SPEED TV Hits an All Time Low with NASCAR Smarts

by Steve Wronkowicz

I am co-host of the syndicated radio show: ON PIT ROW. Over ten years on the air and three on the net; see what can happen when I don't let the facts get in the way of my opinions.

February 8, 2009 9:27 am UTC 16 Comments

NASCAR Smarts has to be the worst television game show–no, make that worst television show ever.

Not only were the questions inane; the entire premise and execution of the show looked as if it were thrown together fifteen minutes before air. NASCAR Smarts producers couldn’t keep track of the score properly and the celebrity contestants, which included Kyle Petty and Rutledge Wood, took the entire production as a joke. At one point Petty started soliciting answers from the ever diminishing crowd.

This replacement for Trading Paint, was embarrassing for the fans of NASCAR to watch. Hopefully no one was seeing this show as their first exposure to NASCAR or SPEED because it reinforced every bad stereotype ever associated with the sport. Even the two contestants fit the bill; one a spacey bleach blonde and the other a refuge from overnights at Wally World, rarely had anything to offer.

Lets hope that NASCAR and SPEED put this one out of its misery in a hurry. Whoever thought up this debacle should be made to watch it over and over again non-stop until the end of speedweeks. If this show is supposed to be a farce in the Gong Show image, then make sure there is no doubt that is how it is taken. If, heaven forbid, it is supposed to be a serious game show then start over and take it seriously. The fans that watched it at the race track surely didn’t, as they were seen leaving in droves as the show progressed.

The kindest thing to do is proclaim this show an experiment gone bad and bring back Trading Paint. Hopefully Kyle Petty will disassociate himself from this piece of television garbage.

photo credit: Icon Sports Media

Filed under: Daytona 500, Kyle Petty, NASCAR, NASCAR & the Media, On Pit Row The Fastest Two Hours on Radio, SPEED TV

Tagged with: Kyle Petty, NASCAR Smarts, Rutledge Wood, SPEED TV

Digg This | Save to del.icio.us

Comments

16 Responses to “SPEED TV Hits an All Time Low with NASCAR Smarts”

Jeffro on February 8th, 2009 1:28 pm

Oh yeah, it was terrible! Since when did Paul Newman narrate Cars? He did the voice of Doc Hudson!
SB on February 8th, 2009 4:59 pm

I guess this is the drivel you end up with when you’re afraid to have a show where something may actually speaks their mind? It went way past embarrassing. Whoever thought up this turkey should be fired immediately. Or maybe just the guy who put in on the air.
Steve Wronkowicz on February 8th, 2009 5:44 pm

The players couldn’t even see the questions and it seemed as if Kyle was making up rules as he went along; asking the “crowd” for help. One thing is for sure–NASCAR Smarts makes Pinks look like a masterpiece.
Marc on February 9th, 2009 3:24 pm

One question: Was it racing?

No, and that begs the question, why did you bother?

What did you expect, if it looks like, smells like or even remotely resembles a so called “reality show” you’d be better off watching Tom & Jerry.
Charlie Turner on February 9th, 2009 5:21 pm

Hey Marc, somebody has to watch this stuff now that Daly is gone.

That whole NASCAR game show idea is tough to figure out – I mean how to design it. We’ve played with different games for the radio show over the years and it’s just tough to come up with topics that aren’t either too easy or too tough, for any kind of random sample of fans. I wondered if they’d be able to pull it off. Show number one sure didn’t, but it might bare a second look.

It’s not my cup of tea, but there will be fans if they can design a workable format – I think.
crystal on February 9th, 2009 6:08 pm

how do you get on Nascar Smarts
Steve Wronkowicz on February 9th, 2009 8:09 pm

According to Rick Allen, who was acting as an on camera Don Pardo or Jay Stewart, contestants are chosen from the live audience at the race. I don’t know what the criteria is for being chosen other than being in the right (wrong) place at the right (wrong) time.

After one show, crystal, I don’t think being on this show is a positive career move.
Charlie Turner on February 9th, 2009 10:11 pm

It would be for you, Steve. lol!
Diecast Dude on February 10th, 2009 1:18 am

Daly is gone?
Marc on February 10th, 2009 4:30 pm

Gone and long forgotten Dude.
Luke on February 11th, 2009 10:22 am

I wouldn’t want to be the sucker stuck figuring it out.

What I saw of it wasn’t TV. It was background noise. Now, some of the trivia was interesting, and at least brought back a few memories, but that’s about the extent of it.

Charlie is right, though. It’s a tough line to walk. Too hard, nobody wins. Too easy, and it’s even worse as it makes it too predictable.

The concept, a NASCAR game show, is fine. Making it work is the PITA. Hopefully this initial run is a learning curve, to which SPEED will adapt. In the end, it has to offer something of merit to a percentage of users who will watch.

Like NASCAR performance digs into a bit of the technical side, dumbed down so you don’t have to be an engineer to understand the concepts discussed, and gives a perspective from the technical point of view. It’s not for everyone, but it hits those that are curious enough to want to know more than “car goes from A to B.”

I think they’ll hit a mark eventually, although who falls within the demographics most likely won’t be the super-savvy folks.
Scott Trevisan on September 10th, 2009 9:08 pm

Steve, I bet your radio show is not that good. What are your credentials?
Charlie Turner on September 10th, 2009 10:06 pm

Hey Scott – it’s all opinion, you know. But Steve did watch the show he’s commenting about. So did I. It sucked.

Why don’t you listen to one of Steve’s radio shows before making your comment. There’s about 50 of them available for you critique right here on this website. Steve would welcome your criticism. So would I. And you don’t really want to go to the credential route with Steve-O. His, as a broadcast journalist, are every bit as – probably stronger than – KP’s. But, as I say, it’s all opinion.

This post was written in February. You are commenting in August. NASCAR Smarts did get better. But the first one was really, really bad.
Keith Rutherford on April 17th, 2010 4:55 pm

I like NASCAR Smarts. It’s a fun show. No one takes anything too seriously.
I, a returner to NASCAR, has an opportunity to learn about the history I missed in a fun way. People in general take things too seriously.
gary on May 12th, 2010 10:26 pm

i would like to get a copy of the nascae smarts richmond show cuz me and a friend were there TRUEX is the man any idea on how to get a copy
Charlie Turner on May 16th, 2010 2:04 pm

Gary you need to contact Speed TV. Good luck.

Got something to say?

Did you know you can log in with your Thunder Lounge account, and have your personal avatar and site link available when you comment at On Pit Row?

Don't have an account yet? Sign-up for free.