to be great.

Video Credits:
Barney Ward
Dave W
FOX Sports
John Snyder
Motorsports on NBC
NASCAR
NASCAR on FOX
NASCAR Productions
NascarAllOut
Scott Allen Brown’s Mashup Museum
SHEVYWOOD
Skewcar
SMIFF TV
Vitor Souza

Thumbnail Credits:
Getty Images
NASCAR
NASCAR Images

Outro Song:
Strange Animal (Crowder Remix) by Gowan

Songs:
NASCAR on FOX 2001 Grid Intro Music by FOX Sports uploaded by Scott Allen Brown’s Mashup Museum

NASCAR on FOX 2011 Grid Intro Music by FOX Sports and uploaded by Victor Souza

#NASCAR #Motorsports #racing

47 Comments

  1. Nascar really needs to ditch fox already like every year they seemingly get worse and they don’t address and fix any of the criticism they get

  2. The one thing I haven’t seen the comments mentioned from this year’s NASCAR on FOX broadcasting this season that I was disappointed with was during the North Wilkesboro All Star race was Darrell Waltrip not saying Boogity Boogity Boogity, let’s go racing boys! I was sad because Mike Joy was talking too much when the race started. Maybe FOX told DW not to say it? Maybe it’s just me with that disappointment? Would anyone else agree with me too? That in my opinion was when I started to realize that NASCAR on FOX was not what it used to be.

  3. I'll agree to disagree. I much prefer the coverage of Nascar prior to FOX and NBC. CBS, TNN, and ESPN, were way better, and I'm not saying that as some old fart who didn't like the new networks when they started coverage. I loved the original Fox coverage, and I was a teen when they started.

    I realized I liked the old networks better from when I was a kid in retrospect. I liked the slower, calmer pace, I miss that Nascar.

    I miss Benny Parsons and Ned Jarrett.

  4. I think some of Darrell Waltrip’s quotes were the best part of it. He was really a good commentator who managed to act like a race fan at the same time.

  5. I think my favorite was probably Dega spring 09, “oh he turned him!” And All-star race 2009-2010 “keep your foot in it” and “HE PUT HIM IN THE WALL!”

  6. i think after DW left the booth that's when it started going down hill,We need to get rid of fox and bring back TNT and Allen bestwick

  7. Nascar broadcasting on the 2000's taught me so much about NASCAR. Some thing I think fox does not try to do these days. NBC does better. Not great but better

  8. That early run of NASCAR on Fox hit the perfect blend of professional and fun. The races had that relaxing lazy Sunday afternoon vibe, but the races also felt like a big deal.

  9. The most memorable moment for was “Brad Keselowski won this race” I was 10 years old just got into nascar the year previous & it looked like a movie but it was real

  10. Old School ESPN: Jenkins, Parsons, & Jarrett with Dr Punch in the pits are the reference for all NASCAR TV Announcing. In the 90s they were the standard. 1990s ABC, NBC, TNN, CBS, all had different combos of talent but ESPNs crew was the best.

  11. My gripe with broadcasting is they seem to have an agenda. Mention no name drivers alot and rode the Bubba Wallace train for along time

  12. It seemed like when Speed became FS1 the coverage got a little worse, along with Dick Berggren leaving at the same time, but it wasn’t too big of a drop off. But when Steve Byrnes died and Larry McReynolds role was reduced it took a massive step down. When DW left and Bowyer got in it got really bad. Then when Gordon left and they decided to have a rotation of commentators it hit rock bottom.

    Their Trucks series coverage with ESPN refugees Vince Welch and Jamie Little has been a total disaster for years. Their Xfinity coverage isn’t too bad, it’s the best they have to offer, and it’s still not as good as NBC.

    I think Fox would benefit from a staffing makeover on the next contract. Maybe get Allen Bestwick to replace Mike Joy. He’s been great, but he’s past his prime. I would try to get Larry McReynolds back in there full time as well with Harvick. I would keep the Xfinity coverage the same. For the trucks series coverage I would get Ralph Shaheen in there with Phil Parsons and Michael Waltrip. The pit reporters I would keep the same, but I would try to get Matt Yocum and Hermie Sadler back.

    Most of the problem Fox has is dated presentation and lackluster talent replacing the legendary talent.

  13. I felt your points in this video! NASCAR on Fox was my childhood and I loved every second of it. Mike, Larry Mac & DW were such a special crew together! RIP to the late Steve Byrnes as well.

  14. I know its the first broadcast of the season but NBC's coverage hasn't been great so far. Half hour in and there have already been multiple long commercial breaks during green flag laps and they have Dale Jr. and Burton commentating trackside where you can't hear a word they are saying.

  15. I think when Mike Joy retires, the booth should be Adam Alexander, Clint Bowyer, and Chad Knaus.

  16. For me, I was always partial to NBC/TNT from 2001-2006 and the TNT 6 race schedule from 2007-2009. Alan Bestwick (2001-2004)/Bill Weber (2004-2009), Benny Parsons (2001-2006)/Kyle Petty (2007-2014) and Wally Dallenbach (2001-2014), but just those years from 2001-2009 were my favorite broadcasts that I always looked forward to, they all seemed relaxed, and they seemed to make almost everything exciting in every race they called, and they had knowledge of the sport with Wally being the most recent driver, so he had more experience with the newer cars than Parsons. And Dallenbach wasn’t afraid to speak his mind on something a driver would do to others (example, Tony Stewart in the 2006 Daytona 500) Benny was real likable, and he had really good knowledge of how to win the big races, having won a lot, and Alan was just the best, his call in the 01 Pepsi 400, or the 02 Homestead Race or the 02 Sharpie 500 are some of his best examples in great commentating, while Bill Weber was already a recognizable person, having been part of ESPN Speedworld as a pit reporter, did have his great calls, the 2005 fall Talladega race where Dale Jarrett won his last Cup Series Race, the 2006 Daytona 500, the 2007 Pepsi 400, etc., while I found DW to be quite annoying, usually he would get very loud and louder as the race went on, he was always biased on Dale Jr., he sounded like he didn’t like Jeff Gordon if he won, I just never liked him as a broadcaster. Although I do remember coming home from Church at about noon and the NASCAR race would start just as I came through the door obviously on FOX.

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