With the Daytona 500 set for February 15 at Daytona International Speedway, FOX has initiated sweeping changes to its broadcast team, resulting in a smaller on-air role for Joey Logano during this year’s coverage. The Joey Logano Daytona 500 broadcast lineup reflects a significant shift in strategy, as FOX reorganizes play-by-play and analysis duties ahead of one of NASCAR’s most prominent races.
FOX Readjusts On-Air Lineup Ahead of the Daytona 500
As the 68th running of the Daytona 500 approaches, the FOX NASCAR booth is undergoing notable changes that influence both its Cup Series and support series coverage. Jamie Little, who commanded Truck Series play-by-play last season alongside Adam Alexander, will now share those responsibilities with Eric Brennan in 2026 due to Alexander’s departure. Little will be joined in the main Daytona 500 broadcast by former driver Kevin Harvick and three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano in a revised commentary team.
Pit reporting for the Daytona 500 will be handled by Josh Sims, Regan Smith, and Amanda Busic, while veteran broadcasters Mike Joy and Clint Bowyer are set to join Harvick and Logano in the broadcast booth for live race commentary. Larry McReynolds, an esteemed crew chief, will provide additional race analysis. Coverage before the race will feature analysis from Chris Myers, Jamie McMurray, Michael Waltrip, and Tom Rinaldi, further enhancing FOX’s on-air lineup.
On the ARCA circuit, Eric Brennan teams up with Brent Strover for play-by-play, and Brennan will also be calling the Daytona 500 alongside Phil Parsons. Kaitlyn Vincie and Alex Weaver will offer pit reporting for the ARCA season opener, showcasing FOX’s deep pool of talent as the broadcast network refines roles for its growing NASCAR portfolio.
Timetable and Access for the 2024 Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 will air live on FOX from 2:30 p.m. ET on February 15, inviting fans across the nation to witness the action as it unfolds. In parallel, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will deliver live radio commentary, making the broadcast widely accessible for enthusiasts unable to tune in via television. All key Cup Series broadcast team changes, including Joey Logano’s adjusted position, are designed to improve coverage and fan experience, with the event remaining the highlight of NASCAR’s calendar.
NASCAR Shifts to Historic ‘Chase’ Format for 2026
NASCAR has unveiled a revamped championship structure for the 2026 season, reintroducing the ‘Chase’ format originally in place from 2004 to 2014. This approach rewards overall consistency throughout the season and shifts playoff qualification to a points-based system, rather than granting playoff spots solely for race wins. The top 16 points-earners at the Cup level will qualify for the postseason, battling through a 10-race closing stretch to determine the series champion.
This change signals the end of the elimination-style postseason, requiring drivers to focus on season-long performance rather than singular victories. For the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the playoff fields will be set at 12 and 10 drivers respectively, echoing the intent to emphasize consistency across the sport’s most competitive levels.
NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell emphasized the significance of tailoring the format for fans who have remained loyal over the years, stating,
“The biggest thing was looking at who we wanted to be as a sport going forward, and that included really a focus on our core fan base and who had been with us for a long, long time and gotten the sport to where it was. So we wanted our future format to reflect that.” — Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR President
“A lot of things you’re going to see and how we talked to the fans, from an overall NASCAR standpoint, was going to really embrace that hardcore fan, and so we felt like the format needed to absolutely reflect that,” he added. — Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR President
This decision has been positioned as a move to honor the sport’s dedicated supporters, switching back to a system that many longtime followers recognize and appreciate.
Impact and Implications for NASCAR Coverage and Competition
FOX’s reorganization for the Daytona 500, including Joey Logano’s decreased broadcast presence, demonstrates its effort to bring a fresh approach and more dynamic expertise to NASCAR’s biggest race. With adjustments across pit reporting and the broadcast booth, and by involving respected names such as Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Mike Joy, and Larry McReynolds, FOX aims to offer fans deeper analysis and engaging coverage of the event.
The return to a ‘Chase’ championship format also stands as a major shift for drivers like Joey Logano and others, challenging them to adapt their strategies for long-term points acquisition rather than focusing solely on race victories. These changes collectively signify NASCAR’s intention to realign with its roots while modernizing presentation for a broad audience, setting the stage for an intense 2026 season and reinforcing the Daytona 500’s status as the sport’s “crown jewel” event.
#NASCAR… @JamieLittleTV, @EBrennan45, and Brent Stover will share play-by-play duties in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026.
Little will call Daytona with @KevinHarvick and @JoeyLogano. Josh Sims, Regan Smith, and Amanda Busick will cover pit road.
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) February 2, 2026
