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FOX Sports mixed things up for Saturday afternoon’s XFINITY Series race at Pocono Raceway, replacing standard broadcasters and pit road reporters with Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers.
A bold move, for sure, but one that appears to have paid off.
The social media reaction from drivers, fans and NASCAR Nation was seemingly universally positive, drawing heavy praise and leaving many to wonder how soon it can happen again.
Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano and Clint Bowyer held down the broadcast booth, while Ryan Blaney, Erik Jones and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. manned pit road. Danica Patrick and Denny Hamlin hosted the coverage from the Hollywood Hotel mobile studio.
Here are some of the highlights, including current FOX broadcaster Michael Waltrip commandeering Harvick’s phone and live-tweeting how the broadcast was going from @KevinHarvick.
Great job @NASCARONFOX #drivertakeover & all the drivers for taking on the challenge. Fun to watch & a great finish to go along with it.
– Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) June 10, 2017
@erik_jones did a great job pit reporting
– landon cassill (@landoncassill) June 10, 2017
The #DriversOnly broadcast on @NASCARONFOX was fun to listen to! What did everyone else think? I love the insight from drivers during a race
– Matthew DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) June 10, 2017
That was FUN!
Do you think they should do more @NASCARONFOX #DriversOnly broadcasts?– Furniture Row Racing (@FRRacingTeam) June 10, 2017
I call this “bonus” coverage, drivers covering drivers, we look at future stars on the track, today we look at future stars in the TV booth! https://t.co/JW0um4V00k
– Darrell Waltrip (@AllWaltrip) June 10, 2017
Love the @NASCARONFOX team #DriversOnly @poconoraceway doing a great job.
– Todd Bodine (@Team_Onion) June 10, 2017
Impressive work by the drivers in broadcast booth!!! #NASCAR
Big A-plus to @KevinHarvick — future second career for sure!– Holly Cain (@_HollyCain) June 10, 2017
Fun day today with the #DriversOnly @nascaronfox @nascar Xfinity race. Great job everyone. @… https://t.co/XFaup2WobV
– Michael Waltrip (@MW55) June 10, 2017
All driver broadcast! @xfinityracing @nascaronfox https://t.co/XYZTWf7Lds
– Danica Patrick (@DanicaPatrick) June 10, 2017
Now THIS is a social media manager! @MW55 pic.twitter.com/q8sM2RIUsE
– Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) June 10, 2017
Look what I found! @KevinHarvick phone! I’m taking over! pic.twitter.com/OhgDPaONcY
– Michael Waltrip (@MW55) June 10, 2017
This is going to be fun!! #DriversOnly @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/aVbiJLyDB8
– Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) June 10, 2017
The boys in the booth! pic.twitter.com/fpawWjHLmn
– Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) June 10, 2017
I took over! #mwhappytakeover got any questions? Tag me here with my hashtag! pic.twitter.com/2fYtN3ofet
– Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) June 10, 2017
I’ve never taken over a twitter account before. #mwhappytakeover Kevin just reported his heart rate had fallen below 150 finally. #nerves
– Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) June 10, 2017
I’m sure Kevin wanted a picture of me on here so here ya go! @NASCARONFOX #mwhappytakeover #DriversOnly pic.twitter.com/K2W7OBRsZ6
– Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) June 10, 2017
Here’s @adam1alexander for you Kevin #mwhappytakeover #DriversOnly pic.twitter.com/YNYd5zR9Qw
– Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) June 10, 2017
Hello neighbors! #mwhappytakeover #DriversOnly @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/b2KCIMnfjU
– Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) June 10, 2017
This is @Kenny_Wallace He says hi Kevin #mwhappytakeover #DriversOnly @NASCARONFOX That’s Meza beside Herm. He says hi also pic.twitter.com/fEJFlLtLNF
– Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) June 10, 2017
The Herm getting the story! @kennyWalrus #DriversOnly #mwhappytakeover @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/KUQSnfHhQH
– Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) June 10, 2017
I’m signing off. Going to @jimmyjohns and getting @BuschBeer Hopefully you’ve enjoyed my #mwhappytakeover and the #DriversOnly @NASCARONFOX
– Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) June 10, 2017