I always thought that Bobalooo would be a great nickname. But I guess not so many folks would get the Ricky Ricardo tie in. . . . .

I have to give credit to Paul Szmal for responding on this board. A lot of people don't take criticism well. Hats off to you. I am sure being an announcer is not as easy as it seems....and we all have heard some really lousy ones over the years.

Tim Wolffrum aka Cowboy

Thanks Tim, hopefully I'm not one of those really lousy ones (LOL)...like I said, IMO you can't get better at what you do without some feedback from the fans...so have at it, all...positive and negative criticisms welcome!

Paul

I wouldnt put the curse on being an announcer on my worst enemy. Its fun sometimes, but then at other times, you definitely cant please everybody.

Only those of a certain age or those who love I Love Lucy reruns.

I recall seeing Paul on TV a few years back when DIRT Modifieds were on TNN, I think it was.

Give him time. He will learn.

I enjoyed reading both Susannah's thread and Paul's reply.

My name is James, that's how I introduce myself, that's what is on my birth certificate, and people love to call me Jim.... Not sure where all the abbreviations came from.

What I wonder is how a racetrack or a sanctioning body using a price increase passed on to the consumer to have a certain announcer call races would fly?

I am a little different then the fan who sits in the stands, as I probably haven't been up front at a racetrack in 5-6 years. I'm either in the pits or in the infield and never hear the announcer.

Not to say that announcing isn't important, and that hearing a certain familiar voice, who is knowledgeable about the drivers isn't relavent, but are we splitting hairs here? If it's USAC's responsibility to bring an announcer I would address it with them or the track holding a race.

Three nights of USAC sprint cars and this is one of the important topics? I am sure Rob Klepper had to start somewhere as we all do at our respective jobs.

Paul Szmal is the real deal. See 'Rush Hour on DIRT' to check his cred.

For some reason "Cowboy" Paul Szmal rings a history bell. Did you have that nickname in the 90s?

As for the knocks on your call, at least you know you were being heard, right?

Rob does a great job. He has the insight, rapport and experience to be a vital but at the very same time unnoticed element of the show. Not much ever said, good or bad, about his work until someone fills in. And that's ok-most announcers (except the egomaniacs) approach the job with a focus on complementing the action but not distracting from it. Filling in feels A LOT like walking through a cow pasture blindfolded. You have to get through it somehow, you can smell it, but you can't tell if you stepped in it until you do!

Definitely NOT a slam to Paul, but once again with Rob being an asset to the show, let USAC know!

I'd be willing to bet Rob's help on the off-road tv gig was more valuable than his being with the sprints in essentially their backyard with knowledgeable fans.

Sorry this got so wordy, gang.
Fire when ready
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I travel to a lot of different race tracks and see a number of different series race. Announcers come in a lot of different packages. I particularly don't care for the "homers". They to me are only there to shill for that track and the racers there. Seldom do they offer any information that a "outsider" like me would care to hear.

I also don't like the ones who rely on someone else to do their homework. If you are too lazy to hit the pits and gather your own information, do us all a favor and quit. Don't start out by telling all of us that you are waiting for the sheet to come upstairs from the pits with the drivers names and numbers.

Then you have the ones that have so much information they don't know when to stop. They give you tidbits of information that add nothing to that evenings racing program. They talk to hear themselves talk.

With that being said, Paul isn't like any of them. I thought he provided the necessary information to keep fans informed. He has a pleasant voice, a good delivery and he doesn't yell. I feel for him because he has "huge" shoes to fill when subbing for Rob Klepper. All I can say is Paul, hang in there as the board can be extremely brutal at times. Keep up the good work.

One quick question. Who was the USAC announcer before Rob Klepper?

I will have to agree rob knows what he's doing. Same goes for the flagman in the stand. I feel that USAC has one of the best around. Nobody is as good as he is. I've seen guys who need to be more like tom. I know usac has used a few others and they weren't as home as tom. Just my opinion so same goes for the announcer but give them time and they'll be just as good as rob.
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Funny you should mention that...yeah, the "Cowboy" comes from me wearing a cowboy hat on the air during the 'Rush Hour on DIRT' broadcasts...kinda funny that people still remember that, since I did my last 'Rush Hour' back in 1999...

The USAC people refer to me as "Cowboy" as well, which I get a chuckle out of...