i took another step into redneckdom this afternoon, as my television was tuned to fox for 94% of the Daytona 500. That's five scheduled hours of coverage that was extended to 5 1/2 because of the record-tying 11 cautions (racing term), and I'm not going to say I'm proud of myself. However, I'm also not going to say that I'm ashamed of myself.

in general, the television production is outstanding, and the drivers and crew members are accessible and, most importantly, candid. so when jeannie zelasko (how i've missed her for four months) goes to talk to some dude who's just wrecked (racing term) and is out of the race, the driver actually has something to say. this is a huge change from, say, the nfl coach halftime interview, which is always a waste of time. I think NASCAR is to be commended for the fan-friendly emphasis they make with their drivers. (not that this is anything new.) dale earnhardt was interviewed live about 25 minutes before the race and, again, he was on for more than two questions and seemed to have something to say. i'm also oddly riveted by the various on-screen graphics that are used...the throttle-meter, or whatever it's called, is neat. more interesting is the overhead 'pointer' they use on wide angles, essentially taking you through the current running order.

my biggest qualm with the television production is a basically unavoidable one. because they simply have to 'fit commercials in,' it's a fact that they'll miss key moments. they were away at commercial during the wreck that took place at about lap 165 (of 200), and so they cut off the commercial immediately and got to the tail end of the collision. (then, of course, they followed by replaying the eminently interesting driver-spotter conversations that happen, as the spotter tries to steer the driver through the smoke and into the clear. again, neato production, i think.) now, in soccer, they've dealt with the commercial problems with the constant logo graphic and "this action brought to you commercial free by X" drop-in. but, with nascar, everything's already so logo'd up already, there's no way a sponsor would agree to that.

it should be emphasized that, while the tv was on, i wasn't always paying attention. some reading. some mild napping. some cooking. some watching. some phone-talking. but still, it was on.

so, the question becomes: was i riveted enough that i'll follow the season and pick a favorite driver and things of that nature? of course not. (although i have two favorite drivers already: tony stewart, the villain, and kurt busch, the defending champion and certified sarcastic smartass. i'm an awful, awful person, both because i have 'favorite drivers,' and also because i pick villainous favorites.) however, if it's a sunday afternoon in the next month, and my options are big ten game, nba game, golf, and nascar, will nascar get a second look? yes. and if the basketball's over for the day, and it's only golf or nascar, will i choose nascar? probably.