In 2025, NBC lost NASCAR Cup Series races from its broadcast lineup as a result of a sweeping new media rights deal, shifting the distribution of major events among several broadcasters. This adjustment follows NASCAR’s latest seven-year, $7.7 billion agreement, which brings changes to how and where fans can watch Cup Series action, starting with Iowa Speedway‘s recent event.
Major Broadcasters Undergo Changes with Fresh NASCAR Deal
The new media rights agreement continues involvement from established partners NBC and Fox, but introduces Amazon Prime Video as a newcomer and returns TNT Sports to the rotation. To accommodate Prime and TNT’s five-race stretches, both NBC and Fox saw reductions in their respective race lineups. Fox, which opens the season, now covers 14 races instead of its past 18, and its points-paying events drop to 12. NBC, which remains in charge of closing out the season, also trims its coverage from 20 to 14 races.
Previously, NBC’s broadcast segment traditionally kicked off around mid-June, but adjustments this year began with the Iowa Corn 350, as highlighted by the new agreement. These changes not only alter network schedules but force significant reshuffling of individual race assignments.
Key NASCAR Cup Series Races No Longer on NBC
Based on the previous contract, NBC this year would have launched its coverage on June 22 at Pocono Raceway. The network would also have aired the five-round In-Season Challenge, with stops at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the Chicago Street Course, Sonoma Raceway, Dover Motor Speedway, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Two highly anticipated events—Chicago Street Race and the prestigious Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis—stand out as particularly significant losses for NBC. According to reported trends, both races suffered notable declines in viewership after being transferred from NBC to TNT under the new alignment.
Pocono and Atlanta’s June races both featured in NBC’s past summer schedules, while the Chicago and Indianapolis events carried strong followings. The Sonoma and Dover races, traditionally aired by Fox, moved later in the calendar this season, reflecting broader shuffling caused by the media agreement. Sonoma had typically closed out Fox’s NASCAR coverage in June, while Dover’s race used to be scheduled for late April or early May.
In the previous season, NBC had broadcast races from Nashville Superspeedway and Michigan International Speedway in late June and mid-August, respectively. Both have now shifted earlier in the year to Fox’s section of the schedule. Meanwhile, World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, which was part of Fox’s coverage from 2022 through 2024, has transitioned into NBC’s playoff programming for this cycle.
Homestead-Miami Speedway, formerly one of NBC’s playoff races, returned to the regular season for the first time since 2021 and thus moved to Fox’s lot this year. This replacement saw NBC picking up Gateway in exchange for losing Homestead, further altering the playoff dynamics and broadcast distributions.
List of Races That Shifted Away from NBC
In summary, NBC lost the following six races in this recent media shakeup:
- Pocono Raceway
- Atlanta Motor Speedway
- Chicago Street Course
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Brickyard 400)
- Nashville Superspeedway
- Michigan International Speedway
In addition, Homestead-Miami Speedway switched to Fox, and NBC in return now holds World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway during the playoffs.
Changes in Network Broadcast Distribution
A majority of NBC’s NASCAR Cup Series races are not broadcast on the main NBC network, mirroring Fox’s strategy. Nine of Fox’s 14 scheduled races air on Fox Sports 1, while NBC assigns only four races to its primary channel and relies on USA Network for the remaining 10, such as the season’s opening event at Iowa Speedway.
NBC’s first network broadcast for 2025 will not occur until the highly anticipated regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway on August 23. Thereafter, NBC returns to air the last three playoff races at Talladega Superspeedway (October 19), Martinsville Speedway (October 26), and Phoenix Raceway (November 2). For the rest of NBC’s portion, USA Network assumes coverage, having replaced NBC Sports Network after it ceased operations in 2021. This marks another broadcast shift for fans, aligning with NBCUniversal’s reshaped channel lineup.
Broadcast Team and Production Outlook
Whether a race airs on NBC or USA Network, the commentary and coverage team remains consistent. Leigh Diffey, who joined as the primary announcer in 2023 after succeeding Rick Allen, works alongside color commentators Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte. Both Burton and Letarte have served in their roles since 2015, and Diffey’s experience extends from his tenure at IndyCar, a property set to move to Fox next year. Will Buxton has since filled Diffey’s IndyCar spot, joining James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell on broadcasts.
Looking ahead, USA Network is scheduled to cover the Go Bowling at The Glen event from Watkins Glen International on Sunday, August 10. This contest continues NBCUniversal’s approach to delivering comprehensive NASCAR Cup Series programming despite the adjusted race assignments, providing continuity for viewers amid changes.
Implications and What Lies Ahead for NASCAR Fans
The realignment caused by the new $7.7 billion media rights deal has forced both NBC and Fox to give up high-profile NASCAR Cup Series races, including iconic contests like the Chicago Street Race and Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis. As Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports assume roles in broadcasting, viewers will need to adapt to the latest schedule and varying channel allocations. Amid these changes, familiar broadcast voices like Leigh Diffey, Jeff Burton, and Steve Letarte aim to offer a sense of consistency, even as the landscape of NASCAR coverage continues to evolve moving forward.
