It was a cringe-worthy exchange the likes of which would likely never be heard during a national television broadcast of another major league level sport in America, and yet in NASCAR it’s something sadly just accepted as another day in the broadcast booth.

And it’s part of the reason why Sprint Cup Series racing, as one of the most watched sports in this country, is still largely ignored, and worse, made a punchline of, by many mainstream media outlets.

Before the running of the first of two Daytona 500 qualifying races Thursday from Daytona International Speedway, SPEED announcer Darrell Waltrip interviewed his younger brother Michael over two-way radio while Michael paced around the track in preparation for the start of the event.

Nevermind the fact that in a professional broadcast setting an announcer expected to show any level of unbiased professionalism shouldn’t be interviewing a family member involved in what they’re covering, but SPEED allowed the exchange to turn into a full-on ego stroking party, far too heavy on the family-love gushing flattery and far too light on any evidence of statement fact.

“You’re one of the greatest restrictor plate racers of all time and don’t forget that,” Darrell Waltrip, who also serves as a broadcaster for race productions on Fox, told his brother Michael as he ended the interview.

“I won’t, and I’m going to remind some people of that in a minute,” Michael Waltrip responded.

Isn’t Darrell Waltrip supposed to be sitting in a television broadcast booth because he can bring a level of history in the sport that is supposed to come with it some sense of expertise of the subject matter and a fair analytical view of the participants involved?

More…

In its continuing effort to get “back to basics,” NASCAR CEO and Chairman Brian France announced significant rules changes that will greatly impact NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing this season. 

In addition to adopting earlier and consistent start times, which were announced late last year, NASCAR will “relax some on-track rules, putting racing back in drivers’ hands in 2010.” The on-track changes announced today include: Bump-drafting rules will be eliminated at superspeedways (Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway) and teams will use bigger restrictor plates at Daytona, giving drivers more horsepower. NASCAR also announced a significant change to Sprint Cup Series cars, including replacing the rear wing with a more traditional spoiler.

NASCAR on FOX broadcasters are looking forward changes for 2010:

Race Announcer, Mike Joy:

“I am really encouraged by NASCAR’s relaxing of the bump-drafting rules, and it will lead to a really exciting Daytona 500. The strategy of drafting may change dramatically, as two cars bump drafting together can often be faster than the long freight-train drafts that we are used to seeing.”

More…