Hopeful for new beginnings this new year, NASCAR fans were more than excited to tune into the 2023 NASCAR float parade. However, their hopes came crashing down soon enough. Unfortunately, what NASCAR fans witnessed during the airing of the parade was nothing less than heartbreaking. According to several reports by fans, NASCAR’s broadcast sponsor NBC Sports failed to cover the much-anticipated ‘Always Forward’ parade. Moreover, the float was not visible on multiple national outlets.
With around a month left to the kick-start of the 2023 Cup season, this does not look good for the sport. The 2023 Rose parade won the Most Outstanding Depiction of the National Treasures and Traditions award. And not being able to see it was definitely an enormous disappointment for NASCAR fans.
Infuriated by the events, fans took to Twitter to display their dissatisfaction with the media partners. Criticizing NBC Sports, many Twitter users demanded an explanation from the broadcasting company. Furthermore, a few others demanded NASCAR reconsider its relationship with NBC.
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NBC Sports, a NASCAR broadcast partner, did not show the NASCAR float during its two hour coverage of the Rose Parade. The only sighting was the top of the float that could be seen over the shoulders of the two hosts as they signed off at the top of the hour
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) January 2, 2023
I do hope NASCAR reconsiders their relationship with NBC going forward, given how they consistently push NASCAR to the bottom of their priority list.
— Benjamin (@KSC3971) January 2, 2023
Welcome to @NBC, you must be new here. You think this is bad? You should see what they do for @IndyCar. NBC/Comcast does not care about motorsports.
— Evan Dawson (@MrEvanDawson) January 3, 2023
The coverage was a train wreck! Somebody should be fired!
— Erik Tomas (@ETRaceline) January 2, 2023
Never have been a fan of NBC’s coverage of NASCAR. This is another reason why. Missed opportunity to promote the sport they’ve’ partnered with & a let down for NASCAR fans and future NASCAR fans.👎
— GregNJ66 (@GregNJ66) January 2, 2023
But when NBC needs NASCAR to completely flip an event on its lid in order to satiate the tv crowd; NASCAR seems to have no choice but to cater. Guess a couple seconds’ shot of a float was too much to ask for
— Bob Johnson 🥋 (@___BobJohnson) January 2, 2023
NBC has never been a partner to NASCAR….they've been all we want and you do! That's not a partner that's a dictator!
— smitty (@1bighoss62) January 3, 2023
Shame on them!!
Let Fox do the entire season.— Sgtshotmom (@sgtshotmom) January 2, 2023
Soon enough, NASCAR released a statement explaining the massive broadcasting blunder. In their explanation, the governing body revealed that some ‘unforeseen delays’ in the parade were the reason for the float not making it to NBC’s national broadcast window. However, fans did not take this well. Sharing a picture of the statement on her official Twitter account, SiriusXM NASCAR’s Claire B Lang wrote:
I asked #NASCAR for info on why the NASCAR float wasn't seen on some national outlets….Here is statement …. pic.twitter.com/kKrWs4U8TS
— Claire B Lang (@ClaireBLang) January 2, 2023
A very well worded PR statement. I say bull, NBC could have ran a few minutes over. If Nascar does a float next year it better be the 1st float in line.
— becky (@ernhrt1) January 2, 2023
No offense, that’s a BS response! Until @NASCAR starts pushing back & calling out the networks for their blatant disregard towards the sport & fans; NBC, ABC, & Fox will continue neglecting them. It’s sad that the higher ups at @NASCAR keep allowing such disrespect! #RoseParade
— Nicole Huttie (@nicole_huttie) January 2, 2023
@nascar This is completely a B.S., they do not care for NASCAR at all, no other way around. What a shame, we as fans, were excited, looking forward to see the 1st ever Nascar float, guess what , it's a disaster.
— Christine (@classicnitro) January 2, 2023
READ MORE: GMS Racing Tease Massive Truck Series Announcement for October
The ‘Always Forward’ parade marked NASCAR’s 75th anniversary. Moreover, the float featured seven-time champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty alongside GMS Racing’s upcoming talent Rajah Caruth.
Why did Rajah Caruth join the NASCAR Float Parade?
The theme for NASCAR’s 2023 float parade was ‘Always Forward.’ And who else other than Rajah Caruth justifies this theme of always moving ahead? Kick-starting his driving career on the computer, Caruth is a modern-day iRacing champion who represents NASCAR’s future. Moreover, his upcoming debut in the full-time season of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with GMS Racing marks a new era in the world of motorsport.
Talking about Caruth’s participation in the parade, NASCAR Marketing Services Vice President Patrick Rogers said, “NASCAR’s 75th anniversary is all about honoring our past, celebrating our present, and looking to our future.”
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Moreover, he added, “It’s only fitting that a driver like Rajah, who represents NASCAR’s now and beyond, joins our all-time winningest driver on this historic day of our sport.”
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Caruth will be driving the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado for GMS Racing. Sponsored by Wendell Scott Foundation, Caruth will make its debut on the worldwide Technology Raceway.
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Typical BS! NBC Sucks Anyway and ABC dont care about Nascar
— EJ43 (@pettyfan4398) January 2, 2023
