![]() In the Fox production meeting Saturday morning, Harvick noted that the impending rain will force drivers to change their mindsets, stressing that you have to “prepare to be unprepared” because of all the unknowns that the winner will likely come from the first two rows - which ultimately proved prophetic when polesitter Justin Allgaier won and then made an observation that later was emphasized during the pre‐race show. Off camera, though, is where Harvick truly dazzles. “I’ve worked with Joe Buck, and he’s never hit a count like that.” “Oh my god, you nailed (the countdown to commercial),” Kempner said. ![]() His ability to hit a commercial break on cue is so on point that director Artie Kempner immediately offered high praise at one point during a break in the race. He also mixes in humor, taking jabs at himself and those on the crew.Īnd Harvick presents information in a clear, concise manner that makes it sound as if he’s a highly trained broadcaster who’s been in this vocation for years, not someone who does it part‐time. There are no “hot takes” or stating something just to be a contrarian for a driver who has been involved in NASCAR for three decades in a multitude of roles, from championship‐winning driver to team owner to operating an agency that represents an array of notable drivers and sponsors. Harvick presents viewers with candid insights featuring strong opinions backed with evidence as to why he believes what he’s saying. “I don’t think there was any hesitation.” It’s why Miller and Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks long circled Harvick as someone they wanted on their team. Not only because he’s expressed interest in it but also because every time he’s stepped into the booth, he’s impressed. The post-retirement transition into TV for Harvick, regarded as one of NASCAR’s most insightful and knowledgeable drivers, has long felt like a foregone conclusion. ![]() Fox Sports coordinating producer Pam Miller describes Harvick as having that “ it factor.” To the surprise of no one, the 2014 Cup champion has proven that he excels while holding a microphone. Welcome to broadcasting, which Harvick will enter on a full-time basis in 2024 after he retires from NASCAR at the end of the current season. Now comes the heavy lifting as the telecast must tap dance to fill time, putting even more on Harvick’s shoulders. On this day, the task is made all the more complicated because there is almost no on‐track action to break down: The rain eventually comes, and the start of the Xfinity race is indefinitely delayed. Harvick’s duties are akin to that of a point guard who must distribute the ball and keep the offense operating efficiently. The brunt of deciding how to fill time, teeing up Logano and Blaney so they can flourish, and getting the telecast smoothly in and out of commercial breaks is primarily falling on his shoulders. But he’s in the play-by-play role, which brings with it a different set of challenges he’s not faced before. They have plenty of experience being asked questions, providing in-depth responses and navigating the ins and outs of working in front of the camera. That these three have been tabbed to be part of this broadcast makes sense each has participated in the “driver’s only” edition many times and each is commonly utilized by Fox in various capacities for the network’s NASCAR coverage.īut the gloomy forecast presents a unique challenge: With the threat of rain increasing, so does the likelihood they’ll have to fill the air with something other than racing.įor Logano and Blaney, in the role of analysts, this won’t require too much of a divergence from what they’re familiar with. This trio of NASCAR stars is moonlighting as part of Fox’s annual “driver’s only” broadcast, in which every on‐camera role is occupied by a Cup Series driver. But inside the booth, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney are skeptical that the race will happen at all, let alone go off on time.
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