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Fox' NASCAR Broadcast Takes No-Frills Approach For Return Race

The TV broadcast of yesterday's NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes “was pretty straightforward,” as Fox Sports' coverage featured “less off-the-track fluff than usual,” according to Ron Kantowksi of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL (5/18). In Charleston, Gene Sapakoff writes the TV presentation was “typically slick but, like the fan areas, full of emptiness.” Sapakoff: “None of the crowd roars -- or boos -- we like with our live sports. No homemade signs, looks of fan elation, looks of frustration (or band, cheerleaders or mascots)” (CHARLESTON POST & COURIER, 5/18).

WELCOME RESPITE: In Charlotte, Scott Fowler writes Fox' on-air crew "certainly tried to help" push the coronavirus pandemic "into the background for a little while." Announcers Mike Joy and Jeff Gordon "seemed determined not to even say the word 'coronavirus' for hours at a time once the race began, although the commercials were never going to let you forget this 'uncertain time' we’re all living in" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/18). In DC, Liz Clarke notes it is NASCAR’s “hope that in leading sports’ return to the airwaves as the country slowly emerges from isolation, it can energize its core fan base and convert a new generation of followers.” However, it “remains to be seen whether broadcasts of cars driven by largely faceless drivers going around in circles in empty speedways will captivate TV audiences in the coming weeks” (WASHINGTON POST, 5/18).

Fox did not shy away from showing drivers and crew wearing masks prior to the raceGETTY IMAGES

HIGH MARKS: THE ATHLETIC's Richard Deitsch wrote Fox "did not shy away from showing drivers and crew wearing masks prior to the race and the pre-race coverage included Regan Smith wearing a mask interviewing a masked-up Clint Bowyer." The race broadcast "was excellent." Joy, Gordon, and Larry McReynolds offered "interesting analysis for casual NASCAR fans (of which I imagine there were many) on the specific challenges of Darlington, the challenges of the pit crew with an accelerated schedule, and Ryan Newman’s amazing return." Meanwhile, the audio -- one of the "hallmarks of Fox’s NASCAR coverage" -- was also "excellent." Deitsch: "You really felt you were there with Jimmie Johnson’s crash on the final lap of Stage 1, including the screeching tires and in-camera shot of Johnson" (THEATHLETIC.com, 5/17).

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