In an effort to show our appreciation for supporting us the last five years, we’ve decided to start The Message Pitch Mailbag to connect with our listeners/readers.
The premise is simple: You ask, we answer. Interested? Shoot us an email at info@themessagepitch.com with the subject line “Mailbag Question.”
Here’s what you wanted to know this week:
“How does this affect Truex Jr’s legacy?”
— Ryan
DREW: Hey Ryan, Drew here. Thanks for listening/reading. I’ll take this one, since I’m the lone gearhead/auto racing fan on the ‘cast.
If you’re talking about the mailbag, it adds to NASCAR driver Martin Truex, Jr’s legacy as him being the subject of the first question we ever received. If you’re talking about this season, well, that’s different.
I don’t think it affects it all that much, actually. I think a great comparison to MTJ is Dale Jarrett. Jarrett struggled mightily early on with Cale Yarborough’s team before notching a sole/first win with the Wood Brothers, similar to MTJ and DEI.
Both went a long time before win No. 2, Jarrett with the startup Joe Gibbs team and Truex with Michael Waltrip Racing.
Both made transitions after, with Jarrett to Robert Yates Racing and Truex to Furniture Row. Both started winning with more frequency, and both won titles with these respective teams. Of course, Jarrett stayed on with Yates through 2006 and FRR was essentially absorbed by Gibbs, both continued to win before falling off the last few years of their careers.
Ironically, both struggled in their last seasons with longtime sponsors and also Toyota power.
I think Truex is the Dale Jarrett of his generation of racers. Solid, steady, nothing flashy. Consistent winner. Took a long time to fulfill his potential. And will probably make the Hall of Fame one day.
Most legends fade, especially in racing, and with the grind that NASCAR is nowadays, I don’t blame him for calling it a career.
Bonus: check out MTJ saluting one of my personal favorite racers, Ivan “Ironman” Stewart.
“What was CBS thinking dropping the SEC?” — Bob in Bogalusa
DREW: I can’t answer that, Bob. Sounds like the Worldwide Leader ponied up more money than CBS, and CBS either couldn’t (doubt it) or didn’t want to match it.
It’s going to be a bummer, too. People can gripe about Gary Danielson all they want, but if you think his color commentary is worse than Sean McDonough’s play-by-play, I can’t help you.
The person I feel really bad for in all this is Brad Nessler. He’s THE voice of college football and one of the last old-school play-by-play guys. Thinking about him having to call Illinois against Rutgers in October instead of the Third Saturday brings a tear to my eye.
ESPN is struggling right now, and they’re banking on the advertising dollars that the SEC will bring in. Be warned, though. Big TV contracts mean a LOT of commercials. Just ask Ryan above about FOX’s NASCAR coverage.
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Got a question for our esteemed experts? Want it answered on our website?
Send all questions to info@themessagepitch.com and add “Mailbag Question” in the subject line, and if you’re lucky, your question may be answered in our new Tuesday Mailbag post on the TMP site.
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