An overwhelming number of fans of ESPN on-air NHRA analyst Mike Dunn have given the social-media equivalent of a big, fat raspberry to the NHRA and FOX.
The NHRA told Dunn about a week ago that he will not be part of the broadcast team as the program production moves in-house and the shows jump from ESPN to FOX.
Dunn, a fixture with ESPN’s broadcasts since 2002, sent a gracious statement to members of the media. When word reached the fans, they expressed massive displeasure.
Terry Blount, the NHRA’s newly hired vice-president of public relations and communications, has fielded nasty e-mails. Internet forums and Facebook and other forms of social media have been teeming with negative reactions and false assumptions – such as the goofy rumor that model Kate Upton will replace Dunn. Poor grammar and punctuation aside, here are some examples:
“Well, this is totally disappointing. Mike Dunn, in my opinion, made the broadcast. His knowledge and easy style of delivery made for a very enjoyable narration during an oft not so riveting broadcast. Bull—- move in my opinion. Not happy.”
“They’ll bring in some hot chick who don’t anything about fuel cars and even less about pro stock. I’ll bet money that’s what they’re up too. They want to try to get people to watch that don’t give a damn about drag racing. DUMB, really DUMB”
“ . . .Who is going to get in the booth, especially during live events and do a better job than him? His knowledge of the sport and the technical aspects of things is far beyond anyone else you are going to put in the booth. You think they should put some 30 something in the booth to draw in the younger crowd? If so you are as delusional as NHRA. NHRA is going to start to see a huge revolt from the core base at a very rapid rate if they keep this up.”
“I don’t like the direction NHRA is going. I’ve been around sport since 1987, but thinking about tuning out. Too much corporate involvement and don’t value racer or fan feedback…”
“They’ll,bring some damn…”DING BAT” in.That,know’s absolutely nothing about Drag Racing or any Racing.”
“Bull crap.. Great announcer who know the sport…Please dont put some blonde bimbo in that spot..”
“Nhra is creating a lot of hostility with their ill cited actions and decisions they make. This on top of pulling the plug on the Epping NH HRR is just two huge mistakes on their part. As they say…IHRA RULES”
“This is an outrage!!!”
“Right On! Take it to a VOTE! The fans want a say in who we see on tv, screw Corporate.”
“Another stupid decision by NHRA!!!!”
“You guys at NHRA are blowing it BIG TIME!! Many of we die hard drag racing fans have watched Mike’s career evolve. We’ve watched how he learned to turn a wrench, we KNOW he knows the inner workings of every class of car and we TRUST the information he shares. He’s paid his dues and 100% deserves to be sitting in that announcer/host chair. He learned by helping out with his Dad’s team – BIG JIM DUNN, he’s driven and raced just about every wheeled vehicle in racing and we fans of drag racing are telling you,, you guys are making a huge mistake.”
“I think NHRA ‘Dunn’ F—– up!”
And those are some of the nicer comments.
For those Dunn supporters, the old saying rings true: “A new broom sweeps clean, but the old broom knows where all the dirt is.”
Viewers want “dirt.” Yes, they want “dirt” in the sense of inside scoops. But they enjoy Dunn’s straight talk and sense of humor because they respect his previous career as a driver and winner in both the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes.
So fans are upset the commentator metaphorically fell beneath the “Do or Dunn Line” (It’s Dunn’s trademark screen graphic that separates drivers performing well from those who are in danger of dropping out of championship contention.)
They’re upset because when Dunn delivered in entertaining fashion. Dunn is Dunn.
But Dunn is done.
Or is Dunn done?
Blount tried to express empathy for Dunn’s supporters while urging them to reserve judgment.
“Mike Dunn has been fantastic as an analyst for years for us. He’s done a tremendous job. We couldn’t have asked for more,” he said.
“I understand that some people will be upset that there’s changes, and we expected that. I get that,” Blount said. “But I just want people to hang in there, because they’re going to like what we’re doing. They’re going to like some of the changes that are being made.”
While it appears that what’s done is done, perhaps what’s Dunn isn’t done.
“Who knows what can happen in the future?” Blount said.
He said the process of composing the on-air broadcast team and figuring out the nuts and bolts of the format is “in limbo,” indicting it’s incomplete and more complicated than many might imagine.
The situation is somewhat awkward and fragile at the moment, because Dunn and Dave Rieff, who reportedly will move forward with the NHRA and its move to FOX, still work with current NHRA-contracted network ESPN. Blount said the NHRA is trying to be respectful of ESPN as it prepares to make the transition. That and the fact the sweeping changes require it to follow legal and professional protocol, the NHRA is not yet prepared to make public announcements about its intentions for the 2016 telecasts on the FOX network.
With Dunn’s courteous and diplomatic press release, the door appears to be open for a possible role for Dunn. That’s no guarantee, but Blount didn’t rule out the notion. At the least, the sanctioning body has expressed respect for Dunn for all of his contributions to the sport.
Blount said, “We love Mike. As far as I’m concerned and everyone’s concerned, we’re parting on good terms, because Mike has done an incredible job for us. He’s been a great asset to the NHRA, not only as a broadcaster but all the years when he was a driver. His family has been in the sport forever, and he’s been a big part of what we do.
“And I understand people would be upset. We knew that would be true. But I think if they just be patient and hang in there, they’re going to like what we do.”
