Wall Stadium Announcers  

Since Kevin brought it up, I'll have to add that Earl Krause Gary Larsen and Jeff Gravatt are a pleasure to listen to each time I go to Wall Stadium.  While the video on Flo gives folks a chance to hear Earl and Gary while the race is on, what I appreciate as much or more is how Earl, Gary and Jeff handle their responsibilities when the green flag is not out.  Specifically, I'm talking about opening ceremonies, in between events, during yellow flag/red flag conditions, victory lane ceremonies....  When you take in a night in the stands at Wall Stadium, Earl, Gary and Jeff are your hosts...  There is nowhere else they would rather be.  There is nothing else they'd rather be doing... And that comes through in the honest excitement in their voices, from the beginning of the program, to closing out the program after the final checkered flag has falling.

Yea they can do play by play, which if watching on Flo (or through a headset on similcast FM 90.1 when at the track) definitely adds to the action, but they all understand that the responsibility of the announcer isn't just when the green is out. They understand that as the host to all who are there in the stands, that when the action slows or stops, they need to be there to keep folks tuned into the show.  ...And they understand that they have a huge role in creating/supporting the track's atmosphere.

I've been to a few tracks where the announcer leaves the audience on self serve as soon as the yellow flag comes out, and in-between events.  The lack of activity on track, combined with the silence is often met with folks detaching from the program.... checking the time...  firing up their cell phones... thinking about how long the ride home is.... and finally muttering to those in hearing range, "What in the hell are we waiting on now?"  It's apparent to me that some announcers seem to think that when the action on the track stops, that it's time for them to stop to0.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

I'm not looking for non-stop feigned babble during down time... and I'm not a big fan of the "way in the weeds" statistics review reading from the program which often comes off as filler, but I am a huge fan of relavent/pertinent information provided by the host, that carries the moment... making for a seamless continuation of the event... something that a good host knows to do, whether hosting a party at their house, or speaking to a grandstand full of racefans.

It requires historical knowledge.  It requires prep time/research prior to the events.  It requires passion for the sport.  It also requires the skill to be able to pull all of those things together, and to have them at the ready to share with the fans at just the right moment.  It requires someone who realizes their duties is that as the host, and not just to announce.  That is a pretty unique individual, and probably why so few are able to do it at the high level that I'm referring to.

That's why I have an appreciation for those tracks that recognize how important the position of announcer host is, and why I have a tremendous amount of respect for those who have the knowledge, skill and ability to really complete the experience for the fan throughout the entire night, making it that much more of an enjoyable experience, and strengthening the relationhip between fan and facility... and helping to make those in attendence want to be back next week!