Reid had been with the network since 1982, calling NASCAR
Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Truck Series racing, along with the IZOD IndyCar Series
and NHRA drag racing. He committed a major gaffe two weeks ago at Kentucky Speedway,
calling Ryan Blaney as the Nationwide race winner one lap before the checkered
flag was set to fly. Bestwick anchored Saturday's race at Dover, with a spokesperson
saying the network is “going in a different direction.”
There is no word on whether Reid will continue as lead
announcer for ESPN’s IndyCar broadcasts.
I would have to say that there is more to it than this one incident. Marty has been around a long long time as a respected announcer in 5 different racing series. Maybe this was just an excuse to "change directions"? I watched that race, he corrected himself immediately, and Lord knows the Waltrip Brothers make numerous mistakes per broadcast.
ReplyDeleteAndi, WOW Not until I read YOUR reply did I read where Marty corrected himsefl, immediately. Is this ageism maybe? Just lost more respect for ESPN though today's talking heads make me sick on ALL the channels. :(
DeleteI agree many others have made mistakes or put foot in mouths on the air. Wonder what 'the rest of the story is' here.
Time to shrink the budgets as ESPN loses NASCAR. If ESPN had used the ABC neworks for NASCAR instead of paid infomercials on them not only would theur ratings have been higher, but they could have complimented NASCAR. Instead they lose to NBC and it can't happen fast enough. Buh bye ESPN.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Andi, there was more too this then just one tiny mistake like calling the winner a lap early, and didn't Ryan win the race anyway?
ReplyDeleteThere are two types of people that cover sports announcing. There's the ones that were assigned the sport by their employer and by all means possible learn to embrace the sport, understand it and even become some of the sports biggest fans by default. Then we have traditional sporting enthusiasts that share a passion for the sport in which they cover. Marty always struck me as someone who loved racing. All forms. In this era of political correctness it's difficult to clearly understand a networks logic and or loyalty. Marty I wish you all the best and thank you for being a fan first and educating the public on motorsports.
ReplyDeletei agree, as grandpappy used to say; thar`s a yankee in th` wood pile sumwhars
DeleteI agree, like Andy said prior, the Waltrip Brothers screw up all the time. Marty is a good announcer. I believe the change will be for the better, mainly because Marty is more of a INDY Car and Drag Racing announcer than a NASCAR guy.
ReplyDeleteIn broadcast journalism, is making that kind of mistake then correcting yourself normally a terminable offense? Bestwick is top notch tho. Eric in PA
ReplyDeleteRicky Craven corrected him immediately, not Mr. Reid himself. Best of luck in all future endeavors, but this is a change that needed to happen.
ReplyDeleteWonder if he has a contract with NBC and ESPN didn't care for that.
ReplyDeleteI agree Andi. There is definitely more to the story. I didn't personally care for his style and do prefer Bestwick, but that one minor gaffe can't be the whole story.
ReplyDeleteA quick youtube search for Marty Reid will give you all the information you need to see why they made this move. From adding "Junior" to half the names in any given field, to forgetting Andy Petree's name. I love motorsports as much as anyone, but I talk way too fast to ever get a job in broadcasting. And Mary Reid has way too many mouth fumbles to be the lead announcer. In tribute, Dave, your story should have been about Fox Sports 1 firing Marty Smith, or how ESPN had hired Marty McFly to broadcast its races. I hate to see anyone lose a job, but some people aren't quite cut out for it. I know I'm not perfect, and I know that it's easy to compile a handful of mistakes out of 30 years of broadcasting...but in some situations, it hurts the credibility of the network if the "lead" guy can't seem to say anything correctly.
ReplyDeleteMike Joy makes more gaffes than anyone and he is still working as an announcer.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the Kentucky broadcast, Marty said that it was his last. I assumed he meant last of the season - he mentioned the rest were companion races, so the Cup team would handle. Perhaps he knew it really was his last.
ReplyDeleteThis was much to harsh for the level of gaffes. Any chance that Marty was caught talking to the competition for a job when his contract runs out? Short of an offensive remark or an arrest, that is usually at the root of sudden firings.
ReplyDeleteI really hope Marty doesn't go over to nbc when there deal starts up in 2015. Allan bestwick, Jeff Burton and then idk who could fill the crew chief roll but nbc should come out with a whole new cast of characters jmo
ReplyDeleteKenny Wallace - just saying.
ReplyDelete