August 11, 2007
By Larry Cottrill

Larry Cottrill

While channel surfing after the Pocono race this past Sunday, I happened upon ESPN’s coverage of the "X Games," which with few exceptions is a made-for-TV Olympics-wannabe for the tattooed and pierced daredevils who didn’t have enough personality to make the cast of MTV’s "Jackass" movie.

It was with heartfelt sadness that I recognized a landmark voice anchoring the coverage of the event.

For better than two decades, the great Paul Page was the "Voice of the 500" at Indianapolis for both radio and TV. His delivery there was both warm and effortless and, even with his vast knowledge of every conceivable aspect of racing, he was able to communicate his information eloquently, but yet keep it in layman’s terms at the same time. Paul also possesses one of those unforgettable voices, like a Curt Gowdy, Walter Kronkite, Casey Kasem, or Keith Jackson, that seemed in pitch, tone, enunciation and timing to have been created by God just for the microphone.

Paul Page

For years since ESPN gave up in the bidding war for the 2001-2006 NASCAR TV rights contract, we have had to deal with the uninformed ( FOX’s Chris Myers ) and the irritating ( NBC’s Bill Weber ). I had such high hopes for ESPN’s return to NASCAR coverage this season. They had done a fabulous job on a comparative shoestring budget throughout the 80's and 90's, and with the technological resources now available and the huge stage set for their return, I felt like an 8-year-old on the night before Christmas awaiting their arrival.

Many of the right pieces seemed to be in place at first, but now we’re all left to wonder just what in God’s name went wrong? Andy Petree has proven to be a pleasant surprise, and I must say the same goes for Tim Brewer in his sound-byte segments, but the rest of their coverage is barely "BUSCH league" quality. The worst of it all is on the supporting shows like "NASCAR Now" which, other than the moments when old-pro Allen Bestwick makes a cameo as host, is an utterly complete travesty.

While all of this is going on, Paul Page is languishing within the likes of the NHRA, and the X-Games. They even send him to Nathan’s Hot Dog Stand in Coney Island for the annual gorging competition on July 4th.

ESPN, wake up!!!

Paul Page is an auto racing broadcast legend. He is a thoroughbred, and you are using him as a plow horse. How can you misuse such an incredible asset in light of the constant dissatisfaction with your current efforts?

Here’s hoping that as time goes on, the network will realize the error in its deployment, and that Paul will resume his rightful place at the helm of the broadcasts of America’s premier motor racing events.

The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.