Totally NASCAR
Encyclopedia
Totally NASCAR is a newscast about NASCAR
racing that airs on Fox Sports Net
. The program returned in 2010
, but in a different format from the show that was originally shown from 2001
to 2004
. It returned in 2010 after a six year absence.
that had aired on TNN
until late 2000 when NASCAR began a new television contract.
The show debuted on February 12, 2001, six days before NASCAR on Fox
was unveiled at the Daytona 500
. The program's first host was Steve Byrnes
and its first field reporter was Kirsten Gum
, who also hosted each week when Byrnes was at the track for Fox. In 2002
, Gum left for OLN (now Versus) and was replaced by Krista Voda
, who became primary host of the by show by 2004. John Roberts, host of FSN and Speed Channel's weekend programming, also served as host from time-to-time.
The program was a mix of news, highlights, features, and interviews
. There were regular weekly appearances by NASCAR on Fox analysts Larry McReynolds
and Jeff Hammond, and weekly weather reports provided by Fox News Channel
.
In 2004, reporter Sean Pragano played Driver Guy in a series of vignettes that can be described as a mini-mockumentary
(think Borat
in the NASCAR garage). Pragano also contributed rap and country
songs to the show.
, an established show on ESPN2
, was denied them. This was done by classifying Totally as a news program, and RPM as a magazine show. In response, ESPN did not allow Totally NASCAR to use footage from any race carried by ESPN or ABC prior to 2001 or footage from NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
events, which were carried on ESPN2.
The footage battles, which many believed showed de facto favoritism to FSN, led to a large number of complaints, both from viewers and television critics. Some fans blame the policy for the eventual end of RPM 2Night in 2002, but no one ever substantially proved this. Ironically, the two shows were produced only a few miles apart in south Charlotte, NC and a large chunk of the original Totally NASCAR production staff was made up of former RPM staffers. (In contrast, RPM2Nights successor, NASCAR Now
, is based at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut
.)
, in her first regular network assignment in several years (she had married a Hollywood agent and become a mother). The program largely consists of segments re-aired from NASCAR RaceHub, which is a four-day-a-week show on Speed, which is also owned by Fox Cable Networks
.
, on Speed Channel
.
and re-aired at 6:30 pm ET on Speed Channel. By 2002 it was the highest rated studio show on both FSN and Speed. In 2004, the time was changed to 5:30 p.m., then to 7:30 p.m. about halfway through the season. The time shift made the original feed unavailable in most of the country, due to scheduled live play-by-play coverage that aired on FSN affiliates and ratings suffered.
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...
racing that airs on Fox Sports Net
Fox 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 :...
. The program returned in 2010
2010 in NASCAR
There were three NASCAR national series in 2010:*2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series – The top racing series in NASCAR*2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series – The second-highest racing series in NASCAR...
, but in a different format from the show that was originally shown from 2001
2001 in NASCAR
The 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup season began on February 11 at the Daytona International Speedway and ended on November 23 at the New Hampshire International Speedway. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports was crowned series champion for the fourth time in seven years. The season was marked by tragedy,...
to 2004
2004 in NASCAR
The 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup season began on Saturday, February 7 and ended on Sunday, November 21. Kurt Busch with Roush Racing driving a Ford was the Nextel Cup champion....
. It returned in 2010 after a six year absence.
Original version
The original show aired nightly and replaced the recently cancelled weekly show Inside NASCARInside NASCAR
Inside NASCAR is a television show, broadcasted on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday during the NASCAR season on Showtime. The show is hosted by Chris Myers, while the analysts are Brad Daugherty, Michael Waltrip, and Randy Pemberton. Kyle Petty joins in 2011 as an analyst. The show is a 30...
that had aired on TNN
Spike TV
Spike is an American cable television channel. It launched on March 7, 1983 as The Nashville Network , a joint venture of WSM, Inc...
until late 2000 when NASCAR began a new television contract.
The show debuted on February 12, 2001, six days before NASCAR on Fox
NASCAR on Fox
NASCAR on Fox is the Emmy-winning branding used for Fox Sports's broadcasts of NASCAR races airing on the Fox network since 2001. The production has been in high-definition since 2005.-Background:...
was unveiled at the Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
. The program's first host was 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...
and its first field reporter was Kirsten Gum
Kirsten Gum
Kirsten Gum is an adventure traveler and sports commentator. She is also the host of reality television series Cash and Treasures and Treasure Hunter: Kirsten Gum on the Travel Channel.-Season 1 – Cash & Treasures:...
, who also hosted each week when Byrnes was at the track for Fox. In 2002
2002 in NASCAR
The 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup began on Saturday, February 10, and ended on Sunday, November 17. Tony Stewart with Joe Gibbs Racing was crowned the Winston Cup champion. The NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship was captured by Ford after winning 14 events, and gaining 245 points over second place...
, Gum left for OLN (now Versus) and was replaced by Krista Voda
Krista Voda
Krista Voda is an American sportscaster who covers auto racing. Voda is a pit reporter for NASCAR on Fox and is the host of The Setup, the pre-race show for coverage of the Camping World Truck Series, as well as Trackside on Speed Channel.Voda was born and raised in Clinton, Iowa and attended the...
, who became primary host of the by show by 2004. John Roberts, host of FSN and Speed Channel's weekend programming, also served as host from time-to-time.
The program was a mix of news, highlights, features, and interviews
Interviews
Interviews is:# the plural form of "interview"# a compilation album by Bob Marley & the Wailers, see Interviews # a C++ toolkit for the X Window System, see InterViews...
. There were regular weekly appearances by NASCAR on Fox analysts Larry McReynolds
Larry McReynolds
Lawrence Joseph McReynolds III is a former NASCAR crew chief and currently serves as a racing analyst on Fox Sports, TNT and a columnist on Foxsports.com. He currently lives in Mooresville, North Carolina...
and Jeff Hammond, and weekly weather reports provided by Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
.
In 2004, reporter Sean Pragano played Driver Guy in a series of vignettes that can be described as a mini-mockumentary
Mockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
(think Borat
Borat
Borat Sagdiyev is a satirical fictional character invented and performed by English comedian Sacha Baron Cohen...
in the NASCAR garage). Pragano also contributed rap and country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
songs to the show.
Controversy
When Totally NASCAR was launched, NASCAR allowed it access to race highlights. At the same time, RPM 2NightRPM 2Night
RPM2Night was an American nightly news program seen on ESPN2 that was devoted entirely to motorsports.The program aired six nights a week from 1995 to 2003...
, an established show on ESPN2
ESPN2
ESPN2 is an American sports cable television network owned by ESPN. The channel debuted on October 1, 1993.Originally nicknamed "the deuce," ESPN2 was initially branded as a network for a younger generation of sports fans featuring edgier graphics as well as extreme sports like motocross,...
, was denied them. This was done by classifying Totally as a news program, and RPM as a magazine show. In response, ESPN did not allow Totally NASCAR to use footage from any race carried by ESPN or ABC prior to 2001 or footage from NASCAR 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...
events, which were carried on ESPN2.
The footage battles, which many believed showed de facto favoritism to FSN, led to a large number of complaints, both from viewers and television critics. Some fans blame the policy for the eventual end of RPM 2Night in 2002, but no one ever substantially proved this. Ironically, the two shows were produced only a few miles apart in south Charlotte, NC and a large chunk of the original Totally NASCAR production staff was made up of former RPM staffers. (In contrast, RPM2Nights successor, NASCAR Now
NASCAR Now
NASCAR Now is a NASCAR news and analysis show that airs year round Monday through Friday as a thirty minute show at 5:00pm ET on ESPN2. NASCAR Now, that debuted on February 5, 2007, is broadcast in HD from Bristol, Connecticut and also has a daily segment on SportsCenter...
, is based at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
.)
Current version
Totally NASCAR is a weekly program. It is fed to FSN affiliates on Mondays, but actual air dates and times vary from region to region. The host is Jill ArringtonJill Arrington
Tiffany "Jill" Arrington is an American sportscaster with Fox Sports. She was previously a sideline reporter on college football for ESPN during the 2004 season.-Personal life:...
, in her first regular network assignment in several years (she had married a Hollywood agent and become a mother).
News Corporation
News Corporation or News Corp. is an American multinational media conglomerate. It is the world's second-largest media conglomerate as of 2011 in terms of revenue, and the world's third largest in entertainment as of 2009, although the BBC remains the world's largest broadcaster...
.
Move to Speed Channel
In 2005, FSN relinquished the show rights to Speed (then called SPEED Channel). Speed chose not to bring the show back after the November 21, 2004, episode and set up a successor program, NASCAR NationNASCAR Nation
NASCAR Nation was a program on the Speed Channel, which aired Monday nights, discussing the lifestyle of NASCAR drivers when they are not on the track. It was cancelled after the 2005 season....
, on Speed Channel
SPEED Channel
Speed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
.
Air times
Totally NASCAR aired at 6 p.m. local time Monday through Friday from 2001 to 20032003 in NASCAR
The 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup began on Saturday February 8 and ended on Sunday November 16. Matt Kenseth with Roush Racing driving a Ford was crowned the Winston Cup champion, despite winning only one race all year. Chevrolet took home the NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship after capturing 19 wins...
and re-aired at 6:30 pm ET on Speed Channel. By 2002 it was the highest rated studio show on both FSN and Speed. In 2004, the time was changed to 5:30 p.m., then to 7:30 p.m. about halfway through the season. The time shift made the original feed unavailable in most of the country, due to scheduled live play-by-play coverage that aired on FSN affiliates and ratings suffered.
Notable events
- The show was nominated for a 2002 Sports Emmy for Outstanding Daily Studio Show, losing to ESPN's Baseball Tonight, despite a staff of less than 20 and a production office that was essentially a double wide trailer in an office parking lot.
- Hammond's first demo car was sponsored by America's Most Wanted and featured the photos of missing children on its hood. In at least one instance, information called in by a Totally NASCAR viewer helped to solve the mystery of a missing girl.
- When Krista Voda became full-time host in 2004, she is believed to be the first full-time female host of a national sports program.