ESPN set for racing's return - some Q&A's: NASCAR will have a new look next season as ESPN/ABC replaces NBC in broadcasting the second half of the Nextel Cup series. ESPN/ABC signed an eight-year agreement with NASCAR. ABC will broadcast all 10 races in the title chase next year and at least 11 of the final 17 races. ESPN will broadcast the rest. Also, ESPN2 will be the home for the Busch series. With all the work to be done, George Bodenheimer, president of ABC Sports/ESPN, attended last weekend's race at Texas Motor Speedway along with a group of executives. He spoke with reporters before the race. Here is some of what he had to say.
Q: What will the broadcasts be like next year?
A: It's a little bit premature for us to answer that question. We're working hard on developing some innovative moves forward. ESPN takes a lot of pride in distinguishing its productions from other networks. We have our best people here studying the latest technology and other devices to bring to the sport. We know that fans look for that, and we know that they look for that from ESPN and ABC.
Q: Have you decided if you will have two or three people in the booth to call races?
A: We have not. We're delighted to have Rusty Wallace on. Jerry Punch obviously is going to play a big role in what we do. Beyond that, we have not made any decisions but there should be some forthcoming shortly.
Q: How will you address the criticism NBC and Fox get about too many commercials and missing restarts?
A: We've certainly thought about it. We will be working hard to keep an eye on those factors. Advertising sales are how the cash register is rung, so, obviously, it has to play a part in what we're doing. ESPN has grown since we were last in the sport, we now consider ourselves a multimedia company with ESPN.com, Mobile ESPN on the phone, multiple networks. We're looking to take this wonderful property and blow it out across all our mediums. It is really well beyond 'what does a three-hour telecast look like?' We will be serving fans seven days a week.
Q: Will you have a daily NASCAR show?
A: Yes. We will have a daily show. We have not fixed on an exact schedule or the name of the show. We will have a daily presence.
Q: How important are later afternoon starting times and night races?
A: It's important. Generally, we're looking to attract the highest ratings that we can, obviously, later in the day bodes well. NASCAR, as all leagues, has to balance those issues with fan support and logistical issues. If NASCAR wants to continue to grow, and being affiliated with ESPN and ABC will help them grow, they're going to have to look at all those kinds of issues to make that happen.(Roanoke Times)(4-12-2006)

I'm not that crazy about the later start times personally, because that means I'll be updating later at night. However, I do look forward to ESPN broadcasting the races, and seeing daily news shows on tv. Hopefully they will be better than Fox or NBC in terms of commericials and missing restarts.