NASCAR is gearing up for a seismic shift in 2025, with a brand-new $7.7 billion broadcast contract that sees the sport embracing modern streaming platforms alongside traditional TV. Amazon Prime, TNT, the CW, and even Twitch are joining the fray, promising to revolutionize how fans experience races. But as NASCAR charges into this high-tech future, it’s worth pausing to reflect on where it’s been—and some partnerships that helped pave the way. And so, down memory lane we go.

Hold up, though. What’s this new broadcast contract about? Well, Amazon will stream five marquee events, including the iconic Coca-Cola 600 and a historic race in Mexico City, while Warner Bros. is set to deliver live action on TNT and its Max streaming service. Twitch, meanwhile, offers an innovative twist: interactive watch parties that might just redefine the fan experience for younger, digital-native audiences. It’s all part of a bold strategy to breathe new life into a sport that’s seen its audience shift in recent years.

While a shift to these might be what the time demands, there is nothing quite like the old ones. Ever heard of MRN TV? Don’t worry if you haven’t—it’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it chapter in NASCAR’s history. From 1979 to 1981, the Motor Racing Network dabbled in televised races. Yes, MRN, the same folks synonymous with radio broadcasts, once had a TV division. Legends like Mike Joy and Ned Jarrett brought races to life on screen until the 1981 Riverside season opener marked their final foray into television. After that, they stuck to their bread and butter: radio. It’s a curious footnote, but one that reminds us how far NASCAR has come in reaching fans.

Then there’s the Miso Television Network, which aired NASCAR from 1982 to 1986. You might remember their coverage of Richard Petty’s controversial 198th win in the 1983 Miller High Life 500—yes, the one with the oversized engine that earned Petty a $35,000 fine and a point deduction. Miso’s broadcasts, often tape-delayed, had a certain charm, even as the network struggled to maintain its footing in a competitive market.

Another fascinating chapter belongs to the Special Events Television Network (SATN). Operating on a shoestring budget, SATN delivered races from tracks like Daytona, Charlotte, and Martinsville. The network lasted until 1988, when rising competition from ESPN spelled its end. Still, SATN’s scrappy approach brought NASCAR into homes across America during its formative years. However, the experiments with the broadcast didn’t stop there, it went beyond.

The quirks and experiments of NASCAR’s broadcast past

Perhaps the oddest experiment in NASCAR’s broadcast history was its brief stint on pay-per-view. Yes, you read that right. From 1988 to 1990, one of the Pocono races was behind a paywall. Fans, understandably, were not thrilled. Can you imagine the outcry if social media had existed back then? The broadcasts featured call-ins during races—a novel idea—but the pay-per-view experiment quickly fizzled out.

Then there was the Financial News Network (FNN), which aired just one NASCAR race in 1988. Known primarily for its wrestling coverage, FNN dabbled in sports programming before shifting focus. It’s a curious blip in NASCAR’s timeline, but one that underscores the sport’s willingness to try new things.

Other short-lived partners included SportsChannel America and Prime Sports, both of which dipped their toes into NASCAR coverage before disappearing from the scene. SportsChannel America aired a handful of Busch Series races in 1990, while Prime Sports pioneered regular coverage of qualifying sessions—a significant step forward at the time.

And who could forget HDNet? Co-founded by Mark Cuban, the channel broadcast Busch East races from 2005 to 2007. While its time in NASCAR was brief, HDNet’s high-definition coverage set a new standard for how races could look on screen.

Looking back on these forgotten partnerships, you can’t help but appreciate the resilience and adaptability that have kept NASCAR in the spotlight. From regional networks to pay-per-view experiments, each chapter represents a stepping stone to where the sport is today. And while those early days may seem quaint compared to the billion-dollar deals of 2025, they’re a reminder of the creativity and ambition that have always driven NASCAR forward.

As fans prepare to tune into Amazon, TNT, and Twitch, it’s worth remembering the trailblazers that got us here. The new era of streaming promises to bring NASCAR to a broader and younger audience, but it’s the lessons of the past that will guide its future.