Inside the ESPN Pit Studio

How many times have you watched NASCAR Countdown preceding a NASCAR race and put thought into how much is entailed into a single broadcast? I will put money on it that you have no idea what actually takes place behind the scenes in the Pit Studio.

ESPN has the most technologically-advanced traveling studio ever used in sports television and we had the opportunity to get a behind the scenes view of what actually happens. The Pit Studio has been part of ESPN's rolling fleet and it weighs nearly 78,000 pounds. It is outfitted with state-of-the-art LED lighting and was the first mobile TV production to be equipped in this manner. The lights, which we touched with our bare hands, emit no heat. We can honestly say, we went into the Pit Studio to find comfort in the A/C during the desert heat in Daytona Beach. Finding cooling comfort in television production studios is not the norm, especially not in mobile studios! The Pit Studio also includes three robotic HD cameras which are controlled by operators inside the studio.

The Pit Studio, which is situated near the pits at every track, is elevated 14 feet in the air while in use. It will travel to 24 NASCAR tracks this season, bringing viewers the ESPN Bristol Connecticut studio look and feel while giving an inside look at cars and grandstands with its 30 foot glass windows. The entire operation travels as a tractor-trailer rig. Upon arrival at the track, the studio can be set up and ready to go in about a day. Following the race, tear-down takes less than three hours.

The Pit Studio at Indy

You will usually find Host Allen Bestwick and analysts Rusty Wallace and Brad Daughtery inside the studio. In addition, Dr. Jerry Punch, Dale Jarrett and Andry Petree often bring coverage of NASCAR practice sessions.

Allen Bestwick, Rusty Wallace & Brad Daughtery

The Pit Studio did make a VIP red carpet appearance last year and was used by ABC News in the coverage of the New Hampshire Primary during the 2008 Presidential Elections. The one change...it had to have a small makeover by being redressed in plain colors.

And Silly Season Begins....Martin Truex Jr. moves to the #56 NAPA Auto Parts

The press conference for Michael Waltrip racing started with big brother, Darrell Waltrip welcoming the press, employees, sponsors, partners, fans and the Waltrip family. It sounded exactly like the beginning of a Driver/Crew Chief meeting! All 3 MWR teams were present at the conference.

"Today is a very special day" said DW.

Once Michael took the stand he started off: "Thank you [to my family] for shaping me into who I am today."

Michael Waltrip has been the driver for NAPA Auto Parts for the past 9 years. Michael has been the only driver to run full time with NAPA. In 2010, Michael will run a limited schedule, starting with the 52nd running of the Daytona 500 with NAPA Auto Parts as his sponsor. The rest of his schedule is unknown at this time.

Starting in 2010, Martin Truex Jr., current driver of the Earnhardt Ganassi #1 Bass Pro Shops car, signed a multi year contract with Michael Waltrip Racing and will be the full time driver of the #56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota.

The #56 is a significant number in the Truex family. Martin had the #56 on his car from the time he raced Go Karts all the way up until he moved into the Nationwide (Busch) series. His father, Martin Truex Sr. raced the #56 in the East Series.

Martin said "Looking forward to next year, the sky is the limit."

Truex has 1 NSCS career win, 2 NSCS career poles and won back to back Nationwide (Busch) Series Championships in 2004 and 2005. It is unsure at this time who will be Martin's crew chief.

We wish the BEST of luck to Martin Truex Jr. and Michael Waltrip Racing and look forward to seeing Martin in many quirky commercials with Mikey.

Matt and Katie Kenseth welcome Kaylin Nicola Kenseth

photo rights of MattKenseth.com

Congrats to Daytona 500 winner, Matt Kenseth. His wife, Katie Kenseth gave birth to daughter Kaylin Nicola Kenseth yesterday, July 7th, 2009. This is the couples first child together, Matt has son Ross from a previous marriage. Ross is the one who broke the news on Twitter, and he said "Everyone is really excited!"

P.S., we LOVE the name the couple has chosen..

Recap of the Coke Zero 400 weekend

We are always excited for the weeks approaching the races in Daytona but are a little relieved (at least our livers are) when it's time for it to be over. The Coke Zero 400 didn't fail us. This time around we were busy with stuff other than partying and we got to do so many neat things. Our highlight was touring the ESPN compound and interviewing reporters Jamie Little & Shannon Spake, which will be posted here in the weeks to come.

The race itself was exciting and action packed. Or at least the Vodka we consumed kept it that way. We were in the pits at the end of the race when Kyle Busch took the lead from Tony Stewart and I believe every curse word came out of our mouths. We are still bitter over last weekends wreck in Louden between Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr since MTJ had a very strong chance of getting a top 10. Needless to say, our jaws dropped when the wreck took place between Kyle and Kasey (and I suppose Tony & a few others). Kyle had to walk right past us and let me tell you, the cameras didn't capture his anger. I was able to snap this photo, which still doesn't give it justice.

If you missed this race, you can view the results here or catch the replay, which will be shown on Speed, Wednesday, July 8th at Noon. I would like to congratulate Tony Stewart, who continues to impress me week after week. I can honestly say, I didn't think Stewart Haas Racing would be this successful in it's first year and I find myself becoming a fan of his organization. I also want to give a shout out to Regan Smith, who continued his running at the finish streak (now @ 51!) and went from a starting position of 43rd to finishing strong in 12th position.

The week was definitely full of Jeremy Mayfield drama, which I don't feel the need to get into at this time since it seemed everywhere we turned, that is all anyone wanted to speak of. I hope for both NASCAR and Jeremy Mayfields sake, something gets resolved sooner that later.

This race was a little different as we were minus one Fashionista for the big day. Ally was at the airport bar awaiting a flight to Dallas when she looked up and saw Patrick Dempsey aka Dr. McDreamy sitting 2 seats away from her. Patrick was in town for the Porche Brumos 250. Results from that race can be found here. Ally picked up the courage to go over and talk racing w/ the good Dr. and even got her photo taken with him. This single event brought courage to Darlynn, who decided to ask everyone she came come in contact w/ for a photo op, which can be seen here.

Runway Monday

We learned something valuable this weekend...you can wear cropped pants in the garage! So naturally, we had to do this weeks Runway Monday on this summers "it jeans", cropped Boyfriend jeans. It is sad that we have spent many years dying of heat in jeans during the months of July and August, to only find out this is acceptable at the track!

What we are lusting over

AG Adriano Goldschmeid "Tomboy Boyfriend" Jeans, Bloomingdales $295

Being cost consciousGap Cropped Boyfriend Jeans $69.95

Daytona 500 Champions Walk of Fame adds Matt Kenseth today

Matt Kenseth’s signature, right footprint and hand prints will now have their place in the history of Daytona International Speedway.

During the upcoming Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered By Coca-Cola, Kenseth on Friday, July 3 at 11:30 a.m. will participate in a question and answer session with the race fans inside Daytona 500 Experience motorsports attraction and then proceed outside where he will have his 3x3 cement block with his signature, hand prints and right foot print placed into the Daytona 500 Champion’s Walk of Fame.

Kenseth, the winner of the 51^st running of the Daytona 500 earlier this year, put his right foot, autograph and handprints into the cement during his Champion’s Breakfast car induction ceremonies.

Winning drivers of the Daytona 500 since 1996, the first year of operation for Daytona 500 Experience, have their hands, right foot and signature immortalized in cement in the Daytona 500 Champion’s Walk of Fame.

Daytona 500 champions Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Ward Burton, Michael Waltrip, Kevin Harvick and Ryan Newman all have had the honor of placing their hands, right foot and signature in the famous wet cement. There is a special plaque in the Daytona 500 Champion’s Walk of Fame honoring the late Dale Earnhardt and his 1998 Daytona 500 victory.

Happy Happy Hour, Hometown style

Happy Hour is coming to you from our hometown, Daytona Beach, FL. We asked our favorite NASCAR crazed Bartender, Brandon from Carrabbas to contribute one of his signature cocktails in honor of this weeks Happy Hour. If you find yourself in Daytona this week, go see Brandon for this cocktail and follow along with Happy Hour here.

Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini
1 1/4oz Smirnoff Razz
3/4oz Limoncello
Squeeze of lemon
Splash of Sour

Mix all ingredients together ihis signatn a shaker with ice. Strain into a sugar rimmed martini glass.

Drivers Appearances & Autograph Sessions for the Coke Zero 400

Get your sharpies ready! Here is a listing of drivers appearances for the Coke Zero 400 weekend at Daytona Beach.

Wednesday, July 1

David Ragan will be signing autographs from 4:00pm-6:00pm, Discount Tire Store 1051 Beville Road, Daytona Beach

Mark Martin will be signing autographs at 5:00pm at Wal-Mart located at 1590 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange

Jack Roush will be signing autographs from 5:00pm-8:00pm, Gary Yeomans Ford 1420 Tomoka Farms Rd, Daytona Beach

Michael Waltrip will be signing autographs at from 7:00pm-9:00pm K-Mart located at 1300 W. Int'l Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach

Friday, July 3

Justin Allgaier will be signing autographs from 11:00am-11:30am at the Penske Racing souvenier trailer at DIS

AJ Allmendinger will be signing autographs at 1:35pm at the Sprint Cup Series merchandise display at DIS

Jeff Burton will be signing autographs from 6:30pm-7:30pm at the Caterpillar souvenier trailer at DIS

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients are scheduled to sign autographs from 5:00pm-5:45pm at the Goodyear Legends/Sprint FANZONE at DIS

Denny Hamlin is scheduled to appear at 3:00pm the Coca-Cola Display at DIS

Matt Kenseth is scheduled to participate in a Q&A w/ fans inside the Daytona 500 experience at 11:30am. He will then proceed outisde to be indited into the Daytona 500 Champions Walk of Fame

Bobby Labonte is scheduled to appear at the Sprint FANZONE main stage, Time TBD

Nationwide Series Drivers will be signing autographs from 5:30pm-6:30pm at the Sprint FANZONE

Richard Petty is scheduled to appear at 11:00am at the Daytona 500 experience and from 3:00pm-3:30pm at the Sprint FANZONE

Regan Smith will be signing autographs from 11:00am-1:00pm at Daytona Beach Furniture Row, 830 North Tomoka Farms Rd

Saturday, July 4th

AJ Allmendinger will be signing autographs at 4:00pm at the Richard Petty merchandise hauler

Clint Boywer is scheduled to participate in a Q&A at 5:00pm at the Sprint FANZONE

Jeff Burton is scheduled to appear at 4:30pm at the Coke Zero Club

Kevin Harvick is scheduled to appear at 4:10 at the Coke Zero Club

Kasey Kahne is scheudled to appear from 5:00-5:15 at the Sprint FANZONE

Bobby Labonte is scheduled to appear at 3:00pm at the Homestead-Miami display @ DIS

Jamie McMurray is scheduled to appear at 4:45pm at the Sprint FANZONE

Casey Mears will be signing autographs at 4:30pm at the Jack Daniels souviner trailer

Juan Pablo Montoya is scheduled to appear at 4:00pm at the Formula Smiles Check Presentation @ the Midway DUB Tour Bus Display

Richard Petty is scheduled to appear at 5:00pm at the Coke Zero Club

Richard Petty is scheduled to appear from 5:30pm-5:50pm at the Sprint FANZONE

David Ragan is scheduled to appear at 3:55pm at the Homestead-Miami display @ DIS

Elliot Sadler is scheduled to appear from 4:50pm-5:10pm at the Team Tylenol display, located at the Midway

David Stremme is scheduled to sign autographs at 3:20pm at the Penske Racing souviner trailer

The #29 Shell-Penzoil Pit Crew will be signing autographs at 5:30pm at the Chevrolet display located at the Midway

Subways Jared to Grand Marshal for the Nationwide Race in Daytona

from Daytona International Speedway press release

SUBWAY® Restaurants national spokesman, Jared Fogle, has been named Grand Marshal for the SUBWAY® Jalapeño 250 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) on Friday night, July 3 DIS President Robin Braig announced.

Fogle will utter the most famous words in racing, giving the command of: “Gentlemen, start your engines!”

“I really appreciate the opportunity to be part of such an exciting event at NASCAR’s greatest venue with my friends from SUBWAY restaurants and Coca-Cola,” said Fogle. “I am sure it will be a night of action-packed NASCAR racing and a great way to kick off the Fourth of July weekend.”

Fogle, who lost 245 pounds by eating SUBWAY® sandwiches and exercising, celebrated his 10^-year anniversary of keeping the weight off in 2008 and continues to be the leading face for the brand. SUBWAY® Restaurants are also a primary sponsor of Carl Edwards and the No. 99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford Fusion. The SUBWAY® colors will adorn the No. 99 car Saturday night, July 4 under the lights at DIS for the 51^st annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

“We look forward to welcoming Jared and SUBWAY to the hallowed grounds of Daytona International Speedway,” said Braig. “We’re proud to have SUBWAY and Coca-Cola team up to sponsor one of the most exciting NASCAR Nationwide Series races of the year.”

Tickets for the Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered By Coca-Cola on July 2-4 are available on your web-enabled phone at mobile.daytonainternationalspeedway.com, online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.