I enjoy -- in the more relaxed and less time-pressured atmosphere of away-from-the-track gatherings -- asking questions beyond the typical "how is your car running this weekend?"
Especially with someone smart, and with a wider world view.
Such an op presented itself last week when Jeff Gordon visited Phoenix for a NASCAR Winner's Circle program appearance on behalf of Phoenix International Raceway's April 10 Subway Fresh Fit 600k.
I recorded an interview with the four-time Sprint Cup champion, which aired on last Wednesday's The Race Reporters. Video and audio link here:
http://www.boomboxvideo.net/VoiceAmerica/PowerUp/Modules/boombox1.aspx
Then, I talked with Jeff for an Arizona Republic story, and Mark Armijo joined in for RacinToday.com.
Here are two Q&As from our conversation that go beyond the usual:
Jeff on the Delta Wing car:
“I thought it was a joke. Is it not a joke? I thought it was the Batmobile. It looks a little too Batmobileish to me. I’m hoping that’s a concept and that something realistic comes out of it that is unique and different. I give them credit for being ambitious. But I think that’s a little too ambitious.”
Does it look like something you'd want to drive?
"No. On the Salt Falts, I might try it."
Jeff on Michael Schumacher coming out of retirement:
"I think it's awesome. I was fired-up to see him come back last year and, when it didn't happen, I was bummed-out. I'm a big F1 fan. I'm looking forward to seeing how he does. I don't think he's lost a thing. I actually did a go-kart event in Brazil that I was invited to with Felipe Massa and Michael was there. He's as quick as anybody and serious about it and that was just a little go-kart event. If he wants to commit to it, I believe he'll be very competitive. He's one of those guys who brings interest and excitement to the sport. But I think (Lewis) Hamilton, with McLaren, is going to be the one to beat.
"I said four or five years ago I wasn't going to race past 40, and things change. We're all entitled to that. What I don't agree with is this whole, 'I'm retired' thing. Why do we have to say we're retired? What is retirement, really? One day I might not race the full schedule in the Cup series, but I don't think that means I'm retired from racing. Maybe I'd be retired from a full season. I think you find out how much you love racing when you step away from it.
"I don't like what happens, like with the Brett Favre thing. It gets like a black eye on the sport and him. But, at the same time, I love what a competitor he is. He's still got it and still wants to do it. The situation (it) created, whatever kind of mess it turned out to be, but how do you prevent that but continue to do what you love to do?"
You will be able to hear the above actual sound bites on this Wednesday night's The Race Reporters. Wednesday, 7 p.m. Eastern, on PowerUpChannel.com.
FAST LINES: Why did SPEED bother to put Scott Russell in the booth for the Daytona 200? Twice, Russell didn't know the rules for situations that occurred at the start. Hey, Scott, that's part of the JOB! . . . Was there anyone -- ANYONE -- in the grandstands Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the Grand-Am race?
Here's a link to my new March "Drags, Dollars & Sense" column -- about how maintaining one-on-one business relationships can pay off -- in CompetitionPlus.com:
http://www.competitionplus.com/index.php/drag-racing/editorials/13474-drags-dollars-a-sense-its-all-about-maintaining-the-relationship
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
March 10 -- Newsmaker: John Daly (editor, The Daly Planet). Panelists: Steve Byrnes, Mike Kerchner.
March 17 -- Newsmaker: Ashley Force Hood. Panelists: Holly Cain, Corinne Economaki.
March 24 -- Newsmaker: Bryan Sperber (president, Phoenix International Raceway). Panelists: Mark Armijo, Bob Pockrass.
March 31 -- Newsmaker: David Reutimann. Panelists: Dustin Long, Ron Lemasters Jr.
[ John Daly news note Thursday . . . ]
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
JEFF GORDON and TERRY ANGSTADT
Jeff Gordon and Terry Angstadt were my Newsmaker guests on Wednesday night's The Race Reporters on PowerUpChannel.com. A passionate Gordon Kirby and John Oreovicz were the media panelists.
Gordon on his future plans: "I'd like to win that fifth championship. And I'd like to do it before Jimmie Johnson!"
Breaking News? Angstadt indicated a favorable resolution to the Versus-DirecTV issue may be near.
Use this link to listen to the show:
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=44538
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
March 10 -- Newsmaker: John Daly (editor, The Daly Planet). Panelists: Steve Byrnes, Mike Kerchner.
March 17 -- Newsmaker: Ashley Force Hood. Panelists: Holly Cain, Corinne Economaki.
March 24 -- Newsmaker: Bryan Sperber (president, Phoenix International Raceway). Panelists: Mark Armijo, Bob Pockrass.
March 31 -- Newsmaker: David Reutimann. Panelists: Dustin Long, Ron Lemasters Jr.
[ more next week . . . ]
Gordon on his future plans: "I'd like to win that fifth championship. And I'd like to do it before Jimmie Johnson!"
Breaking News? Angstadt indicated a favorable resolution to the Versus-DirecTV issue may be near.
Use this link to listen to the show:
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=44538
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
March 10 -- Newsmaker: John Daly (editor, The Daly Planet). Panelists: Steve Byrnes, Mike Kerchner.
March 17 -- Newsmaker: Ashley Force Hood. Panelists: Holly Cain, Corinne Economaki.
March 24 -- Newsmaker: Bryan Sperber (president, Phoenix International Raceway). Panelists: Mark Armijo, Bob Pockrass.
March 31 -- Newsmaker: David Reutimann. Panelists: Dustin Long, Ron Lemasters Jr.
[ more next week . . . ]
Sunday, February 28, 2010
TIME TO WORK, NOT TWITTER AROUND
REMINDER: Jeff Gordon will be on Wednesday's (7 p.m. ET) The Race Reporters on PowerUpChannel.com. For the first time, we'll have two Newsmaker guests. Terry Angstadt, president of the IRL's commercial division, also will be on. Media panelists will be Gordon Kirby and John Oreovicz.
Any legitimate journalist will agree: There's nothing quite like reporting a big, breaking news story.
Unfortunately, I found myself in that situation Feb. 21, covering the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway for the Arizona Republic. You know what happened: A spectator was killed when hit by a tire from Antron Brown's car.
I witnessed Brown's accident from the media center. After watching two TV replays, I bolted for Brown's pit area, where I waited with ESPN2's Dave Rieff. I spent the rest of the day in the pits and on the phone, working the story. If you wish, use the link provided in last week's blog to read my story.
In the aftermath, I've been brain-twisted by the people who have told me I should have been on Twitter, tapping out constant updates. Let me be clear: I do not do Twitter. One reason is personal privacy. Another is I don't presume wide-ranging interest in what I just bought at the supermarket and other such nonsense that are a daily part of Twitter life.
My bigger point, here, however, is the seriousness-of-purpose reporting a major story like this requires -- at least in my experience.
I was in Brown's pits for quite a while. I looked at the track. I sought reaction from others in the pits. I talked twice to Brandon Bernstein. I worked the phone for sources. I was in regular phone and E-mail communication with our Republic coordinating editor and with the news desk, helping a reporter there. I tried to assist some media colleagues around the country who were calling/Eing in search of information. Mark Armijo sent in a quick graph for AzCentral.com and I wrote the first of a few versions of a more detailed story to go up on the website ASAP. I re-wrote and updated the story a few times. Finally, I had to pay some attention to the actual racing, for a separate notebook.
I'll let others decide for themselves, but I'll tell you this: I did not have time to Twitter. Reporting and writing a serious story like this one requires full concentration and attention to detail and awareness of new developments. For me, it gets to a point where the priority is to sit down, organize your material, and write the facts -- not rumor -- with detail and context. That does not allow time for Twitter. At least, not for me, considering how I believe the most important job needs to be done.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
March 10 -- Newsmaker: John Daly (editor, The Daly Planet). Panelists: Steve Byrnes, Mike Kerchner.
March 17 -- Newsmaker: Ashley Force Hood. Panelists: Holly Cain, Corinne Economaki.
March 24 -- Newsmaker: Bryan Sperber (president, Phoenix International Raceway). Panelists: Mark Armijo, Bob Pockrass.
March 31 -- Newsmaker: David Reutimann. Panelists: Dustin Long, Ron Lemasters Jr.
[ news notes Thursday . . . ]
Any legitimate journalist will agree: There's nothing quite like reporting a big, breaking news story.
Unfortunately, I found myself in that situation Feb. 21, covering the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway for the Arizona Republic. You know what happened: A spectator was killed when hit by a tire from Antron Brown's car.
I witnessed Brown's accident from the media center. After watching two TV replays, I bolted for Brown's pit area, where I waited with ESPN2's Dave Rieff. I spent the rest of the day in the pits and on the phone, working the story. If you wish, use the link provided in last week's blog to read my story.
In the aftermath, I've been brain-twisted by the people who have told me I should have been on Twitter, tapping out constant updates. Let me be clear: I do not do Twitter. One reason is personal privacy. Another is I don't presume wide-ranging interest in what I just bought at the supermarket and other such nonsense that are a daily part of Twitter life.
My bigger point, here, however, is the seriousness-of-purpose reporting a major story like this requires -- at least in my experience.
I was in Brown's pits for quite a while. I looked at the track. I sought reaction from others in the pits. I talked twice to Brandon Bernstein. I worked the phone for sources. I was in regular phone and E-mail communication with our Republic coordinating editor and with the news desk, helping a reporter there. I tried to assist some media colleagues around the country who were calling/Eing in search of information. Mark Armijo sent in a quick graph for AzCentral.com and I wrote the first of a few versions of a more detailed story to go up on the website ASAP. I re-wrote and updated the story a few times. Finally, I had to pay some attention to the actual racing, for a separate notebook.
I'll let others decide for themselves, but I'll tell you this: I did not have time to Twitter. Reporting and writing a serious story like this one requires full concentration and attention to detail and awareness of new developments. For me, it gets to a point where the priority is to sit down, organize your material, and write the facts -- not rumor -- with detail and context. That does not allow time for Twitter. At least, not for me, considering how I believe the most important job needs to be done.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
March 10 -- Newsmaker: John Daly (editor, The Daly Planet). Panelists: Steve Byrnes, Mike Kerchner.
March 17 -- Newsmaker: Ashley Force Hood. Panelists: Holly Cain, Corinne Economaki.
March 24 -- Newsmaker: Bryan Sperber (president, Phoenix International Raceway). Panelists: Mark Armijo, Bob Pockrass.
March 31 -- Newsmaker: David Reutimann. Panelists: Dustin Long, Ron Lemasters Jr.
[ news notes Thursday . . . ]
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
BRAD HAS ROGER WEARING BLUE JEANS!
Roger Penske's new NASCAR driver, Brad Keselowski, was the Newsmaker guest on my Wednesday night The Race Reporters. Mark Armijo and Jim Pedley joined me for a news-intensive journalists' roundtable.
Keselowski has Penske wearing blue jeans! No kidding!
Use this link to listen to the show:
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=44177
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
March 3 -- Newsmakers: Jeff Gordon and Terry Angstadt. Panelists: Gordon Kirby, John Oreovicz.
March 10 -- Newsmaker: John Daly (editor, The Daly Planet). Panelists: Steve Byrnes, Mike Kerchner.
March 17 -- Newsmaker: Ashley Force Hood. Panelists: Holly Cain, Corinne Economaki.
March 24 -- Newsmaker: Bryan Sperber (president, Phoenix International Raceway). Panelists: Mark Armijo, Bob Pockrass.
March 31 -- Newsmaker: David Reutimann. Panelists: Dustin Long, Ron Lemasters Jr.
[ more next Monday . . . ]
Keselowski has Penske wearing blue jeans! No kidding!
Use this link to listen to the show:
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=44177
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
March 3 -- Newsmakers: Jeff Gordon and Terry Angstadt. Panelists: Gordon Kirby, John Oreovicz.
March 10 -- Newsmaker: John Daly (editor, The Daly Planet). Panelists: Steve Byrnes, Mike Kerchner.
March 17 -- Newsmaker: Ashley Force Hood. Panelists: Holly Cain, Corinne Economaki.
March 24 -- Newsmaker: Bryan Sperber (president, Phoenix International Raceway). Panelists: Mark Armijo, Bob Pockrass.
March 31 -- Newsmaker: David Reutimann. Panelists: Dustin Long, Ron Lemasters Jr.
[ more next Monday . . . ]
Monday, February 22, 2010
A BAD WEEKEND
As I'm writing this Monday a.m., the NHRA Arizona Nationals still aren't over. Yes, it's raining. I'll guide you to links below for details and, sadly, my breaking news coverage in the Arizona Republic of a spectator fatality Sunday.
As Brandon Bernstein said to me yesterday, no matter how many years one might have been around racing, when big accidents happen -- as with Antron Brown -- you are never truly immune to the strong emotions.
I hope they quickly and safely complete the Top Fuel and Funny Car finals -- as bizarre as this sounds, the final three Pro Stock rounds will be run in Gainesville -- and bring to a close one of the worst promoted, organized, administered and generally run "major" racing events I've experienced in many, many years. And those comments refer to operational matters having nothing to do with safety.
Monday -- Spectator killed
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2010/02/21/20100221nhra-firebird-raceway-fan-injured.html
and, Pro Stock rounds moved to Gainesville
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2010/02/21/20100221nhra-pro-stock-firebird.html
Sunday -- Tony Schumacher-Larry Dixon Q&A
http://sunday%20tony%20schumacher-larry%20dixon%20q&a/
Saturday -- news and notes
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2010/02/19/20100219nhra-at-firebird-international-raceway.html
FAST LINES: Finally, wretched media excess, non-Danica category: ABC, CBS and NBC interrupt regular programming for live coverage of Tiger Woods' statement. The Golf Writers' Board voted to skip the event due to restrictions, including no questions, but that might have backfired when the TV camera focused directly on Woods' went out. For the last several minutes, viewers only had a shot from behind Woods' left shoulder. Journalists were needed then to report, in-person, Tiger's expression because TV didn't show it . . . Don't ever think there isn't a difference in reporting expertise or perspective. When Lindsey Vonn won the Olympic downhill gold medal, NBC's expert analyst used slow-mo replays to show the several technical mistakes Vonn made during the run. But USA Today's reporter wrote that Vonn's run was "nearly flawless" . . . In the diplomatic equal to a racing publicist allowing his/her driver to be interviewed with a Port-a-John in the background, the Dalai Lama was photographed leaving the White House last week with several plastic trash bags lining the walkway. Nice image! . . . What's the "value" of "news?" Ponder this:
http://valleywag.gawker.com/5472169/ap-business-desks-pact-with-the-devil#update1
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
February 24 -- Newsmaker: Brad Keselowski. Panelists: Mark Armijo, John Sturbin.
March 3 -- Newsmakers: Jeff Gordon and Terry Angstadt. Panelists: Gordon Kirby, John Oreovicz.
March 10 -- Newsmaker: John Daly (editor, The Daly Planet). Panelists: Steve Byrnes, Mike Kerchner.
March 17 -- Newsmaker: Ashley Force Hood. Panelists: Holly Cain, Corinne Economaki.
March 24 -- Newsmaker: Bryan Sperber (president, Phoenix International Raceway). Panelists: Mark Armijo, TBA.
March 31 -- Newsmaker: David Reutimann. Panelists: Dustin Long, TBA.
[ Brad Keselowski news nugget Thursday . . . ]
As Brandon Bernstein said to me yesterday, no matter how many years one might have been around racing, when big accidents happen -- as with Antron Brown -- you are never truly immune to the strong emotions.
I hope they quickly and safely complete the Top Fuel and Funny Car finals -- as bizarre as this sounds, the final three Pro Stock rounds will be run in Gainesville -- and bring to a close one of the worst promoted, organized, administered and generally run "major" racing events I've experienced in many, many years. And those comments refer to operational matters having nothing to do with safety.
Monday -- Spectator killed
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2010/02/21/20100221nhra-firebird-raceway-fan-injured.html
and, Pro Stock rounds moved to Gainesville
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2010/02/21/20100221nhra-pro-stock-firebird.html
Sunday -- Tony Schumacher-Larry Dixon Q&A
http://sunday%20tony%20schumacher-larry%20dixon%20q&a/
Saturday -- news and notes
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2010/02/19/20100219nhra-at-firebird-international-raceway.html
FAST LINES: Finally, wretched media excess, non-Danica category: ABC, CBS and NBC interrupt regular programming for live coverage of Tiger Woods' statement. The Golf Writers' Board voted to skip the event due to restrictions, including no questions, but that might have backfired when the TV camera focused directly on Woods' went out. For the last several minutes, viewers only had a shot from behind Woods' left shoulder. Journalists were needed then to report, in-person, Tiger's expression because TV didn't show it . . . Don't ever think there isn't a difference in reporting expertise or perspective. When Lindsey Vonn won the Olympic downhill gold medal, NBC's expert analyst used slow-mo replays to show the several technical mistakes Vonn made during the run. But USA Today's reporter wrote that Vonn's run was "nearly flawless" . . . In the diplomatic equal to a racing publicist allowing his/her driver to be interviewed with a Port-a-John in the background, the Dalai Lama was photographed leaving the White House last week with several plastic trash bags lining the walkway. Nice image! . . . What's the "value" of "news?" Ponder this:
http://valleywag.gawker.com/5472169/ap-business-desks-pact-with-the-devil#update1
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
February 24 -- Newsmaker: Brad Keselowski. Panelists: Mark Armijo, John Sturbin.
March 3 -- Newsmakers: Jeff Gordon and Terry Angstadt. Panelists: Gordon Kirby, John Oreovicz.
March 10 -- Newsmaker: John Daly (editor, The Daly Planet). Panelists: Steve Byrnes, Mike Kerchner.
March 17 -- Newsmaker: Ashley Force Hood. Panelists: Holly Cain, Corinne Economaki.
March 24 -- Newsmaker: Bryan Sperber (president, Phoenix International Raceway). Panelists: Mark Armijo, TBA.
March 31 -- Newsmaker: David Reutimann. Panelists: Dustin Long, TBA.
[ Brad Keselowski news nugget Thursday . . . ]
Thursday, February 18, 2010
POMONA WINNER LARRY DIXON
Pomona winner and two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon was the Newsmaker guest on Wednesday's The Race Reporters on PowerUpChannel.com. Alan Reinhart, Stan Creekmore and Larry Henry joined me for journalists' chat.
I asked Larry to describe the rivalry he and his team have with Tony Schumacher and his team. Is it like the Yankees vs. the Red Sox? Or just hype?
Listen to the entire show by using this link:
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=44194
REMINDER: Mark Armijo and I will be covering this weekend's NHRA Arizona Nationals for the Arizona Republic. I have a notebook in today's paper.
I asked Larry to describe the rivalry he and his team have with Tony Schumacher and his team. Is it like the Yankees vs. the Red Sox? Or just hype?
Listen to the entire show by using this link:
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=44194
REMINDER: Mark Armijo and I will be covering this weekend's NHRA Arizona Nationals for the Arizona Republic. I have a notebook in today's paper.
With sadness, I acknowledge Roger Jaynes' death. The former Milwaukee Journal sportswriter and Road America publicist was 63 when he died Feb. 6. Roger and I enjoyed many fun times, especially during May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and evenings at St. Elmo and in Jim Chapman's hospitality suite. Along with Cooper Rollow of the Chicago Tribune, Roger and I were part of one of the media world's best practical jokes. That was back around 1982 or '83 while in Indy. Roger was also a great pal of Bobby Unser. God bless, Roger, and these few words recognize your many contributions to motorsports and journalism.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
February 24 -- Newsmaker: Brad Keselowski. Panelists: Mark Armijo, John Sturbin.
March 3 -- Newsmakers: Jeff Gordon and Terry Angstadt. Panelists: Gordon Kirby, John Oreovicz.
March 10 -- Newsmaker: John Daly (editor, The Daly Planet). Panelists: Steve Byrnes, Mike Kerchner. TBA.
March 17 -- Newsmaker: Ashley Force Hood. Panelists: Corinne Economaki, TBA.
March 24 -- Newsmaker: Bryan Sperber (president, Phoenix International Raceway). Panelists: Mark Armijo, TBA.
[ more next Monday . . . ]
Sunday, February 14, 2010
IT's GETTING WORSE
It's getting worse.
In the last three months, we've witnessed Tiger plunge off the cliff of public opinion. His agents at IMG aren't spin doctors but have badly played ones on TV and in private. I went to the NASCAR awards ceremony in Las Vegas, stood back, and watched PR people talk among themselves in their insular world, not bothering to outreach and build new media relationships. Next came the GoDaddy dud of a Danica announcement, with self-described "PR specialists" Katy Kelewae and Nick Fuller not even contacting the two most prominent motorsports writers in their home state. The names changed but the dumbness was the same as the IRL introduced its new CEO in Indianapolis on the same day the home-town Colts were involved in Super Bowl Media Day. Of the numerous mistakes made by the Delta Wing group in showing-off its prospective new Indy Car -- one of which was not properly preparing what is left of the hard-core fan base for the reasons such a radical change is needed (looks to me like something Craig Breedlove would have driven at Bonneville) -- the true folly was unveiling it in Chicago during Daytona 500 week. (Hint: Have news? Go to where the media are!) NHRA opening against the Daytona 500 was no better.
This stuff is so dumb, so stupid from a PR standpoint, you could not possibly make it up.
Then, last Wednesday, along came S. Jarrod England. He works in "Partnership Management & Media Relations for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, LLC." That organization's published Mission Statement reads: "To be the most professional, and most-admired team in motorsports who consistently wins races and competes for championships in every effort we make, and who also cultivates and maintains mutually beneficial and long-term partnerships with world-class sponsors providing them with a valuable return on their investment."
In brief, weeks ago, I contacted him and confirmed Jamie McMurray as Newsmaker guest for The Race Reporters. Not to the surprise of those who know me, I followed-up numerous times, including a few hours before the scheduled live interview. In a confirming E-mail, again, just hours before the scheduled interview, he wrote to me: "Really too bad not every radio host/media member is as good as you are at helping to remind on these obligations!"
The time arrived; McMurray did not call the studio as promised. We tried McMurray's and England's cells and got voice mail for both. McMurray did finally call -- with one minute left in the 14-minute segment, as I was thanking my media panelists and setting-up the next guest and topic -- too late to even get one word.
At first, I heard nothing from his "PR" person. He, in fact, only called and E-mailed me after I shamed him into it. His instinct was not the common courtesy to apologize, but rather, to express a mindset of "these things happen." Exact quote. (Something tells me that's not what Ganassi said to Justin Wilson after the Rolex 24.)
Which, of course, only made the situation worse.
Compare that to his employer's Mission Statement. I should have known, in that I've noticed he's one of those who don't come into the media center (in my case, at PIR) to introduce himself and offer information or assistance. That's about as basic at its gets.
According to his own published public profile, this is a person of modest experience. This much, however, I've learned in four decades of professional life: Some people get it. Some never will. (If that Twitter photo is legit, well, it's hopeless.)
Congratulations to McMurray, but Sunday's result doesn't change a single above fact.
More to come, including -- in my Constitutionally-protected opinion -- a theme song for these clowns.
In the once proud and honorable PR profession, it's getting worse.
FAST LINES: One thing we learned last week was that ESPN didn't learn the credibility-bending downside of wretched excess. One might have thought a review of the network's 2005 Danica slobbering would have been in order pre-Daytona. Proving that our society now leans even more in the direction of celebrity, ESPN went even further off the deep-end in hyping Danica's NASCAR debut. A Danica "ticker?" Please. Only the Todd Harris and Jack Arute gushings were missing from five years ago . . . The diminished knowledge of major print media journalists was shown again in the Feb. 15 Sports Illustrated. In yet another puff-up-Danica story, Lars Anderson wrote that her signing with Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Junior Motorsports "has allowed JR to attract two new sponsors and contend for the Nationwide title with driver Kelly Byers." First of all, Lars and editors, it's BIRES. Secondly, guess who wasn't in the Daytona Nationwide field due to lack of sponsorship -- BIRES . . . MSNBC showed a graphic listing Sarah Palin's public events into March. But they left off her visit to the Daytona 500. I don't think that was accidental . . . Hey, Harry Connick Jr. When allowed the great honor of singing the National Anthem, take off your cap!
I'll join Mark Armijo in covering this weekend's NHRA Arizona Nationals for the Arizona Republic. Watch for our stories beginning Thursday. Here's a link to my lengthy piece on John Force, which ran in last Sunday's Republic:
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2010/02/14/20100214nhra-john-force-going-forward.html
Jeff Gordon will make his first appearance on my The Race Reporters on March 3. For the first time, we'll have two Newsmaker guests, with IRL commercial division president Terry Angstadt also on that program.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
February 17 -- Newsmaker: Larry Dixon. Panelists: Alan Reinhart, Stan Creekmore. Plus, Larry Henry.
February 24 -- Newsmaker: Brad Keselowski. Panelists: Mark Armijo, John Sturbin.
March 3 -- Newsmakers: Jeff Gordon and Terry Angstadt. Panelists: Gordon Kirby, John Oreovicz.
[ Larry Dixon news nugget Thursday . . . ]
In the last three months, we've witnessed Tiger plunge off the cliff of public opinion. His agents at IMG aren't spin doctors but have badly played ones on TV and in private. I went to the NASCAR awards ceremony in Las Vegas, stood back, and watched PR people talk among themselves in their insular world, not bothering to outreach and build new media relationships. Next came the GoDaddy dud of a Danica announcement, with self-described "PR specialists" Katy Kelewae and Nick Fuller not even contacting the two most prominent motorsports writers in their home state. The names changed but the dumbness was the same as the IRL introduced its new CEO in Indianapolis on the same day the home-town Colts were involved in Super Bowl Media Day. Of the numerous mistakes made by the Delta Wing group in showing-off its prospective new Indy Car -- one of which was not properly preparing what is left of the hard-core fan base for the reasons such a radical change is needed (looks to me like something Craig Breedlove would have driven at Bonneville) -- the true folly was unveiling it in Chicago during Daytona 500 week. (Hint: Have news? Go to where the media are!) NHRA opening against the Daytona 500 was no better.
This stuff is so dumb, so stupid from a PR standpoint, you could not possibly make it up.
Then, last Wednesday, along came S. Jarrod England. He works in "Partnership Management & Media Relations for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, LLC." That organization's published Mission Statement reads: "To be the most professional, and most-admired team in motorsports who consistently wins races and competes for championships in every effort we make, and who also cultivates and maintains mutually beneficial and long-term partnerships with world-class sponsors providing them with a valuable return on their investment."
In brief, weeks ago, I contacted him and confirmed Jamie McMurray as Newsmaker guest for The Race Reporters. Not to the surprise of those who know me, I followed-up numerous times, including a few hours before the scheduled live interview. In a confirming E-mail, again, just hours before the scheduled interview, he wrote to me: "Really too bad not every radio host/media member is as good as you are at helping to remind on these obligations!"
The time arrived; McMurray did not call the studio as promised. We tried McMurray's and England's cells and got voice mail for both. McMurray did finally call -- with one minute left in the 14-minute segment, as I was thanking my media panelists and setting-up the next guest and topic -- too late to even get one word.
At first, I heard nothing from his "PR" person. He, in fact, only called and E-mailed me after I shamed him into it. His instinct was not the common courtesy to apologize, but rather, to express a mindset of "these things happen." Exact quote. (Something tells me that's not what Ganassi said to Justin Wilson after the Rolex 24.)
Which, of course, only made the situation worse.
Compare that to his employer's Mission Statement. I should have known, in that I've noticed he's one of those who don't come into the media center (in my case, at PIR) to introduce himself and offer information or assistance. That's about as basic at its gets.
According to his own published public profile, this is a person of modest experience. This much, however, I've learned in four decades of professional life: Some people get it. Some never will. (If that Twitter photo is legit, well, it's hopeless.)
Congratulations to McMurray, but Sunday's result doesn't change a single above fact.
More to come, including -- in my Constitutionally-protected opinion -- a theme song for these clowns.
In the once proud and honorable PR profession, it's getting worse.
FAST LINES: One thing we learned last week was that ESPN didn't learn the credibility-bending downside of wretched excess. One might have thought a review of the network's 2005 Danica slobbering would have been in order pre-Daytona. Proving that our society now leans even more in the direction of celebrity, ESPN went even further off the deep-end in hyping Danica's NASCAR debut. A Danica "ticker?" Please. Only the Todd Harris and Jack Arute gushings were missing from five years ago . . . The diminished knowledge of major print media journalists was shown again in the Feb. 15 Sports Illustrated. In yet another puff-up-Danica story, Lars Anderson wrote that her signing with Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Junior Motorsports "has allowed JR to attract two new sponsors and contend for the Nationwide title with driver Kelly Byers." First of all, Lars and editors, it's BIRES. Secondly, guess who wasn't in the Daytona Nationwide field due to lack of sponsorship -- BIRES . . . MSNBC showed a graphic listing Sarah Palin's public events into March. But they left off her visit to the Daytona 500. I don't think that was accidental . . . Hey, Harry Connick Jr. When allowed the great honor of singing the National Anthem, take off your cap!
I'll join Mark Armijo in covering this weekend's NHRA Arizona Nationals for the Arizona Republic. Watch for our stories beginning Thursday. Here's a link to my lengthy piece on John Force, which ran in last Sunday's Republic:
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2010/02/14/20100214nhra-john-force-going-forward.html
Jeff Gordon will make his first appearance on my The Race Reporters on March 3. For the first time, we'll have two Newsmaker guests, with IRL commercial division president Terry Angstadt also on that program.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
February 17 -- Newsmaker: Larry Dixon. Panelists: Alan Reinhart, Stan Creekmore. Plus, Larry Henry.
February 24 -- Newsmaker: Brad Keselowski. Panelists: Mark Armijo, John Sturbin.
March 3 -- Newsmakers: Jeff Gordon and Terry Angstadt. Panelists: Gordon Kirby, John Oreovicz.
[ Larry Dixon news nugget Thursday . . . ]
Sunday, February 07, 2010
A BAD -- NO, A DUMB -- START
I do not know Randy Bernard. But I wish him well in his role as new CEO of the Indy Racing League, because the American open-wheel sport -- where I spent much of my professional life -- desperately needs him to be successful.
Fair or not, Bernard has a lot of prove, and needed to get off to a great start.
Which is why I say this of last Tuesday's introductory news conference:
I'm not sure it is humanly possible to do anything dumber.
You see, while most of the Indy media huddled in Miami, cheerleading for the home-town Colts to win the Super Bowl, Bernard's introduction took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Super Bowl week coverage is always going to dominate in any city with a team in the Big Game, but especially so in a town like Indy. Not only that, but Bernard's newser happened while the Colts were participating in that spectacle of wretched excess and nonsense otherwise known as SUPER BOWL MEDIA DAY!
They teach this in PR pre-school: If you have a major announcement, one that is supposed to be good news, a positive, something you want bold headlines for, news to energize all of your constituency groups, you schedule it for maximum exposure value.
Attention IRL: The above means NOT vs. your local team Super Bowl week and especially NOT on Super Bowl Media Day. (!)
I suspect Bernard didn't pick the day -- it wouldn't surprise me if it was done to suit the Hulman-George family's schedule (we did learn Josie George is calling the shots) -- but what was supposed to be such an important event should never have been left to what was convenient for anyone or anything other than the purpose of max media. Bernard, credited with building Pro Bull Riders into a success, should have staked-out his turf on Day One and said, "No. This is a mistake."
Let me repeat, and I said this on last week's The Race Reporters: I'm not sure it's humanly possible they could have done anything dumber.
I wonder if Izod executives -- in obvious need of a Jim Chapman -- noticed.
Sadly, for two decades, this is what we've come to expect from Indianapolis.
Who got more publicity last weekend? Danica . . . or . . . Sarah?
Here's a link to my new February "Drags, Dollars & Sense" column on CompetitionPlus.com:
http://www.competitionplus.com/index.php/drag-racing/editorials/13226-drags-dollars-and-sense-the-national-time-trials-days-have-come-and-gone
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
February 10 -- Newsmaker: Jamie McMurray. Panelists: Lee Spencer, Reid Spencer. Plus, Phil Burgess.
February 17 -- Newsmaker: Larry Dixon. Panelists: Alan Reinhart, Stan Creekmore. Plus, Larry Henry.
February 24 -- Newsmaker: Brad Keselowski. Panelists: Mark Armijo, John Sturbin.
March 3 -- Newsmaker: Terry Angstadt. Panelists: Gordon Kirby, John Oreovicz.
[ Jamie McMurray news nugget Thursday . . . ]
Fair or not, Bernard has a lot of prove, and needed to get off to a great start.
Which is why I say this of last Tuesday's introductory news conference:
I'm not sure it is humanly possible to do anything dumber.
You see, while most of the Indy media huddled in Miami, cheerleading for the home-town Colts to win the Super Bowl, Bernard's introduction took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Super Bowl week coverage is always going to dominate in any city with a team in the Big Game, but especially so in a town like Indy. Not only that, but Bernard's newser happened while the Colts were participating in that spectacle of wretched excess and nonsense otherwise known as SUPER BOWL MEDIA DAY!
They teach this in PR pre-school: If you have a major announcement, one that is supposed to be good news, a positive, something you want bold headlines for, news to energize all of your constituency groups, you schedule it for maximum exposure value.
Attention IRL: The above means NOT vs. your local team Super Bowl week and especially NOT on Super Bowl Media Day. (!)
I suspect Bernard didn't pick the day -- it wouldn't surprise me if it was done to suit the Hulman-George family's schedule (we did learn Josie George is calling the shots) -- but what was supposed to be such an important event should never have been left to what was convenient for anyone or anything other than the purpose of max media. Bernard, credited with building Pro Bull Riders into a success, should have staked-out his turf on Day One and said, "No. This is a mistake."
Let me repeat, and I said this on last week's The Race Reporters: I'm not sure it's humanly possible they could have done anything dumber.
I wonder if Izod executives -- in obvious need of a Jim Chapman -- noticed.
Sadly, for two decades, this is what we've come to expect from Indianapolis.
Who got more publicity last weekend? Danica . . . or . . . Sarah?
Here's a link to my new February "Drags, Dollars & Sense" column on CompetitionPlus.com:
http://www.competitionplus.com/index.php/drag-racing/editorials/13226-drags-dollars-and-sense-the-national-time-trials-days-have-come-and-gone
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
February 10 -- Newsmaker: Jamie McMurray. Panelists: Lee Spencer, Reid Spencer. Plus, Phil Burgess.
February 17 -- Newsmaker: Larry Dixon. Panelists: Alan Reinhart, Stan Creekmore. Plus, Larry Henry.
February 24 -- Newsmaker: Brad Keselowski. Panelists: Mark Armijo, John Sturbin.
March 3 -- Newsmaker: Terry Angstadt. Panelists: Gordon Kirby, John Oreovicz.
[ Jamie McMurray news nugget Thursday . . . ]
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
SAID on the SHOW
A very interesting guy, NHRA Funny Car driver Bob Tasca III, was Newsmaker of the Week on Wednesday night's The Race Reporters. Tasca won his first two Funny Car events last season and is a rock-solid Ford guy and dealer. Jim Pedley and Jeff Burk were on for the journalists' roundtable and Dave Rodman previewed NASCAR in the last segment.
Hear what Tasca said about four-wide racing at Charlotte, John Force, the Business of Racing, and much more.
Be sure to listen to the first few minutes of the journalists' roundtable.
Note who Rodman says could be a Daytona 500 pole favorite. (!)
Use this link to listen to the show:
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=44058
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
February 10 -- Newsmaker: Jamie McMurray. Panelists: Lee Spencer, Reid Spencer. Plus, Phil Burgess.
February 17 -- Newsmaker: Larry Dixon. Panelists: Alan Reinhart, Stan Creekmore. Plus, Larry Henry.
February 24 -- Newsmaker: Brad Keselowski. Panelists: Mark Armijo, John Sturbin.
[ more Monday . . . ]
Sunday, January 31, 2010
CASE STUDIES
As some of you know, I've been under the weather for three weeks, apparently due to a bad reaction from government micro-managed health care recommendations.
Even in a sub-par state, however, I could see Toyota's leadership in Japan was slow to recognize -- and respond to -- the growing PR demo-derby in America due to recalls and tons of bad publicity related to unintended acceleration.
It made me remember how well Johnson & Johnson handled the Tylenol scare back in the early 1980s. By all business rights, that brand should have died . . . but was saved by a smart, in-tune management and aggressively candid PR.
It's amazing that, almost 30 years later, huge corporations haven't read their case studies.
I received an E the other day from Avis, which included this: ". . . if you are uncomfortable driving a Toyota vehicle, we will make every effort to offer you an alternative vehicle if one is available."
I respectfully refer you back to my first blog of 2010: In the non-Tiger category, no one/no thing has taken a bigger image hit than Toyota. And no corporation has more to prove in the next 11 months.
Even in a sub-par state, however, I could see Toyota's leadership in Japan was slow to recognize -- and respond to -- the growing PR demo-derby in America due to recalls and tons of bad publicity related to unintended acceleration.
It made me remember how well Johnson & Johnson handled the Tylenol scare back in the early 1980s. By all business rights, that brand should have died . . . but was saved by a smart, in-tune management and aggressively candid PR.
It's amazing that, almost 30 years later, huge corporations haven't read their case studies.
I received an E the other day from Avis, which included this: ". . . if you are uncomfortable driving a Toyota vehicle, we will make every effort to offer you an alternative vehicle if one is available."
I respectfully refer you back to my first blog of 2010: In the non-Tiger category, no one/no thing has taken a bigger image hit than Toyota. And no corporation has more to prove in the next 11 months.
A Daytona 500 win would be a good start.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
February 3 -- Newsmaker: Bob Tasca III. Panelists: Jim Pedley, Jeff Burk. Plus, Dave Rodman.
February 10 -- Newsmaker: Jamie McMurray. Panelists: Lee Spencer, Reid Spencer. Plus, Phil Burgess.
February 17 -- Newsmaker: Larry Dixon. Panelists: Alan Reinhart, Stan Creekmore.
February 24 -- Newsmaker: Brad Keselowski. Panelists: Mark Armijo, John Sturbin.
[ Bob Tasca III news notes Thursday . . . ]
Thursday, January 28, 2010
HURLEY's FAREWELL INTERVIEW
Sports car and Porsche Racing legend Hurley Haywood was the Newsmaker of the Week on my season-debut The Race Reporters Wednesday night on PowerUpChannel.com. Hurley says he'll retire from driving after this weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona, where he'll be in the Brumos Porsche. Larry Edsall and Jonathan Ingram were on for the journalists roundtable and then Bobby Bennett helped us understand the upcoming NHRA season.
Hurley remembered the awesome -- and fearsome -- Porsche 917 Can-Am car:
"Peter (Gregg) bought the 917 in 1972 and campaigned it in the Can-Am. He didn't really like it so he asked me if I would like to buy it, and if I did, he would campaign it for me. So, I said, 'OK.' Back then, I think I was too stupid and too naive to understand how unbelievably dangerous that car was. It had 1,200 horsepower. It was a short-wheelbase car and very difficult to drive. But I did pretty well in it. Mark Donohue was very instrumental in bringing me up-to-speed on what to do and what not to do. It was a fairly successful effort. I still have that car; it's in our collection at Brumos. When I look at that car, and drive it at special events, I'm in awe at how raw that car was. A monster, really. You sat between two 50-gallon tanks of gasoline; that in itself today would be totally unacceptable . . . That whole era of Can-Am enticed the imagination of builders and fans alike. It was beautiful, but not an easy car to drive. As Brian Redman once said, 'Everytime I finished a race, I was just glad I was alive.'"
Listen to the entire show using this link:
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=43926
Here's a link to a news story I wrote this week on CompetitionPlus.com: http://www.competitionplus.com/index.php/drag-racing/news/13117-tasca-developing-nitro-version-of-tasca-cobra-jet
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
February 3 -- Newsmaker: Bob Tasca III. Panelists: Jim Pedley, Jeff Burk. Plus, Dave Rodman.
February 10 -- Newsmaker: Jamie McMurray. Panelists: Lee Spencer, Reid Spencer. Plus, Phil Burgess.
February 17 -- Newsmaker: Larry Dixon. Panelists: Alan Reinhart, Stan Creekmore.
February 24 -- Newsmaker: Brad Keselowski. Panelists: Mark Armijo, John Sturbin.
[ more Monday . . . ]
Hurley remembered the awesome -- and fearsome -- Porsche 917 Can-Am car:
"Peter (Gregg) bought the 917 in 1972 and campaigned it in the Can-Am. He didn't really like it so he asked me if I would like to buy it, and if I did, he would campaign it for me. So, I said, 'OK.' Back then, I think I was too stupid and too naive to understand how unbelievably dangerous that car was. It had 1,200 horsepower. It was a short-wheelbase car and very difficult to drive. But I did pretty well in it. Mark Donohue was very instrumental in bringing me up-to-speed on what to do and what not to do. It was a fairly successful effort. I still have that car; it's in our collection at Brumos. When I look at that car, and drive it at special events, I'm in awe at how raw that car was. A monster, really. You sat between two 50-gallon tanks of gasoline; that in itself today would be totally unacceptable . . . That whole era of Can-Am enticed the imagination of builders and fans alike. It was beautiful, but not an easy car to drive. As Brian Redman once said, 'Everytime I finished a race, I was just glad I was alive.'"
Listen to the entire show using this link:
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=43926
Here's a link to a news story I wrote this week on CompetitionPlus.com: http://www.competitionplus.com/index.php/drag-racing/news/13117-tasca-developing-nitro-version-of-tasca-cobra-jet
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
February 3 -- Newsmaker: Bob Tasca III. Panelists: Jim Pedley, Jeff Burk. Plus, Dave Rodman.
February 10 -- Newsmaker: Jamie McMurray. Panelists: Lee Spencer, Reid Spencer. Plus, Phil Burgess.
February 17 -- Newsmaker: Larry Dixon. Panelists: Alan Reinhart, Stan Creekmore.
February 24 -- Newsmaker: Brad Keselowski. Panelists: Mark Armijo, John Sturbin.
[ more Monday . . . ]
Sunday, January 24, 2010
TIME FOR PRO-GEORGE JOURNOS TO COME CLEAN
REMINDER: The Race Reporters resumes with original and live shows Wednesday (January 27) at 7 p.m. Eastern. Retiring sports car legend Hurley Haywood will be Newsmaker of the Week ahead of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Larry Edsall, Jonathan Ingram and Bobby Bennett will be media panelists. Please listen at http://www.blogger.com/www.PowerUpChannel.com .
I well remember how hot the passions were when Tony George launched the Titanic-disaster Indy Racing League in 1996. Not only among fans and competitors, but also within the media.
Many in the print and broadcast community staked claim to their pro-or-con Tony George positions; objective reporting be damned. Of course, I wasn't surprised. For one thing, I remember I WAS surprised back in 1979, when the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's press room was occupied by quite a few journalists wearing "I Support Dick King" buttons when a legal issue involving the USAC president was leaked a few days before the Indy 500 during the first USAC-CART power struggle.
A lot of self-interest was involved in picking sides back in '96. Mostly money, as in books, employment as the "IRL correspondent" vs. "CART correspondent," and side-deals with teams, tracks or sponsors. Which is not to say some didn't truly believe in, or disagree with, George's "vision."
Last week, however, officially brought this sad saga to a close. After open-wheel unification two years ago, followed by the Hulman-George family forcing Tony out as IMS CEO last year primarily over financial issues, Tony formally resigned all of his director positions with all of the Hulman family business ventures. Bottom line: He's now another team owner without a sponsor; prospects uncertain.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Now, finally, it's time for media accountability. It's time for those who were solidly in Tony's camp to come clean and acknowledge they were wrong. They supported what history will now undoubtedly record as one of the worst business decisions ever in the sports arena. Among other things, an American sporting tradition and institution was driven from a month-long celebration of speed worthy of mainstream importance to a greatly diminished one-day event.
The most important thing in journalism is CREDIBILITY. Now that Tony George has completely wiped his hands of the mess he created, some journalists better come clean, too. If they don't have the understanding it's necessary, their editors has best insist.
Here's a link to my NHRA testing notebook in last Sunday's Arizona Republic:
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2010/01/23/20100123spt-nhra-firebird-international-raceway.html
The American Media, January 2010: Liberal radio talk-show (and The Hate Network) host Ed Schultz told radio listeners that if he lived in Massachusetts he’d try to vote 10 times, claiming that he’d “cheat to keep these bastards (new senator Scott Brown) out.” Isn't voter fraud a crime?
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
January 27 (first original show of the year) -- Newsmaker: Hurley Haywood. Panelists: Larry Edsall, Jonathan Ingram. Plus, Bobby Bennett.
February 3 -- Newsmaker: Bob Tasca III. Panelists: Jim Pedley, Jeff Burk. Plus, Dave Rodman.
February 10 -- Newsmaker: Jamie McMurray. Panelists: Lee Spencer, Reid Spencer. Plus, Phil Burgess.
[ more next week . . . ]
I well remember how hot the passions were when Tony George launched the Titanic-disaster Indy Racing League in 1996. Not only among fans and competitors, but also within the media.
Many in the print and broadcast community staked claim to their pro-or-con Tony George positions; objective reporting be damned. Of course, I wasn't surprised. For one thing, I remember I WAS surprised back in 1979, when the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's press room was occupied by quite a few journalists wearing "I Support Dick King" buttons when a legal issue involving the USAC president was leaked a few days before the Indy 500 during the first USAC-CART power struggle.
A lot of self-interest was involved in picking sides back in '96. Mostly money, as in books, employment as the "IRL correspondent" vs. "CART correspondent," and side-deals with teams, tracks or sponsors. Which is not to say some didn't truly believe in, or disagree with, George's "vision."
Last week, however, officially brought this sad saga to a close. After open-wheel unification two years ago, followed by the Hulman-George family forcing Tony out as IMS CEO last year primarily over financial issues, Tony formally resigned all of his director positions with all of the Hulman family business ventures. Bottom line: He's now another team owner without a sponsor; prospects uncertain.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Now, finally, it's time for media accountability. It's time for those who were solidly in Tony's camp to come clean and acknowledge they were wrong. They supported what history will now undoubtedly record as one of the worst business decisions ever in the sports arena. Among other things, an American sporting tradition and institution was driven from a month-long celebration of speed worthy of mainstream importance to a greatly diminished one-day event.
The most important thing in journalism is CREDIBILITY. Now that Tony George has completely wiped his hands of the mess he created, some journalists better come clean, too. If they don't have the understanding it's necessary, their editors has best insist.
Here's a link to my NHRA testing notebook in last Sunday's Arizona Republic:
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2010/01/23/20100123spt-nhra-firebird-international-raceway.html
The American Media, January 2010: Liberal radio talk-show (and The Hate Network) host Ed Schultz told radio listeners that if he lived in Massachusetts he’d try to vote 10 times, claiming that he’d “cheat to keep these bastards (new senator Scott Brown) out.” Isn't voter fraud a crime?
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
January 27 (first original show of the year) -- Newsmaker: Hurley Haywood. Panelists: Larry Edsall, Jonathan Ingram. Plus, Bobby Bennett.
February 3 -- Newsmaker: Bob Tasca III. Panelists: Jim Pedley, Jeff Burk. Plus, Dave Rodman.
February 10 -- Newsmaker: Jamie McMurray. Panelists: Lee Spencer, Reid Spencer. Plus, Phil Burgess.
[ more next week . . . ]
Monday, January 18, 2010
'THE RACE REPORTERS' RESUMES JANUARY 27
For the benefit of those kind enough to ask, my The Race Reporters show will make its season debut Wednesday, January 27 on http://www.powerupchannel.com/. We'll still be live for one hour on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Eastern.
Newsmaker of the Week on the show will be Hurley Haywood. The endurance sports car legend says he'll retire after that weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. I dealt with Hurley when he competed in IROC and it will be great to speak with him just days before his retirement race. Just as we did with Gil de Ferran last year. Larry Edsall, editor of iZoom.com; and Jonathan Ingram, of RacinToday.com, will join me for the journalists roundtable and to question Hurley. Then, CompetitionPlus.com editor Bobby Bennett will talk with me about the upcoming 50th Winternationals and the NHRA season.
There are some new things in the works and I'll share those with you soon.
Here's a link to my Arizona Republic story last Wednesday, breaking the news that the April 10 Sprint Cup race distance at Phoenix International Raceway will INCREASE:
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2010/01/12/20100112phoenix-nascar-race-longer.html
I'm not a fan of longer races -- BUT -- let me comment that the negative reaction from a lot of journos to PIR adding laps proves yet again how little many of them understand about the Business of Racing. The job of a track promoter is to SELL TICKETS. If PIR has data to think adding laps, so the event continues to end at night, is the best way to do that -- well, I suspect they know more than most of those punching the computer keyboard.
Gordon Kirby is always a "must read" for me and his Monday blog is even better than usual:
http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/ .
With a government "official" number of 10 percent national unemployment -- and the real-life number more like 20 percent -- it is quite stunning how certain people in motorsports -- including journalists -- don't get what is happening out there. I just read a story about a social event touting the "chocolate and special gifts" given to media and the catered meal, entertainment and even the ice cream. I guarantee you the readers, some unable to afford the price of an NHRA race ticket, don't give a damn and don't appreciate being told about the good times enjoyed by reporters.
The NBC TV network, not its comedy shows, has become a national joke. And a historic case-study in stunningly-bad management decisions. If I didn't know better, I'd think Tony George, Andrew Craig, Joe Heitzler and the rest of the deep-thinkers who drove American open-wheel racing into the ground were running NBC.
Let the Spin Begin: Nine of the 10 Chase races will be on ESPN instead of ABC.
Thanks to those who've noted my recent semi-regular appearances on Sirius XM's Tradin' Paint with Rick Benjamin and Danny (Chocolate) Myers.
Yes, I know the bar has been lowered. I know Car and Driver has steered mostly in reverse since the Brock Yates days. I know he's a columnist. But . . . John Phillips' attempt-at-humor col in the February mag can't be permitted to pass without comment.
Phillips offers "20 new rules to boost NASCAR's ratings." Fair enough. But . . . "Fans may throw anything on the track . . . ;" "One (celebrity driver) must be severely maimed or paralyzed in a crash so violent that it shuts down the track for 30 minutes . . . ;" "the spectator who starts the largest fire will be invited to participate in the victory celebration;" "drivers will demonstrate their helmet-throwing abilities. Any driver who inflicts a closed head injury will be crowned that day's 'Helmet-Hurling Hero';" and "One car per event must explode."
Well, that is just unacceptable.
Since when is it funny for someone to be maimed or paralyzed or for a person to suffer a closed head injury or to start a fire? Have journalistic standards really sunk this low? Do you mean to tell me an editor actually exists who let this into print?
An immediate apology should be distributed by the mag via every available outlet. And this is one where NASCAR actually SHOULD provide some push-back. In this case, it would be the right thing to do.
This, after in the January issue, C&D referred to Tony George as "president of the International Speedway Corporation, which controls the Indianapolis Motor Speedway" and that TG was fired "by his own mother . . . apparently for spending too much money upgrading the track."
I don't know what Eddie Alterman is doing, but apparently, he isn't actually editing his magazine. I bought my first C&D in 1963. I can't believe it's come to this.
The American Media, January 2010: Simon Cowell's announcement that he'll leave American Idol after this season is treated as a major mainstream news story.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
January 20 -- Best of: Robby Gordon. Panelists: Bill Fleischman, Jim Pedley.
January 27 (first original show of the year) -- Newsmaker: Hurley Haywood. Panelists: Larry Edsall, Jonathan Ingram. Plus, Bobby Bennett.
February 3 -- TBA.
February 10 -- Newsmaker: Jamie McMurray. Panelists: Lee Spencer, Reid Spencer. Plus, Phil Burgess.
[ more next week . . . ]
Newsmaker of the Week on the show will be Hurley Haywood. The endurance sports car legend says he'll retire after that weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. I dealt with Hurley when he competed in IROC and it will be great to speak with him just days before his retirement race. Just as we did with Gil de Ferran last year. Larry Edsall, editor of iZoom.com; and Jonathan Ingram, of RacinToday.com, will join me for the journalists roundtable and to question Hurley. Then, CompetitionPlus.com editor Bobby Bennett will talk with me about the upcoming 50th Winternationals and the NHRA season.
There are some new things in the works and I'll share those with you soon.
Here's a link to my Arizona Republic story last Wednesday, breaking the news that the April 10 Sprint Cup race distance at Phoenix International Raceway will INCREASE:
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2010/01/12/20100112phoenix-nascar-race-longer.html
I'm not a fan of longer races -- BUT -- let me comment that the negative reaction from a lot of journos to PIR adding laps proves yet again how little many of them understand about the Business of Racing. The job of a track promoter is to SELL TICKETS. If PIR has data to think adding laps, so the event continues to end at night, is the best way to do that -- well, I suspect they know more than most of those punching the computer keyboard.
Gordon Kirby is always a "must read" for me and his Monday blog is even better than usual:
http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/ .
With a government "official" number of 10 percent national unemployment -- and the real-life number more like 20 percent -- it is quite stunning how certain people in motorsports -- including journalists -- don't get what is happening out there. I just read a story about a social event touting the "chocolate and special gifts" given to media and the catered meal, entertainment and even the ice cream. I guarantee you the readers, some unable to afford the price of an NHRA race ticket, don't give a damn and don't appreciate being told about the good times enjoyed by reporters.
The NBC TV network, not its comedy shows, has become a national joke. And a historic case-study in stunningly-bad management decisions. If I didn't know better, I'd think Tony George, Andrew Craig, Joe Heitzler and the rest of the deep-thinkers who drove American open-wheel racing into the ground were running NBC.
Let the Spin Begin: Nine of the 10 Chase races will be on ESPN instead of ABC.
Thanks to those who've noted my recent semi-regular appearances on Sirius XM's Tradin' Paint with Rick Benjamin and Danny (Chocolate) Myers.
Yes, I know the bar has been lowered. I know Car and Driver has steered mostly in reverse since the Brock Yates days. I know he's a columnist. But . . . John Phillips' attempt-at-humor col in the February mag can't be permitted to pass without comment.
Phillips offers "20 new rules to boost NASCAR's ratings." Fair enough. But . . . "Fans may throw anything on the track . . . ;" "One (celebrity driver) must be severely maimed or paralyzed in a crash so violent that it shuts down the track for 30 minutes . . . ;" "the spectator who starts the largest fire will be invited to participate in the victory celebration;" "drivers will demonstrate their helmet-throwing abilities. Any driver who inflicts a closed head injury will be crowned that day's 'Helmet-Hurling Hero';" and "One car per event must explode."
Well, that is just unacceptable.
Since when is it funny for someone to be maimed or paralyzed or for a person to suffer a closed head injury or to start a fire? Have journalistic standards really sunk this low? Do you mean to tell me an editor actually exists who let this into print?
An immediate apology should be distributed by the mag via every available outlet. And this is one where NASCAR actually SHOULD provide some push-back. In this case, it would be the right thing to do.
This, after in the January issue, C&D referred to Tony George as "president of the International Speedway Corporation, which controls the Indianapolis Motor Speedway" and that TG was fired "by his own mother . . . apparently for spending too much money upgrading the track."
I don't know what Eddie Alterman is doing, but apparently, he isn't actually editing his magazine. I bought my first C&D in 1963. I can't believe it's come to this.
The American Media, January 2010: Simon Cowell's announcement that he'll leave American Idol after this season is treated as a major mainstream news story.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
January 20 -- Best of: Robby Gordon. Panelists: Bill Fleischman, Jim Pedley.
January 27 (first original show of the year) -- Newsmaker: Hurley Haywood. Panelists: Larry Edsall, Jonathan Ingram. Plus, Bobby Bennett.
February 3 -- TBA.
February 10 -- Newsmaker: Jamie McMurray. Panelists: Lee Spencer, Reid Spencer. Plus, Phil Burgess.
[ more next week . . . ]
Sunday, January 10, 2010
THE (SPORTS) WORLD IS ABOUT TO CHANGE
It won't be long before we think of the way athletes are reported on as BTCC and ATCC.
Before Tiger's Car Crash and After Tiger's Car Crash.
Dispatches within the media industry say celebrity site TMZ soon will launch TMZ Sports. TMZ -- which stands for Thirty Mile Zone (around Hollywood) -- gained plenty of traction with what proved to be its accurate reporting on Michael Jackson's death and Woods' "activities," among other stories.
"I don't really see a difference between a sports star and a celebrity," said Harvey Levin, the executive producer. He added that existing sports media outlets engage in "agenda reporting" -- meaning, they hold the rights for teams or leagues and generally are too-close (re: friendly) with the athletes they cover.
For example, golf media make money from reporting on what Tiger does on the course. It's just the opposite for TMZ.
For those unaware of what goes on outside the garage area -- and there are too many of those -- TMZ is a power. It has over 100 employees and gets an audience in excess of 20 million per month worldwide, according to various accounts. TMZ photogs do not shy-away from any image and its microphone-holders don't hold-back on any questions. Including those of a highly personal nature.
Watch out, NASCAR drivers. (Others too, except that with rare exception, the celebs that would make TMZ's radar screen will be from the stock car sport.)
This is a media game-changer, because any story that TMZ breaks will be repeated by others, including those which in the past wouldn't have touched such topics with a 10-foot boom mike. In today's celebrity-driven, People magazine, photo-op, sound-bite society, they'll have no choice. To ignore would be to fall way behind the competition. Translation: That would be bad for bu$ine$$.
Before Tiger's Car Crash and After Tiger's Car Crash.
Dispatches within the media industry say celebrity site TMZ soon will launch TMZ Sports. TMZ -- which stands for Thirty Mile Zone (around Hollywood) -- gained plenty of traction with what proved to be its accurate reporting on Michael Jackson's death and Woods' "activities," among other stories.
"I don't really see a difference between a sports star and a celebrity," said Harvey Levin, the executive producer. He added that existing sports media outlets engage in "agenda reporting" -- meaning, they hold the rights for teams or leagues and generally are too-close (re: friendly) with the athletes they cover.
For example, golf media make money from reporting on what Tiger does on the course. It's just the opposite for TMZ.
For those unaware of what goes on outside the garage area -- and there are too many of those -- TMZ is a power. It has over 100 employees and gets an audience in excess of 20 million per month worldwide, according to various accounts. TMZ photogs do not shy-away from any image and its microphone-holders don't hold-back on any questions. Including those of a highly personal nature.
Watch out, NASCAR drivers. (Others too, except that with rare exception, the celebs that would make TMZ's radar screen will be from the stock car sport.)
This is a media game-changer, because any story that TMZ breaks will be repeated by others, including those which in the past wouldn't have touched such topics with a 10-foot boom mike. In today's celebrity-driven, People magazine, photo-op, sound-bite society, they'll have no choice. To ignore would be to fall way behind the competition. Translation: That would be bad for bu$ine$$.
How will NASCAR and others deal with this? To (credential) TMZ or not to (credential) TMZ, that is the question. (Among others.) And, considering how many so-called "media relations" representatives don't know enough to even come into the media center, introduce themselves to journalists, and bother to build one-on-one relationships, just how many would even be capable of handling a TMZ "situation?"
I would advise any driver of this: In a world of cell phone cameras, assume someone will have a photo or video of anything you do. And, be willing to sell it to TMZ.
As announced here last week, Attitude's Competition Plus.com is my new drag racing coverage home. Here's CP.com's kind intro and also please take a look at my first "Drags, Dollars and Sense" column:
http://www.competitionplus.com/index.php/drag-racing/news/12928-veteran-motorsports-writer-michael-knight-joins-staff
http://www.competitionplus.com/index.php/drag-racing/editorials/12940-drags-dollars-and-sense-a-new-column
A motorsports media business person, whose opinion I respect, said this to me last week following the disspiriting news of the mass NASCAR Scene layoffs: "Do you think this will be the kick-in-the-stomach a lot of NASCAR (meaning to include team/sponsor reps) PR people need to appreciate the media more?" I am sorry to say my honest answer was "no."
I'll say this for Tiger: Somehow, for more than a month, he has succeeded in avoiding every single paparazzi. Think about that in this day and age! That might be more difficult to accomplish than the Grand Slam.
We exist in a world of pundits. Sometimes, even the most respected ones go too far. Thus was the case recently with Brit Hume on Fox News Sunday. I happen to like Hume, who was one of Washington's most respected journalists, before switching to full-time punditry last year. Fair enough for him to comment on Tiger, but this one crossed the line:
http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1001/hume_to_tiger_choose_christianity_.html
Racing examples I remember of going beyond the bounds include a Detroit newspaper columnist calling for cancellation of the CART-era Detroit Grand Prix on racial grounds. That was a disgrace and, if there had been a competent editor on the desk, it would have been (and should have been) spiked. One I personally pushed-back on was when a Detroit Free-Press writer and his columnist colleague told Michael Andretti to "chill out" at the '92 inaugural Belle Isle race when he didn't enjoy the course layout after a personally tough couple of weeks following father Mario's and brother Jeff's serious injuries in the Indy 500. Those two guys were way, way out of line -- and I told them so.
The Washington Post's David Broder has, for decades, been considered by the Beltway Elites as one of D.C.'s media "wise men." (Never mind he dresses for Sunday TV shows like his clothes come from Goodwill.) Let me say this politely: Broder is getting up there in years, and I fear it showed in his column the other day in the aftermath of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano's PR-disaster interviews right after the Christmas Day airplane terrorist attack. I quote directly from Broder's column:
"It came as no surprise to anyone who knows her that Napolitano handled the incident and its aftermath with aplomb. In the years I have known her, she has managed every challenge that has come her way with the same calm command that she showed in this instance . . . I watched as she made the rounds of the morning interview programs on Sunday, laying out what she knew about the would-be terrorist and carefully refusing to speculate about the many matters that were still being investigated. She is being criticized for saying 'the system worked,' but her part of the response system did work. It must have been a frantic time for her. She was in San Francisco, far from her Washington office, and she must have had a sleepless night. But her eyes were bright, and her voice was calm. Everything appeared to be completely normal, except that her usual sense of humor was absent, as it should have been, given the circumstances."
Broder ended this embarrassment with: "Her potential is almost unlimited."
Some editor, perhaps out of respect for Broder's long years of journalistic service, should have done him a favor and politely suggested a rethink/rewrite. Or, if absolutely necessary, pressed the "delete" button. Another absurd column like this -- so laughable it could have come from a Jay Leno joke writer -- and a forced retirement will be in order.
The American Media, January 7, 2010: ABC News correspondent Becky Worley reports from the Consumer Electronics Show -- wearing blue jeans with the knees cut out.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
January 13 -- Best-of: NASCAR 2009. Panelists: Dave Rodman, Kenny Bruce, Larry Henry.
January 20 -- Best of: Robby Gordon. Panelists: Bill Fleischman, Jim Pedley.
[ more next week . . . ]
Monday, January 04, 2010
THE MOST TO PROVE IN '10? TOYOTA
Who has the most to prove in 2010?
Brian France? Dale Earnhardt Jr.? Lance McGrew? Kyle Busch? Danica Patrick? Jack Roush? Carl Edwards? Sam Hornish Jr.? Richard Childress? Kevin Harvick?
No.
The most to prove in '10? To me, that's obvious.
Toyota.
In the non-Tiger category, has anyone or anything taken a bigger hit to his/its reputation for quality and class? I think not.
In recent weeks, virtually every major newscast, newspaper and especially the business media has focused a harsh spotlight on the diminished Japanese automaker. For about a generation, Toyota's image was for quality and reliable vehicles at an acceptable price. Now? Well, I'd say the Dec. 21 USA Today headline put it as well as anyone: "Toyota's reputation needs some TLC -- Company built on quality has suffered painful hits".
It wasn't that long ago that "recall" and "Toyota" would fit into the same sentence about as well as "scandal" and "Tiger." Now, neither are unusual. Toyota has been smacked with reporting on the hottest-of-hot-button consumer issue: Safety. The most prominent of which is unintended vehicle acceleration.
No need for me to repeat the list here -- the stories have been out there far-and-wide. If you require some useful background commentary, go to Peter De Lorenzo's Autoextremist.com site.
Full disclosure: My 2001 Platinum-edition Lexus GS was one of the best cars I've ever owned. But my current GS has had 3, three, THREE (!) factory recalls, as well as some other issues with the build and dealer service. My position is clear: For a Lexus owner, ONE recall is unacceptable. Period.
And, in my opinion, it hasn't helped that PR people have been offering-up outdated consumer "satisfaction" data -- instead of dealing with the problems head-on. It sure hasn't impressed me, I'll tell you that. Some straight-talk is definitely in order!
The question here is: Can Toyota recover?
Maybe.
One way to get down that road is the same as Tiger's: Win.
I know, from my own study and travels to Japan, that a great strength of the Asian culture is to look way down the road. I congratulate my friend, Lee White, president of Toyota Racing Development, for the automaker's to-date success in NASCAR. Now, however, in Cup Season Four, the needs and expectations should be and are higher. A Daytona 500 victory. (Yes, it looked like Kyle Busch had the car to beat the last two years.) A Brickyard 400 win (to go along with the Indianapolis 500.) A Sprint Cup championship (after Busch failed to make the Chase.)
Winning won't cure all of Toyota's problems. Or fix my unhappy experience. But it sure would help given the existing and negative environment.
I'll bet you Tiger is thinking the same thing.
AT&T took the PR art of burying news to a new level by letting word out it had dropped Tiger on New Year's Eve day. If you think that timing was just a coincidence, I have a dirt track near the South Pole to sell you.
Oh, yes, Tiger's team botched it Big Time. You can add the president plus the laughable initial comments of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs after the Christmas Day terrorist attack to the how-not-to-do-it list. Laughable, that is, if it were not so deadly serious. Please do not insult our intelligence by calling it an "attempted" or "alleged" or "possible" or "potential" attack -- all of which I heard from various politically correct politicians and pundits. It WAS an ATTACK!
And, let me add, if the conservative broadcasters really were as attuned to their audience as they like to tell themselves and everyone else, every one of them would have come off vacation and back in front of the microphone (Michael Savage did) right away. (Get well soon, Rush.) From a strictly political standpoint, they wasted a watershed week to spread the word and work to change opinions going into an election year. (!)
Question. Since the president's perpetual campaign theme is "unity" -- and since he was vacationing just miles from the hospital where Rush Limbaugh was taken -- why didn't Obama go visit the leader of the opposition? That was an opportunity to send a powerful message of goodwill and really show a desire to work with all sides in our great political debate. Conservatives would have had no honorable choice but to grant a Big IOU to the president.
I have a new drag racing coverage home. As of January 1, I have moved my business/politics-themed column to Competition Plus.com. I thank editor Jeff Burk for the opportunity with Drag Racing Online.com for the last 18 months. The chance to join CP.com editor Bobby Bennett and his very strong editorial team is a big plus. My new monthly column, "Drags, Dollars & Sense" debuts this month. Please give it a read.
FAST LINES: Anything written by Dave Argabright is worthwhile. Over the holidays, I read Dave's new book, Fast Company, by and about "Speedy" Bill Smith. As someone who interviewed and wrote about Jan Opperman, I was interested in those stories, including the 1976 Tony Hulman Classic, which forever changed sprint car racing. It's not just a racing book; it's a business book, too. As for the way "Speedy" had his tonsils removed, well, I don't want to hear anyone say how tough the Gitmo prisoners have it! Go to www.AmericanScenePress.com for more information . . . Is it just me, or is ESPN suddenly over-subscribed with NASCAR pit reporters? . . . Fascinating. Tiger Woods' TV commercials got yanked but Charlie Sheen, who was arrested Christmas Day, had his Hanes' spots stay on . . . I want to acknowledge the death of sportscaster George Michael, age 70, during the holidays. He was a victim of cancer. Michael was best known for his long-running syndicated The George Michael Sports Machine Sunday night show, which featured taped highlights before SportsCenter made such replays standard. I worked with George and his staff several times on racing-related features. Before his sports career, I well-remember Michael as one of the country's top AM radio DJ's on Philadelphia's famed WFIL.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
January 6 -- Best-of: NHRA Funny Car champion Robert Hight. Panelists: Mark Armijo, John Sturbin.
January 13 -- Best-of: NASCAR 2009. Panelists: Dave Rodman, Kenny Bruce, Larry Henry.
[ more next week . . . ]
Brian France? Dale Earnhardt Jr.? Lance McGrew? Kyle Busch? Danica Patrick? Jack Roush? Carl Edwards? Sam Hornish Jr.? Richard Childress? Kevin Harvick?
No.
The most to prove in '10? To me, that's obvious.
Toyota.
In the non-Tiger category, has anyone or anything taken a bigger hit to his/its reputation for quality and class? I think not.
In recent weeks, virtually every major newscast, newspaper and especially the business media has focused a harsh spotlight on the diminished Japanese automaker. For about a generation, Toyota's image was for quality and reliable vehicles at an acceptable price. Now? Well, I'd say the Dec. 21 USA Today headline put it as well as anyone: "Toyota's reputation needs some TLC -- Company built on quality has suffered painful hits".
It wasn't that long ago that "recall" and "Toyota" would fit into the same sentence about as well as "scandal" and "Tiger." Now, neither are unusual. Toyota has been smacked with reporting on the hottest-of-hot-button consumer issue: Safety. The most prominent of which is unintended vehicle acceleration.
No need for me to repeat the list here -- the stories have been out there far-and-wide. If you require some useful background commentary, go to Peter De Lorenzo's Autoextremist.com site.
Full disclosure: My 2001 Platinum-edition Lexus GS was one of the best cars I've ever owned. But my current GS has had 3, three, THREE (!) factory recalls, as well as some other issues with the build and dealer service. My position is clear: For a Lexus owner, ONE recall is unacceptable. Period.
And, in my opinion, it hasn't helped that PR people have been offering-up outdated consumer "satisfaction" data -- instead of dealing with the problems head-on. It sure hasn't impressed me, I'll tell you that. Some straight-talk is definitely in order!
The question here is: Can Toyota recover?
Maybe.
One way to get down that road is the same as Tiger's: Win.
I know, from my own study and travels to Japan, that a great strength of the Asian culture is to look way down the road. I congratulate my friend, Lee White, president of Toyota Racing Development, for the automaker's to-date success in NASCAR. Now, however, in Cup Season Four, the needs and expectations should be and are higher. A Daytona 500 victory. (Yes, it looked like Kyle Busch had the car to beat the last two years.) A Brickyard 400 win (to go along with the Indianapolis 500.) A Sprint Cup championship (after Busch failed to make the Chase.)
Winning won't cure all of Toyota's problems. Or fix my unhappy experience. But it sure would help given the existing and negative environment.
I'll bet you Tiger is thinking the same thing.
AT&T took the PR art of burying news to a new level by letting word out it had dropped Tiger on New Year's Eve day. If you think that timing was just a coincidence, I have a dirt track near the South Pole to sell you.
Oh, yes, Tiger's team botched it Big Time. You can add the president plus the laughable initial comments of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs after the Christmas Day terrorist attack to the how-not-to-do-it list. Laughable, that is, if it were not so deadly serious. Please do not insult our intelligence by calling it an "attempted" or "alleged" or "possible" or "potential" attack -- all of which I heard from various politically correct politicians and pundits. It WAS an ATTACK!
And, let me add, if the conservative broadcasters really were as attuned to their audience as they like to tell themselves and everyone else, every one of them would have come off vacation and back in front of the microphone (Michael Savage did) right away. (Get well soon, Rush.) From a strictly political standpoint, they wasted a watershed week to spread the word and work to change opinions going into an election year. (!)
Question. Since the president's perpetual campaign theme is "unity" -- and since he was vacationing just miles from the hospital where Rush Limbaugh was taken -- why didn't Obama go visit the leader of the opposition? That was an opportunity to send a powerful message of goodwill and really show a desire to work with all sides in our great political debate. Conservatives would have had no honorable choice but to grant a Big IOU to the president.
I have a new drag racing coverage home. As of January 1, I have moved my business/politics-themed column to Competition Plus.com. I thank editor Jeff Burk for the opportunity with Drag Racing Online.com for the last 18 months. The chance to join CP.com editor Bobby Bennett and his very strong editorial team is a big plus. My new monthly column, "Drags, Dollars & Sense" debuts this month. Please give it a read.
FAST LINES: Anything written by Dave Argabright is worthwhile. Over the holidays, I read Dave's new book, Fast Company, by and about "Speedy" Bill Smith. As someone who interviewed and wrote about Jan Opperman, I was interested in those stories, including the 1976 Tony Hulman Classic, which forever changed sprint car racing. It's not just a racing book; it's a business book, too. As for the way "Speedy" had his tonsils removed, well, I don't want to hear anyone say how tough the Gitmo prisoners have it! Go to www.AmericanScenePress.com for more information . . . Is it just me, or is ESPN suddenly over-subscribed with NASCAR pit reporters? . . . Fascinating. Tiger Woods' TV commercials got yanked but Charlie Sheen, who was arrested Christmas Day, had his Hanes' spots stay on . . . I want to acknowledge the death of sportscaster George Michael, age 70, during the holidays. He was a victim of cancer. Michael was best known for his long-running syndicated The George Michael Sports Machine Sunday night show, which featured taped highlights before SportsCenter made such replays standard. I worked with George and his staff several times on racing-related features. Before his sports career, I well-remember Michael as one of the country's top AM radio DJ's on Philadelphia's famed WFIL.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
January 6 -- Best-of: NHRA Funny Car champion Robert Hight. Panelists: Mark Armijo, John Sturbin.
January 13 -- Best-of: NASCAR 2009. Panelists: Dave Rodman, Kenny Bruce, Larry Henry.
[ more next week . . . ]
Sunday, December 20, 2009
LESSONS of '09
There was another Saab story out of General Motors last week. Ford suddenly replaced its motorsports director. NASCAR, IRL and ALMS teams either closed doors or showed the door to dozens of employees. The historic Milwaukee Mile went dark. The changes continued at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (more to come).
And, yet, Speed's resources went to covering an ARCA test.
Think about it: Robin Miller -- Robin Miller! -- at an ARCA test.
No rip on my friend Robin, but, how SAD.
I guess it was a fitting end to another depressing year in media and public relations.
The standards of professionalism and news judgment continued downhill. Look at the list of MAJOR, IMPORTANT IN THE SHORT-AND-LONG-TERM stories listed in the first graph. How much have you read or heard about them in the last week? Especially in-depth journalism that might add to your understanding of these happenings? Then, think of how much Danica has been forced down your throat.
How much was the bar lowered in the last 12 months? Need I say more than "Digger?" Or -- worst of the year -- that video of spectators being injured when Carl Edwards sailed into the fence at Talladega was "Eye Candy" and used to hype TV coverage of upcoming races? Since when did it become acceptable to use spectator injuries as entertainment?
Sometimes, I can't help but wonder: WHERE is the OUTRAGE? !
However, is it any wonder surveys continue to show public trust in, and respect for, the media keeps dropping like Tiger's approval number? Is it a surprise that the Jim Chapman Award, for excellence in motorsports PR, won't be presented for 2009?
I began the year saying, from the podium at the AARWBA All-America Team ceremony, that the most insidious trend in modern sports is business managers making media-relations decisions. In the majority of cases, these are salesmen, not people educated in the various facets of media and the varying needs of each. The year ends with my point being validated for all eternity -- in the example of IMG agents advising Woods on how to deal with his PR Titantic. They know how to negotiate an endorsement deal -- but what do they know about TMZ and the like in this celebrity-driven, People magazine, photo-op, sound-bite society? Clearly, not too damn much!
(Now we read that the sports marketing giant is spending its time trying to sell joint Junior-Danica deals. How about actually coming through with a new NHRA official beer sponsorship or something else of real value for the straight-line set?)
Meanwhile, per last week's posting, comments from within the industry certainly have been interesting. The most generous of spirit, from a writer known for his politeness, was to describe the event staged in Phoenix by so-called "PR" people as "mishandled." Now that Danica has all her primary sponsorship eggs in one basket (always dangerous), let's note published reports last week had her funder putting out $3 million for its holiday party, staged in a baseball stadium. Hey, if you have it, great. But just what message, and how sensitive is it, to the average customer? Of course, this from a company whose sales philosophy is to appeal to base instincts on the one hand, then act like it's the Gilded Age on the other. (And is about to open a data center in Singapore.)
The explosive growth of so-called "social media" was another huge trend of '09. I guess I understand the attraction to fans. Personally, I don't have time to waste on Twitter reading about what some driver just bought at a convenience store. But let's be clear: Social media it not "media" in a professional or classic sense. I don't like it that NASCAR begins its weekly media teleconference by reading a question to a driver submitted from Twitter. (News releases in Twitter format was another of '09's terrible, dumbing-down ideas.) I don't like it that fans were admitted to last week's media conference at JR Motorsports and allowed to ask questions. Whatever happened to No Cheering in the Press Box standards? And, as anyone who knows me knows, this is no knock on the fans, because I always say the fans are the ones who keep all the rest of us in business.
(The reasoning behind what happened at JRM has been explained to me. I'll just say this: It better not be the start of a trend. All the way back in the dark ages of 1983, I created CART's Winner's Circle Fan Club, to give our valued fans access to drivers and behind-the-scenes stuff. Public activities should be separate and apart from media events. Does that mean a little more work? Yes. A little more time? Yes. Some organizational skills? Yes. Is it the correct thing to do? Yes!)
As I said and wrote last January, in this economic environment (and I don't expect much improvement in 2010), we all must work harder, smarter, better. Too many in the media and PR didn't do so.
It showed.
I sincerely hope for improvement, in the profession and in the economy, in the New Year.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
December 23 -- Best-of: Season-In-Review, Part 1. Panelists: Holly Cain, Gordon Kirby, Jeff Burk.
December 30 -- Best-of: Season-In-Review, Part 2. Panelists: Jon Asher, John Oreovicz, Bob Margolis.
[ more in early January, including a change in one media location for me . . . ]
And, yet, Speed's resources went to covering an ARCA test.
Think about it: Robin Miller -- Robin Miller! -- at an ARCA test.
No rip on my friend Robin, but, how SAD.
I guess it was a fitting end to another depressing year in media and public relations.
The standards of professionalism and news judgment continued downhill. Look at the list of MAJOR, IMPORTANT IN THE SHORT-AND-LONG-TERM stories listed in the first graph. How much have you read or heard about them in the last week? Especially in-depth journalism that might add to your understanding of these happenings? Then, think of how much Danica has been forced down your throat.
How much was the bar lowered in the last 12 months? Need I say more than "Digger?" Or -- worst of the year -- that video of spectators being injured when Carl Edwards sailed into the fence at Talladega was "Eye Candy" and used to hype TV coverage of upcoming races? Since when did it become acceptable to use spectator injuries as entertainment?
Sometimes, I can't help but wonder: WHERE is the OUTRAGE? !
However, is it any wonder surveys continue to show public trust in, and respect for, the media keeps dropping like Tiger's approval number? Is it a surprise that the Jim Chapman Award, for excellence in motorsports PR, won't be presented for 2009?
I began the year saying, from the podium at the AARWBA All-America Team ceremony, that the most insidious trend in modern sports is business managers making media-relations decisions. In the majority of cases, these are salesmen, not people educated in the various facets of media and the varying needs of each. The year ends with my point being validated for all eternity -- in the example of IMG agents advising Woods on how to deal with his PR Titantic. They know how to negotiate an endorsement deal -- but what do they know about TMZ and the like in this celebrity-driven, People magazine, photo-op, sound-bite society? Clearly, not too damn much!
(Now we read that the sports marketing giant is spending its time trying to sell joint Junior-Danica deals. How about actually coming through with a new NHRA official beer sponsorship or something else of real value for the straight-line set?)
Meanwhile, per last week's posting, comments from within the industry certainly have been interesting. The most generous of spirit, from a writer known for his politeness, was to describe the event staged in Phoenix by so-called "PR" people as "mishandled." Now that Danica has all her primary sponsorship eggs in one basket (always dangerous), let's note published reports last week had her funder putting out $3 million for its holiday party, staged in a baseball stadium. Hey, if you have it, great. But just what message, and how sensitive is it, to the average customer? Of course, this from a company whose sales philosophy is to appeal to base instincts on the one hand, then act like it's the Gilded Age on the other. (And is about to open a data center in Singapore.)
The explosive growth of so-called "social media" was another huge trend of '09. I guess I understand the attraction to fans. Personally, I don't have time to waste on Twitter reading about what some driver just bought at a convenience store. But let's be clear: Social media it not "media" in a professional or classic sense. I don't like it that NASCAR begins its weekly media teleconference by reading a question to a driver submitted from Twitter. (News releases in Twitter format was another of '09's terrible, dumbing-down ideas.) I don't like it that fans were admitted to last week's media conference at JR Motorsports and allowed to ask questions. Whatever happened to No Cheering in the Press Box standards? And, as anyone who knows me knows, this is no knock on the fans, because I always say the fans are the ones who keep all the rest of us in business.
(The reasoning behind what happened at JRM has been explained to me. I'll just say this: It better not be the start of a trend. All the way back in the dark ages of 1983, I created CART's Winner's Circle Fan Club, to give our valued fans access to drivers and behind-the-scenes stuff. Public activities should be separate and apart from media events. Does that mean a little more work? Yes. A little more time? Yes. Some organizational skills? Yes. Is it the correct thing to do? Yes!)
As I said and wrote last January, in this economic environment (and I don't expect much improvement in 2010), we all must work harder, smarter, better. Too many in the media and PR didn't do so.
It showed.
I sincerely hope for improvement, in the profession and in the economy, in the New Year.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
December 23 -- Best-of: Season-In-Review, Part 1. Panelists: Holly Cain, Gordon Kirby, Jeff Burk.
December 30 -- Best-of: Season-In-Review, Part 2. Panelists: Jon Asher, John Oreovicz, Bob Margolis.
[ more in early January, including a change in one media location for me . . . ]
Thursday, December 17, 2009
YEAR-IN-REVIEW, PART 2
Part 2 of The Race Reporters Year-In-Review aired Wednesday night on Power Up Channel. Jon Asher, John Oreovicz and Bob Margolis talked about the Big Issues of 2009. We also announced winners of various show awards, including Driver of the Year and Person of the Year. The overall panel consensus was Jimmie Johnson for DoY and Mark Martin for PoY. Jon, John and Bob also offered individual commentaries. As with Part 1, This was great fun!
Listen to the entire show using this link:
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=42810
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
December 23 -- Best-of: Season-In-Review, Part 1. Panelists: Holly Cain, Gordon Kirby, Jeff Burk.
December 30 -- Best-of: Season-In-Review, Part 2. Panelists: Jon Asher, John Oreovicz, Bob Margolis.
[ more Monday . . . ]
Listen to the entire show using this link:
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=42810
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
December 23 -- Best-of: Season-In-Review, Part 1. Panelists: Holly Cain, Gordon Kirby, Jeff Burk.
December 30 -- Best-of: Season-In-Review, Part 2. Panelists: Jon Asher, John Oreovicz, Bob Margolis.
[ more Monday . . . ]
Sunday, December 13, 2009
BELIEVE IT OR NOT: A TRUE 'PR' TALE
Unknowing. Unresourceful. Uninterested. Unprofessional. Arrogant. Clueless. Lazy. Scared.
The list of possible descriptions is like selecting from a "one from Column A, two from Column B" menu.
I'm talking about the way GoDaddy.com orchestrated the Danica-to-NASCAR announcement last week in Phoenix. Wait -- let me rephrase that -- because using the word "orchestrated" in this instance is an insult to the world's great maestros.
Here's what happened. Or, I should say, didn't happen.
The so-called "PR" people at GD, which is based not far from my home in Scottsdale, Ariz., did not contact me -- before or after this news conference -- by phone, E-mail or carrier pigeon. Ditto Mark Armijo. Let the record show that, just last month, Mark and I combined for more NASCAR-at-Phoenix International Raceway coverage that just about everyone else in this state combined. Business Week quoted from my Arizona Republic story on the automakers continued involvement in NASCAR. At a minimum, I suspect Mark would have written a story about the Big Day for the high-quality RacinToday.com site. I likely would have used a sound bite on my The Race Reporters show.
Far more importantly, this was about respect. Mark led-the-way for racing coverage in this state during almost a quarter-century on the beat at the Republic. And before the GD PR braintrust -- the name attached to the Danica deal was Nick Fuller -- questions my credentials, please review the bio information at the right.
This was at least the fourth negative experience I've had with this company. Despite stories earlier PIR week, including a Sunday Page 2 feature on Mark Martin (to be sponsored by GD next season -- what an image mismatch!), self-described GD "PR Specialist" Katy Kelewae didn't wake-up to my work until being made aware of my mid-week article on Rick Hendrick. That led to an E inviting me -- this was their first and only outreach -- to GD's offices later that day to interview Brad Keselowski. The E was sent at exactly 12:08:49 on Thursday, Nov. 12, and included this: "I have a time open between 2:45-3:10." In other words, less than three hours advance notice -- as if I had nothing else to do that day; could just drop everything -- or had not long previously interviewed for the next day's story!
In a tribute to carnival barkers everywhere, GD's written blurb to those they troubled themselves enough to communicate with, was 100 percent nauseating hype: "It's the question that has people buzzing . . . a story fueled with drama that transcends the sporting world . . . reports have been consumed by speculation . . . until Tuesday in downtown Phoenix, Ariz., when Go Daddy Girl and IndyCar Star Danica Patrick finally reveals her NASCAR decision."
Please, someone wheel an oxygen tank over here!
Just because there's a market for this over-inflated nonsense elsewhere, it does not mean it is right. Here's a word worth pondering at this moment: Credibility. Maybe they can use all their big-time fancy technology to Google this name: James P. Chapman. And bother to learn the professional lessons of common courtesy, the local angle, and building one-on-one relationships, as pioneered by Mr. Chapman.
A few friends have suggested to me we weren't included because GD was afraid of the tough questions we'd ask. Let me be clear: Tough as in "legitimate," not "rude." That could be, given the overwhelming majority of DP's press-to-date has been cotton-candy sweet. Sports Illustrated, for example, covered the key events of Danica's crucial move from European road racing back to the U.S. Atlantic series in one sentence. A Sporting News Q&A the other week asked every puffy question except if she looked forward to trying a Martinsville hot dog. (Stunning to me it even got published.) One wouldn't be surprised if most of the IRL media offered boxed chocolates with their questions. This, I would observe, in contrast to Ashley Force Hood -- She's answered tough questions from me on subjects ranging from the death of her teammate to her father's injuries to her struggles with the Tree.
I'll end by adding one more description to the opening list:
Inexcusible.
FAST LINES: As another example that the "car guys" are leaving GM -- a story highlighted here last week while others were obsessing over Tiger and Danica -- Brent Dewar, well-known in NASCAR circles, is leaving as Chevrolet brand manager. And, last week, another exec was let go after less than two weeks on the job. This is an on-going story that MUST be watched most carefully in 2010 . . . My friend Drew Brown, one of the few NASCAR team/sponsor PR people who "gets it," is now with Michael Waltrip Racing. I told Michael in Las Vegas that this is the best hire he's ever made . . . Stunning -- Editor & Publisher is folding after almost 110 years . . . Lost in all the breathless Danica hype -- The loss of major sponsor Motorola, but that's not a surprise to readers of the business pages.
TIGER: I've been asked to compare this situation to previous ones. The first that came to mind, at least in sports, was Pete Rose being banned from baseball because of gambling. If you want to vastly expand the universe of possibilities, you'd probably have to say Richard Nixon being forced to resign the presidency. But those were vastly different media times and those sagas played out over many months. Bottom line: Tiger's two-week downfall in a 24-hour media cycle is unprecedented. Finally, I hope this ends once-and-for-all the ridiculous notion that "Any publicity is good publicity." I've disputed that for years. Anyone who ever spouts this line again should be permanently discarded as a serious thinker.
It's important you read and know about this:
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/columns/story?columnist=newton_david&id=4730676&campaign=link&source=JAYSKI
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
December 16 -- Season-In-Review, Part 2. Panelists: Jon Asher, John Oreovicz, Bob Margolis.
[ TRR notes Thursday . . . ]
The list of possible descriptions is like selecting from a "one from Column A, two from Column B" menu.
I'm talking about the way GoDaddy.com orchestrated the Danica-to-NASCAR announcement last week in Phoenix. Wait -- let me rephrase that -- because using the word "orchestrated" in this instance is an insult to the world's great maestros.
Here's what happened. Or, I should say, didn't happen.
The so-called "PR" people at GD, which is based not far from my home in Scottsdale, Ariz., did not contact me -- before or after this news conference -- by phone, E-mail or carrier pigeon. Ditto Mark Armijo. Let the record show that, just last month, Mark and I combined for more NASCAR-at-Phoenix International Raceway coverage that just about everyone else in this state combined. Business Week quoted from my Arizona Republic story on the automakers continued involvement in NASCAR. At a minimum, I suspect Mark would have written a story about the Big Day for the high-quality RacinToday.com site. I likely would have used a sound bite on my The Race Reporters show.
Far more importantly, this was about respect. Mark led-the-way for racing coverage in this state during almost a quarter-century on the beat at the Republic. And before the GD PR braintrust -- the name attached to the Danica deal was Nick Fuller -- questions my credentials, please review the bio information at the right.
This was at least the fourth negative experience I've had with this company. Despite stories earlier PIR week, including a Sunday Page 2 feature on Mark Martin (to be sponsored by GD next season -- what an image mismatch!), self-described GD "PR Specialist" Katy Kelewae didn't wake-up to my work until being made aware of my mid-week article on Rick Hendrick. That led to an E inviting me -- this was their first and only outreach -- to GD's offices later that day to interview Brad Keselowski. The E was sent at exactly 12:08:49 on Thursday, Nov. 12, and included this: "I have a time open between 2:45-3:10." In other words, less than three hours advance notice -- as if I had nothing else to do that day; could just drop everything -- or had not long previously interviewed for the next day's story!
In a tribute to carnival barkers everywhere, GD's written blurb to those they troubled themselves enough to communicate with, was 100 percent nauseating hype: "It's the question that has people buzzing . . . a story fueled with drama that transcends the sporting world . . . reports have been consumed by speculation . . . until Tuesday in downtown Phoenix, Ariz., when Go Daddy Girl and IndyCar Star Danica Patrick finally reveals her NASCAR decision."
Please, someone wheel an oxygen tank over here!
Just because there's a market for this over-inflated nonsense elsewhere, it does not mean it is right. Here's a word worth pondering at this moment: Credibility. Maybe they can use all their big-time fancy technology to Google this name: James P. Chapman. And bother to learn the professional lessons of common courtesy, the local angle, and building one-on-one relationships, as pioneered by Mr. Chapman.
A few friends have suggested to me we weren't included because GD was afraid of the tough questions we'd ask. Let me be clear: Tough as in "legitimate," not "rude." That could be, given the overwhelming majority of DP's press-to-date has been cotton-candy sweet. Sports Illustrated, for example, covered the key events of Danica's crucial move from European road racing back to the U.S. Atlantic series in one sentence. A Sporting News Q&A the other week asked every puffy question except if she looked forward to trying a Martinsville hot dog. (Stunning to me it even got published.) One wouldn't be surprised if most of the IRL media offered boxed chocolates with their questions. This, I would observe, in contrast to Ashley Force Hood -- She's answered tough questions from me on subjects ranging from the death of her teammate to her father's injuries to her struggles with the Tree.
I'll end by adding one more description to the opening list:
Inexcusible.
FAST LINES: As another example that the "car guys" are leaving GM -- a story highlighted here last week while others were obsessing over Tiger and Danica -- Brent Dewar, well-known in NASCAR circles, is leaving as Chevrolet brand manager. And, last week, another exec was let go after less than two weeks on the job. This is an on-going story that MUST be watched most carefully in 2010 . . . My friend Drew Brown, one of the few NASCAR team/sponsor PR people who "gets it," is now with Michael Waltrip Racing. I told Michael in Las Vegas that this is the best hire he's ever made . . . Stunning -- Editor & Publisher is folding after almost 110 years . . . Lost in all the breathless Danica hype -- The loss of major sponsor Motorola, but that's not a surprise to readers of the business pages.
TIGER: I've been asked to compare this situation to previous ones. The first that came to mind, at least in sports, was Pete Rose being banned from baseball because of gambling. If you want to vastly expand the universe of possibilities, you'd probably have to say Richard Nixon being forced to resign the presidency. But those were vastly different media times and those sagas played out over many months. Bottom line: Tiger's two-week downfall in a 24-hour media cycle is unprecedented. Finally, I hope this ends once-and-for-all the ridiculous notion that "Any publicity is good publicity." I've disputed that for years. Anyone who ever spouts this line again should be permanently discarded as a serious thinker.
It's important you read and know about this:
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/columns/story?columnist=newton_david&id=4730676&campaign=link&source=JAYSKI
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
December 16 -- Season-In-Review, Part 2. Panelists: Jon Asher, John Oreovicz, Bob Margolis.
[ TRR notes Thursday . . . ]
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
YEAR-IN-REVIEW, PART 1
Part 1 of The Race Reporters Year-In-Review aired Wednesday night on Power Up Channel. Holly Cain, Gordon Kirby and Jeff Burk batted around the Big Issues of 2009. We also announced winners of various show awards, including Driver of the Year and Person of the Year. Holly, Gordon and Jeff also offered individual commentaries. This was tremendous fun!
Listen to the entire show using this link:
http://www.modavox.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=42809
After he won the NHRA Full Throttle Top Fuel title, Tony Schumacher promised he'd deliver the championship trophy to Fort Hood. That's set to happen Friday, with owner Don Schumacher and the entire Army-sponsored team present. It will be part of an overall program designed to promote a day of healing at Fort Hood.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
December 16 -- Season-In-Review, Part 2. Panelists: Jon Asher, John Oreovicz, Bob Margolis.
[ more Monday . . . ]
Listen to the entire show using this link:
http://www.modavox.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=42809
After he won the NHRA Full Throttle Top Fuel title, Tony Schumacher promised he'd deliver the championship trophy to Fort Hood. That's set to happen Friday, with owner Don Schumacher and the entire Army-sponsored team present. It will be part of an overall program designed to promote a day of healing at Fort Hood.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
December 16 -- Season-In-Review, Part 2. Panelists: Jon Asher, John Oreovicz, Bob Margolis.
[ more Monday . . . ]
Sunday, December 06, 2009
HENDRICK on GM's CEO SHIFT
THE NEWS CAN'T WAIT: Hard-working Bob Pockrass, of NASCAR Scene, files right from the hallway outside the room where Chase drivers did interviews at the Wynn.The traffic on the Strip rivaled former Sprint Cup host city New York. The wait to check into Wynn seemed as long as 500 miles at Pocono. The weather was cool, and Danica (and, yes, Tiger) were the hot stories for many in what was a more robust media crowd (absent, for the second consecutive year, the Charlotte Observer) than I expected.
Except to me.
General Motors abruptly fired CEO Fritz Henderson last week. A spokesman said something about wanting to steer a new course. "The board decided—and Fritz agreed—that it was time to make some changes,'' a GM spokesman said.
Remember, as posted here, it was only a few weeks ago at Phoenix International Raceway that Sen. John McCain said this of GM's corporate financial survival: "I think it's going to be a near-thing."
Industry analysts interviewed on CNBC and various other outlets said the "word" is GM's activist board is going to search for an "outsider" -- meaning, a non-car guy -- as the new CEO.
That's the sort of thing that will cause NASCAR and its Chevrolet team owners concern. So, Thursday in Vegas, I asked Cup championship team owner Rick Hendrick:
"I was surprised. Fritz Henderson, I thought, was doing a very good job. Of course, I don't know the details, but all I can say is, I hope they get the right guy. They've got some awful good people at GM . . . but we've lost some good people, too. We'll see.
"It concerns me on the racing side, but it concerns me more on the business side. I've got 35 GM franchises. GM's got the best products they've ever had. That takes people and planning to put that together, the Volt, the Camaro. If you have someone who doesn't understand that product sells, that part concerns me. In my opinion, we don't need to lose momentum with the products we have today . . . My point is, I don't think Fritz Henderson ever had a chance. That's where I am. I'm hoping the board, when they look around and compare the products . . . I hope they get the right person.
"I see the way we market NASCAR into the sales side of the business. They've had to justify that. They can measure the success of racing. If it wasn't valuable Toyota and these other folks wouldn't be in that. I would think that what's in place will stay until someone gets in place, permanently, who can weigh all of the advantages of what the sport does."
Don't underestimate the importance of this latest GM management change. I can assure you, even in the midst of celebrations and parties in Vegas in tribute to Hendrick's and Jimmie Johnson's latest championship, NASCAR's inside players and power-brokers understood what's at stake.
P.S. -- Given my own four decades-plus experience in the industry, I can't help but be somewhat amused by Vegas-datelined stories positive about Dodge's future in NASCAR. For one thing, Chrysler's new business plan apparently has written-off Arizona. At least it seems that way to me based on the Z-E-R-O communications/outreach to AZ media by Dodge NASCAR PR as noticed by me in recent weeks.
NASCAR-IN-VEGAS FAST LINES: I've been around long enough to have attended the NASCAR awards at the Plaza hotel in Daytona Beach, which (believe it or not) took place the week of the Daytona 500. And, since I also went to some of the New York ceremonies, it was good perspective to be at the first-time celebration in Las Vegas. Here we go . . .
Security entering the Wynn ballroom was just right -- visible but not difficult -- and invitations were checked several times. As far as I know, the White House party crashers didn't get in . . . A huge plus was the size of the ballroom, which allowed comfortable spacing between tables and walking-around room for those wise enough to get up and relationship-build . . . For the second straight year, NASCAR correctly judged the economic times and didn't announce prize money totals. It used to be every driver was handed a check, with the total revealed, but the only reference to money Friday night was Sprint's $6.6 million award . . . The biggest pre-dinner question was inclusion of fans. It was a plus, definitely added a different atmospheric element, and I understand fan ops will be expanded next time. As long as it's well-managed, it's all good . . . Frank Caliendo as host and John Pinette's comedy were big winners . . . Announcing sometimes was a little too gushy, to be expected, but certainly not over-the-top . . . Terrific driver, but Kasey Kahne just isn't a Teleprompter guy. That was painful. If his handlers can't teach it to him, they'd do Kasey a real favor and create a new way for him to deliver his podium remarks . . . The ceremony, attended by 1,500-2,000, ran right to four hours . . . It used to be people knew an event like this was a tremendous opportunity to exchange business cards and build new professional relationships. NASCAR keeps saying it wants to expand its media coverage. Here's the problem, as observed by me at Thursday's Chase driver media avails -- As long as team/sponsor PR people stand around and don't introduce themselves to media people they don't know (that's called PR 101) or do pro-active outreach to welcome in the non-regulars, those Big Picture Goals aren't going to be achieved. That's not my opinion. That's a true fact.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
December 9 -- Season-In-Review, Part 1. Panelists: Holly Cain, Gordon Kirby, Jeff Burk.
December 16 -- Season-In-Review, Part 2. Panelists: Jon Asher, John Oreovicz, Bob Margolis.
[ more Thursday . . . ]
Friday, December 04, 2009
SEEN and HEARD in VEGAS
So far, at least, NASCAR in Neon looks nice. We'll find out tonight if moving the Sprint Cup awards ceremony to Las Vegas after almost three decades in New York City will be a Wynn.
Thursday featured media interviews plus the NMPA Myers Brothers awards presentation. Here are some interesting quotes:
* NASCAR Chairman Brian France: "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Does that apply in a room full of media?"
* France on the CoT: "We've made 20 adjustments to the car based on (driver, crew chief) comments . . . We'll continue to look at modifications."
* Joey Logano, Cup rookie of the year: "At the start of the season, I was a huge project . . . "
* Dale Inman, Richard Petty's longtime crew chief, who received Champion Spark Plug's Buddy Shuman Award: Inman said Petty "is a little sick" and didn't come to Vegas. "Where's Richard when I need him?"
* Dale Earnhardt Jr., who received the Most Popular Driver award for the seventh year in a row: "I just wanted to be a race car driver. To have all these fans is a bonus. I guess I'll just keep showing up."
(On the Danica front -- Rick Hendrick said to ask Junior. Junior said to ask his sister, Kelley. Tony Eury Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt now have ownership shares in JR Motorsports.)
* Mark Martin, Coors Pole winner: "All I had to do was hold my breath."
* Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France winner, in a video tribute to Jimmie Johnson: "You just have three more to go."
* Johnson, after collecting more sponsor award checks: "Looks like we have some gambling money . . . "
* Tony Stewart, after accepting a sponsor award: "I have to thank Juan (Pablo Montoya) for my inspiration." Stewart said he and Homestead rival Montoya "were having fun back there (behind stage)."
* Chad Knaus brought his own video camera onto the stage and said NASCAR Images might be upset he had his own "bootleg footage."
TIGER: My PR/media management antenna is signaling an eventual 60 Minutes sit-down strategy. CBS has long televised The Masters, so it wouldn't surprise me if golf host Jim Nantz did the interview. Or, depending on polling/demo research of female consumers by his agents at IMG, Katie Couric.
Thursday featured media interviews plus the NMPA Myers Brothers awards presentation. Here are some interesting quotes:
* NASCAR Chairman Brian France: "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Does that apply in a room full of media?"
* France on the CoT: "We've made 20 adjustments to the car based on (driver, crew chief) comments . . . We'll continue to look at modifications."
* Joey Logano, Cup rookie of the year: "At the start of the season, I was a huge project . . . "
* Dale Inman, Richard Petty's longtime crew chief, who received Champion Spark Plug's Buddy Shuman Award: Inman said Petty "is a little sick" and didn't come to Vegas. "Where's Richard when I need him?"
* Dale Earnhardt Jr., who received the Most Popular Driver award for the seventh year in a row: "I just wanted to be a race car driver. To have all these fans is a bonus. I guess I'll just keep showing up."
(On the Danica front -- Rick Hendrick said to ask Junior. Junior said to ask his sister, Kelley. Tony Eury Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt now have ownership shares in JR Motorsports.)
* Mark Martin, Coors Pole winner: "All I had to do was hold my breath."
* Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France winner, in a video tribute to Jimmie Johnson: "You just have three more to go."
* Johnson, after collecting more sponsor award checks: "Looks like we have some gambling money . . . "
* Tony Stewart, after accepting a sponsor award: "I have to thank Juan (Pablo Montoya) for my inspiration." Stewart said he and Homestead rival Montoya "were having fun back there (behind stage)."
* Chad Knaus brought his own video camera onto the stage and said NASCAR Images might be upset he had his own "bootleg footage."
TIGER: My PR/media management antenna is signaling an eventual 60 Minutes sit-down strategy. CBS has long televised The Masters, so it wouldn't surprise me if golf host Jim Nantz did the interview. Or, depending on polling/demo research of female consumers by his agents at IMG, Katie Couric.
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
December 9 -- Season-In-Review, Part 1. Panelists: Holly Cain, Gordon Kirby, Jeff Burk.
December 16 -- Season-In-Review, Part 2. Panelists: Jon Asher, John Oreovicz, Bob Margolis.
[ more from Vegas Sunday . . . ]
Thursday, December 03, 2009
NASCAR 2009 SHOW
NASCAR 2009 was the subject of Wednesday night's The Race Reporters on Power Up Channel. Thanks to Dave Rodman, Kenny Bruce and Larry Henry for a thoughtful conversation.
Use this link to listen to the entire show: http://www.modavox.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=42808
Use this link to listen to the entire show: http://www.modavox.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=42808
Given today's headlines, here's an oldie-but-goodie -- a bit of enterprise reporting I did for the Arizona Republic in April 2008. Would Tiger Woods have been a successful race driver? His caddie, Steve Williams, told me "yes" in an exclusive one-on-one interview:
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2008/04/10/20080410tigerdriver.html
What a Joke: The so-called sports marketing and crisis communications "experts" on talk radio and cable TV who said Woods endorses Buick. I guess they haven't had time to read a biz section or website in the last year! Proves -- again -- just how much a lot of these "experts" really know. (!)
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
December 9 -- Season-In-Review, Part 1. Panelists: Holly Cain, Gordon Kirby, Jeff Burk.
December 16 -- Season-In-Review, Part 2. Panelists: Jon Asher, John Oreovicz, Bob Margolis.
[ more from the Sprint Cup awards in Las Vegas . . . ]
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