DW's Pipes To 'Idle' During Sprint Cup Off-Week
by FOX Sports
With five races of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season complete, the sport breaks for Easter this weekend. Given time to reflect, NASCAR on FOX analysts Jeff Hammond and Larry McReynolds offer their insights into how the season has fared thus far. NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing returns Sunday, March 30 when the Goody's Cool Orange 500 comes to FOX at 1:30 p.m. ET from Martinsville Speedway.
DW IN IDLE MODE DURING OFF-WEEK — NASCAR on FOX lead analyst Darrell Waltrip, who lost his voice during last week's race at Bristol, was diagnosed with severely inflamed vocal cords on Wednesday of this week. This prompted a visit to Dr. Katherine Garrett (aka the "Voice Doctor To The Stars") at the Vanderbilt Voice Clinic where she treated DW with a steroid. Dr. Garrett, who has treated Charlie Daniels and other Nashville singing stars, has DW under strict orders to severely limit his speaking. He is expected to return to the booth March 30 in Martinsville. "It took eight years, but I finally figured out a way to get more air time," quipped DW's pre-race colleague and former crew chief Jeff Hammond.
NASCAR LOVE; AUDIENCE UP — Viewership for NASCAR Sprint Cup Races has been strong this season, and NASCAR on FOX may be looking at its first year-to-year increase in three years. Season-to-date, including the rain-impacted Fontana race, NASCAR on FOX is averaging 12.1 million viewers per race, up 7% compared to the first five Cup races a year ago (11.4 million). Household ratings have improved 4% (including Fontana), 7.1/14 vs. 6.8/14. Excluding that one rain-impacted race, the NASCAR on FOX audience is up +10% (12.4 mill. vs. 11.2), and +7% on HH rating (7.3/15 vs. 6.8/15). So far this season, FOX has aired six NASCAR Sprint Cup programs that were not impacted by rain, and all six of them have posted better ratings than last year (Bud Shootout, Daytona qualifying, and four points races). This is the first time in FOX's history that six consecutive NASCAR events have enjoyed a year-to-year increase.
HAMMOND ON HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS — "This is going to be a year of surprises, and we're seeing it with Hendrick Motorsports. As good as Hendricks has been in recent years, they seem to be struggling thus far, especially Jimmie Johnson. Jimmie has openly said 'we have missed the mark' and that's uncharacteristic for them. These two weeks off will help them to get back on track, and I expect them to turn it around in the next five races."
HAMMOND'S ATTA' BOY — "Brian Vickers' team deserves more recognition for their performance thus far. They were out of the top 35 last year, and missed a lot of races. Yet, they've weathered a lot of changes and maintained focus. Being in the top 20 in current point standings, they're finally starting to show what we expected out of this organization. They're one of the biggest and brightest surprises of 2008, and I'll look for them to kick it up a notch as this season moves forward."
HAMMOND'S SMOOTHEST PICK — "The best organization thus far is Joe Gibbs racing. They've made such a smooth transition from Chevrolet to Toyota and with the addition of Kyle Busch, they've maintained a high level of competition. They've got three teams [Busch, Tony Stewart & Denny Hamlin] that are leading laps and once they get a few rough spots worked out, they're going to be dangerous. They haven't missed a beat."
MCREYNOLDS' BIGGEST SURPRISE — "Greg Biffle is the biggest surprise. While overshadowed by teammate Carl Edwards' two victories, Biffle is second in points and has flown under the radar."
MCREYNOLDS ON KYLE BUSCH — "After all the off-season swapping, moving and shaking, Joe Gibbs racing is going to come out of this season a winner. Kyle Busch may have more talent than anybody in the garage right now."
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