Hawks,
I don't think coverage has moved away from what's happening off the track. It's just part of the story. Jr. saying "S" on TV is pretty much ignored if he doesn't end up getting penalized. NASCAR made it the story, not the media.
All sports are basically covered the same way. You have your game recaps and such and then there's the off-the-field news (Spygate NFL, steroids/Bonds/Clemens MLB). I don't think auto racing is any different.
Our "Feud" is simply meant as a debate feature about the auto racing world. You can only talk about Kyle Busch's victory so much. Sports goes deeper than wins and losses, it's entertainment. We're just trying to cover all angles.
And as a site that appeals to a general audience, not specific to any one sports, we try to make it so that our stories have a general appeal as well. The people who visit CBSSports.com's auto racing arena aren't necessarily the hardcore racing fans, though obviously there will be some. But there are many others who couldn't tell you the difference between a stock car and an open-wheel car and simply want to know where Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Danica Patrick finished this weekend.
Hopefully that answers your question a bit.
As for the ALMS standings, that comes from an AP feed and unfortunately those are the only classes AP feeds us. I can look to see whether they'll consider adding GT classes as well.
Brian De Los Santos
Promotions or Podiums: What is more important?
This feud of the week submission relates directly to the guys who select and comment on the Weekly Feud feature. I have noticed that media coverage in recent years has evolved away from what happened on the track to what is happening off the track. Is the media covering "Winning" or are they focusing more on "Whining"? Racing coverage seems to mirror political coverage where obscure comments become the story rather that the events of the actual race.
I'm not being overly critical but would be interested in what drives the decision to focus on a penalty, curse word, lost or stolen part or some guy opening a bar rather than what happened during a race and what the top finishers endured to acheive a podium finish. (For NASCAR and Indy only fans, motor sports around the world has always honored the top three finishers.)
I recognize CBS and all media outlets are engaging in the process of free enterprise while claiming to cover a sport. I know the personalities are what drives the fan base and don't envy the decisions you have to make. Should Tony saying "BS" on the air become the top story of the Brickyard 400? Who won the race where Dale Jr. said the "S" word on TV?
Thank goodness I can click on the Top New articles to discover that Junior's bar is in downtown Charlotte.
Come on Brain. Let us know what goes on behind the scenes. You are the Auto Racing Producer. Produce an answer for your loyal subjects.
P.S. Please do me a favor. Don't make me leave the CBS site to discover what is going on in ALMS. You provide the basics for the P-1 and P-2 Classes. Most cars are in the GT-2 Class. Go Flying Lizards.
