NASCAR’s Xfinity series will see an early start to its TV package as the final eight races will be broadcast on the CW Network starting in September. This move comes after Rick Allen’s departure from NBC Sports and the announcement that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be leaving as an analyst to potentially join Amazon Prime for streaming NASCAR events in 2025. Allen has been confirmed as the commentator for the Xfinity races on the CW network.
The CW Network expressed excitement about this opportunity to showcase the thrilling Xfinity Series races ahead of the full broadcast deal in 2025. The accelerated timeline aims to give viewers a preview of what to expect in the future. NASCAR’s SVP of media and productions, Brian Herbst, highlighted the collaboration between media partners to deliver live racing excitement to fans. The deal with the CW marks the first time in the series’ history that all 33 races will be broadcast on free, over-the-air television.
The history-making deal, worth $115 million per year, will provide additional content on CW’s digital platforms. This milestone agreement comes after years of sporadic and fragmented coverage of the Xfinity series on various networks, such as Fox, ESPN, TNT, and ABC. The return to the Fox, NBC arrangement in 2015 saw NASCAR Xfinity Series races drawing an average of approximately 1 million viewers per race each season. The series will now air on one network free over the air for the first time in its history.
NBC Sports President Rick Cordella expressed excitement about the partnership with NASCAR and welcomed The CW as a new broadcaster for the Xfinity Series. The announced start times for the Xfinity Series races on the CW network this fall include races at iconic tracks such as Bristol Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, and Martinsville Speedway. The pre-race coverage and race start times are subject to change, but fans can look forward to a sneak peek of the series on The CW ahead of its full-time broadcasting from 2025.
Overall, NASCAR’s partnership with The CW Network marks a significant milestone in the Xfinity Series’ history, as all races will be broadcast for free on a single network for the first time. The anticipation for the upcoming races on The CW network is high, as fans eagerly await the enhanced viewing experience and continued coverage of the thrilling on-track action. This early preview of the Xfinity Series races on The CW will pave the way for a successful transition to full-time broadcasting in 2025, solidifying the network as a new destination for live motorsports.
