NBC, TNT ready to roll for second half

CONCORD, N.C. -- NBC and TNT couldn't have asked for better circumstances for their return to NASCAR coverage.

With points battles among the top drivers raging in both the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and Busch Series, the two television networks are inheriting some intense story lines.

In the NASCAR Winston Cup Series ranks, points leader Sterling Marlin is ahead of Kurt Busch in 10th place by 295 points. This is a tight enough battle among the top-ten positions to keep the chase interesting all the way down to the November finale in Homestead.

The Busch Series is contributing to the interest factor as well. Greg Biffle took over the points lead after last weekend's race at Daytona, and Jack Sprague fell from first to third.

"We love having the second half of the season," said Steve Raab, VP of programming and marketing for TNT. "To have such a close race coming into the second half gives us a great story to cover. Last year, we weren't exactly in the same position with the top point drivers so bunched together.

"How can't you be excited to take over in the middle of the year where nobody has distanced themselves from the field?"

In 2001, Jeff Gordon and Dale Jarrett were tied for first after the Tropicana 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Gordon went on to win his fourth title by 349 points over second-place Tony Stewart.

As far as innovative features and enhancements to broadcast, director Sam Flood and his production group have been busy in the off-season.

Debuting on NBC's "Today Show" on Friday morning as part of three segments about NASCAR that day will be the Wally Car. Booth announcer Wally Dallenbach will be able to drive around the track in a Roush Racing-built car and point out different aspects of each track.

From where to pass, to where to avoid and where the best line around the track, Dallenbach will be able to utilize his driving experience to educate the viewer.

"The other tool we've come up is a four-foot long model car that we can actually rotate," Flood said. "When a car is sitting on four tires on the ground, you can't show certain things about shocks and sway bars.

"With this model that Roush Racing built, we can actually rotate the car on the arm that holds it and Benny Parsons can give fans a better view of what he's talking about.

"This year, when we come out of commercial we're going go to lead pit announcer Bill Weber and have him re-set the scene. There is nothing like the noise and dramatic feel of pit road. From there, he can either work it back to the booth or toss it to one of the guys on pit road for a story."

While Raab said there are a few new graphics being put together by the director Sam Flood-led production crew, the approach to this year is improvement.

"I don't think you'll see drastic changes," Raab said. "But part of what you'll see is a group that was in their first season together last year, now having more experience under its belt.

"I fully expect us to hit the ground running and really making use of everything we have. There was a lot of innovative graphics and effects last year and they've been tweaked and improved for this year."

The same on-air broadcast team will be back, as well.

In the booth will be Allen Bestwick, Benny Parsons and Wally Dallenbach to call the racing action. Bill Weber will hold court on the pit road cart and be the lead pit announcer.

Joining him in the pits will be Matt Yocum, Dave Burns and Marty Snider.

Of the core group, Dallenbach had the least broadcasting experience coming into the coverage. Raab said to keep an eye, and ear, on the driver-turned-analyst for this year.

"As you watched Wally's progression last season, it was tremendous," Raab said. "His improvement was tremendous and I think we'll see a really great year out of him in 2002.

"Benny is also really focused this year on what he wants and needs to do for the broadcast, as well. I really think we are going to have a great year."