The ESPN race broadcast group is the industry's very best. Often, no words are required between ESPN Producer Neil Goldberg and Director Mike Wells as they sit side by side in the ESPN broadcast trailer and command the race broadcast. In their headsets from the field, and in the trailer, voices are firmly counting down commercials, shouting out pit reporter stories, mentioning available replay or feature tape and calling in possible camera shots. Controlled chaos is being channeled into a flawless dance. Goldberg, at the helm, listens to all the voices simultaneously but hears only what's key at the moment.
Moments are precious to everyone here.
Wells skillfully calls the camera takes to the technical director who pushes the buttons. Wells has directed X-games, basketball, boxing, track and field and gymnastics but racing is his passion. In a three-hour race broadcast his commands flow, almost uninterrupted, into continuous waves of artistic and technical brilliance. Ready one, then fourteen, ready take one. Now show the back of Earnhardt.