What about Bob

Posted by Iannucci | 7/22/2008 | 9 comments »
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Next up on the schedule for the IndyCar series is one of the few bimergified events, the Rexall Edmonton Indy taking place over yonder in the Great White North. And in the spirit of the unification (or more likely due to the late scheduling of the event) the broadcast team for ESPN will feature a distinctly different lineup.

Out for this weekend is Marty Reid, who along with Jack Arute and Vince Welch will all be covering N-Word related festivities. In Marty’s place will be Bob Jenkins, who has been patiently toiling away in the Indy Lights series, trying desperately to remember the names of the weekly ride buyers.

However, as exciting as it will be hearing the unflappable Jenkins again call IndyCar races, he will still be paired with Proud Canadian Scott Goodyear in the booth. As I mentioned a month ago at this prospect:

Jenkins is the consummate professional who probably should be calling the IndyCar series races anyways, although having him call a race with the Canadian Dry that is Scott Goodyear could turn out to be sleep inducing.
Let’s hope I’m wrong. If you have read the Cheat Sheets then you know it happens a lot, so the odds are good.

Also, former Champ Car newly unified fans should be excited to learn that joining Briene Pedigo in the pits will be none other than Jon Beekhuis. I can’t account for the whereabouts of Rick Benjamin or Michelle Beisner (she might be on the NFL Network), but I can assure you that Rick DeBruhl is safe and sound here in Arizona doing consumer advocacy reports for the local NBC affiliate. No joke.

9 comments

  1. Fred Hurley // July 22, 2008 8:10 AM  

    Jon Beekhuis is a great pit reporter. In an ideal world, I'd have Jon, Jack Arute, and Jamie Little in the pits.

    Actually, this will be an interesting experiment. One of three things will happen:

    1.) Whole broadcast is much better, highlighting that the announcing is a problem.

    2.) Whole broadcast is a little better, highlighting that Scott Goodyear is a millstone about the neck of the whole show. I don't happen to think he's that bad, but you never know.

    3.) Whole broadcast is about the same as always, or (*gasp*) worse, highlighting that by next year, the whole darn thing needs to be seriously evaluated.

    In all seriousness, I think the productions have gotten better in recent weeks, but this weekend will be interesting.

  2. Carrie // July 22, 2008 8:10 AM  

    Speaking of The Root... um, could he be any less, shall we say, politcally correct than he is in this story?

    http://www.indycar.com/news/?story_id=12083

  3. Fred Hurley // July 22, 2008 8:13 AM  

    Carrie, thanks, I hadn't read that.

    Yeah, that was a little ... ummm ... yeah.

    That said, it was an interesting take on Danica.

  4. Iannucci // July 22, 2008 8:33 AM  

    Thanks Carrie - that Arute piece deserved it's own post.

  5. Anonymous // July 22, 2008 11:39 AM  

    It should be Jenkins and Beekhuis in the booth. Jon is top notch and he knows this track and how to call it. (and will make it actually sound like he's excited about being there!)

    Mr. Goodsnooze won't have a fricken clue what's going on out there.
    Can't someone arrange to have him stopped at the border? Seriously...

  6. pressdog // July 22, 2008 11:40 AM  

    OMG. HUGE. I agree with tabernerus, Beekhuis is the shit in the pits. BRING BACK DEREK DALY. I'd most likely pass out. Thank God for DVRs.

  7. Anonymous // July 22, 2008 11:50 AM  

    Bob Jenkins has been covering the IRL on the radio broadcasts (at least last week in Ohio, which I heard via the indycar.com free streaming feed). I can't say much about his coverage, since the radio format of placing individual commentators at different corners and having them trade off to each other every ten seconds doesn't really lend itself to great commentary.

    I'm glad to see a change in the lineup. The F1 coverage on Speed has spoiled me. They have something interesting to say for novice and expert fans alike, while the ABC crew has trouble doing either.

  8. Goose // July 22, 2008 12:08 PM  

    I hope they make a Jon Beekhuis a permanent hire. He'd be a great fit either in the pits or in the booth.

  9. Chuck // July 23, 2008 3:54 PM  

    Well put, Sam. I love how engaged in the race the F1 crew is. I don't feel nearly the level of interest or intensity on the part of the ABC crew for IRL, who pretty much comprise the worst major-league racing series team on TV. Hopefully Bob Jenkins will manage something good. And what about Paul Page?