Dave Despain (Wind Tunnel) is the new host of Inside Nextel Cup replacing Allen Bestwick who is doing pit reporting at the races. Michael Waltrip (driver of the Napa car) and Kenny Schrader (driver of the Schwans’ car) both return, but Johnny Benson (driver) has been replaced by Brian Vickers (driver of the Chevrolet GMAC / ditech.com car) as the third man of the panel.

There is the new set, chairs with monitors. The set looks clean and sharp, I like the pictures. The chairs and their monitors, look strange. Maybe it is a woman’s way of looking at things but I like either the more comfortable chairs or the share desk format.

Kenny Schrader shines with his easy to understand explanations, even clarifying some of Mikey Waltrip says. I really liked Allen Bestwick as the host, but Dave Despain is likeable as an announcer he definitely has a different style, more business like.

What I have always liked best about the show is the casual way the guys are. They sit and talk about the races like old friends. They help the novice, enlighten even the knowledgeable race fan.

The season is far from over, we have 3 more races left: Dickies 500 (Texas Motor Speedway), Checker Auto Parts 500 (Phoenix International Raceway) and the Ford 400 (Homestead-Miami Speedway).

NASCAR fans, I am sure will continue to turn into Inside the Nextel Cup on SpeedTV on of the Specialty Channels regardless of any changes that happen. So happy watching, I know we will be in our house.

SpeedTV (offsite link)

NACAR.com (offsite link)