Sports reporter wanted to cover Va.Tech

I think there is a need for a NASCAR writer. Just one.

 

If Nathan wants the job, I hope he gets it. He's a solid, low-key reporter who cranks out pretty good stuff and doesn't make a lot of waves.

 

Especially after what happened last weekend. UVA was starting to get a little bit of a foothold, but that was pushed back after 38-0.

Plus, I heard UVA had a five-star kid ready to committ after the game, but now is not so sure after watching the beatdown the Cavs took.

Tech has a stud at QB, and they are not sliding anytime in the next 1-2 years. London will take some kids away from Tech, but for now, UVA is still a distant third.

 

Auto racing is sort of like golf and tennis, in that the tour goes from one spot to another. It's great to have someone on the beat, writing columns, features and such regularly, Travel to a handful of events. But week in, week out? I don't see how anyone can justify that sort of expense.

 

In Richmond, when I was there, we did probably 20-22 of the 36 races. That included two at Richmond, two at Martinsville (3.5 hour drive) and two at Bristol (about six hours). I also drove to Dover. But yeah, it's a big expense, and for what AP provides on what is a national beat, I'm not sure it's one that's necessary at that paper.

IMO.

 

Auto Racing is really the only professional sport in Richmond. I could care less about it, but I am very suprised there is not a NASCAR staff writer. I would guess its someone's beat that they are splitting with something else like the Richmond Kickers (ugh).

 

Auto racing is a professional sport in Richmond for two weekends a year. It's not like there's a Richmond NASCAR franchise or half the schedule is run within three hours. There's better places to spend the writer budget.

 

I know. It's a tough call. Plus, it seems the passion in the sport has slipped since Dale Sr. died and Dale Jr. seems to suck.

 

Nathan's definitely good. So was Darryl. (He probably still is, but I'm just speaking to his VT stuff.)

 

Passion grew after Dale Sr.'s death. His death has nothing to do with flagging interest.

And Richmond needs a Redskins beat writer. It doesn't NEED a racing writer. When times are better, sure. But if your choice is to put someone on the road 25 weeks a year for six stories a week, meh?

 

Considering how badly the T-D's Sports staff has been gutted over the last few years, I don't see any way you can justify the insane expense that goes into sending a NASCAR writer on the road (even on a semi-FT basis, as IJAG noted) anymore.

Plus, the national AP does such a terrific job that it makes sending a staff reporter redundant and unnecessary except on those occasions when there is a very compelling local angle. You're paying for the AP copy anyway; why not use it?

I think the T-D probably needs a second FT preps person before it fills a NASCAR beat spot. One preps person isn't really enough for all of the schools they cover even if you have part-timers willing to work like dogs and freelancers.

I also echo Moddy's hope that both papers wind up keeping their VT beat writers whether Nathan gets the Richmond job or not. There is enough local talent in the VT football program to keep writers at both papers plenty busy without producing too much overlap.

 

They have one full-time preps person? Jesus.