Anyone can be a pundit and chime in two cents on who will be or should be a champion in the HO IndySlotcar
league. It takes a real handicapper to be able to pick the winner of
the Austin Award for best comedian during the season.
An award that driver Everet Kamikawa has stated "If I can't win the league championship I want the Austin award because it least it shows I was funny outside of the car if I can't be competitive inside the car."
An award that driver Everet Kamikawa has stated "If I can't win the league championship I want the Austin award because it least it shows I was funny outside of the car if I can't be competitive inside the car."
Here
are my picks for the coveted 2014 Austin Award named after former
champion both on the track and on camera. Criteria for my votes are
simple:
1. Who contributed the most original ideas for the TV broadcasts
2. Who got the most laughs on race night
3. Who provides the best mix of humor and weirdness in the final edit for broadcast
#3.
Dan Margetta: Always ready with a good throw away line like "bringing a
knife to a gunfight" his driver lineup intros are still funny and fresh
after all these years, although there were a couple of intros in the last couple of races that weren't up to his usual standards, however we attribute that more to his fellow announcer at those times. What Dan does very well is set announcers and drivers up so well that they can riff and then he will either support them by going along with the riff or giving them some other direction to go in.
#2. Dean Strom: This is a close call on #1 and #2 this year. Dean's alter ego "Sergio" the ever lusting lover from the country of "Latin" has become a fan favorite on screen and in print. Deano Bravo's imitation of Lee Skippy is classic. Not many other characters for broadcasting, however it's close between he and Dan about who is the perfect foil when announcing with Kitty Bo Peep. For driver interviews Dean always seems to create something fresh as opposed to other drivers doing standard " we hope to drive well and win" interviews. He also received the longest kiss in Indyslotcart history when he won a race earlier in the year.
#1.
Everet Kamikawa: The introduction of "Lee Skippy" as a race host and reporter was a brilliant idea by Mike Kristof. Kamikawa made the character grow throughout the season and seems utterly comfortable in his on camera alter ego in a way that he hasn't been since his days as "Everet Bell." Getting clubbed by gangs, innuendo with Kitty Bo Peep, and doing impressions of Deano Bravo were some of the most memorable bits. We look forward to seeing more of Lee Skippy in the future. Everet also brought along his usual cast of characters such as Professor Rex Karz. He also brought a new twist of introducing drivers as former Milwaukee Brewers or ex-Indyslotcar drivers. If
you didn't find the joke about Harry Carey comparing saying "balls" on a racing telecast as opposed to a baseball broadcast you missed something special.
Congratulations Everet!
Until next time
It's not bad being in the pits!
Steve "The Wrench" Ratchett
