Wind Tunnel Special Wednesday night
05/15/07 As part of its weeklong All-Star programming lineup leading up to the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge, SPEED will deliver a special episode of Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain. The 90-minute special, entitled “Wonderboy or The Intimidator … Who’s Better?" will air live at 7 p.m. ET on May 16, as Despain brings in experts to compare the careers of the sport’s ultimate all stars — Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon.
“Earnhardt versus Gordon is a fascinating comparison," Despain said. “Earnhardt is the epitome of “old NASCAR," a series born among WWII vets who treated racing as another form of combat. “The Intimidator" was the last in a long line of grizzled tough guys who reigned as the sport’s biggest heroes. In contrast, Gordon opened the door to “new NASCAR." He’s the definitive “young gun," the first driver to combine on-track prowess with mainstream marketing appeal. Which of these guys you think is better says as much about you as it does about the drivers, and I suspect hearing the differences between Earnhardt fans and Gordon fans will be half the fun of this show."
Despain will lead an all-star panel discussion, with early confirmations from team owner Rick Hendrick and former drivers Darrell Waltrip and Rusty Wallace. Wallace, the 1989 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion and current ESPN broadcaster, and Waltrip, a three-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion and current FOX/SPEED broadcaster, will each make the case for the driver of their choice.
“When the Wind Tunnel staff pitched this idea to me, I must admit was a little skeptical," said Frank Wilson, SPEED VP of Production and Executive Producer for NASCAR content. “But after hearing Dave and the Tunnelheads out, I quickly came around to their way of thinking. This is just what Wind Tunnel was designed to be: a place where experts and fans alike can debate relevant motor racing topics. Wonderboy vs. The Intimidator is certainly relevant and stirs the passion of just about every NASCAR fan."