Jack Arute in the booth next year?

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Permalink Reply by Jim Huntington on August 25, 2008 at 6:41am

Yes.One thing about J.A. is that he certainly does not lack enthusiasm and he seems to not only understand racing but he treats the drivers with respect. It's moot for me because I'm stuck with Mike King and Davey Hamilton, about which I do not complain. I like Hamilton's "color" commentary. I have been pleasantly surprised at the increased quality of the streaming video production. They have someone directing now and when there are interesting battles going on back in the pack, they switch to that camera, not just lock on the leader to the exclusion of everyone and everything else.

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Permalink Reply by Iowa Guy on August 25, 2008 at 11:31pm

I miss Gary Gerould. He was great with Indy Car coverage. Beekhuis does a fine job too. Actually, pit commentators, in my opinion, have often been better than the folks upstairs in recent years. Arute, Vince Welch, Jamie Little, Breanne (sp?) Pedigo all do a good job (among that group, Welch is tops). I have always liked Jack Arute, and would like to see what he could do in the booth.

I've always been an Eddie Cheever fan, and would like to be able to see more of him in a color position. My only complaint about him at Indy this year was that he needed to speak into the mic more. He came across as being too quiet. But he's got quite a good sense of humor. When he was asked during the online broadcast of the Lights Race #1 at Infineon about Richard Antinucci, his reponse was "Come on, I'm his uncle -- what do you THINK I'm going to say?"

On the IMS Network side, Davey Hamilton is a wealth of information.

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Permalink Reply by xorpheous on August 25, 2008 at 8:47am

I like Jack, but I think his place is in the pits. He and Beekus would make a fantastic pairing. My vote for the booth would be Bob Jenkins and Eddie Cheever. I didn't like Cheever either as a driver or an owner, but I thought he did a good job at Indy. ...just keep he and Goodyear separated. ;)

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Permalink Reply by Wilsonfan on August 25, 2008 at 10:42am

Wow, you brought up my favorite commentator, Jack Arute. Jack wants to be a booth and off pit road--he has said that. He would be terrific as a booth broadcaster. I, too, like Davey Hamilton. Bob Jenkins just is not "lively" enough and I don't think he would be interested in a full-time position. Marty Reid is a no with me--he makes so many mistakes in his commentary. BUT, Jack Arute does other sporting events for ESPN so I don't know if he would be interested or if Versus would pay him enough. Its going to be interesting.

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Permalink Reply by Iowa Guy on August 25, 2008 at 11:21pm

Definitely. In fact, I mentioned this in a post a couple weeks ago (sorry, was not on this board). I said that Arute has been in the pits for years, and has done a great job -- maybe it's time that he got promoted to the booth. I'd like to see it.

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Permalink Reply by Iowa Guy on August 25, 2008 at 11:34pm

This is a little off-topic, but on the subject of commentators, who else remembers those great days of CART broadcasts when Bobby Unser and Sam Posey used to get into it over things said on-air? I can still hear Bobby saying, "Weeelll, now Sam, you and I both know that's just not true...."

I think Bobby even used to argue with Paul Page, if I remember right.

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Permalink Reply by Peggy Willenberg on August 26, 2008 at 11:57am

Those were the best days! Remember when Al won the 500 and Bobby just about burst into tears? I'll never forget that! (and I never liked Sam Posey either, Bobby)

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Permalink Reply by Wilsonfan on August 26, 2008 at 11:58am

Peggy, how good to see your name--Catherine has been wondering what happened to you. Take care.

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Permalink Reply by Peggy Willenberg on August 26, 2008 at 1:01pm

Thanks! I have been away helping my daughter move, but fortunately didn't miss any races! In regard to Jack Arute, I wonder if he is even available to move to Versus? He probably has a long-term contract with ESPN. I would like to see Cheever back (in the booth only!) and Jan Beekhuis did a great job in the pits at Edmonton.

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Permalink Reply by Chuck Burns on August 26, 2008 at 1:26am

Jack Arute should stay a part of the broadcast team next year, whether it be in the pits, or in the booth. I know that Jack really looks forward to being in victory circle though. Davie Hamilton should stay, and I have heard that VS wants to add perhaps Eddie Cheever, and Bob Jenkins

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Permalink Reply by KoHoSo on August 26, 2008 at 12:22pm

If I were ESPN or Versus, I would make sure and do several test broadcasts with Arute doing play-by-play. The reason is that, while a good man, he might not be the right one for the job. Those of us who also follow NASCAR are going through a similar situation with Dr. Jerry Punch. I love Punch as a person and he was an excellent pit reporter. However, he has been a general disaster doing play-by-play. That is not to say that Arute can't succeed where Punch hasn't. I'm only saying...with recent history in mind, let's make sure before we get all hot and bothered.

Remember too, folks...doing sports commentary is by no means as easy as most might think. It takes a special person to juggle such a circus, and that's why we love the good ones of the past so much.

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Permalink Reply by Wilsonfan on August 27, 2008 at 10:35am

E-mailed Jack encouraging him to take a look at this Indycargarage.com site and see what his fans are saying. He e-mailed back saying "I would leave ESPN in a heartbeat". I hope Versus approaches him with an offer. I think he would be great in the booth.

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