NASCAR Inside Nextel Cup
Encyclopedia
NASCAR Inside Nextel Cup is a show that aired Monday nights on Speed Channel
during the NASCAR
season. Inside Nextel Cup was hosted by Dave Despain
. The show was taped every Monday morning at SPEED's studios in Charlotte, North Carolina
about 11 a.m., unless a race is postponed to Monday, in which case the show takes place live. The show usually ran for 60 minutes, except for a brief period during the first few weeks of the 2005 season, when it ran for 90 minutes. Speed Channel chose to discontinue this show at the end of the 2007 NASCAR season, replacing it in 2008 with the similar program This Week in NASCAR
.
affiliates when the show was on SpeedVision, but was exclusively on SPEED from 2002 - 2007.
The first episode aired after the 1996 Daytona 500
. The original host was Allen Bestwick
, who then broadcast races on Motor Racing Network
. The original panelists were chosen because they each drove a different make of race car; Michael Waltrip
drove a Ford, Ken Schrader
drove a Chevrolet, and Johnny Benson
drove a Pontiac.
The show has been so popular that when Fox, NBC, and TNT signed a television deal to broadcast NASCAR races starting in 2001, thousands of emails and faxes came in to ask that the show be saved. The show went on hiatus after NASCAR embargoed all race footage from non-NASCAR broadcast partners, meaning that there would be no highlight show on SPEED.
But the death of Dale Earnhardt
in the 2001 Daytona 500
, plus various changes in NASCAR, prompted SPEED producers to tape a special reunion program. The program, called "One More Time," involved only the regular panelists and frequent substitute Kenny Wallace
, shooting on location at Schrader's home on Lake Norman
in North Carolina
.
But when SPEED became an official broadcast partner of NASCAR, the show began broadcasting again in 2002. It also had a spin-off
, as Inside NBS
debuted in 2003. The show was mostly devoted to the Busch Series
, NASCAR's version of Triple-A baseball. Bestwick was joined by panelists Hank Parker, Jr. and Randy LaJoie
. It only lasted one season.
After the race highlights, a now-discontinued interview segment called "The Hot Seat" would take place, in which Bestwick and the panel asked the guest questions (and sometimes ribbed him in a friendly way). Guests ranged from drivers to NASCAR officials to even singer-songwriter
Edwin McCain
, who performed on the segment in July 2004. Often, the Hot Seat guest would stick around as the latest news and action in the NASCAR Busch Series
and Craftsman Truck Series
is recapped.
Other assorted segments filled out the rest of the hour. Sometimes, a SPEED camera crew would follow Michael Waltrip to various events, including a hilarious segment at an Iowa pumpkin farm. Another segment, SpeedFan Q&A, led to some answers and a few non-answers. The next Cup race would be previewed in detail, and, in the last few seconds of the show, the panelists would plug an appearance they are making later in the week.
, who hosts SPEED's WindTunnel with Dave Despain
. Benson, a panelist on the show from the beginning, was replaced by Brian Vickers
. Benson was not present for Bestwick's last show. After the 2006 season, Vickers was dropped from the show, and Greg Biffle
was announced as his replacement.
With Despain as host, the formula of the show changed. The show focuses almost exclusively on NEXTEL Cup, especially during the 10 weeks of the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. The "Hot Seat" segment was dropped in favor of a remote interview with either the winning driver or winning crew chief from the previous week's race. The show became much more tightly controlled (with the panelists holding clipboards and notepads now) and less spontaneous. The segment previewing the next Cup race has been dropped, and no show was taped in 2006 during off-weeks.
Inside NEXTEL Cup has been parodied in a commercial for Aaron's, where Despain, Waltrip, and Schrader comment on a pair of shoppers going through an Aaron's store.
personality Steve Byrnes
took over hosting duties on the newly named This Week in NASCAR, which premiered February 18.
This Week in NASCAR replaced the NASCAR Sprint Cup race re-cap and analysis show, moving into a “handoff” position between events, reviewing topical items from previous races in all three NASCAR national touring series, while also looking forward to upcoming events. Familiar faces, including Michael Waltrip
, Greg Biffle
and Ken Schrader
remained as regular Monday night panelists, with NASCAR crew chiefs, including three-time champ Chad Knaus
also joining the show.
SPEED Channel
Speed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
during the NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
season. Inside Nextel Cup was hosted by Dave Despain
Dave Despain
Dave Despain is an American motor sports journalist. He is the host of WindTunnel with Dave Despain on Speed Channel, and formerly the host of Inside Nextel Cup, until the latter underwent a format change at the beginning of the 2008 NASCAR Season.-Early life and career:A native of Fairfield,...
. The show was taped every Monday morning at SPEED's studios in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
about 11 a.m., unless a race is postponed to Monday, in which case the show takes place live. The show usually ran for 60 minutes, except for a brief period during the first few weeks of the 2005 season, when it ran for 90 minutes. Speed Channel chose to discontinue this show at the end of the 2007 NASCAR season, replacing it in 2008 with the similar program This Week in NASCAR
This Week in NASCAR
This Week in NASCAR , was a 60-minute program that aired Monday nights on the Speed Channel. It was hosted by veteran NASCAR personality Steve Byrnes with panel members Michael Waltrip and Greg Biffle. Other panelists such as Chad Knaus, Bootie Barker and Dave Blaney made regular appearances...
.
History
Inside NEXTEL Cup has been on SPEED since the network was called SpeedVision, and was called Inside Winston Cup until the title-sponsor change in 2004. The show was also rebroadcast on several Fox Sports NetFox Sports Net
The Fox Sports Regional Networks, or simply Fox Sports Net , are a collection of cable TV regional sports networks in the United States owned and operated by News Corporation.- Beginnings :...
affiliates when the show was on SpeedVision, but was exclusively on SPEED from 2002 - 2007.
The first episode aired after the 1996 Daytona 500
1996 Daytona 500
The 1996 Daytona 500 was run on February 18 on the Daytona International Speedway. Dale Earnhardt won his first Daytona 500 pole, leading many to believe he would finally win the race. Ernie Irvan returned to full-time competition alongside Earnhardt...
. The original host was Allen Bestwick
Allen Bestwick
Allen Bestwick is the host of ESPN's NASCAR pre-race show NASCAR Countdown and play-by-play announcer for the Sprint Cup Series races for the same company. He took over that position in 2011 after serving as the countdown to green host from 2008-2010 and a pit reporter for the network in 2007...
, who then broadcast races on Motor Racing Network
Motor Racing Network
The Motor Racing Network is the principal radio broadcasting operation of NASCAR, promoting themselves as "The Voice of NASCAR." It broadcasts coverage of most major NASCAR races at the top three levels of NASCAR at tracks owned by International Speedway Corporation as well as Dover International...
. The original panelists were chosen because they each drove a different make of race car; Michael Waltrip
Michael Waltrip
Michael Curtis Waltrip is a semi-former professional race car driver, co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, and a published author. He is the younger brother of three-time NASCAR champion and racing commentator Darrell Waltrip. Waltrip is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500; having won the race in...
drove a Ford, Ken Schrader
Ken Schrader
Kenneth Schrader is a second-generation race car driver. He currently races on local dirt and asphalt tracks around the country while driving part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Racing Series for his own Ken Schrader Racing. He also runs part time in the NASCAR Camping...
drove a Chevrolet, and Johnny Benson
Johnny Benson
Jonathan Benson, Jr. is an American NASCAR driver and the son of former Michigan modified driver John Benson, Sr...
drove a Pontiac.
The show has been so popular that when Fox, NBC, and TNT signed a television deal to broadcast NASCAR races starting in 2001, thousands of emails and faxes came in to ask that the show be saved. The show went on hiatus after NASCAR embargoed all race footage from non-NASCAR broadcast partners, meaning that there would be no highlight show on SPEED.
But the death of Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was an American race car driver, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR...
in the 2001 Daytona 500
2001 Daytona 500
The 2001 Daytona 500, the 43rd running of the event, was held on February 18, 2001 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida over 200 laps on the 2.5 mile asphalt tri-oval. Bill Elliott won the pole. The race will be forever remembered for the final lap...
, plus various changes in NASCAR, prompted SPEED producers to tape a special reunion program. The program, called "One More Time," involved only the regular panelists and frequent substitute Kenny Wallace
Kenny Wallace
Kenneth Wallace is an American stock car driver who currently drives the #09 Family Farmers/University of Northwestern Ohio/Federated Auto Parts/American Ethanol/Iowa Corn/G-Oil/Marquis Energy Toyota Camry for RAB Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series...
, shooting on location at Schrader's home on Lake Norman
Lake Norman
Lake Norman, created between 1959 and 1964 as part of the construction of the Cowans Ford Dam by Duke Energy, is the largest manmade body of fresh water located in North Carolina.-General Information:...
in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
But when SPEED became an official broadcast partner of NASCAR, the show began broadcasting again in 2002. It also had a spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
, as Inside NBS
Inside NBS
Inside NBS is a spin-off to NASCAR Inside Nextel Cup, and aired on Speed Channel. Like its Inside Cup counterpart, which focused on the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, the show focused primarily the NASCAR Busch Series, and, like Inside Cup, was hosted by Allen Bestwick, and used a 3-driver expert panel...
debuted in 2003. The show was mostly devoted to the Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
, NASCAR's version of Triple-A baseball. Bestwick was joined by panelists Hank Parker, Jr. and Randy LaJoie
Randy LaJoie
Randall LaJoie was a driver in the NASCAR Busch Series , where he is a two-time champion. Presently, he does not have a full-time ride. He is the father of racers Casey and Corey LaJoie.-Early racing career:LaJoie started racing go-karts when he was 12 years old...
. It only lasted one season.
Original show format
The show would show the previous day's races, with Bestwick reading notes while the highlights were shown. The panel would then analyze the action taking place in the on-screen video, whether it's a pass for position or a crash. Sometimes, a member of the panel has to analyze a mishap he himself had, which leads Bestwick and the other two panelists to tease him about it. Other times, though, the panelist will be shown in a moment of success on the track. Also, there are times when two of the panelists will watch themselves in a battle for position, or being caught up in the same crash.After the race highlights, a now-discontinued interview segment called "The Hot Seat" would take place, in which Bestwick and the panel asked the guest questions (and sometimes ribbed him in a friendly way). Guests ranged from drivers to NASCAR officials to even singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Edwin McCain
Edwin McCain
Edwin McCain is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Career:While his albums are released under his name, he does have a permanent band, referred to as the Edwin McCain Band...
, who performed on the segment in July 2004. Often, the Hot Seat guest would stick around as the latest news and action in the NASCAR Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
and Craftsman Truck Series
Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
is recapped.
Other assorted segments filled out the rest of the hour. Sometimes, a SPEED camera crew would follow Michael Waltrip to various events, including a hilarious segment at an Iowa pumpkin farm. Another segment, SpeedFan Q&A, led to some answers and a few non-answers. The next Cup race would be previewed in detail, and, in the last few seconds of the show, the panelists would plug an appearance they are making later in the week.
Final show format
On September 5, 2005, a major (and controversial) change took place — Bestwick, removed from his hosting duties, hosted his last show, and was replaced by Dave DespainDave Despain
Dave Despain is an American motor sports journalist. He is the host of WindTunnel with Dave Despain on Speed Channel, and formerly the host of Inside Nextel Cup, until the latter underwent a format change at the beginning of the 2008 NASCAR Season.-Early life and career:A native of Fairfield,...
, who hosts SPEED's WindTunnel with Dave Despain
WindTunnel with Dave Despain
WindTunnel with Dave Despain is a live viewer call-in show exclusively for auto racing fans that debuted on Speed Channel on February 22, 2003...
. Benson, a panelist on the show from the beginning, was replaced by Brian Vickers
Brian Vickers
Brian Lee Vickers is a American NASCAR driver. He was the 2003 Busch Series champion, and at age 20, became the youngest champion in any of NASCAR's three top-tier series...
. Benson was not present for Bestwick's last show. After the 2006 season, Vickers was dropped from the show, and Greg Biffle
Greg Biffle
Gregory Jack "Greg" Biffle is a NASCAR driver who drives the #16 3M Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. After racing in the NASCAR Winter Heat Series in the mid-90s, he was recommended to Jack Roush by former announcer Benny Parsons...
was announced as his replacement.
With Despain as host, the formula of the show changed. The show focuses almost exclusively on NEXTEL Cup, especially during the 10 weeks of the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. The "Hot Seat" segment was dropped in favor of a remote interview with either the winning driver or winning crew chief from the previous week's race. The show became much more tightly controlled (with the panelists holding clipboards and notepads now) and less spontaneous. The segment previewing the next Cup race has been dropped, and no show was taped in 2006 during off-weeks.
Inside NEXTEL Cup has been parodied in a commercial for Aaron's, where Despain, Waltrip, and Schrader comment on a pair of shoppers going through an Aaron's store.
This Week in NASCAR
Inside NEXTEL Cup was replaced in 2008. Veteran NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
personality Steve Byrnes
Steve Byrnes
Steve Byrnes is an American television announcer and producer from New Carrollton, Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland. Afterward, he began his television career as a sports producer where he covered several NFL teams. In 1985, he began producing and hosting NASCAR segments...
took over hosting duties on the newly named This Week in NASCAR, which premiered February 18.
This Week in NASCAR replaced the NASCAR Sprint Cup race re-cap and analysis show, moving into a “handoff” position between events, reviewing topical items from previous races in all three NASCAR national touring series, while also looking forward to upcoming events. Familiar faces, including Michael Waltrip
Michael Waltrip
Michael Curtis Waltrip is a semi-former professional race car driver, co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, and a published author. He is the younger brother of three-time NASCAR champion and racing commentator Darrell Waltrip. Waltrip is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500; having won the race in...
, Greg Biffle
Greg Biffle
Gregory Jack "Greg" Biffle is a NASCAR driver who drives the #16 3M Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. After racing in the NASCAR Winter Heat Series in the mid-90s, he was recommended to Jack Roush by former announcer Benny Parsons...
and Ken Schrader
Ken Schrader
Kenneth Schrader is a second-generation race car driver. He currently races on local dirt and asphalt tracks around the country while driving part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Racing Series for his own Ken Schrader Racing. He also runs part time in the NASCAR Camping...
remained as regular Monday night panelists, with NASCAR crew chiefs, including three-time champ Chad Knaus
Chad Knaus
Chad Anthony Knaus is the current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief for Jimmie Johnson. He is currently employed at Hendrick Motorsports. Knaus has 52 victories as Jimmie Johnson's crew chief and is the only NASCAR crew chief to win five consecutive championships. He has been a crew chief in...
also joining the show.
Incidents
- In 2000, Darrell Waltrip came on the show as a special guest and Allen Bestwick could barely get a word in edgewise to get to commercial.
- In 2003, after Michael Waltrip won the Daytona 500, he couldn't make the show because of the numerous television appearances mandated of the champion. He appeared via satellite from Daytona USA, and started his segment with Allen Bestwick, mouthing silently, "I'm just so pleased, so happy to have won the race." Then, he vocalized the words, "I was just fakin'." The entire studio burst into laughter at the practical joke.
- In 2004, the earpiece that the control room uses to talk to each driver fell in Michael Waltrip's ear canal. A crew member with a long pair of tweezers was dispatched to fish it out.
- In 2005, a power-washing crew started its work during the show's taping. The show kept rolling, and Allen Bestwick, continuing on a theme of rude driving and behavior of some drivers, quipped, "Now, that's rude."