NASCAR Asked to Take Key Streaming Decision After Its Version of F1 ‘Drive to Survive’ Loses Big to Austin Dillon

Co-produced by NASCAR Studios and Dale Earnhardt Jr, the ‘Race for the Championship’ series premiered on USA Network on Thursday. Similar to ‘F1:Drive to Survive,’ the 10-episode series will narrate the behind-the-scenes story of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series. Featuring past champions like Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, and Joey Logano, among others, it will give an insight into the lives of NASCAR drivers, both on and off the track.  

Based on similar lines, Austin Dillon released his own show ‘Austin Dillon’s Life in the Fast Lane,’ earlier in 2022. The show followed the over-the-top lifestyle of the Daytona 500 champion; full of adventure and some heart–touching moments, the show also provided an insight into the personal life of Austin Dillon through his family and friends. 

With the premiere of the ‘Race for the Championship,’ it is obvious that people compared the contents of the show with other racing series. Drawing similarities and pointing out differences, Twitter users compared the ‘Race for the Championship’ with past shows like ‘Racing Wives,’ Dale Earnhardt Jr’s ‘Renovation Realities,’ and ‘Austin Dillon’s Life in the Fast Lane.’ 

‘Austin Dillon’s Life in the Fast Lane’ premiered on USA Network on June 23, 2022. Although the show wasn’t a success, around 237,000 viewers watched the debut of Dillon’s show in June 2022; NASCAR’s ‘Race for the Championship’ could only attract 233,000 views on Thursday. And a Twitter user made sure to inform the other NASCAR fans about it.

Although it is still too early to conclude which show is more successful, fans around the world feel that NASCAR should put the show on other streaming networks to attract new fans.

What other NASCAR shows aired before the ‘Race for the Championship?’

‘Racing Wives’ premiered in 2019, following the lives of the racing stars and their spouses, the show starred Samantha Busch, Ashley Busch, Whitney Ward Dillon, and Amber Balcaen among others. The show primarily navigated how the NASCAR Cup Series stars balanced their family life, ambitions, and on-track goals. 

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Having premiered on Peacock Network on July 15, 2020, Dale Earnhardt Jr’s ‘Lost Speedways’ was a television documentary series about abandoned racetracks. Hosted by Earnhardt Jr, the series currently comprises two seasons and 16 episodes.  

Recently premiered on Netflix, ‘Race: Bubba Wallace’ aired its first episode on February 22, 2022. A docuseries, the show provides an insight into the life of NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace and follows Wallace’s struggle as he competes for the newly established 21XI Racing team.  

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Apart from these, many other initiatives have been taken by NASCAR and NASCAR enthusiasts before. The primary aim of these has been to provide a deeper insight into the lives of the on-track champions. This helps the fans feel closer to their favorite drivers and help them relate to the racing stars better.