NBC Sports is gearing up for its portion of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule, starting this weekend at Iowa Speedway. But before the first green flag waves under the network’s watch, one broadcast decision has already stirred up passionate fan responses: NBC will once again limit full-screen commercials to caution or red-flag periods during the upcoming Daytona and Talladega races. For many fans, it’s a welcome change—but they’re wondering why it doesn’t apply to every race.
Key Highlights
NBC will only show full-screen commercials during yellow or red flags for the Daytona and Talladega races.
Fans are calling for the policy to extend across the entire NASCAR schedule.
NBC’s 2025 broadcast theme focuses on the toughness of NASCAR drivers, launching this weekend at Iowa Speedway.
This year marks NBC’s 200th NASCAR race since regaining broadcast rights in 2015.
Fans Say the Policy Shouldn’t Stop at Superspeedways
While NBC’s decision has been praised, it has also opened a new debate among NASCAR fans about broadcast priorities and viewing experience.
“Don’t miss a second of them going down pit road for their Sunoco race fuel,” one fan wrote sarcastically, pointing out how many live commercials often happen during slower periods of the race. Another added humorously, “Don’t forget the 4 fresh Goodyear tires,” as a nod to the most common sponsor shoutouts seen during pit cycles.
Some fans focused on how the Daytona and Talladega coverage will stand out compared to other tracks:
“This should be for all the races,” one fan insisted, echoing the sentiment shared widely online.
“Fans will riot on the first full-screen green flag break. We’ve been spoiled the last 10 weeks,” another wrote, referencing the commercial-light coverage Amazon Prime provided earlier this season.
“Why not do this for all races? 90% of Daytona and Talladega are just fuel saving at this point anyway,” a fan added, questioning why this feature is limited to superspeedways only.
Even those who welcomed NBC’s approach were quick to underline their concern about interruptions during crucial race moments: “No full screen commercials under green though,” one fan remarked, highlighting a long-standing frustration with missed action due to mid-race ad breaks.
Others joked about NBC’s promise to cut back on intrusive commercials, referencing classic racing broadcast tropes: “IF TROUBLE BREAKS OUT, WE’LL BREAK IN,” one fan wrote, poking fun at the network’s traditional phrasing during in-race interruptions.
.@NBCSports will once again only show full-screen commercials during yellow or red flags for the Daytona and Talladega NASCAR Cup Series races in its portion of the 2025 schedule. https://t.co/JDY0xaAP9P
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) August 1, 2025
NBC Sports Introduces a New Look and Theme for 2025 Coverage
NBC is aiming to bring a fresh vibe to its Cup Series coverage, which kicks off at the sold-out Iowa Speedway this weekend. The new broadcast approach centers on celebrating the toughness and grit of NASCAR drivers—something VP of NASCAR production Jeff Behnke says is often overlooked outside of crashes.
“Drivers are tough, nitty gritty, and in incredible physical shape,” Behnke said. “We’re going to celebrate that. The way their bodies are impacted during the course of a race—not just during crashes, but the heat they overcome and the strength it takes to turn those wheels—we are going to showcase that.”
A revamped two-minute opening sequence, set to Deep Purple’s “Space Truckin’,” blends iconic NASCAR footage with modern race action and off-track personality moments. The intro features legends like Richard Petty alongside current stars Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Shane van Gisbergen, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, and Ryan Blaney. NBC says the sequence will evolve throughout the season, adding highlights such as Bubba Wallace’s recent Brickyard 400 win.
This year also marks NBC’s 200th NASCAR race since regaining broadcast rights in 2015. Behnke noted that the production team has already gained momentum from working on five Amazon Prime Cup Series races earlier this year, fine-tuning their approach to camera work, graphics, and commentary ahead of their full schedule.
Balancing Commercials and Race Action
NBC’s limited-commercial approach for Daytona and Talladega is part of a larger conversation about NASCAR’s TV coverage and how networks balance sponsorship obligations with fan viewing experience. Superspeedway races, with their frequent fuel-saving stretches and predictable yellow flags, are often considered “safer” to air without risking missed on-track action during green-flag racing. However, fans argue that other races deserve the same courtesy, especially given recent advancements in side-by-side ad breaks and streaming alternatives.
Some point to Amazon Prime’s summer coverage—which was largely free of full-screen interruptions—as proof that NASCAR broadcasts can adapt. With NBC now handling the second half of the season, comparisons between the two broadcast styles are inevitable, particularly as the playoffs approach.
The fan demand is clear: viewers don’t just want fewer commercial breaks for superspeedway races; they want networks to rethink how race broadcasts handle advertisements altogether. NASCAR’s TV partners are locked into long-term deals, but fan pressure could influence future strategies, particularly with streaming platforms entering the picture more prominently.
News in Brief: NBC’s Daytona and Talladega Commercial Plan
NBC Sports launches its 2025 NASCAR Cup Series coverage this weekend at Iowa Speedway, marking its 200th race since rejoining the sport in 2015. A refreshed broadcast theme, centered on the toughness and grit of NASCAR drivers, debuts alongside a new show open set to “Space Truckin’” by Deep Purple. However, much of the fan conversation this week has focused on NBC’s decision to only air full-screen commercials during cautions and red flags at Daytona and Talladega.
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