In 2024, Tony Stewart revealed what he felt about the racing dragsters for NHRA. He clearly said, “I enjoy it. I enjoy the people, I enjoy the atmosphere, the camaraderie—nothing against the other series, but it has an old-school feel that I haven’t seen in a long time. When I say that, I don’t mean that it’s primitive at all, but the amount of fun that I’ve had there, even before I started driving, is considerable.” And now, it all makes sense.

For over seven decades, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has been the heart and soul of American drag racing. Born in the 1950s, when gearheads took their street machines to the track instead of the streets, NHRA quickly became the pinnacle of straight-line speed. Legends like Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, John Force, and Shirley Muldowney turned quarter-mile sprints into a spectacle of raw horsepower.

But in today’s media landscape, motorsports aren’t just about speed, they’re about who controls the broadcast. FOX Sports has long been NHRA’s home, but change may be coming. With a $5.48 billion media giant lurking in the shadows, could NHRA’s next big race be off the track and into the hands of an unexpected player?

A potential shakeup in motorsports media?

​The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has enjoyed a longstanding partnership with FOX Sports, which has been the exclusive broadcaster of NHRA events since 2016. This collaboration continued with a multi-year extension announced in 2020, ensuring NHRA races were televised across FOX, FS1, and FS2 well into the decade.

Throughout this alliance, FOX Sports has provided extensive coverage of NHRA’s premier events, including the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. The 2025 season’s television schedule features eight broadcasts on the main FOX network, highlighting the significance of NHRA within FOX’s motorsports programming.

As the current broadcast agreement approaches its conclusion, NHRA is proactively exploring its media rights options. In a strategic move, NHRA has enlisted Octagon, a renowned sports marketing and media agency, to advise on content strategy and media rights negotiations for the upcoming television cycle.

Octagon’s involvement marks the first time NHRA has sought external consultation for media rights, signaling a potential shift in its broadcasting approach. This collaboration aims to evaluate and enhance NHRA’s media presence, potentially expanding its reach through various platforms, including Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) services like Roku Channel, Samsung TV+, Sling Free Stream, and Tubi.

Notably, The CW has emerged as a strong, top contender, with sources indicating its interest in acquiring NHRA rights.

Given The CW’s increasing investment in live sports, including its recent deals for ACC football and basketball, adding NHRA to its lineup could significantly boost its sports programming. If a deal materializes, it might provide NHRA with broader exposure beyond its current FOX viewership base.

As NHRA navigates these negotiations, the motorsports broadcasting landscape may experience significant changes. The outcome could redefine how fans engage with drag racing content, potentially introducing new players into the arena and altering the dynamics of motorsports media rights. But have you seen how The CW has scaled up recently? So, is it just the skyrocketing of luck or a calculated move? Maybe they were just at the right place at the right time, putting their mind in the right thing.

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The CW’s growing sports portfolio

For years, The CW was known for teen dramas and superhero series, but recently, it has made a surprising pivot into live sports. The network has already secured rights to major sporting events, including LIV Golf and ACC college football and basketball. Plus, it had already stepped in to broadcast the final eight races of the 2024 season after NBC backed out. Now, with reports suggesting it may pursue NHRA’s media rights, The CW could further solidify itself as a legitimate sports broadcaster.

This shift aligns with The CW’s broader strategy under new ownership. Nexstar Media Group, which acquired a majority stake in 2022, has been aggressively rebranding the network to appeal to a wider audience. Adding NHRA to its lineup would give The CW another major live sports property, helping it compete with traditional sports networks and streaming services.

A move to The CW could also benefit NHRA. The network reaches nearly every household in America through free over-the-air broadcasts, making it an attractive alternative to cable-exclusive deals. If NHRA partners with The CW, it could potentially draw in a younger, more diverse audience, something the sport has been aiming for in recent years.

With its expanding sports portfolio and free TV accessibility, The CW is quickly becoming a real player in the media rights game. However, recent broadcasting missteps, particularly concerning NASCAR’s Xfinity Series, have raised concerns about the network’s readiness to handle live sports coverage effectively.

It will be interesting to see if The CW can overcome these hurdles and establish itself as a reliable destination for motorsports fans.