raceannouncer
Moderator
During my 10-year announcing stint for NASCAR (and even some NHRA National Events), there were/are "pseudo mini TV "broadcasts" that I was part of for the additional enjoyment of "fans in the stands". The big screens (or "jumbotrons") were an additional benefit for the series or individual track sponsors. Before and during each event, talking points suggested to heighten the interest of the crowd. Our "crew" also had to think on-the-fly as the race unfolded, seamlessly mixing in the live-action and the aforementioned talking points...If I hadn't been forced out due to serious health issues and still been part of it all, there were several storylines I would have contributed to "The Great American Race" in 2025 (in no specific order)...
1. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s first entry into the professional series with multi-time Xfinity veteran, Justin Allgaier, making it into the starting lineup...
2. NASCAR's new policy of a guaranteed provisional starting spot for a non-qualifier, in this case, 4-time INDY 500 champ, Helio Castroneves...
3. Several multi-car teams(limited to three) formed by the purchase of charters, sold by the now-defunct Stewart-Haas team, with former co-partner Gene Haas retaining one of them and promoting his wheelman from the second-tier level, Cole Custer, as primary full-time driver...Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs were "grandfathered in" since their 4-car operations had been previously formed...
4. Additional tweaking of the "DVP" (damaged vehicle policy), extending from 6 to 7 minutes on pit road--once the time has expired, a mandatory trip to the garage to finish any work and return to competition (once minimum speed is achieved)...
5. Two "one-off" rides for past champion Martin Truex, Jr. and a Rick Ware Racing entry, providing second-generation racer, Corey LaJoie, who also relied on his speed in qualifying in the machine...
6. Highlighting Ryan Preece (an accomplished Modified Series champion), familiar to many fans in the Northeast, who provided another unexpected twist with his second in three years accident-induced "caused by the all-too-familiar "Big One" multi-car wreck during the contest. The car once again flew up and over like a loose hot dog wrapper out of the stands! Fortunately, he was not injured in this one either, as he answered questions in several media interviews following the incident...as it began with a previously unseen drag racing-like "wheelie"!
7. Manufacturer Ford's continued dominance, primarily Team Penske, who again flexed their muscles until being taken out by others in the late stages...
8. Several past 500 champions had their shot at another Harly Earl trophy, such as Denny Hamlin, Austin Dillon, Michael McDowell, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and Austin Cindric...
9.) Another supposed "controversy" regarding the finish, when the yellow flag did not wave for the last-lap accident after the white flag had already been displayed. NASCAR let it play out. Either way, Byron would have won, since the next flag would have ended the race, yellow or checkered!
10.) Oh, I almost forgot, the President of the U.S. showed up at the beginning of the race, setting off a flurry of social media back-and-forth discussion. My personal opinion is sports and politics shouldn't intertwine, no matter what sport and/or politician is involved.
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