Letter to NBC Sports

Today’s NBC broadcast of the final Nextel Cup Series race of the season really really pissed me off. And that’s putting it mildly. All they could talk about was Jimmie Johnson this and Jimmie Johnson that. I understand that the guy all but had the championship locked up before the race even started. But there are 42 other drivers out there on that track.

Martin Truex Jr made an awesome run during the green-white-checkers to end the race. He finished 2nd. And he lead laps earlier in the race. But could NBC be bothered to even talk to him? Hell no. The MRN broadcast interviewed him. Isn’t it customarily done that you interview at least the top 2 or 3 finishers. I guess someone should tell NBC that.

I was even so pissed, that I sent an email to NBC sports. I’m sure no one will even read it, but I felt the need to state my mind. And since I’m sure no one at NBC will care, I’m putting it up here (’cuz I can … it’s my blog … )

Subject: Comments on NASCAR coverage
To: nbcsports@nbcuni.com

To whom it may concern:

I just have to say how extremely upset I have been with the NASCAR coverage on NBC and TNT this season. I am extremely extremely upset about the Nextel Cup race coverage of the race on November 19, 2006 on NBC as well as the coverage of the Busch race on November 18, 2006.

Paul Menard finished 3rd in that race … he was the highest finishing NON-CUP driver in the race. Not only that, he finished 6th in points … again, the highest finishing NON-CUP driver. But TNT couldn’t even be bothered to interview him after the race. The MRN broadcast managed to interview him. Why couldn’t TNT.

And the same thing happened during the Nextel Cup race coverage. Martin Truex Jr finished 2nd after running strong all day long. But NBC couldn’t even be bothered to interview him. I understand that he wasn’t in the “Chase for the Championship”, but he did FINISH 2ND in the race. Again, MRN managed to interview him. NBC interviewed Jeff Gordon who wasn’t even a factor in the race and he didn’t even have a chance to win the Cup.

I guess I’m not surprised. The coverage by NBC and TNT the entire second half of the season has been extremely sub-par … and that’s putting it mildly. Unless you’re one of the limited number of drivers, you don’t bother talking about them. And you wonder why interest in the sport is waning. It’s because of the very poor coverage.

I’m sure this email either won’t be read or will fall on deaf ears. But I had to say my piece.

A VERY disappointed fan,
Becky XXXXXX
Fargo, ND

I’m watching NASCAR Victory Lane on the Speed Channel right now HOPING that they’ll have an interview with Martin. But I’m not holding my breath.

I’ll get down off my soapbox now. It doesn’t do any good to get all worked up over this anyways.

Mood: bitchy   NASCAR Victory Lane