Fox Sports NASCAR producer Pam Miller said that the use of Cup Series drivers as part of the Xfinity Series Pocono Green 250 broadcast on Saturday was a "success and there was a 'high probability' the network would try the device again," according to Dan Gelston of the AP. Drivers Austin Dillon and Regan Smith have "signed on for guest analyst roles in upcoming races," but otherwise, it is "back to normal at the next race." Announcers Shannon Spake, Larry McReynolds and Michael Waltrip on Saturday "opened pre-race coverage before the mics were officially turned over for the 'Drivers Only' broadcast." The first-time TV crew "pretty much handled themselves like seasoned pros, as well." However, there "were some glitches." Analyst Clint Bowyer "tried to speak" to driver Kyle Benjamin over the headset and "had a race question for the driver." Bowyer said, "What do you think?" The response he received was "silence." Bowyer responded to the silence by laughing and saying, "This is not my fault!" Gelston noted the "foul-up, bleeps and blunders were part of the charm of the experiment that Fox surely hoped would give the sport a ratings boost." Ryan Blaney, who served as a pit reporter, said, "There are so many people talking in my head. We usually only have one person talking to us on the race track. The hardest part is just getting information and making sure you say it right and time it right and make it sound like you know what you're talking about" (AP, 6/10). FS1's Adam Alexander prior to the start of the race said to play-by-play announcer Kevin Harvick, "I was thinking about last-minute advice, and my thought is, ‘Kevin, if you don't have this figured out by now, you're in big trouble, my friend.’” Harvick replied, "We're in big trouble regardless, so we're going to do the best we can. ... We'll probably screw up, and we all know that" (“NASCAR Xfinity Series Prerace,” FS1, 6/10).
REALITY TV: SI.com's Richard Deitsch wrote the race's broadcast was a "compelling production," as Miller made a "very smart decision by letting the viewers see the active drivers getting ready to take over the coverage." That move "added to the reality of the switch." The broadcast "didn’t flow as smooth as a regular broadcast but that actually made it far more interesting." Fox should "try to make this an annual thing." Harvick has a "huge future in NASCAR sports broadcasting should he desire that job following his post-racing career," as he was as "sharp as any regular NASCAR series broadcaster" (SI.com, 6/11). FS1’s Darrell Waltrip said he followed the broadcast on Twitter and "fans loved it." Waltrip: "They thought it was unique, it was different. It was a perspective that they don't always get" ("NASCAR RaceDay, FS1, 6/11). Waltrip tweeted, "#DriversOnly was fun, fans loved it and I thought they did an outstanding job, really enjoyed perspective." NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.: "Missed the Drivers Only broadcast. ... From the response, sounds like every1 loved it. Not surprised." Chip Ganassi Racing mechanic Ashley Parlett:"The #DriversOnly concept.. brilliant." NASCAR driver Matthew DiBenedetto: "fun to listen to!" NASCARMemes: "Best part of #DriversOnly? They didn't try to create drama and unnecessary storylines. They did a damn good job."
