Rumor Mill or Not?

[the old Roadhog]

Whether or not Norm stays is entirely up to management, I always thought he did a decent job. I thought there was a little too much dead air at times, and not enough narrative about what was happening. When Mike Striegle was present in the booth the pace definatly picked up as did Norm's preformance. I guess Mike's professionalism was a definate plus. I would like to know who you people think of as your favorite announcers. Kazoo has a good one, their late former announcer Mick Schuler was one of the best and funniest. Auto Value super sprints has, I feel my favorite of all. He keeps the pace going and is informative for race knowledgable fans and first timers alike. He will tell us info during qualifing like where the racer works, how long he has been racing, history, etc. I think this is essensial for an announcer to be doing all the time, to promote the sport and it's people, and keep talking. It's alot of work and takes a special kind of dedication. OK enough, give us some names of your favorites and maybe some stories about them.

[WPR]

I would say Norm does an excellent job, and yes there is alot of dead air time when the racers are going, but why speak when people can't hear you. But he also needs to talk about others aswell and get some information from others drivers besides going and associating himself with just the LM or Super stock drivers and owners. But other then that he does do well for what he does.

But to be honnest Mick Shuler was one of the greatest of all time and hard to compare anyone else to him.

Right now I would have to say the announcer at Crystal has rather modeled himself after him and the way he would banter with people and joke thru out the night with the drivers on the track and the fans in the stands. I do not know his name there but he is 1 of the best in Mich right now.

[jason]

Norm does an awsome job. I would hate to see him not return. When I was just a spectator, he always kept me well entertained. I have no complaints! Yup thats right, no complaints. Kinda weird....

[theoldroadhog]

It is a fine line sometimes between good and really great. Keeping people entertained and informed is what it's all about. For first timers at the track, information about what race is coming up, the class of cars; the differences between classes, what happened last week, etc. is important. For regulars who understand a bit more, technical info; tid bits of info about what has happened during the course of the day, at other tracks/races; etc. keeps them informed. Making everyone feel part of the show, giving them an inside look at racing, without gabbing too much or not enough is indeed a difficult task. My thanks and admiration goes out to all the folks who work so hard to accomplish this for all of us race fans.

[theoldroadhog]

Did I say MIKE Striegle? Must have had a Senior moment there! Meant to say JEFF Striegle. Don't know why , I keep getting him confused with Mike STREVEL...DUH! Jeff is one of the people that makes it appear so easy, and he is one of the best, as evidenced by his success on MRN and other broadcasts.

[yes]

Thank you for clearing that up, Jeff is good.

[dave]

Just read Rowdy Kyle Busch is racing at Berlin June 10th,2009

[chadreedfan]

June 10th
www.mlive.com/autoracing/index.ssf/2009/04/nascars_kyle_busch_to_race_at.html

[Busch Lover]

Kyle Busch has been one of NASCAR's most colorful, controversial and successful drivers over the past year, and later this spring, West Michigan short-track fans will have the chance to watch him up close.

New Berlin Raceway operator Mike Blackmer announced today that the 23-year old Las Vegas native will be competing in a June 10 template-body stock car race at the Marne half-mile. The race is open to CRA Super Series and ASA Late Model Series cars, although neither circuit is sanctioning the event. It will offer a $5,000 payday to the feature winner.

Busch, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, is seventh in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings heading into Saturday's race at Phoenix. He combined to win 21 races a year ago in NASCAR's Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck divisions.

It will be Busch's third trip to Berlin, since he competed in a Late Model race there four years ago. He also participated in an ASA race when he was 17.

Busch, who goes by the nickname Rowdy, will be competing in the June 14 Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway after running at Berlin.

[forever3]

I like Kyle Busch, but I think this is a bad move. I don't know how much money they are paying to get Kyle to come in, but I would rather see the track put the money into the driver points fund or increase purses. Drivers are struggling, and every little bit helps. Our drivers need the money a lot more than Kyle Busch.

[The Old Roadhog]

I believe this is a totally separate race from anything on the regular schedule. I don't think our season tickets are going to cover it. Have to buy a regular tic. No big deal. I'm sure the 5 grand and purses, plus Rowdy's appearance fee will probably come from the gate reciepts, if they take in that much. The publicity alone is worth it for the track. If the weather is nice it will be packed!

[theoldroadhog]

Mike B has come through for the season ticket holders! Our tics for the Wed race came in the mail a week or so ago. Thanks Mike!! We will certainly enjoy the race and what a nice way to break up the work week and get a start for the weekends activities. Also looking forward to the double features at the next weekly running of the classes that were rained out on Sat. Can't figure why in the world, when rain was on the way, they didn't just run features at the last minute. Could have got the show in, and we would have been out about the same time. Just in time to watch the Wings kick butt 5-0!!