After more than a decade away, TNT Sports is back in the NASCAR broadcast booth. Their return is part of a landmark seven-year, $7.7 billion media rights agreement that reshapes how fans experience the NASCAR Cup Series. Spanning 2025 through 2031, this deal splits race coverage among FOX Sports, NBC Sports, Amazon Prime Video, and TNT Sports—with TNT airing a five-race stretch every summer.
The return of TNT is more than just nostalgia—it marks a shift toward digital integration, studio presence at the track, and a summer tournament format aimed at energizing midseason storylines. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, TNT is positioning itself as a bold, tech-forward voice in NASCAR’s modern era.
Key Highlights: TNT’s NASCAR Deal
TNT Sports returns to NASCAR as part of the $7.7B media rights deal (2025–2031)
Five summer races will air on TNT and stream on Max, starting June 28 at EchoPark Speedway
TNT introduces the NASCAR In-Season Challenge, a $1M bracket tournament during its coverage block
Broadcast team includes Dale Earnhardt Jr., Steve Letarte, Adam Alexander, and more
Expanded digital coverage includes on-board cams, radio chatter, and AltCast on truTV
TNT’s Five-Race Return Anchors a Competitive Summer Stretch
TNT Sports will broadcast five NASCAR Cup Series races in 2025, launching its coverage at EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway) on June 28. From there, the summer slate hits a variety of high-profile venues:
Chicago Street Course on July 6
Sonoma Raceway on July 13
Dover Motor Speedway on July 20
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Brickyard 400) on July 27
This stretch is designed to inject energy into a period of the season that often struggles for casual attention. With a mix of road courses, historic ovals, and a street circuit, TNT’s lineup offers a compelling cross-section of NASCAR’s evolving identity.
And it doesn’t stop at the racing. TNT has committed to on-site studio coverage for all five events, avoiding the off-site or hybrid models used by some other networks. For fans, this means a more immersive broadcast, with coverage grounded in the sights and sounds of the racetrack.
A Star-Powered Broadcast Team with Deep NASCAR Roots
TNT has recruited an impressive broadcast team that combines veteran voices with driver and crew chief expertise.
Adam Alexander will handle play-by-play duties, bringing over a decade of NASCAR commentary experience.
Joining him in the booth: Dale Earnhardt Jr., a NASCAR Hall of Famer and fan favorite, and Steve Letarte, former crew chief and NBC analyst.
On pit road, Marty Snider, Danielle Trotta, and Alan Cavanna will report live with updates, interviews, and technical insights throughout the race.
Studio coverage before and after the races will be hosted by Shannon Spake, joined by Jamie McMurray (2010 Daytona 500 winner) and Parker Kligerman.
Additionally, Mamba Smith will serve as a roving correspondent and digital voice for B/R Racing, helping tie the broadcasts into Bleacher Report’s broader sports content strategy.
TNT’s approach to coverage feels personal and vibrant—anchored by familiar faces who bring both credibility and energy to the booth.
In-Season Challenge & Digital Innovation Define TNT’s Bold Strategy
Perhaps the most groundbreaking element of TNT’s NASCAR return is the NASCAR In-Season Challenge—a bracket-style tournament that takes place during its five-race broadcast block. Each race will pit Cup drivers against each other in head-to-head matchups, with the highest finisher advancing through the bracket. At the end, the tournament winner will earn $1 million.
Seeding is determined by each driver’s best finishes in the three Amazon Prime Video races leading into the TNT stretch (Michigan, Mexico City, Pocono). That format ensures maximum competitive stakes and heightened fan interest right when attention typically dips.
TNT will also offer an “AltCast” on truTV, hosted by Larry McReynolds and Jeff Burton, focusing entirely on the tournament bracket. This feed is ideal for viewers who want more analytical, driver-focused coverage beyond the standard race call.
Digitally, TNT is going all-in:
Every race simulcast on TNT and Max (via B/R Sports Add-On)
All practice and qualifying sessions for the second half of the season will air exclusively on Max and truTV
Driver on-board cameras and team radios will be available via streaming
Bleacher Report will distribute race highlights, interviews, and social media content, targeting fans who engage outside of live race windows
This strategy positions TNT not just as a race broadcaster but as a full-fledged digital media partner for NASCAR.
News in Brief: TNT Returns to NASCAR Under Seven-Point-Seven Billion Dollar Deal
TNT Sports isn’t simply returning to NASCAR—it’s helping reinvent how the sport is presented and consumed. With a focus on technology, bold midseason storytelling, and engaging on-air talent, TNT’s five-race stretch could become one of the year’s most anticipated viewing windows.
From million-dollar tournaments to multiple viewing formats, TNT is embracing NASCAR’s core while opening doors to new generations of fans. As part of NASCAR’s broader $7.7 billion rights package, TNT has emerged as a critical piece of the sport’s future—one race, one broadcast, and one innovation at a time.
ALSO READ: NASCAR In-Season Challenge Takes Shape After Mexico City Shake-Up
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is NASCAR going back to TNT?
A. On November 29, 2023, TNT Sports announced it will broadcast five NASCAR Cup Series races each summer beginning in 2025. TruTV will carry practice and qualifying for 19 Cup races annually. All events, including races, practice, and qualifying, will also stream on Max.
