It’s the start of something new in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. American broadcast network ‘The CW’ is set to cover the final eight events of the season, including all the playoff races. According to reports, the coverage will not just be limited to the main event and will include practice and qualifying as well, and the contract is set to run through until 2031. Most importantly, fans will be able to watch every Xfinity Series race for free, throughout CW’s seven-year-long stint.
They say that ‘if it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t’ but according to Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern, the broadcaster has shared a bold revelation about the network’s ad strategy, that has left NASCAR fans elated at the prospect of watching Xfinity Series races in a manner they have never seen before.
CW Network’s broadcast takeover could be a gamechanger
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According to Adam Stern, CW has partnered with 25 advertisers for its NASCAR coverage. Some of the biggest multi-billion dollar companies are included such as Samsung, Snapchat, KFC, Toyota, The NAPA Network, NBCUniversal Parks, Progressive, and Pfizer. The SBJ writer added that while most of the coverage will feature full-screen action, there will also be side-by-side coverage of the races, and only a limited number of ads will be showcased on the entire screen.
.@TheCW says it has added 25 new advertisers for NASCAR coverage including @Samsung, @Snapchat, @KFC, @Toyota, @theNAPAnetwork, @NBCUniversal Parks, @Progressive and @Pfizer.
🔲 It’ll have some full-screen ads but says majority of races to be full-screen action or side-by-side. pic.twitter.com/7qKNdPVQzu
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) September 19, 2024
Despite CW Network being the official broadcaster starting with the final race of the regular Xfinity Series season, the coverage will still be produced by long-time NASCAR partner NBC Sports. The sanctioning body’s deal with CW marks a significant approach in how domestic media rights will be approached in the foreseeable future, not just in the world of motorsports, but also beyond. As for fans, the limited ads will be a refreshing change from Fox and NBC Sport’s coverage of the races, especially since they will not have to pay a subscription fee to catch up with NASCAR’s second-tier action.
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NASCAR's bold ad move—Is this the game-changer fans have been waiting for?
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With the race at Bristol Motor Speedway on the horizon, JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier will be looking to defend his crown at the 0.533-mile short track. As things stand, only one race remains before the playoffs begin at Kansas Speedway and Allgaier leads the driver standings, a staggering 43 points ahead of second place Cole Custer. Dale Earnhardt Jr will also be behind the wheel of his No. 88 Chevy in what will be his last Xfinity Series appearance of the season. Will he do better than his 30th place finish from last year, in what would be CW Network’s first official NASCAR broadcast of the year? Time will tell.
NASCAR fans excited by CW Network’s Xfinity takeover
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It didn’t take long for fans to take to social media and express their enthusiasm at the prospect of CW Network taking over the NASCAR Xfinity Series coverage. While it might be better late than never, one fan expressed their delight at how the broadcaster will approach the races, wishing others would also follow suit in the future. Writing on X, the fan said, “Mostly side-by-side or full-screen action. I like it. Wish the other broadcasters, namely FOX, could do that.”
One fan believes that NASCAR’s decision to align the Xfinity Series with the CW Network was the best choice they could have made, even if that meant cutting ties with Fox Sports, which has been the broadcaster of the competition since 2017. The fan wrote, “Going exclusively to the cw will be the best thing that’s ever happened to the series. They had to burn bridges at FOX to do it but in the end, it’s worth it.” Echoing that sentiment, another fan expressed optimism about how the coverage of NASCAR’s second tier will be handled going forward, going on to write, “CW is going to knock this out of the park.”
With CW Network promising a limited number of ads as well as full-screen or side-by-side screen action, one fan felt that the change was needed in the ever-evolving media landscape. Keeping that in mind, the fan went on to write, “NASCAR BROADCASTS ARE FINALLY EVOLVING🙏🙏”. Another fan shared their belief that NASCAR tends to do well when broadcasters prioritize the sport, something that the organization hasn’t been enjoying from the current broadcasters. Expressing hope that the sport could return to its former heights, the X user went on to say, “NASCAR became huge when they were on networks where they were the ‘big dog.’ The CW may offer that environment again.” And well, that’s all we hope for too.
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NASCAR's bold ad move—Is this the game-changer fans have been waiting for?