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Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Congratulations! You Made This The Top-Rated NASCAR Blog
Things in life come and go, but sometimes it is nice to have people recognize time and effort spent for a single goal.
This is the Wednesday press release from the Sports Media Challenge folks who use their own search engine and software to track all kinds of sports blogs.
They were kind enough to rank The Daly Planet as the #1 NASCAR blog on their list.
As you know, the simple format of this site puts one or two issues into the spotlight every day that relate to either NASCAR TV or some aspect of the NASCAR media world.
While I get to pick the topics and write the actual columns, there is only one reason that the nice folks at SMC chose this blog. That is the extensive interaction and the intelligent thoughts provided by you.
Throughout the past year, NASCAR fans of all ages and with all different kinds of opinions have converged here to share their views. Many times, the topics of my columns have come from email sent by readers who feel strongly about an issue.
My opinion of the Internet is that this technology is best used to empower people. It works best when someone comes away from using their computer feeling a sense of community and self-worth. In today's world, sometimes both of those feelings are very hard to come by in real life.
I hope that over the past twelve months, whether you have chosen to comment or not, that you have come here simply to be a part of the sharing of information by people who like NASCAR racing as a sport.
My current goal is to continue to empower readers by adding a forum that will allow new topics to be posted and comments to be generated anytime by any user. We are also working on adding your own reviews of races and other NASCAR TV programming in both text and video form to begin user-generated full-length columns.
Without the help of a lot of people behind-the-scenes, none of this would be possible. Jay over at Jayski.com has been a steady hand and a good friend since the start of this project, and continues to refer readers of his site over to this little blog.
Thanks as well to the many journalists, TV types and network media relations folks who have quietly made sure I had the right information, and often made sure to point out when I did not. Thanks to the TV personalities who agreed to answer your questions during our series of off-season interviews.
Dave Moody at Sirius Speedway gave me an opportunity to appear regularly on his program, and the boys over at Rowdy.com let me talk TV on their iTunes Top 100 podcast. This season I will be returning to both.
Finally, I want to make clear once again that you are the reason this project survives. Without a strong community of dedicated readers, the issues that we brought-up to the NASCAR TV networks would not have resulted in the changes we have seen over the last several weeks. Simply put, your words got results.
As we officially open the NASCAR TV season on Thursday with Media Day at Daytona, we all know that soon we will be neck-deep in a slew of NASCAR TV programming that will run at a hectic pace all the way through November.
It is nice to be able to take a moment right now and look back at the incredible amount of opinion and information we created simply by working together. While some computer types may refer to it as "content," I prefer to call it "the real voice of the fans."
According to our friends at SMC, you have officially been heard. Congratulations.
The Daly Planet welcomes comments from readers. Simply click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the easy instructions. There is nothing to join and we do not want your email address. We simply want your opinion about the last twelve months of this Internet project.
41 comments:
- SallyB said...
Congratulations, JD! Nice that someone has appreciated all those hours you spent here and recognized the excellence! Any contribution we may have made was inspired by you. Because of your vigilance, this site has been remarkably free of 'flaming', which is another thing that sets it apart from many others. Your willingness to involve those who are actually responsible for some of the content on air also make this site unique. Thanks for bringing us all along for the ride!
- February 6, 2008 at 6:41 AM
- Rockin Rich said...
Congratulations! You certainly earned the recognition. I don't know if it will buy anything more than coffee this morning, but, hey, you obviously enjoyed the ride.
I think that your site very much influenced ESPN, Speed, and NASCAR to examine how they were presenting themselves, and to attempt some mid-course corrections.
I also think that it took some guts by Jayski to continue to post your site link on his ESPN owned site. I have to believe that ESPN must have made their feelings known to him about linking a site that was so critical of their TV performance.
I am really looking forward to your being able to continue providing this service, (it is a service), to the racing public.
- February 6, 2008 at 6:44 AM
- LuckyForward said...
Again, my thanks to you, Mr. Daly for providing this outlet for the "average fan." You have organized the blog in such a fashion that "regular folks" such as myself may speak to broadcasting issues in a fashion that makes media giants sit up and take notice. Your own comments are always insightful and you manage the blog by keeping all of us on task.
- February 6, 2008 at 7:22 AM
- Ken said...
Thank you so much for this Blog. It gives us the opportunity to feel like someone may listen to us and pay attention. I think it has had a great impact on changes that have been made or may be made in the future regarding the broadcasting of NASCAR related shows and races.
- February 6, 2008 at 8:00 AM
- Kathy said...
Well deserved!
- February 6, 2008 at 8:39 AM
- Lisa Hogan said...
Well, I feel like we should get all dressed up and celebrate!
Congratulations, JD!
- February 6, 2008 at 9:03 AM
- TexasRaceLady said...
Way to go, JD. Without your hard work and dedication, this "little" blog would have gotten nowhere.
Thank you for giving "the little people" a place to speak. We're the ones that pays the bills, so we should have some say in things.
I need to find my best party dress and my dancing shoes. There's a party going on ! ! !
- February 6, 2008 at 9:28 AM
- Dan said...
Congratulations JD. I've enjoyed this site since I found it last spring and it has become one of my first reads every day. I'm glad you made the decision to continue on.
- February 6, 2008 at 9:38 AM
- Anonymous said...
The professional quality of this blog's writing boosts it above most similar sites covering NASCAR; the overall quality of the readers' comments is much better and more cogent than what you'll find eksewhere, too.
- February 6, 2008 at 9:51 AM
- Anonymous said...
Good morning Mr. Daly
How great is this for you and all of us. I know this is like a broken record, but thank you for the time you gave us with this blog. Maybe the changes we see on coverage on TV this year are a result of your efforts and our comments on how we feel about the coverage we have seen during the 2007 season. As a casual fan of the sport at the current time and fading as I see the sport change. Thank you
- February 6, 2008 at 10:11 AM
- RaceDR said...
JD, that is great! I'm sure you weren't looking for the recognition but it sure is nice to get. You deserve it. You have obviously spent a great deal of time ferreting out info about the broadcasts and your comments have proved to be spot on. You blog is one of my first reads everyday. Keep it up!
- February 6, 2008 at 10:45 AM
- hawkeye said...
Congratulations J.D. and thank you for continuing on with this blog. This recognition of your efforts and diligence has been well earned. Thanks again, for all you do.
- February 6, 2008 at 11:17 AM
- jfs-va said...
JD, just think. If you had decided to ride into the sunset after one year of blogging you could have gone out on top. :D
But seriously, this is great news for all of us. I'm looking forward to discussing the coverage of the races this year almost as much as the races themselves...almost.
- February 6, 2008 at 11:26 AM
- SophiaZ123 said...
Congratulations, JD! Way to go.
It's great to get recognition for your work and to know you get such great fans to make savvy comments here.
I have learned so much here about how TV works and appreciate others that take time to explain things when I miss it on my tv!
And the first person that makes a "Sophia needs a DVR comment" is not getting any cake!
Looking forward to this season.
Oh, and honestly, I do believe THIS SITE made a difference in how the networks responded. It remains to be seen how the races will be aired.
But I am glad JD had the guts to put things in writing here for us to rant, scream and complain (legit) and have a little haven to share with like minded people.
For most all of last year other writers were signing up for the spine donor's list to get the guts to criticize NASCAR itself and the networks.
It's only before the beginning of the upcoming season that articles have been sprouting up about what NASCAR can do to win back the fans.
Hello, we coulda told people that, just go back and read the comments from last summer.
Will there be so much green flag racing being covered up by INTERVIEWS or pre-recorded stuff that I am dead-heading marigolds again during the races??
Stay tuned.
I am glad you decided to continue on for 2008 Mr. Daly.
- February 6, 2008 at 11:49 AM
- Shawnna said...
Congrats, JD! I, too, have much enjoyed this blog over the past year. I don't post very often, but I do read your articles and all the comments every work day. (Don't tell my boss!)
Thanks to everyone who's made this such a successful endeavor!
Shawnna in OKC
- February 6, 2008 at 12:25 PM
- Vince said...
Well..........I'm sitting here in the middle of a blizzard in west central Michigan and this is the best news I've heard all day! Congrats you JD and to all my fellow posters who's comments, suggestions and ideas made all this possible. I look forward to another year of keeping the Nascar broadcast networks and media on the straight and narrow of providing us with the best possible coverage of our sport.
Looking forward to the new site JD. When is the "go live" date? Need any beta testers?
Vince (somewhere in snow up to my a** Michigan.)
- February 6, 2008 at 12:31 PM
- elena said...
JD, congratulations! You certainly have left your mark on the NASCAR world.
I agree that because of your vigilence, this blog actually discusses the topic at hand and seldom degenerates into just bomb throwers.
I look forward to the new site and the new NASCAR year. I too am in the middle of a huge snow storm just north of Chicago. Ugh!
- February 6, 2008 at 1:11 PM
- granny b said...
Congrats JD. I like many others find this a "must read" spot. Thanks for giving us a forum to discuss the media coverage. Also, thanks for your diligence in keeping this a troll-free zone. It is appreciated.
- February 6, 2008 at 1:52 PM
- Boyd said...
Congrats JD!
It's nice to see the 'little blog' that I look forward to everyday get some recognition.
You have consistantly picked topics that we the fans can discuss, and hopefully identify for the media guys that may be too close to see the problems.
- February 6, 2008 at 2:14 PM
- Anonymous said...
This IS NOT gonna go over well with the folks in Bristol, CT!!!!
- February 6, 2008 at 2:24 PM
- Newracefan said...
JD this is great news and very well deserved. I can not even begin to imagine how many hours you spend to gives us a place to discuss our opinions each day. I know I check this site every day and most days more that once. It's the first place I look (even before checking my e mail) when I open my laptop. I can not wait for the new site. Thanks so much and I also believe this blog had much to do with the changes in Nascar TV coverage.
- February 6, 2008 at 2:26 PM
- Mike said...
Awesome, JD. I am so glad I found this blog last year. Can't wait to read your opinions during the '08 season!
- February 6, 2008 at 2:35 PM
- Anonymous said...
Congratulations JD!
- February 6, 2008 at 2:59 PM
- Stock Car Gazette said...
Congrats, Mr. Daly. This is a well-deserved award. Your columns are always thoughtful, well-written, and I almost always learn something. Hey, you wanna come write for MY website?? :o)
Mike Irwin
- February 6, 2008 at 3:30 PM
- David said...
Congratulations on the Blog, you do an awesome job and appreciate your hard work. I used to it Jayski's before I hit anything else in the morning but I find yours a must read every day. Did you notice in Peter Kings Monday Morning Quarterback column that he had to watch the SuperBowl on TV in the hospital and he was livid about the amount of commercials. First one in 24 years he had not seen live. I guess it is just not us folks in the Racing world that complain about those. Thanks for helping us to get better TV coverage and good luck in the coming year!!
- February 6, 2008 at 4:01 PM
- fbu1 said...
Good job JD! It has been interesting watching your little blog blossom into a significant media voice over the past season. Well done!
- February 6, 2008 at 6:03 PM
- Richard in N.C. said...
JD- CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH!! However, I think you deserved at least a Nobel prize.
Moreover, the REAL prize is The Daly Planet's continuing. Thank you!!
- February 6, 2008 at 6:11 PM
- diane said...
So, does this mean that you are committed to doing the 2008 season?
- February 6, 2008 at 7:07 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Yes, Diane we will continue and are in the process of moving to a more user friendly environment.
What we are rolling out is full forum that will allow users to post topics of their own.
That will loosen the reigns and allow fans to raise the TV issues they are interested in discussing, in addition to my daily columns.
- February 6, 2008 at 7:16 PM
- batchief said...
Congratulations John, this is some very deserved recognition. Who'd a thunk it in just one years time that the powers-that-be in the blog world would understand what you are trying to accomplish here and appreciate it.
- February 6, 2008 at 8:12 PM
- Steve L said...
Great news JD!
I've been coming here several times a day for the last year. I'm glad I got 'on board' early last spring to watch this little blog grow to what it is today.
Thanks for all your hard work and the many hours you've put into this:
"Top-Rated NASCAR Blog"
- February 6, 2008 at 8:29 PM
- PammH said...
Congrats, JD!! I have read some of the other blogs-they don't touch on what yours does! Glad you decided to stay & give us a place to voice our opinions-where they will be read! :)
- February 6, 2008 at 9:05 PM
- Charlie Turner said...
Hey JD, just wanted to ad my Congrats too. The recognition is very well deserved. Keep putting out the good stuff
- February 6, 2008 at 10:19 PM
- Anonymous said...
Congratulations Editor! Ya done good!
Now, do ya think we could do something about the number of commercials in a race? My amateur suggestion would be to double the price and cut the time and number in half. Same money, half the nuisance!
MBeard, Muskogee, OK
- February 7, 2008 at 8:22 AM
- chase said...
John - congratulations are in order - not that any of us were surprised because you are simply the best at giving us the information we need, allowing us to vent, giving us a forum to disseminate information and wonders of wonders, people who are either directly connected with NASCAR are REALLY READING and reacting! Jay has my thanks for continuing to post your blog and our comments - Rockin Rich said it well. We are indebted to you John and thanks a million for keeping us all sane!
- February 7, 2008 at 9:25 AM
- GinaV24 said...
Congratulations, JD. Well-deserved recognition for all your hard work and thanks for giving all of us NASCAR fans a place to talk about the issues that so many other people ignored for so long. A place for the fans to have a voice! And I'm so glad to hear that you're going to continue in 2008. This made my day.
- February 7, 2008 at 10:12 AM
- Anonymous said...
Congratulations and thank you for letting us share on your blog! Like many other readers, it's one of my first 'stops' when getting online each day.
I'm looking forward to the new additions you're going to implement as well as future topics and reader comments.
Austin, Texas
- February 7, 2008 at 11:18 AM
- Jimmy C said...
Congatulations, JD! You really deserve it. I read your blog pretty much daily, and have come to depend on it.
Thanks for all you do!
- February 7, 2008 at 2:16 PM
- Anonymous said...
Awesome news!
- February 7, 2008 at 6:59 PM
- Jo said...
JD, a well-deserved honor. You've worked hard to make this a place where people can find intelligent discussion, and I'm glad you're being recognized for it. And thanks for keeping the party going.
- February 7, 2008 at 8:03 PM
- Anonymous said...
Does anybody else here think that Ryan Burr on NASCAR Now looks like Herman Munster(check-out the haircut)? He also has the same monotone voice as Herman, I just can't watch him!
- February 7, 2008 at 11:32 PM


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Tuesday, December 18, 2007
InternetTV Fills Off-Season For NASCAR Fans
The email from ESPN was very brief. It simply said there were no plans to air any NASCAR "content" over the winter.
A quick check of the SPEED schedule finds the one hour SPEED Report, where recaps of various NASCAR issues are offered from a news perspective. That is pretty much the extent of SPEED's off-season NASCAR "content."
Over at TNT, every shred of NASCAR "content" is gone from the network. It was gone the second that the final race of the "summer six pack" ended.
In the old days, one might understand that the official "NASCAR TV partners" would not have an interest in re-airing "old" programs or creating retrospective shows right after the NASCAR season was done.
The networks believed that the NASCAR fans had simply had enough, and were "done" until February. They could not be more wrong.
NASCAR TV is alive and well and living on the Internet. With the simple click of a mouse, fans can re-live almost any race and re-visit almost any moment of the 2007 season.
While ESPN, SPEED and NASCAR Images are deep into their corporate denial, this situation is perhaps the worst possible nightmare for the cable TV networks and NASCAR's own production company.
Only several weeks after the three banquets signaled the official close of the season, fans turned their time and effort to the Internet...with incredible results.
With no big cable TV bill, no pre-set program schedules, and absolutely no user rights fees, a single broadband Internet connection into a home computer has made cable TV almost obsolete.
Back on April 22nd, we offered a column entitled "NASCAR Fans Turn To Internet As TV Networks Fail To Deliver." You can read the entire column by clicking on the title.
The idea resulted from a fruitless search of the cable TV networks for any kind of NASCAR highlights the day after a Saturday night race. Then, while writing the column on my personal computer, I just typed "NASCAR Phoenix" into my Google video search engine and entered a whole new world of NASCAR TV.
My highlights were delivered on YouTube.com already edited and voiced-over courtesy of a man named Joe Foster. Other NASCAR video offerings showed whole chunks of the race, and repeated the TV network coverage with commentary included. It was amazing.
Today, just by typing "NASCAR 2007" into YouTube, there are almost three thousand results. Simply typing the word "NASCAR" to see all the online content results in a mind-boggling twenty-nine thousand responses. They range from amateur editors who recap the season to compilations of wrecks or a certain driver's year in review.
Countless other Internet sites from Yahoo! to individual MySpace pages have gotten into the NASCAR TV act by hosting all types of video projects made from the very television footage that NASCAR Images guards like Fort Knox when TV producers come calling. Yahoo! Sports alone has over one hundred NASCAR videos online.
This is a very dangerous time for the NASCAR TV partners, and here is the reason why. This three month period is the first "off-season" since the new NASCAR TV contract began. Needless to say, many fans feel that they were "under served" by the efforts of this NASCAR TV "gang of four."
With the continued reluctance of NASCAR and its TV partners to adapt the side-by-side TV commercial format, more and more fans are using their DVR's, TiVo's and computer hard drives to record the races and then skip through the myriad of commercials and promos. In essence, the "thrill" of watching live racing is being slowly removed by the TV networks themselves.
Ultimately, NASCAR races become no more than tape-delayed highlight reels, and completely lose the thrill of the live excitement and the breath-taking speed that brought the sport to the TV forefront to begin with. What an interesting situation.
Over at Jayski.com, the ESPN NASCAR videos sit frozen in time. David Spade from the Cup Banquet. The slow parade of Chasers in their show cars creeping through New York's Times Square. Jimmie Johnson with Kenny Mayne. The story tells itself, ESPN has moved-on to other sports that are still "in-season."
When February comes around, the danger is clear. What is going to be the appeal for the fans to return to more of the same bad TV? Brent Musburger at his podium. Suzy Kolber and Brad Daugherty talking basketball. Only seeing the winner finish the race. A tired Dave Despain on INC reading his tired script. NASCAR Now...still in Connecticut.
In 2008, the "TV boys" will have to present a very strong case for NASCAR fans to give up their NASCAR.com and YouTube and Sirius/MRN/PRN habits. With NASCAR.com offering all the races online, YouTube offering an almost instant "turn-a-round" of the highlights, and online radio offering live race commentary and talk, where do ESPN/ABC, SPEED/Fox, and good old TNT fit into the picture?
If the pressure was on the NASCAR TV partners and NASCAR Images in 2007 to offer an exciting view of the sport on TV, imagine how much more there will be after lower TV ratings, angry fans, and an exasperated sanctioning body.
Meanwhile, ESPN Classic is on-the-air right now with outstanding December fare like the 1995 Peach Bowl and the 2005 World Series of Poker. To add insult to injury, that network is just beginning a look back at classic NHRA races of the past. 11AM Eastern Time...for your DVR.
Brain France recently mentioned SPEED as a TV partner that he would like to see develop more original programming with his production company, NASCAR Images.
Instead, this off-season SPEED has hidden behind endless re-airs of American Thunder, PINKS, Unique Whips, Redline TV and the classic Super Bikes...where no one wears their helmet while "stunting."
The Jayski.com countdown clock to the Daytona 500 says 60 days. That's two more months for millions of NASCAR fans to get even more...computer literate.
The Daly Planet welcomes comments from readers. Simply click on the COMMENTS button below, or email email@example.com if you wish not to be published. Please review the rules for posting on the right side of the main page before adding your comment. Thanks again for taking the time to stop by.
30 comments:
- Kathy said...
NASCAR fans are resourceful and will determine for themselves what is a satisfactory presentation of the sport they love.
Being forced to watch the races on ESPN in 2007 was like being forced to wear a fine pair of shoes in a size that was too small...the possibilities were so great but the reality was painful.
- December 18, 2007 at 10:39 PM
- Erik said...
I'm sure NASCAR fans would want to watch the race on a postage stamp sized window on their computer, rather than on their 50" HD flat panel TV they got for Christmas. The Internet is great for highlights and provides a wealth of information at your fingertips, but for live race action in HD, there is only one source.
Also, I am waiting for my daily Baseball Tonight fix. But alas, its not there!! And no baseball on ESPN Classic too! Could it be its the offseason? I'm not sure why this should be any different.
- December 18, 2007 at 11:55 PM
- SophiaZ123 said...
I have decided that I am enjoying free time from the &$#&^$&^@ TV all day on the weekends.
I do NOT miss ESPN RUINING QUALIFYING and PRATICE, nor their butchered up, poorly directed, horrible camera and embarrassing lack of follow up during the races.
There has not been anything on tv, as you mentioned John.
I will watch the first half of the season and when PeeSPN takes over, will hopefully find MRN locally or just stop watching and get the highlights on SPEED REPORT, VL and INC.
I have decided it's been wonderful not complaining ENDLESSLY about dreadful, putrid coverage.
NASCAR does not care what the fans want. BRIAN FRANCE does not care what the fans want.
ESPee U has NO CLUE WHAT the fans want, and all the above pats themselves on the back for the 'great year' in NASCAR.
I have also gotten in the habit of watching old tv shows on DVD from the library.
I truly am NOT going to sit thru COMMERCIAL SATURATED NASCAR RACES just because NASCAR says 'it's expensive' to produce the sport. If FOX over does the commercials, I will tape the races and catch up later.
The TV coverage got too bad for me to care.
Only thinking of the guys on FOX and SPEED makes me want to watch again but even on those stations, if the influx of commercials continues like 2007, I am finding a new hobby.
- December 18, 2007 at 11:59 PM
- Anonymous said...
Happily, I had the foresight to tape many of the classic races they used to show on ESPN Classic, so I can just grab a DVD and watch races from places like North Wilkesboro or The Rock. It also reminds me, watching and listening to the old broadcasts without all the bells and whistles, that Fox only looks good in comparison to what ESPN gives us. It's a shame that so many of us are willing to give Fox high marks for race coverage, when they really aren't much of an improvement, overall. Seeing the races without all the graphics, tickers, ads, and coverage of more than the top 10 in the field really brings home to me how bad ALL the coverage is. A shining example, to me, of how bigger is definitely not better.
- December 19, 2007 at 6:17 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
You bring up a great point that was omitted from the column. Most of the HDTV sets now on the market simply permit the computer tower to be plugged in directly to the HDTV monitor.
Suddenly, the 50" screen is now a full-size color computer monitor. This is one of the top selling points for NASCAR.com, who quietly indicated that they will have all the online races, their own pre and post-race show, and are considering making the Busch and Truck Series races free to view.
There will be more about the conflict between NASCAR.com and the NASCAR TV partners in an upcoming column.
While your baseball problem will be fixed shortly with MLB starting their own cable network, the MLB.com site actually offers a specific "off-season video package" that is is promoted as "live baseball until the start of the 2008 season."
So, it seems NASCAR is not the only sport that has turned to the Internet once the TV networks have "decided" the season is over.
- December 19, 2007 at 8:50 AM
- glenc1 said...
I do believe there's probably something of a market, particularly for some of the racing that occurs in the off season (dirt and off road, etc.). But as to NASCAR-specific programming--our season is so long that frankly, by November I need a break from good OR bad coverage, and December and January are football months for me. (And then I'm all into Daytona, and ready for the new season.) A weekly half hour news show to catch up would be nice. I would never bother watching anything on the Internet other than a few minutes of an interview or something. I'm just not that obsessed...I'd rather the networks use the off-time to vastly improve their coverage, but I'm not holding my breath, lol. I'm not sure I like the idea of the networks *deciding* that for me...but on the other hand, I guess I assume (dangerous, I know) that they've actually researched what kind of numbers they would get. And I'm just not sure what kind of 'original' programming we would get. What new stories could they tell? If it would be more of what we already have, I would not bother (and yes, that goes for FOX and Speed, not just ESPN.)
- December 19, 2007 at 9:00 AM
- Anonymous said...
What a sad state of affairs our NASCAR fans are in isn't it?
When I read the above comments I feel bad that this wonderful, fun and interesting sport has really come to this state. Does NASCAR really care about any of us? Maybe?
I too have found after watching and devoting every weekend for the past 9 yrs. to races that this past year was a huge disappointment. I too found myself using my DVR and skipping through the BS. I love FOX's telecasts and announcing crews. TNT was ok and ESPN was just simply awful. But…SPEED is the best.
I don't know the solution to our problem but hope that NASCAR is looking into fixing it. I personally wrote them a letter stating my feelings and hope more did that too. I know they are aware of the problem but a contract is a contract and they probably can't help us as the money is just too good for them. Sad.
SophiaZ123 said... she might have to find a new hobby……..what???? I sincerely hope she doesn't really mean that. Giving up means the networks & NASCAR wins and we all lose.
Thank you John for the great and insightful columns you provide to all of us and I hope you continue in 2008. Merry Christmas to all and a safe and healthy New Year!
NASCAR Fan from FL
- December 19, 2007 at 9:34 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
The InternetTV issue is one that is coming to the forefront like a speeding train.
It is somehow ironic that Turner, who produced five of the worst TV races this season, is at the helm of all of NASCAR's online TV product without any oversight from the sanctioning body.
While Turner Interactive is a different division from TNT, eventually they all come under the same corporate umbrella.
My feeling is that this racing season, we may see NASCAR Countdown and the NASCAR on Fox pre-race show going head-to-head with not only RaceDay, but NASCAR.com's live pre-race show as well.
It is a classic case of technolgy battling, broadcast network TV vs. cable TV vs. InternetTV. It should be interesting.
- December 19, 2007 at 10:12 AM
- Speedcouch said...
John wrote:
In essence, the "thrill" of watching live racing is being slowly removed by the TV networks themselves.
Truer words were never spoken, John! Since Fox came on board in 2001, they've managed to ruin a lot of my enjoyment of races because of their need to make the announcers the focus more than the racing. Plus the attitude by all the current networks about not showing drivers unless their sponsors also buy commercial time during the broadcast. We all heard that Fox/NBC/TNT planned to only "mention money' long before they started showing the races, but it's still so disappointing to see such greed ruin the races for the viewers.
- December 19, 2007 at 10:13 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
I cannot tell you how this issue has dominated the past six months. The entire "electronic coverage" dynamic of NASCAR racing is just rocking right now, and it has been brought on by the poor performance of the final two TV partners, TNT and ESPN.
Some people just do not understand, but NASCAR fans are not going to tolerate missing the morning Sprint Cup practices and having their other practices, qualifying, and Happy Hour coverage destroyed by college football. Remember, one Busch Series race was totally dumped from all of the ESPN networks by football while the pre-race invocation was in-progress.
The backlash from the fans has been to seek other viewing alternatives and this time...they exist. When ESPN wakes up to the fact that fans can use NASCAR.com to eliminate all the logistical bungling of the network, it might be too late to get them back.
- December 19, 2007 at 10:36 AM
- Anonymous said...
but for live race action in HD, there is only one source.
You mean Fox? True.
Thanks! See you at Daytona.
- December 19, 2007 at 11:15 AM
- Trucker said...
John, I have been a long time NASCAR fan. I missed a lot of action when ESPN had it the first time around. But now that we have "cable/satelite" I can see all the races.
I have Direct tv, and had planed on getting the "hotpass" but instead got a sirius radio, and am installing it to-day.
Thanks for the great coverage this year
and hope you and all your readers have Happy Holidays
- December 19, 2007 at 11:45 AM
- Anonymous said...
Thanks for the column today. I don't spend a lot of time on the Internet looking for videos and whatnot to watch but now that I know all of the races are available, I'll be indulging a little bit.
Like many other viewers, one of my biggest pet peeves is when the networks fail to show practice and qualifying due to other programming issues. It's especially nice when I set the recording unit to do it's thing only to come home and find that I got an hour of crap not related to racing at all and totally missed practice or qualifying. What's even nicer is when they don't show the pre-race ceremony, including the flyover. Talk about a huge slap in the face for our military....not to mention the ultra-patriotic fans that paid good money to be at the racetrack and the many fans that took time out of their schedule to sit down and watch the race at home.
I'll continue to utilize TrackPass next season so I can listen to my driver and his guys on the scanner and while I will have the race on, I will DVR it so I can watch it again and skip all of the gunk.
- December 19, 2007 at 12:45 PM
- Busch Series Fan said...
Well my son came in 295th in the 2005 WSOP so I don't mind watching that however I refuse to watch Pinks, Baker Auto Auction (or whatever it's called) and other shows on Speed. I dig out those old vcr tapes with 10 year old Busch races on them and I'm happy as a clam! Merry Christmas
- December 19, 2007 at 1:47 PM
- SophiaZ123 said...
Fan in FL let me clarify my "Hobby statement".
I meant I am NOT going to sit thru the TV RUBBISH for 4 hrs to see a plethora of commercials.
NASCAR is TOO ARROGANT to go the side by side route.
Also with all do respect to Mike Joy who is answering questions this week and the team in the booth at Fox, I loathe and detest all the crapy on the screen, the tickers, excess graphics.
They (AND OTHER STATIONS, not singling out FOX) could quickly show replays of the incidents on the track without showing a MOVING SWIRLING sound effect BEFORE the replay, and playing the same MOVING SWIRLYING GRAPHIC as they go back to the race, we could see more racing.
one second on TV is a lot of time. Get rid of the crappy excess junk on the screen.
I also agree ALL STATIONS could learn from CLASSIC races on ESPN FROM EARLIER years.
No ticker, not HUGE STATION LOGOS, no moving graphics...JUST THE CARS, just the racing, just TALK about the racing...I don't need to hear about somebody's fishing trip unless it's under a long caution, red flag or rain delay.
WHile Fox is much better than ESPN, compared to the days before FOX IN GENERAL RUINED ALL SPORTS with the EXCESS GRAPHICS VIRUS, they are by far NOT great when it comes to VISUALS on the screen.
Also, like the draft tracker, I also HATED FOX's 'little animated cars' on the track.
The fans DO NOT WANT THAT.
Just SHOW Us the cars on the track.
Talk about ALL 43 drivers.
Just tell us DETAILS on the race.
I will gladly sit in the car and LISTEN TO THE RADIO in the new season than lie on the couch and GRIPE about the putrid coverage or graphics overkill.
My LOVE of the sport is not going anywhere.
But if NASCAR thinks because THEY APPROVE of the GLUT of commercials, that I am going to sit thru HOURS Of it all. They have another thing coming.
At LEAST on FOX you can TAPE THE RACE.
IMPOSSIBLE to do ON PEeSPN who DISRESPECTS the sport and hisses off the fan with CHANNEL ROULETTE. CR makes it IMPOSSIBLE to leave the house and tape or DVR the race.
They move the race on a whim and the fact BRIAN FRANCE allows this is criminal to the sport and adds to the erosion of the ratings.
But BF and NASCAR are so busy counting their money, they do not care.
Sorry to be such a scrooge but those are the facts.
I will sight see during the races while listening to MRN "paint better pictures in my mind" than the lack of decent camera work.
ALSO I hope Fox decides to show ALL CARS FINISHING THE RACES, and not just at DAYTONA.
Off soapbox,
- December 19, 2007 at 4:04 PM
- Anonymous said...
JD, you talk about connecting a computer to a TV, but no matter how nice your HDTV is, the video WILL NOT BE IN HD. A compressed online live feed like the one from NASCAR.com will look horrible a big screen HDTV. NASCAR.com or youtube.com do not provide ANY HD video. Right now, you can barely find any HD content online and none of it is LIVE. Sure the online video provides a nice off-season service, but it can not replace live HDTV.
- December 19, 2007 at 4:44 PM
- Anonymous said...
SophiaZ123 said...
They (AND OTHER STATIONS, not singling out FOX) could quickly show replays of the incidents on the track without showing a MOVING SWIRLING sound effect BEFORE the replay, and playing the same MOVING SWIRLYING GRAPHIC as they go back to the race, we could see more racing.
December 19, 2007 4:04 PM
Now you talking about getting rid of transitions??? come on. now your just nitpicking. those "MOVING SWIRLYING GRAPHIC" transitions are not there just for fun. They have a purpose. They keep the transition from LIVE to replay video smooth so you know whats going on. Without those transitions you might not be able to tell the difference between live video and a replay.
- December 19, 2007 at 4:50 PM
- Anonymous said...
SophiaZ123 said...
I will sight see during the races while listening to MRN "paint better pictures in my mind" than the lack of decent camera work.
December 19, 2007 4:04 PM
I don't understand that statement. The pictures form the NASCAR images crew, which operates the cameras all season long, were great. what was wrong with them?
- December 19, 2007 at 4:54 PM
- SophiaZ123 said...
R u Serious?
Was talking about the ESPU coverage..they missed HALF the action on the track.
Not Fox's cameras, nor SPEED. And at least the boys in the booth at fox CARE about engine issues, and wrecks and give follow ups.
You obviously were not on this blog or watching ESPN on tv. Camera direction stank.
Majority agreed MRN coverage better than watching anyway and gives run down of where drivers are on the track.
Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what I meant by my statement.
p.s. TRANSISTIONS in the old races was less fussy and folks figured out the REPLAY from the LIVE. :-)
I hate anons w/o names. THEY like to just pick on others. ;-0
- December 19, 2007 at 5:01 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
I am kind of missing the HD thing. I completely understand that the Internet video is not HD.
The discussion was both the lack of any long form (30 min. or more) programming in Nov-Jan on the NASCAR TV networks, and the conflict between cable TV and the Internet.
Hopefully, ESPN will find a way to put the first practice either on ESPN Classic or make it available to NASCAR.com for iTV broadcast.
The other conflict that we just finished was the over-run of live college football on Saturdays into qualifying, Happy Hour, and the Busch Series races.
I am sorry if you felt I overlooked HD as a production issue, or course it is. With both the in-car feeds and also Hot Pass that way, NASCAR is truly an all HDTV dream. When SPEED finishes their roll-out, it will be lots of fun.
Thanks again for all the good comments.
- December 19, 2007 at 5:08 PM
- Anonymous said...
SophiaZ123 said...
Camera direction stank.
December 19, 2007 5:01 PM
Thank you for the clarification. I thought you were referring to camera operation, when in fact you referring to directing. There were issues with camera direction.
SophiaZ123 said...
I hate anons w/o names. THEY like to just pick on others. ;-0
December 19, 2007 5:01 PM
I don't think that is true. I merely stated my opinion and asked a question.
- December 19, 2007 at 5:11 PM
- SophiaZ123 said...
Glad I clarified things anon.
sorry if I sounded cranky. Not having a good day...didn't mean to take it out on somebody on this blog.
I appreciate what JD has here.
Yes the IMAGES are fine, it's the musical chairs of camera direction..and the director needs to go back to music school. :-)
Course, if you never played that game, perhaps you don't get my humor.
I think I am showing my age 'membering musical chairs!
Listening to a radio legend who will sign off FOR GOOD in two more days.
Sigh...No NASCAR until Feb and now no more local afternoon radio...sorry if I was a jerk.
I need some SUNSHINE.
Soph in gloomy Ohio
(that's my excuse and I am sticking to it!)
- December 19, 2007 at 5:26 PM
- darbar said...
With the writers strike and all the insipid "reality" shows taking over, this would have been a great time for ANY network to bring on some Nascar programming. I don't care if it was Craftsman Trucks, Nationwide or Sprint, producing some new race-related programming could have been a ratings winner. Now, we're stuck with mindless stupidity, reruns or sports that I don't give a darn about.
Hey, why doesn't someone at Nascar wake up and start a Nascar Network? We have the Big 10 Network, NHL Channel (and everyone knows how bad the ratings are for hockey, but they still have their own channel), Golf Channel and now the Tennis Channel, so why doesn't some intelligent person start a racing channel? And by that I mean, a channel that is all racing and not an excuse to show airheads with life-threatening fake breasts (aka Nopi)or really stupid shows like Unique.
- December 19, 2007 at 5:30 PM
- GinaV24 said...
Like the rest of you, I was really disappointed in the coverage by the "contracted" TV services, especially TNT and ESPN. It isn't exciting to watch a race that is constantly being interrupted by commercials OR by the broadcast teams who are hyping other things than the race itself. I have used NASCAR's trackpass for several years to follow "my" driver on the scanner. I tried the raceview function and didn't like it -- I'm going to upgrade my computer for christmas and that may help it work better. Otherwise, I listen to the races on MRN or Sirius because quite honestly the telecast is a waste of time. I cannot believe that there isn't any off-season NASCAR programming scheduled on ANY of the TV stations that cover it during the regular season. I enjoy Speed, but I don't watch any of the shows, such as Pinks, that are on as they don't appeal to me. I wrote to NASCAR and I copied my letter to the owners of the teams such as Penske, Hendrick, Gibbs, etc. telling them that they need to pay attention to the product being delivered to the fans or there won't be anyone left to pay the money to watch the races.
- December 19, 2007 at 5:44 PM
- SophiaZ123 said...
Heck, even the Cincy Reds has the HOT STOVE LEAGUE once a week for those baseball fans to listen to in the winter.
Yes, with the input of endless "Fake reality show" this would've been another prime season for some NASCAR interviews with different drivers. Maybe even (Gasp, dare I say it, drivers who did not make the chase and over age 35 !!) A well done show with interviews, by say Wendy...I would watch.
She could make an interview with a driver painting his living room seem interesting.
- December 19, 2007 at 6:07 PM
- Anonymous said...
JD at 5:08 PM,
The reason why I bring up HDTV is because it sounds like you may be thinking of Internet TV as a replacement to the regular coverage (you mentioned Internet TV/network TV competition not in the off-season, but during the season). I don't think such a replacement is possible due to major differences in quality and HDTV.
- December 19, 2007 at 6:51 PM
- Richard in N.C. said...
Since it is the off-season, I guess I just imagined that I just listened to a 1 hour Hot-Stove League baseball show on 1530AM from Cincinnati.
Maybe racing fans have as much "off-season" interest as baseball fans?
- December 19, 2007 at 7:08 PM
- Anonymous said...
During the off season a group of us Michael Waltrip fans like to get together on the Nascar.com forum page on Mikey's site, well lets say we used to. A member left a prayer on Jeff Gordons site for another poster and the moderator didn't like how religious it was and removed it and then under pressure he reinstated it with some words taken out, in protest a bunch of us have left the Nascar forum and started a new web site at Yahoo, Nascar is all about God and American and for them to do this is really bad and someone needs to look into it, its a sad day when a poster can't write a prayer to someone in need.
- December 19, 2007 at 8:09 PM
- Newracefan said...
The lack of Nascar programming is causing a great financial burden in my home. I keep going shopping cause there is nothing to watch. Please I'll even take reruns of old shows. I'll have to check out the internet maybe I'll find them there. Nascar needs to work with Speed (my preferred network) to establish more Nascar programming that can continue during the off season. Again, Real Deal 30 minute version, I would love to see what goes on in the shop during the off season or at different race tracks.
The Fox races next season will be interesting for me. Last year I only listened to Trackpass for my drivers in car but after TNT and ESPN I was using Trackpass, Racetrax, Live leader Board (liked the old version much better), and JD's Blog. At the end I was getting more information from the internet than from the TV.
- December 19, 2007 at 8:24 PM
- Busch Series Fan! said...
Why can't ESPN go into their Nascar library and pull up some old cup or even Busch races to broadcast during the winter. The graphics aren't up to the standards we are currently used to but it would be fun to watch old DW, Earnhardt, Petty and all the great racing and rivalries.
- December 20, 2007 at 9:50 AM


text:
Local candidates for the state Legislature and Kent County Levy Court sparred Tuesday night over how best to get children back to learning core knowledge that will enable them to pass any test, how to create economic incentives for businesses that bring jobs to Kent County and how to reduce crime.
Local candidates for the state Legislature and Kent County Levy Court sparred Tuesday night over how best to get children back to learning core knowledge that will enable them to pass any test and how to create economic incentives for businesses that bring jobs to Kent County.
Continued farmland preservation, best animal control practices and responsive constituent services were also among the quality of life issues discussed during brief debates held by GateHouse Media Delaware and the Dover Post at Caesar Rodney High School. Dover Post Executive Editor Jesse Chadderdon, who oversees five other Gatehouse newspapers, served as moderator.
Senate District 15
Republican incumbent Sen. Dave Lawson, Democrat Kathleen Cooke and Independent Catherine R. Samardza squared off for the 15th Senate District race, where all agreed that constituent services were paramount to public service. But they had different takes on how to approach the education riddle.
Cooke, a teacher in the Smyrna School District, said standardized tests had their place in education. But students were being tested too much – four times a year, she said. In addition, Cooke said people needed to get away from the notion that everyone needed to go to college. That was the intended purpose of trade and vocational schools, which had gotten away from that mandate in order to recruit academic students, she said
"There are a lot of students at Polytech High School, but you need a 3.0 GPA to go there," Cooke said. "People say it's a private school."
Lawson said he disagreed with making teachers "teach to the test."
"That doesn't accomplish anything," he said. "If our children were learning what we used to learn, they could pass any test."
Samardza added that some realism was needed in public schools today. She agreed that college was not for everybody.
"It's not that they're not smart enough for college," she said. "But, when was the last time you needed an MBA? When was the last time you called a plumber?"
The 15th District candidates differed more sharply on the issue of the federal Race to the Top initiative thrust upon local schools. Lawson called it "waste to the top" and another example of over regulation by an increasingly intrusive government.
Samardza said the jury was still out as far as she was concerned when it came to putting public schools under observation by the state and the feds.
Cooke said it was stressful to be put under the microscope. But she said the extra money that was being pumped into schools had provided additional training for teachers.
All of the candidates in this race and others agreed that the state's farmland preservation efforts had done a good job, for the most part, in preserving land from suburban sprawl.
Senate District 16
In the 16th Senate District race, Republican incumbent State Sen. Colin Bonini was unable to attend, but Independent Michael Tedesco took some time to criticize the incumbent as he introduced himself to debate attendees. He said Bonini had run on a platform that included term limits 18 years ago, yet he was still serving in the State Senate.
Education is very important to him since he and his wife have three young children, Tedesco said. He said schools should go back to grouping kids by ability when appropriate, as opposed to lumping everyone together and making more advanced children suffer as a result.
He told voters that a vote for him would not be wasted since he was the only opponent facing Bonini.
House District 29
The 29th House District also did not feature a debate as Republican incumbent Rep. Lincoln Willis was unable to attend. Democratic challenger Charles W. Paradee took the opportunity to introduce himself as a native of Kent County who graduated from the University of Delaware and came back to the community he loved.
Paradee said he was a hard worker who would not miss any votes in the Legislature, referring to a few bills Willis was absent from. His platform includes tax incentives that allow the business community to create more jobs and investing more in technical education.
House District 31
In the 31st Representative District, Republican challenger Sam Chick was unable to attend, and Democratic incumbent State Rep. Darryl Scott took the time to extol his legislative record that created scholarships for students, tax incentives to attract new businesses to Delaware and fighting for jobs south of the C&D Canal and in Kent County.
"Government doesn't create jobs; we simply create an environment that fosters jobs," he said.
Senate District 17
State Sen. Brian Bushweller (D-17th District) is unopposed in his bid for re-election, leaving him with mixed feelings. It was a blessing in that he did not have to deal with the daily pressure of a race, Bushweller said. But, it was a curse in that it would be easy for him to become complacent, he said. He chose to continue on with old fashioned, shoe leather campaigning and door knocking, thereby putting pressure on himself.
Bushweller pledged to keep sunset provisions in place for state taxes that had been raised to help the state through a difficult economic time – unless a compelling reason led him to do otherwise.
House District 32
In the 32nd Representative District, Democratic candidate Andria Bennett was unable to attend due to a prior commitment. Republican candidate Ellis Parrott said he was running because he was concerned about the future of his children and grandchildren in America. The state of Delaware does not have the right leadership in place, he said. And as a state judge for 25 years he understood the various problems people faced. The former Dover Police officer pledged to improve police investigations of crime. He also proposed a minor co-pay for the one out of every four people in the state on Medicaid.
House District 34
In the 34th Representative District, Democrat Ted Yacucci said he wanted to address the highest-in-the-state water and sewer rates and lack of open accounting by the Camden Wyoming Water & Sewer Authority and episodes of "brown-water" that plagued the same residents. He also wants to protect Barclay Farms and other Delaware manufactured homeowners from unjustified land-rent increases. As for education, Yacucci said the Caesar Rodney School District needed to create its own talented & gifted programs so that it would not lose students to the Capital School District and elsewhere.
Republican incumbent State Rep. Don Blakey, a former Caesar Rodney administrator, said all of the students in the CR district were talented and gifted, and the district had the second lowest amount of students being lost to charter schools in the state. And he would fight against school district consolidation to preserve CR's identity.
Blakey said he would continue to be an effective, full time legislator with six years experience in the state Legislature and 10 years experience as a commissioner for Kent County Levy Court. He also said he would work to bring jobs to Kent County that benefited the bedroom communities of Camden and Wyoming. There are jobs out there, but people do not have the technical background necessary for them, he said. That would require providing education for them at the school district or university level.
Independent Doug Beatty said he represented an independent voice voters could elect to office. One thing he had going for him was the fact that he "was too stupid" and actually felt he could go to the Legislature and effect real change, Beatty said. Plus, he was not beholden to any party machine and could truly represent the people. And, he too wanted to ensure police did a better job of investigating crime, citing the unsolved murder of his friend six years ago in his neighborhood.
Nonetheless, Beatty said he had nothing bad to say about his opponents and that the people of the 32nd District would be fine with any of the three candidates.
Levy Court District 5
To conclude the night, Kent County Levy Court Commissioner George "Jody" Sweeney, a Democrat, and Libertarian Andrew Cronk had a cordial debate in the race for District 5. Republican challenger Kevin McCarthy was unable to attend.
Cronk, 22, said this was his first foray into politics and his first debate. He was running in order to be a voice for the people and, if nothing else, to at least influence the outcome of the race.
Sweeney asked voters to support him based on his record, not his potential. That included leading the county to award its dog control contract to Safe Haven in Georgetown, Sussex County after the Kent County SPCA requested a nearly 50 percent increase in funding for its contract to $1.3 million without explaining in detail the need for an increase or its operating style.
"That's not my money to spend," he said. "We negotiated with them for five months."
Cronk agreed with Kent County's move to Safe Haven, which he lauded as a no kill, green organization. He also said the 13 jobs that the Kent County SPCA lost were negated for the most part to a net loss of three employees because Safe Haven had hired 10 Kent County employees.
In all, Sweeney said the county was in great shape after reducing its operating budget from $29.5 million to $22.5 million in the last four years. And county staff was reduced from 325 to 283, he said.
"Two years ago, we decreased the property tax rate and the library tax rate and gave those back to the taxpayers. Don't look at me for what I can do but for what I've done."


text:
H.W. of Cedar Key writes, "You've been writing about golf carts lately, but I have a beef about another kind of nuisance on the roadways... bicycles. There's this guy who rides his bicycle about in the middle of the road all the time and I'm tired of it. Isn't he supposed to get out of MY way, not the other way around? Who has the right-of-way on State Road 24 coming into town...my car or his bike?"
Dear H. W.,
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text:
So, I'm driving home from Target and suddenly there are these lights behind me. I look in my rearview mirror and see a cop weaving around cars trying to get...where is he trying get? Is he trying to get to an emergency? I move to the side to let him pass. He doesn't pass. He gets on his loudspeaker (probably because he likes to hear himself talk) and says, "Driver, move to your right up ahead." What? He's pulling ME over? What did I do? I actually wasn't speeding
"License and insurance card," the officer, who looked like he was eighteen, said.
"Hi to you too! Beautiful weather we're having, huh? Not into general pleasantries and small talk, I see. Okay then," I rambled as I searched for my cards.
"I stopped you because you rolled through that stop sign back there," he said. I snapped my head around to look at him and opened my mouth to tell him he's an idiot and that I've never rolled through a stop sign in my life. Speeding - yes. Rolling through stop signs, cutting people off, tailgating, failing to wear a seatbelt - never! I somehow managed to clamp my mouth shut and say nothing as I started searching for my insurance card. He looked on as I thrust my cards at him, all the while clenching my jaw and biting my tongue.
I bent over to clean up the stuff I'd tossed out of my purse while looking for my license and muttered under my breath, "I did NOT roll through that stop! He's full of crapOhYou'reStillThere," I finished as I straightened up and saw the officer with way too much hair gel still standing at my window. Oops.
"You know, I usually just give a warning for stuff like this, but after that comment, I'm going to give you a citation when I go back and review the video."
He walked away. Me and my darn mouth. Just never know when to shut up. But I seriously did not roll through the stop. Wait, did he say "video"? It's on videotape? YES! He'll see that I did nothing wrong! But he'll probably still write me a ticket because I said he was full of crap. Darn mouth!
A few minutes later, he walked back to my car, unceremoniously handed me my license and insurance card and mumbled, "I can admit when I'm wrong." With that, he turned on his heal and left.
Oh yeah! I'm innocent! I'm right and he's wrong! I'm awesome! He probably just pulled me over so he could check me out. Yeah, that's it. He thought I looked hot driving by and tried to think of a good reason to stop me. I'm sure that's it! My happy dance was interrupted by a text from Jackson, who was at home, that read, "Ha ha, you were pulled over! Are you going to jail?" Boy, news travels fast!
When I got home, I realized that the officer forgot to give me back my insurance card. I searched through my purse where I'd put my license. I dumped my purse out and double-checked everything. Grrr, he forgot it! I toyed with the idea of speeding around town and blowing off stop signs in an effort to flag him down, but opted to call the police department instead.
I explained to the officer on the phone what had happened and that the officer who was WRONG about my blowing off a stop sign, FAILED to return my proof of insurance. He asked me, "Are you certain you don't have it?" Ummm yeah. That's why I'm calling. Duh. He got in touch with the cop who had pulled me over and called me back. The officer insisted that he'd returned my card. I gave up and decided to just call my insurance company and ask for a copy.
About an hour later, I drove Austin to his baseball game. Know what I saw in my glove box? Where I put it. Where it's supposed to be. Yeah. But unlike the officer, I can't admit when I'm wrong. What? It's MY blog!