NASCAR is entering 2025 with big plans to engage its fans. Recently, NASCAR studios announced a partnership with FOX Sports Films to release two documentaries for the fans. The FS1 will release The Madhouse and So Damn Close: Atlanta ‘24 ahead of the season opener at Daytona. While fans are excited about two new shows, everything doesn’t seem to be going smoothly. Fox’s partnership with NASCAR comes amid the delay in Netflix’s NASCAR: Full Speed season two. After releasing the first season in January 2024, Netflix filmed the 2024 season for the next part of the show. However, the release date for the show is yet to be announced while preparations for the Cup series season are in full swing.

The recent celebratory announcement has raised questions about the show’s timing. Is this sudden partnership a clever distraction from Netflix’s shocking delay of NASCAR: Full Speed season two?

Why has NASCAR partnered with Fox Sports Films?

On the lines of the Formula 1-centric Drive to Survive series, Netflix released the first season of NASCAR: Full Speed in January 2024. The Netflix series captured hearts in its maiden season, offering an honest, behind-the-scenes portrayal of drivers during the playoffs. For a sport that often struggled to connect its stars with a younger audience, the series was a game-changer.

The timing of the show was also intriguing. Dropping in January, it served as a preseason appetizer by building anticipation for the season opener. However, this year Netflix has decided to drop the second season in April. It will come after some marque events like the Clash at Bowman Gray and the Daytona 500.

The timing seems especially poor considering NASCAR’s focus on expanding its audience. They won’t be able to ride on the anticipation built by the raw Netflix drama. The whole idea behind these shows is to provide an intense, drama-filled recap of the last season, and with the way the Cup Series ended, it was something fans were looking forward to. For the past few days, fans have raised the same concerns on social media platforms. Amid the ongoing Netflix drama, Fox Sports jumps into the scene with two new shows.

With these shows, NASCAR and Fox will aim to provide fans with captivating stories during the preseason. The first film, The Madhouse, will air on January 27 on Fox Sports 1. The documentary will explore NASCAR’s return to Bowman Gray Stadium after half a century. Narrated by Emmy-winning Tom Rinaldi, it blends nostalgia with grassroots racing charm. The show will also include exclusive interviews with Jim France and Ben Kennedy.

Meanwhile, the second film So Damn Close: Atlanta ’24 will premiere on February 13. The show will revisit last year’s historic three-way finish in Atlanta. The documentary will feature all three: Daniel Suárez, Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Busch who fought for lead at last year’s Ambetter Health 400. What adds to the speculation is the reason behind the release of the Netflix show. According to Tim Mullen, one of the producers of Full Speed, the show was delayed due to a lot of releases taking place on Netflix. With Fox, a partner platform, NASCAR may have the opportunity to gain some benefit from the mistake of pushing Full Speed to April.

On the surface, the collaboration between FOX and NASCAR Studios feels like a win for fans. However, the underlying frustration over Full Speed’s delay remains. After all, Netflix’s series offered something unique—an unfiltered, unscripted look into the drivers’ lives, unlike traditional documentaries.

The Risk of Losing Momentum

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NASCAR’s ultimate goal is to attract new fans while keeping loyal ones engaged. FOX’s documentaries are undoubtedly a strong effort to achieve this. But the delayed release of Full Speed season two risks derailing that progress. A three-month off-season is the perfect window to release engaging content that bridges the gap between seasons. However, it seems that Netflix missed the opportunity this year.

Notably, Netflix’s delay also raises questions about whether the streaming giant is prioritizing other projects. Executive producer Tim Mullen admitted that a “thicker February schedule” pushed the release to April. “Yeah, the Netflix schedule is a little bit thicker this time in February, so the next iteration of the show, season two, will drop in April,” he was quoted as saying by What’s on Netflix.

Whether intentional or not, FOX appears to be stepping in to cover for Netflix’s blunder. The documentaries come at a critical time, ensuring NASCAR remains in the spotlight during the offseason. Fox Sports and NASCAR both will expect these two documentaries to fill the pre-season void and promote the sport to the fullest. Do let us know your views on this issue.