Jeff Gordon Joins the NASCAR Sprint Cup Broadcast Booth in 2016

[WILDISH]

Jeff Gordon is joining the FOX Sports Sprint Cup broadcast booth in 2016.

 

[K.Chuck]

Gordon in the both for Fox in 2016. Pretty awesome

 

[Ajwehr]

Jeff Gordon joins FOX NASCAR fulltime in 2016 as race analyst for its 16th year of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series coverage, teaming with three-time champion Darrell Waltrip to offer seven championships' worth of expertise. Gordon, currently competing in his 23rd and final fulltime Sprint Cup Series season, served as race analyst for FOX Sports' coverage of three NASCAR XFINITY Series races this year. He has agreed to a multi-year contract that begins this season with in-race reporting from the #24 Chevy during select Cup Series races, and segues to an analyst role that commences with Daytona Speedweeks in February 2016. "NASCAR has provided me so many incredible memories, experiences and opportunities throughout my 23 years as a driver, and I can't wait to start a new chapter in racing with this new relationship with FOX and to be in the booth with Mike (Joy) and Darrell," said Gordon. "I feel so lucky to be a part of a sport that I'm very passionate about, and now I get the opportunity to share that passion to millions of race fans from a whole new perspective."
Gordon will call all NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, practice and qualifying sessions for FOX Sports alongside play-by-play announcer Mike Joy and NASCAR Hall of Famer and analyst Darrell Waltrip. Chris Myers hosts the network's coverage alongside analysts Larry McReynolds and Michael Waltrip.
"Jeff is not only a champion but an icon of a racing generation," said Eric Shanks, FOX Sports President, COO & Executive Producer. "We are thrilled he has chosen to become a part of the FOX Sports family and pair his experience with Darrell. Each is credited with helping elevate NASCAR to the popularity it attained in his respective era, and alongside Mike Joy, this duo will treat fans to unmatched insights each and every week."
FOX Sports, which began its FOX NASCAR coverage in 2001, currently is in the first of a 10-year media rights agreement with NASCAR. In 2013, FOX Sports extended its agreement with NASCAR, ensuring the FOX family of networks' broadcast of the first 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races each season beginning in 2015, as well as the first 14 NASCAR XFINITY Series races of the season and all NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events, through 2024.

Credit Jayski and Fox Sports

 

[SUPEREEVEEMASTER]

I had a feeling Jeff Gordon would be an analyst in the future after this season and I'm excited to hear and see that.

 

[The_Dolfan]

I hope Larry is okay with all of this. Him and Mike are the best commentators in the sport and to see him not in the booth will be very strange. It sucks that they kept BOTH Waltrip brothers though...

 

[SUPEREEVEEMASTER]

I think this is a great move for Jeff Gordon and it's great to hear that he'll be around after this season but in another important way. To me nothing will be as legendary as his racing career though. Some of the criticism or opinions about how they still have these people (Saying it in a way that's like they wished they were gone), some of these newer guys or girls aren't good, and so on doesn't make complete sense to me. Doesn't bother me that much because you'll find it in a lot of places in the world.

 

[Mystical]

While I am happy I wonder what will happen with Larry. I always liked his commentary. Or maybe he is ok with it an wants a change.

 

[jordanvile]

I think this is great for everyone! I hope this allows Larry to do the Xfinity races soon, because it'd be so cool to have Larry calling a race that Brandon, his son, is running in, kinda like all the times Darrell called races that Mikey won.

 

[RP Motorsports]

I'm extremely disappointed with this. I think Larry Mac is the absolute best in the business, hands down. He's as insightful and personable as they come. I can't say enough good things about him. And his chemistry with Mike and DW is perfect. What a shame.

Gordon did a great job with the NXS deal, but I honestly think its ridiculous they're going to just hand him that position, and stick Larry Mac in the studio. Lets be honest - he wouldn't be getting it if his name wasn't Jeff Gordon. I have no problem with him getting a TV job, but not this one. Fox is making a HUGE mistake here, in my opinion. Damn shame.

 

[AMLNet49]

Terrible move, Larry Mac is the best analyst on TV right now. He and Mike Joy are the only ones that don't bring the hype and fluff that the other analysts do. I feel like Gordon will not be candid enough, and honestly his personality is boring. Fox is not treating their veterans well, with Jeff Hammond getting demoted twice in 4 years and now Larry Mac.

 

[GDP Racing]

I'm extremely disappointed with this. I think Larry Mac is the absolute best in the business, hands down. He's as insightful and personable as they come. I can't say enough good things about him. And his chemistry with Mike and DW is perfect. What a shame.

Gordon did a great job with the NXS deal, but I honestly think its ridiculous they're going to just hand him that position, and stick Larry Mac in the studio. Lets be honest - he wouldn't be getting it if his name wasn't Jeff Gordon. I have no problem with him getting a TV job, but not this one. Fox is making a HUGE mistake here, in my opinion. Damn shame.

This! I couldn't agree more. Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds and Darrell Waltrip have been together for fifteen-straight years, it's almost a crime to take one of them out. So sad that this is happening.

 

[4WideRacing]

Very bittersweet right now. I will wait for next year before judging any more

 

[David24]

Lets be honest - he wouldn't be getting it if his name wasn't Jeff Gordon.

Ya think???? Would the Waltrip brothers be on tv if their name wasn't Waltrip?? Of course it's because of his name. I actually thought Gordon did a terrible job in the NXS races he called, I am as big of fan as they come but it was pretty bad IMO.

And I agree Larry Mac is the best out there right now. I would have replaced anyone but him. But yeah they got Gordon because he is....Jeff Gordon.

 

[Benjamin Fruth]

I'm not sure why all of the Larry Mac love, but I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Larry is totally cool with all of this. During the All-Star race, Mike and Darrell excitedly told him the news that Brandon had just won the K&N Iowa race, to which (if I remember correctly) Larry replied with silence, then changed the subject back to the race.

Larry has seen an innumerable amount of up-and-coming NASCAR drivers come through the sport, yet, last week, his favorite up-and-coming NASCAR driver was 1,000+ miles away racing/winning without him. The Jayski story posted above doesn't say he's leaving altogether, but it might be that he switches back and forth with Michael for a year to sort of fade away gracefully. I may be wrong, but I think it looks awful clear as to what's going on; Larry should be out at the race track, but as a proud father rather than a broadcaster.

 

[lays]

I thought for commentary they typically wanted a crew chief and a driver.. Not two drivers. Quite disappointed with this change none the less. Larry and Mike are my two favorite combinations, next to Andy and Dale.

 

[TJBartel]

Damn, was hoping he would replace DW

 

[AMLNet49]

Just to clarify, Larry is moving to the studio with Myers and Michael W. He isn't leaving Fox NASCAR but still he has a lot more personality than Gordon and is a lot more willing to not suck up to NASCAR. Larry and Mike are also the best informed people about what is going on with ALL of the teams, not just the big ones. No one on TV knows more about the Front Row Motorsports and BK Racing type teams than them.

 

[RP Motorsports]

Ya think???? Would the Waltrip brothers be on tv if their name wasn't Waltrip?? Of course it's because of his name. I actually thought Gordon did a terrible job in the NXS races he called, I am as big of fan as they come but it was pretty bad IMO.

And I agree Larry Mac is the best out there right now. I would have replaced anyone but him. But yeah they got Gordon because he is....Jeff Gordon.

Right, but I'm not talking about his name getting him a TV gig, I'm talking about the special treatment. No other driver would be able to just walk right in and take over Larry Mac's job. And the only reason that's happening is because his name is Jeff Gordon. Had it been any other driver (Waltrip, Jarrett, or whoever), they would've been given some other position, not this one. That's the part that makes it taste a little sour. It kind of feels like "whatever Jeff wants, he can have it".

As for the NXS deal - I have to come clean and say I agree, for the most part. I originally typed "good", then felt compelled to change it to "great", simply because I knew there would be some Gordon fans who would've thought I was just hating on him if I criticized him. To be completely honest, I wasn't all that impressed. I'd put his performance somewhere between "ok" and "good". Granted, he's a rookie at it, so there's a lot of room for improvement, and a lot to learn. But that's just all the more reason they shouldn't be replacing the best in the business with him.

Either way, the whole thing is just a huge shame to me. The value Larry Mac brings to the broadcasts is immeasurable. There isn't another person who has that much impact on the viewing experience for me. Which makes this whole deal an enormous downgrade, and therefore, a much less enjoyable viewing experience. That really bums me out (and pisses me off, too).

 

[MewChamp151]

I thought for commentary they typically wanted a crew chief and a driver.. Not two drivers. Quite disappointed with this change none the less. Larry and Mike are my two favorite combinations, next to Andy and Dale.

The big group everyone remembers had 2 drivers(Ned Jarrett and Benny Parsons)

 

[SUPEREEVEEMASTER]

I feel like whether they wanted to wait five years or now you'll still a very similar reaction from the public when it comes to a new member or someone will be leaving the place or their position. I have a feeling there are still people who miss Ken Squire, Ned Jarrett, Buddy Baker, and many others who didn't come back after 2000. I'm sure when NASCAR on Fox, NBC, and eventually ESPN was announced and we would have these people leaving and these would be our new members some people probably reacted the same way as the posts above.