Monday Lineup: ESPN’s NASCAR race coverage ends in fine fashion PLUS: 8 ESPN moments from the weekend
https://soundcloud.com/espn-mediazone/front-center-podcast-john-wildhack-on-nascar-espn
ESPN televised its 398th and final NASCAR Sprint Cup race yesterday at South Florida’s Homestead-Miami Speedway as Kevin Harvick became the 2014 series champion.
The network televised 262 races in NASCAR’s premier series from 1981-2000 and the remaining events under the current contract, which began in 2007. ESPN did not renew its contract to televise live races but will continue to cover the sport on SportsCenter and other platforms.
In the “Front & Center” podcast above, ESPN Executive Vice President, Programming and Production, John Wildhack discusses the long history between ESPN and NASCAR, some proud moments from the 28-year relationship and what NASCAR has meant to ESPN. In addition, Wildhack talks about coverage of NASCAR on ESPN platforms going forward.
“The thing that stands out the most to me is the commitment of all our people who’ve worked on NASCAR,” Wildhack said. “It’s a year-round commitment that starts at Daytona in February and runs well into November and that commitment is extraordinary. This crew works as hard as any crew in our business.”
And now, some of what you might have missed from ESPN over the weekend:
1. ESPN’s NASCAR race coverage ended in thrilling fashion and with lots of emotion.
@ESPNNASCAR @SportsCenter farewell for now @ESPNNASCAR, you will be missed!
— Waggiesaurus-Rex (@louis_wagner) November 17, 2014
and finally, a fond farewell for @ESPNNASCAR, as today’s race will be the last race for @ESPN. thanks for the memories. #EndOfAEra.
— Will Henderson (@WillDawgTX) November 17, 2014
We say farewell to @ESPNNASCAR today. Thanks for the memories. #NASCAR
— The NASCAR Fan Base™ (@WeAreNascarFans) November 16, 2014
Thanks to @Nationwide for sponsoring the series over the years. It was an honor to be part of the @ESPNNASCAR crew broadcasting the races.
— Dale Jarrett (@DaleJarrett) November 16, 2014
@JamieLittleTV And we thank you and your co-workers for the professionalism you all brought to the table.
— DanMac (@gojunebug) November 16, 2014
Awesome! RT “@JamieLittleTV: Annnd we’re out!! Thanks for 8 great years @ESPNNASCAR! pic.twitter.com/Brx5s6Qu6B”
— Jason Kasper (@JasonKasper1994) November 17, 2014
2. College GameDay heads to Cambridge, Mass. for Harvard-Yale.
ESPN College Gameday coming to Harvard for #HarvardYale!!! @HarvardFootball looking to complete perfect season!! https://t.co/P4ecGiZiNZ
— Brian Eskildsen (@BrianEskildsen) November 16, 2014
College Gameday coming to Harvard Yale for my last college football game ever!!
— Grant Wallace (@gwallace29) November 16, 2014
3. Pittsburgh visits Tennessee tonight for Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m., ESPN).
Thanks to @kennychesney for stopping by the #MNF bus today. Great dude. Airs on Monday Countdown @bhofheimer_espn pic.twitter.com/QrXtJH7Jqk
— Anthony DeVita (@BUTerrier2003) November 15, 2014
4. “Breaking the Internet” could take on new meaning when Mike Golic pays off his “Mikes Bowl” wager to Mike Greenberg.
@Espngreeny @espngolic Wonder if Golic’s wife regrets saying she didn’t have 2 worry about that bet u 2 made? Get that oil & camera ready!
— Todd Richardson (@TAR1008) November 16, 2014
Golic Loses Bet, Has to Recreate Kardashian Photo (via http://t.co/lup9Zno4Jd) http://t.co/BYespiqyV7
— Brian H. Waters (@MrMainEventBDuB) November 16, 2014
Oh man. @Espngreeny won the bet. Golic’s wife better get the oil ready! Congrats Greeny!
— Mike G (@mgilliga) November 16, 2014
5. ESPN’s College basketball Tip-Off Marathon begins tonight.
ESPN’s 7th Annual Tip-Off Marathon Showcases 29 Straight Hours of College Hoops, including GSU at 9pm Mon. on @ESPNU http://t.co/Ylpw9MtbCI
— GSU Athletics (@GSUPanthers) November 17, 2014
#TheLine for #AztecMBB vs Utah student tickets. 1PM Tuesday as part of @espn‘s 24 hour tipoff marathon. pic.twitter.com/e9Uu2YkEo4
— Christian Deleon (@SDSUChristian) November 12, 2014
6.
No football-snatching here. Saints reporter @MikeTriplett & I play nice, *give* game balls in video. See who got ’em http://t.co/sc48WEEMQS
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) November 17, 2014
7.
Awesome move to have Marcus Luttrell as the GameDay guest picker, ESPN. His book, “Lone Survivor,” was just an amazing story of courage.
— John Zenor (@jzenor) November 14, 2014
8.
@espn did a nice piece about Ginny Doyle and Natalie Lewis: http://t.co/1c4aItGw1y
— Cynthia Price (@PriceCynthia) November 17, 2014
David Scott and Sheldon Spencer contributed to this post
