Fox Sports and NASCAR: A Shifting Broadcast Landscape
The world of NASCAR broadcasting is undergoing a significant transformation. As part of NASCAR’s current media rights agreement, which took effect before the 2025 season, Fox Sports’ initial coverage of the Cup Series has been adjusted to accommodate new broadcast partners. This shift reflects the evolving media landscape and the increasing demand for NASCAR content.
A Reduced Schedule, A New Distribution
Previously airing 18 races, Fox Sports’ season-opening schedule has been trimmed to 14 point races. This adjustment makes room for the return of TNT Sports, absent since 2015, and the exciting addition of Amazon Prime Video. While the previous agreement featured only Fox and NBC, the majority of Fox Sports’ races are now broadcast on Fox Sports 1 – eight out of the 14 to be exact.
Despite this shift, the 2026 season began with a strong showing on the flagship Fox channel, featuring four consecutive races, including the preseason Cook Out Clash, the iconic Daytona 500, and races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Circuit of the Americas (COTA). However, fans will find that a significant portion of the remaining races will be available on Fox Sports 1. Currently, Fox Sports isn’t scheduled to broadcast another race for seven weeks, with the next five – starting with the race at Phoenix Raceway – airing live on Fox Sports 1. This stretch also includes races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Martinsville Speedway, and Bristol Motor Speedway.
The Long Wait and Upcoming Broadcasts
Interestingly, there’s a 49-day gap between the race at COTA and the next Fox broadcast at Kansas Speedway on April 19th. The season’s only other race on Fox is scheduled for Talladega Superspeedway on April 26th. Following Talladega, Fox Sports 1 will conclude Fox’s portion of the schedule with races at Texas Motor Speedway, Watkins Glen International, and the relocated All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway.
A Three-Network Rotation
Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports will each broadcast five races before NBC takes over the season-ending portion of the schedule. Similar to Fox Sports, the majority of NBC’s races (10 out of 14) will be shown on USA Network rather than the main NBC channel.
The Voices of NASCAR on Fox
The Fox Sports broadcast booth is led by veteran announcer Mike Joy, alongside analysts Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick. Amazon Prime Video features Adam Alexander with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte, while NBC’s booth consists of Leigh Diffey, Letarte, and Jeff Burton. These talented commentators bring expert insight and excitement to every race.
Catch the live coverage of the Straight Talk Wireless 500 from Phoenix Raceway this Sunday, March 8th, beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1! Start a free trial of FuboTV today and ensure you don’t miss any of the high-octane action from the desert!
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