ESPN, NASCAR, Two Steps Back

From NASCAR.com

"ESPN promotes Reid to lap-by-lap announcer
Punch returning to pit road as in-race reporter
December 16, 2009
03:14 PM EST

Marty Reid, whose 28-year career with ESPN has touched all forms of motorsports the network has covered, will expand his role and join analysts Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree in the booth as lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN's NASCAR coverage in 2010." NASCAR.COM - ESPN promotes Reid to lap-by-lap announcer - Dec 16, 2009

Returning to a role he helped define for ESPN for more than 20 years, Dr. Jerry Punch will join ESPN's team of pit reporters for 2010, working both Cup and Nationwide series races. Punch was lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN's Cup coverage the past three years.

All other members of the NASCAR on ESPN race coverage team will return in 2010, including analysts Rusty Wallace, Brad Daugherty, Tim Brewer and Ray Evernham, NASCAR Countdown host Allen Bestwick and pit reporters Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch.

In addition to his expanded role with NASCAR, Reid will continue as the lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN's five-race IndyCar Series schedule, including the Indianapolis 500.

Dr Jerry Punch was a positive for NASCAR on ESPN. Not sure if Dr. Punch wanted this or was forced back to the pits. I thought the Nationwide races were a miss with Reid. Just didn't seem to be as good as Sundays in 2009. I'll give Mr. Reid the benefit of the doubt  but will have to take a wait and see.

First Allen Bestwick stepped down years ago and now Jerry Punch. Looks like two steps back in 2010 for NASCAR and ESPN.

Thanks Dr Punch for the GREAT announcing in 2009. I'll watch for you in the pits.