Bangor television station WABI (Channel 5) broke new ground last Sunday with its broadcast of the Carquest 100 Late Model Sportsman race at Speedway 95 in Hermon.

For an auto-racing novice like myself, the coverage was especially educational.

Heck, when it comes to car races, you can call me camshaft-challenged or differential-disadvantaged because I have no idea where either one of those things are even located on a car.

That’s why I liked WABI’s racing coverage. The producers didn’t assume every viewer already knew what a pace car’s function was or what happened during a caution flag.

WABI sports director Tim Throckmorton and Dan Ayotte, a writer for Speedway Scene, called the action during the 100-lap feature race.

Throckmorton provided good background information and interesting trivia on the history of the track and some of the racers while Ayotte handled most of the “play-by-play.”

Ayotte didn’t miss any of the action on the track. In fact, he was frequently ahead of the camera crew, describing track action that viewers weren’t privy to.

Before the race started, both announcers called attention to the hot track. They explained it was so hot, it had to be cooled by tank trucks spraying water.

Ayotte also had the best prediction of the day – remarking that despite driver Stan Meserve having raced 100- and 150-lap races the two previous nights, he thought Meserve would be sharp, not worn out. Meserve was sharp enough to win the race.

Throckmorton talked about the track’s 19-year history and offered interesting tidbits about the various owners of the track through those years.

Ayotte’s broadcasting style was perfectly suited for the race. He carried on a running description of the leaders, race strategy, and how the race was developing.

WABI also had people covering the pits. WABI’s Mike Hale and Bina Austin of Speedway 95 provided periodic updates on which drivers were coming in, why they were coming in, and whether they would be out of the race.

The only drawback I noticed in the TV coverage was the cameras’ inability to pick up several spin-outs and accidents while Ayotte was describing them.

Several times, the only evidence of an accident caught on camera was a cloud of dust or smoke left hanging in the air.

The field of view for the track and the entire field was also limited. But that’s to be expected, especially for first-time coverage.

Overall, I thought WABI got through its first auto racing event with flying colors. Channel 5 will also air the Varney’s Sportsman’s 100 race at Speedway 95 Sunday, July 30 at 4 p.m.