FOX Ending Its Iconic Gig Leaves Fans Claiming ‘NASCAR Is Dying’

Since it hit the scene back in ’09, NASCAR Race Hub has been like a best buddy to fans. Based right in the heart of NASCAR territory, Charlotte, N.C., it’s been serving up all the juicy news, interviews, and behind-the-scenes stuff that gearheads crave. But now as Fox scales back on its NASCAR broadcast, the beloved show is coming to an end.

Featuring big names, like the legendary Jimmy Spencer and Adam Alexander, and always keeping us in the loop with the latest from the race shops, this show’s been a lifeline for NASCAR nuts everywhere. With over 2,500 episodes across 15 seasons, it’s been a mainstay for fans nationwide. But now, it’s time to say goodbye. After confirming the show’s closure last month, FOX revealed that the final episode, “The Victory Lap,” will air on June 11.

End of an era: NASCAR Race Hubs’ legacy and impact

‘NASCAR Race Hub’ was not just another news program. It served as NASCAR’s heartbeat on television for years and years. It started airing on Speed Channel on October 12, 2009, with Adam Alexander and Krista Voda as hosts. FOX Sports 1 got hold of it in 2013 and it has been aired on the network ever since, making it FS1’s longest-running daily studio show. Notably, it was initially a 30-minute program, later extended to a 60-minute daily show. Race Hub has attracted many viewers owing to its dynamic content.

This led to it being nominated for four Sports Emmy nominations, including a 2022 nomination for ‘Studio Show—Daily.’ Each episode had news items analyzed along with interview sections, thus targeting all NASCAR lovers. Besides these daily news stories and features, Race Hub became famous for its ‘Radioactive’ segment, known for replaying recent race weekends with in-car radio audio. Thus, bringing fans closer to track actions. By bringing top NASCAR drivers for interviews or announcements, it created credibility among the NASCAR community.

Over the years, the show also witnessed rotating Fox Sports hosts, such as Shannon Spake, Josh Sims and Kaitlyn Vincie. The show also began to feature more drivers and crew chief analysts. Jamie McMurray, David Ragan and Michael Waltrip are among the other former drivers still involved with the show. Fans will also recall “Mr. Excitment” Jimmy Spencer having a segment on the show, which became popular due to the “awards” he gave to teams and drivers such as crying towel, cigars, strait jackets.

For NASCAR fans, the Race Hub has become a staple of the sport that love so dearly. But now the official FOX: NASCAR on X revealed that the show will be bowing out with a special 90-minute show titled, “The Victory Lap.”

The decision to end Race Hub came as FOX prepares to cut down on its NASCAR broadcasting, starting with a new seven-year TV deal set to commence in 2025. The preceding deal saw FOX Sports cover the first 20 NASCAR Cup Series races and the first 14 Xfinity Series races, plus practice and qualifying, and all on-track activities for the Craftsman Truck Series.

However, the new deal will see FOX broadcasting just the first 14 Cup Series races, along with some practice and qualifying sessions. The reduced coverage, plus the news of ending Race Hub has led to speculation that FOX is losing interest in NASCAR, focusing more on other sports and entertainment options.

As Tuesday, June 11th, sees the last installment of the show being released, the 1-hour daily program will conclude its over-a-decade-long journey. And it has got fans asking if this is the beginning of NASCAR’s end.

“Like canceling SportsCenter,” Fans bid an emotional farewell to NASCAR Race Hub

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The termination of Race Hub has caused massive disappointment among fans, who considered the show part and parcel of their lives. One fan tweeted his shock unaware that the show is coming to a close, “WAIT. Why is RaceHub ending????”

Fox’s decision stems from the fact that it wants less NASCAR programming. But what does it mean for the future of the sport? Going forward, NASCAR needs to adapt itself to digital platforms if it is to stay relevant in the sponsorship world. It can no longer rely on telemarketing partners alone. But a significant step taken by NASCAR in this direction is roping in Amazon Prime for the 2025 season.

Still, the sadness of seeing Race Hub come to an end, will linger. Another fan wrote, “This just adds to the argument that @NASCAR is dying. You’re not gonna change my mind there are so many signs but people are choosing to ignore.” This news, also brings to light the troubles within NASCAR over revenue share. Talks over a new charter agreement haven’t progressed, with the current agreement set to expire at the end of the season.

It is reported that Cup teams want an extra share of the media revenue from the new $1.1 billion annual media rights deal, which will run from 2025-2031. However, NASCAR chairman Jim France is not keen to discuss these terms. Hence, there is a stalemate. The reports of NASCAR’s troubles is further compounded by the decision of Tony Stewart and Gene Haas to shutter SHR at the end of the season, having decided to sell their charters.

Building on this degree of connection, some viewers opened up further on the Race Hub with an emotional angle. One fan remarked, “Going to miss #RaceHub. I watched every day for 15 years.”

Fox’s move also comes as a surprise, given that Race Hub has pulled up consistent viewership numbers in six figures with an audience of 931,000 tuning in for a May 5 episode this year.

Race Hub became popular for having analysts, drivers sharing their insights and interviews with stars from yesteryears. Last year, its special episode, “REMEMBERING 75 YEARS OF NASCAR RIVALRIES,” was a standout among fans. It featured Kyle Busch, Rusty Wallace, Darrell Waltrip and other names with Fox NASCAR analyst Clint Bowyer as they reminisced about some of the biggest rivalries in the sport.

Recalling the show’s special feel, a fan pointed out, “I enjoy RaceHub and am sad that it is going away! It was a great platform for post-race analysis, driver interviews, racing news, etc. What will replace it as far as NASCAR content??” 

Another fan, who perhaps enjoyed the show for its analysis was left upset and likened it to SportsCenter for NASCAR fans, “So sad. It’s a shame. It’s like canceling SportsCenter.” No secret that every segment of the show had its own mini-fanbase.

Some fans were concerned about the future of the Steve Byrnes Studio. Named after the late broadcaster Steve Byrnes, it was the stage for all the action Race Hub had carried out. One of the fans put across this question: “What happens to the Steve Byrnes studio after this?” A legit question, indeed.

The move from FOX has left a lot of fans disappointed and questioning NASCAR’s future. Is NASCAR dying? Perhaps it’s way too early to call it that way. But, with Race Hub’s closure, a significant part of it will cease to exist.