So it has been announced that two time funny car champion Tony Pedregon will take the place of Mike Dunn in the booth next year as the color analysis of the Mello Yello NHRA Drag Racing telecast in 2016. This coincides with the announce changes broadcast partners from ESPN to FOX Sports. It appears that show host Dave Rieff will retain his duties.This might prove to be an interesting hire for Fox, as Pedregon is a two time champion in funny car. Is a team owner, therefore he can speak to the audience from those capacities. It might be a rough first year as he is not trained in television, so there will be a learning curve. But Pedregon has not been bashful in letting his thoughts and opinions be known. The biggest unknown is that of chemistry. Can Rieff and Pedregon develop and maintain that chemistry that a good booth dual needs to have to make a good broadcast. Time will tell.
There are rumors also of who might take Gary Gerald's place in the broadcast as a pit reporter. The most interesting one to reach the surface here in beautiful Boise, Idaho, is that of veteran journalist and broadcaster Robin Miller.
Now for those who do not know Robin Miller, he was a very noted motorsports writer for the Indianapolis Star for many years, also a writer for Auto Week, Car and Driver, and is the senior for RACER Magazine. Miller also has a great deal of TV experience with both ESPN and NBC. His core competency is open wheel racing and INDY Car.
Miller is not one to swallow his opinions either. He was a huge burr under the saddle of the IRL and its president Tony George. Miller lets his opinions fly and cares not care what others think.
Here is the sixty thousand dollar question? Will the Gang in Glendora allow two very opinionated broadcasters to be the face of their self produced television show, which is supposedly going to be done live next year. Will TP be given free reign to speak his mind?
We will have to buckle up and hang on for the ride.
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