LISTEN: Whats Brewing: WHY ARE WE SCREAMING?
I know, I know, I’m going to get some hate mail on this one I’m sure.
Well, we’re still trying to get the ringing out of our ears from Saturday’s NASCAR Modified Tour season opening broadcast on FloRacing.
So in racing everybody has their preference when it comes to race announcers. Some like a smooth dulcet delivery, others like a little more animation and excitement.
What I’ve never understood in racing is the screamer announcer. The type that sounds like they should be at a monster truck event or selling Ginsu knives on the midway at a local carnival.
You know, the LOUD NOISES type.
LISTEN: Whats Brewing: WHY ARE WE SCREAMING?
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I dunno. I’ve heard screaming announcers who were over the top, obnoxious, and forced, like that guy who called the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Stanley Cup win (https://youtube.com/shorts/GasRGo6g_EA?si=fILDfR-EBO-FutdW). Andy Austin sounds sincere and energetic which combined with a high tenor voice can feel like screaming compared to lower booming announcers like Ben Dodge. Doing a play-by-play is difficult and requires a constant rhythm and I think being amped up is just his way of staying in the zone. As long as he’s accurate and his enthusiasm feels sincere I’m good with it.
Marshall,
I recognize that it’s all about what certain people like. I absolutely understand some people love it. I just think the constant screaming does more to hurt the broadcasts than to help it. Just my opinion. As far as the “As long as he’s accurate” part. There could be a whole other post on some of what was said during the event that was not accurate. Multiple mentions of it being the “40th season” for the series was wrong. It’s the 41st season. I get that NASCAR is doing a “40th Anniversary” promotion, which confuses a lot of people, but the series started in 1985. This season is the 41st season, not the 40th. Saying the Tinio Motorsports team with Chase Dowling will run full-time was inaccurate. Calling Andrew Krause “Trevor Krause” numerous times was inaccurate. Calling Justin Bonsignore the “four-time defending series champion” was inaccurate. He is the defending series champion and a four-time series champion but saying “four-time defending series champion” would mean he’s won the previous four consecutive series titles, which he obviously has not done.
Yeah, I heard Trevor Krause and thought that was weird. The Tinio Motorsports deal I thought I heard as, “It would be great to see Chase Dowling back full-time,” or something like that, but I guess not as accurate as I thought. Still compared to some play-by-play guys who trip over themselves and you wonder if their brain will reboot in time, I think he’s fine.
Marshall,
The exact quote from the broadcast in reference to Dowling and the Tino team was: “They are doing a full campaign and I’m sure a lot of that has to do with how Whelen has stepped up this year with their amazing point fund.”
I do love this new opinion angle from RaceDayCt. The in box full of informative interviews with racing folk and news tidbits but a lot of rumors and opinion pieces as well. Strong opinions on occasion some of which get one fired up. That’s the point of opinion getting the juices flowing the next logical step is offering an alternative view if one disagrees which is the case here….no hate required.
The screaming angle took me aback based on what I absorbed Saturday night. Initially getting a little hot but you know it’s true we all have different tastes when it come to announcers of which there are many styles and they can change over time. Long ago when I first heard Ben Dodge’s mellifluous voice it was a revelation listening to he calm, well informed steady pacing through the race program. 45 years later it’s like finger nails on chalk board. Not the one off NWMT or MMTTS call at the top of his game but a typical full night or racing at Stafford. Sugar coating everything connected with racing like its some life affirming noble cause, the constant repetition of the same catchy phrases intertwined with constant promotion with errors aplenty. I also acknowledge for the vast majority that call is like hearing an old friend. The minute they hear it they know they’re in good hands for the nights racing program.
What I saw Saturday night was great weather, full stands, a good field of cars with any number capable of winning the race and I’d bet great viewership on FloRacing. The race itself very entertaining with all kinds of lead changes and drama including Hirschman’s mechanical issue and black flag response. Bonsignor’s tactical decision to draw out the yellow and take the lesser of the evils in penalties then rally to come back from a lap down to third. With all the talk of a cakewalk for the 51 this season to a championship that may happen but it’s not like he won’t have any competition as Emerling continued his winning ways from last year.
Was that constant screaming we heard, I guess it depends on who’s listening but to me “screaming” hyperbolic in the extreme. The combination of the steady, well informed call of my personal favorite in announcers Joe Coss with the raw emotion of Andy Austin was the perfect combination. An announcer trying to inject energy into what often times can be a boring race sorely needed. A quick search shows Austin to be a veteran of Beech Ridge and Monadnock last year relatively new to the Tour and admitted as much playing to Coss’s experience. A dynamic that played out extremely well as the 60 pitted twice to get tires, then address the leakage issue. With the camera pointed at the 7ny Austin hands off crisply to Coss to explain the pit strategy under the 2 tire per stop rule. The advantage of swapping the left side tires in a two tire stop encapsulated that aspect of race strategy for the viewer perfectly in my view.
As for the race itself my observation is the production values of the Tour product in particular have grown light years in the last couple years. That announcing team for me was perfect, Austin likely to get up to speed on facts if he continues to announce NWMT races. The multi camera, split screen does as good a job of putting the entire race in perspective for any short track streamed race I’ve viewed.
One thing I have not only grown to expect but look forward to is that scamp Mr. Courchesne’s careful examination of even the best tended NWMT garden to find a weed and expose it. I’m only one person that says Andy Austin should not change a thing other then cleaning up some of the facts issues. Oh wait I’m not the only one that likes an Austin call some guy named Pitkat seems to like him as well.
Pitkat A Woody 9/22/24 Facebook post
Absolute electric commentary from Andy Austin last night at Monadnock Speedway.
We have mad love for Andy and what he does for motorsports!
Correction make that two weeds.
RaceDayCt on X
“If you’re playing the NASCAR Modified Tour broadcast drinking game (take a shot every time announcer Andy Austin mentions it’s going to snow in New England), well it’s time to take another shot on lap 107. Think we’re up to five or six shots for this game tonight.”
What escapes me is why anyone would need a game to take another shot.
It is true that annoyed me being reminded of what we’re dealing with while they down south get to get respite in the sun and warmth. On the other hand Austin I believe is from Maine so he’s seen his share of cold weather.