Well ABC did this weekend electing to switch the last 34 laps of the race to basic cable, or more specifically, ESPN2, for America's Funniest Home Videos. To NASCAR fans and it's insiders, it's not funny.
"We didn't like it, that was not what we had anticipated but we have talked to them repeatedly in the last couple days," NASCAR Grand Pooh-Bah Brian France said. "There were lots of circumstances that we have to consider. They have their own issues they had to manage around. Unfortunately we got the short end of that."
"I knew we were in trouble when I looked at the monitor and saw a monkey scratching its butt." one team member from Jimmie Johnson's crew said.
The switch happened between 7:30 - 8pm eastern & central time. In the 7 - 7:30 time slot before channels changed, ABC had a 4.6 rating.
So let's see, Jimmie Johnson is wins the race on the verge of making NASCAR history by capturing his 3rd straight Sprint Cup title and dad's getting kick in the balls by their kids is better and more compelling TV? Who's getting kick in the jimmie's here (no pun intended)
The Worldwide Leader was so anxious to get NASCAR back a few years back and ABC seemed ready and willing to go along for the ride but is obvious that the Sprint Cup races do not warrant airing to their conclusion like football, baseball or even golf. Would a network switch the conclusion of the next to last event in the Fed Ex Cup if Tiger Woods was involved and on top of the leaderboard? I don't think so and right now, Jimmie Johnson is as dominant in Sprint Cup as much as Tiger has been to golf. I can think of a few reasons why but will refrain at this time.
I talked to an individual today who covers NASCAR. He told me that now the sanctioning body has a good idea now where they stand now.
Hopefully the powers that be realize this cannot happen at the race this weekend at Homestead where Jimmie Johnson is set make history. Keep your remote handy though.
Brian France Photo Courtesy: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images
Jimmie Johnson Photo Courtesy: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
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