Despain and Nuber called the 1981 Winston 500 for ESPN, a race I admittedly forgot was part of their modest schedule that year. I am sure that someone else will know better than I will, but I believe at the time Despain was also working for MRN before becoming the "host" of WTBS' coverage of Auto Racing, which started in 1983 at Richmond I believe. He was always in the "STP Pit Communications Center" behind pit road, giving rundowns on the leaders, standings, etc.
Just wanted to pass along condolences to longtime ESPN Auto Racing announcer Bob Jenkins, whose wife of 44 years Pam passed away from brain cancer, according to a Twitter message from Marty Snider. Didn't realize this, but Bob recently retired from announcing after 30+ years in the business. For those that don't know, Bob was the lead announcer for ESPN Auto Racing '81, which featured ESPN's first televised NASCAR races, back in 1981. Among the modest schedule ESPN covered that year was their inaugural broadcast at Rockingham, Martinsville, Dover, and their first live coverage of a race, the 1981 Atlanta Journal 500. Together with Larry Nuber, then later with Benny Parsons and Ned Jarrett, Bob was a part of what many longtime viewers feel was one of if not the best NASCAR announce teams ever assembled.
I can tell those of you that have only been around long enough to hear the likes of Darrell Waltrip and the whole "Boogity" nonsense, you missed the true salad days of NASCAR coverage from the early eighties- 2000.
Oh I don't blame you one bit. Would have been remiss if I didn't at least pass the message along.
Would be cool if somehow there was a retro t-shirt made of it.
From Dale Jr's Director of PR to me when I showed him the pics on Twitter today...
"Very cool. I know someone who would want that shirt."
I take that as code for: "Name your price." LOL
I'm reminded of Cale Yarborough's reply to Darrell Waltrip getting stuck in the turn 1 infield mud at Michigan in 1982...
"How'd it feel getting bogged down there?"
Well I CAN tell you a few years ago when Kasey Kahne was driving the Budweiser car there was a bet between Kahne's team and Dale Jr's team at Daytona Speedweeks, and the bet was lost by Kahne, and that the bet was paid in cases of Budweiser.
I can also tell you Smoke emerged from the driver's meeting at Atlanta wearing a "retro" Schlitz t-shirt and jeans, whatever that means.
On the Dale Sr. front- he was sponsored by Miller American at some point...at least the driver's patches said so circa 1987. So I don't read too much into "brand loyalty." I also see a lot of teams around the hauler indulging in packs of M&Ms, undoubtedly from the 18 team's hauler. However, I did witness a 42 team crewman a couple of years go to a neighboring cooler, pull a Coke out of it, and rip the label off it before making off with it...so at least he was conscious of the consequences of a team semi-sponsored by Pepsi drinking the competition's soft drink.
Always loved the nickname on this car..."Sirloin!"
Well it definitely wouldn't be the first time guys have borrowed parts to rebuild after accidents.
Case in point: Kyle Petty crashed his primary Pontiac in practice for the 1983 Miller 400 at Richmond. Not sure whose idea it was, but they ended up with the bumper off the rental car and on the car for the race.
BTW...Clayton County voters just re-elected a former sheriff that is awaiting a court date for 37 charges related to corruption during his last term in office. I could post an "irony" comment pertaining to the fact there is a Democrat Convention going on that they are a part of, but some things make sense without explanation.
